Planning Commissioner Takes Job Seriously

By Jonathan Farrell

The people of San Francisco remain a major focus of Sue Lee, a member of the SF Planning Commission, as she sets the course of her term. No stranger to city politics, Lee brings a lot of experience to the commission.

"After I finished my work as vice president of public affairs with the SF Chamber of Commerce, I became director of Economic Development for Mayor Willie Brown," she said.

Citing Brown's Economic Summit as one of the highlights, she said "the intensity level was tremendous. I enjoyed it and learned a lot on how things get done." The litany of jobs and positions Lee has held is varied as she has worked in the administration of four mayors, including Frank Jordan, Art Agnos and Dianne Feinstein. During that time her view of "the big picture" has not wavered. Lee still likes to meet with the people at all levels.

"In my role as member of the planning commission people are surprised that I want to meet with them," Lee said. "I am there to listen."

The issues of major concern to Lee concern the neighborhood, community, families, the public school system and small businesses. Lee is currently "back on the board of the Richmond Neighborhood Center." Her affiliation with the neighborhood and the Richmond Neighborhood Center is something she holds in great esteem.

"As the influx of people in the Richmond changes, a neighborhood has to get to acquainted. We still have to learn to live harmoniously side by side," Lee said of the center's role in the community. Community concerns for Lee are everyone's concern.

"In order for City Hall to be responsive to the needs of the district, the people of the district need to ask, to speak up," she said. "Very much like the squeaky wheel that gets the grease, all districts need to learn to ask."

Continuing her contacts with grassroots groups, Lee emphasizes the importance of advocacy in every district in the City. The public school system is also vital to Lee.

"I am a product of the public schools and very much a believer in them," Lee said.

Her feelings on that subject have been consistent. "We will lose families and they will continue to leave the City if we do not improve our public school system," she said a decade ago. She also thinks it is important for teachers to be more in control of their primary duty.

"Teachers need to teach. They should not have other responsibilities, such as bus duty. They need more opportunities to improve their skills."

Lee also works to help small businesses. "Small business is important to the City despite the cycles of the economy in which any small business is affected," said Lee. "Small businesses definitely give the City character and offer the City something to be cherished."

Lee empathizes with small business owners, exclaiming, "It's not easy - all small business owners would like to be unshackled by ordinances and fees." She said the city's laws concerning small business, including the granting of permits for outdoor tables and chairs, has to be evenly administered. She said she has heard many small business owners say the law is arbitrarily enforced and that enforcement seems unfair.

"The regulator has to be consistent and not show bias or favoritism," Lee said.

One of Lee's favorite small businesses is Javaholics coffee house on Balboa Street, not far from her Richmond District home.

Looking to the "big picture," one fear Lee sees in the immediate future of the City is fewer families living in the City. "Everyone agrees that affordable housing is a priority," Lee said. "The question becomes: Who is the affordable housing for? The poor and homeless are a concern for sure, but without families, how do we build a future that has important values and reflects our city's diversity?" Lee said. "Perhaps building more housing in areas of San Francisco that allows for more density is what we need."

Lee hopes she makes a positive impact on the planning commission.

"I want to be the best I can be," she said.