Jake McGoldrick: Prop. D is a Much-needed Reform Measure

Last November, voters chose overwhelmingly to approve several propositions submitted by the Board of Supervisors to reform city government by making it more responsive to residents of our neighborhoods.

Proposition C - my proposal to require any appointee to an elective office to face the voters at the next election - was passed by a huge majority.

Also passed were measures that established an election commission to insulate the Election Department from political influence, strengthened the Ethics Commission, and guaranteed voters a say in any plan to fill the Bay for development. I supported all of these measures and was pleased that voters agreed that we needed such reforms.

I am also the sponsor of Proposition D, on the ballot for this March's election, another much-needed, good government reform. Proposition D will change the process for appointments to the SF Planning Department and of the SF Board of Appeals, addressing an imbalance in our planning and land-use decisions that has existed for many years under several mayors.

Put simply, with appointments to these land use commissions controlled entirely by and serving totally at the pleasure of the mayor, there is a lack of diversity of views concerning land use decisions. It has long been the case that appointments to these commissions have represented mainly the interests of well-connected developers. Proposition D will ensure that neighborhoods also have representation on these commissions.

Under Proposition D, the mayor would continue to appoint a majority of the Planning Commission and the Board of Appeals. What would change is that the president of the SF Board of Supervisors would also appoint a minority of each commission's members. As a result, the mayor would appoint four and the board president would appoint three of the Planning Commission's members. The mayor would appoint three and the board president would appoint two members of the Board of Appeals. All seats will be subject to a public confirmation process at the Board of Supervisors to ensure that appointees are qualified and that neighborhood interests get representation in land use decisions.

Once appointed, all commissioners will be protected from political pressure to favor developers by allowing dismissal of appointees only in cases of misconduct.

When development is put solely in the hands of developers, lobbyists and special interests, our City suffers. Neighborhoods and communities are damaged and small businesses are displaced. Historic treasures are destroyed.

Over time, as San Francisco loses its character, our economic lifeblood - tourism - is threatened.

Proposition D restores balance and accountability to local development decisions. By democratizing appointments to the Planning Commission and Board of Appeals, Proposition D gives citizens, neighborhoods and communities more meaningful participation in shaping the future of San Francisco.

I hope you will once again support reasonable, good government reform.

Please join me, the Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods and many other San Francisco neighborhood organizations in supporting Proposition D to restore balance and accountability to city government.

Jake McGoldrick is a San Francisco supervisor who represents District 1, the Richmond District.