Market Octavia Plan Update

The Planning Commission finally concluded its deliberations on the Market and Octavia Plan on July 12th. The plan will now go before the Board of Supervisors, perhaps as early as August, but more likely in September. Recall that the Planning Commission had already approved the plan in April, tentative to an analysis of potential increases in affordable housing in the Market-Van Ness area, where high rises will be allowed on four parcels. The analysis was disappointing in that it concluded no additional affordable housing could be provided without tapping into the already limited community benefits funds derived from these high-rises. The planning commission voted 5-2 to require that all community impact fees in the Market-Van Ness area be directed at infrastructure improvements. HVNA’s Transportation and Planning Committee will continue to monitor and advocate for the plan at the Board of Supervisors, and diligently seek ways to increase affordable housing in the Van Ness area without negative impacts on benefits.