Supervisor Jake McGoldrick: Working to reach finish line

November is here, and we continue to race towards the finish line. We will remain busy until our last hour; here are a few of our current pieces of legislation.

Formula Retail Controls
I am working on the expansion of Conditional Use Permit authorizations for Formula Retail permits to extend into areas along the Van Ness corridor and the Tenderloin. This is not a ban of Formula Retail but will simply give the Planning Commission an opportunity to hear each Formula Retail establishment permit application.

Formula Retail is defined as any business with 11 or more stores nationwide. The existing Formula Retail controls throughout San Francisco are to preserve, protect and promote small business. Controls on additional Formula Retail stores will help preserve neighborhood character and keep San Francisco the unique City that we all love.

The commercial corridors in the Richmond District already have Condition Use requirements on Formula Retail stores. When an application is submitted, the Planning Commission holds a hearing to determine if the business is desired, necessary and fits the neighborhood character and need.

With the current economic crisis, now more than ever, San Francisco needs to ensure that our small businesses are protected and encouraged to grow.

No New Advertisements on San Francisco Streets
You may remember that I had a policy statement on the November 2007 ballot asking city officials to limit the advertisements that plaster transit shelters, kiosks, other street clutter and buildings in our public spaces to the current amount. An overwhelming number of voters (more than 61 percent) voted to say they believe that the City should keep the streets from further blight.

This month, my legislation to codify the will of the voters is winding its way through the legislative process.

I have made the legislation stronger than a policy statement by amending the administrative code so that we may ban more advertisements on the streets of San Francisco. This will freeze the number of advertisements on street furniture to the amount authorized before Jan. 1, 2008. This will ensure that current contracts with agencies will not be affected (therefore no revenue lost to the City), but also that any future contracts with advertisement agencies will not further clog our streets and visual environment.

Park Presidio Boulevard Reforestation
Please join me for a public meeting to discuss a reforestation proposal along Park Presidio Boulevard. A recent Tree Assessment Report by HortScience evaluated 1,077 trees in the 15 blocks east and west of Park Presidio Boulevard and indicated that a number of trees along the greenbelt that runs along Park Presidio Boulevard should be removed. The report identified 66 different species of trees, each rated for the risk for injury to pedestrians or damage to property. The goal of the project is to preserve the safety of residents and the character of the neighborhood.

Fifty trees have been identified for removal. After the trees are removed, the SF Recreation and Park Department will plant new trees that complement the boulevard, the neighborhood and existing flora.

I cannot reiterate enough that the trees slated for removal are being taken down in the interest of public safety. Park Presidio Boulevard is such a busy thoroughfare and there are families who live on either side of the forested area. I look forward to hearing your comments at the final public meeting on this issue, which will be held at the Hebrew Academy, located at 645 14th Ave., on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m.

We must proactively manage our trees to ensure their health and vitality, and preserve the unique green spaces of Park Presidio by implementing the reforestation as soon as possible.

Golden Gate Park Horse Stables
As some of you may recall, I sponsored a measure on the ballot last year to set up a matching fund program in an effort to raise money for the Golden Gate Park Stables. The program offers a $1 match of city funds, up to $750,000, for every $3 of private monies that are donated to the project. To donate money to the GG Park Stables project, go to the Park's Trust's Web site at sfpt.org or write a check to SFPT indicating that the donation should go to the stables.

We need to capture every dollar of the matching funds that we can. The deadline to donate for matching funds is March 1, 2009.

Phase One of restoring the historic horse stables will begin in the Fall of 2009. With your help, we can get our horse stables operating once again.

Jake McGoldrick is a San Francisco supervisor representing District 1.