Our monthly board of directors was dominated by discussion of the project at the King Edward II Inn and the plans for the America’s Cup. We also started the planning for a “Family Day” in the Marina (more on this in future columns), reviewed new benefits for Marina Community Association (MCA) members, and talked about a proposal to bring pedal cabs to Chestnut Street. Thanks to all the MCA directors who volunteer their personal time on behalf of our neighborhood.

TAY Housing Moving Forward
If you didn’t see it on the Planning Department calendar, the public rhetoric alone should have been enough to alert you that the King Edward II Inn project is now coming before the City in the form of a public hearing. For those of you who haven’t been following the issue, the proposal is to convert the King Edward II Inn on the corner of Scott and Lombard streets to low-income housing for at-risk young adults known as transitional-age youth. The PR spin is clearly in full swing, and residents of our neighborhood are once again being held up as unfeeling NIMBYs. One commenter went so far as to classify it as a battle between the rich and the poor, although apparently he wasn’t completely clear on which was which – private investors in the Edward II project stand to earn a 9 percent after-tax credit over the next 10 years – a pretty healthy bonus for those who have the cash to invest.

The project is sponsored by the Community Housing Partnership and Larkin Street Youth Services. To their credit, both organizations are making an effort to mollify some of the concerns of the neighborhood by meeting directly with interested residents and neighborhood groups. One outcome of these discussions is an increase in both the number of on-site managers and the hours that they work. This is definitely a step in the right direction and perhaps an indication that there may be some common ground.

However, one major objection of the neighborhood is the creation of a Special Use District (SUD) that would substantially increase the allowable population density on this particular parcel. If a building of this size at this location were to be used as permanent residences, current NC-3 zoning would allow no more than six residential units. Granted, state guidelines allow for a 35 percent “bonus density” for affordable housing, but creating 25 permanent units strikes most people as excessive, even when the units are classified as group housing. Worse, it sets a poor precedent for what the future may bring to the Lombard Street corridor. In a notable departure from usual protocol, supervisor and mayoral candidate David Chiu agreed to introduce the needed SUD legislation at the Board of Supervisors, despite the concerns expressed by District 2 Supervisor Mark Farrell.

The process will now go through a short series of public hearings and votes in the next several months, and may face legal action after that. As it stands now, the next significant hearing on the project will be on July 14 at the Planning Commission meeting. I encourage everyone who has a strong opinion to consider attending. Details can be found on the City’s website at www.sfgov.org, and as the schedules frequently change, you should check back often. You can also get more information and provide financial support through the Cow Hollow Association website at www.cowhollowassociation.org.

America’s Cup on the Horizon
The other dominant and substantially less contentious issue for the Marina is the upcoming America’s Cup. The Cup will bring worldwide attention to our neighborhood, starting in the summer of 2012 and culminating in the final events in the summer of 2013. The soon-to-be-released draft environmental impact report will begin the process of analyzing the environmental impacts of the event. Numerous organizations throughout the City are working hard to ensure that the Cup is a positive experience for participants, spectators and neighbors alike. Event organizers are clearly making a monumental effort to include our neighborhood in the planning process and we’re looking forward to an exciting race.
On another positive note, the MCA is happy to extend a welcome to Cabrio Taxi (www.cabriotaxi.com), a pedal cab service that is proposing to offer evening transportation along Chestnut and Union streets. After some discussions with the company owner, we believe the company is taking care to respect the neighborhood and will provide a convenient, fun service to residents and visitors alike. Now all we need to do is get them enrolled in our new Membership Benefits program.

John Millar is president of the Marina Community Association. The MCA is dedicated to protecting and improving the distinctive residential quality of the Marina District. You are eligible to join if you are over 18 and a resident or owner of a dwelling within the Marina. Visit www.sfmca.org for more information.