Battles are brewing for Mission rezoning plan

From today's Examiner, "On Wednesday, the Planning Department unveiled a proposal to rezone the area between Division Street to the north, Cesar Chavez to the south, Potrero Avenue to the east and Guerrero Street to the west."

"The proposal is part of the overall rezoning of The City’s eastern neighborhoods, which is expected to be completed next year. With the rezoning, officials hope to allow developers to build thousands of new apartments and condos to address The City’s housing shortfall while retaining vital industrial areas that provide blue-collar jobs."

"Planners propose increasing some residential density around Mission and Valencia streets while reserving the industrial area in the northeast section of the neighborhood for factories and warehouses. They also propose creating a buffer zone between industrial and residential areas where small office space, digital media and biotech would be permitted."

"Just last week, the [Mission Anti-displacement] coalition successfully appealed the environmental review of a proposed 68-unit building at 2660 Harrison St., thereby slowing the controversial project. The housing development would replace an empty industrial site."

“The Harrison Street project could be a poster child for what we’re talking about,” [the president of the Mission Merchants Association] said. “It’s been derelict for four years.”

"George Hauser, the developer of 2660 Harrison St., said he believes permanent rezoning of the area next year would help reduce the challenges to residential projects."

“Hopefully these things won’t create so much conflict,” he said.

Personally, I'm waiting for the block between 14th and 15th Streets and Mission and Valencia (where the armory is located) to change. That northern end of the neighborhood needs rejuvenation in a big way. And I doubt anyone would argue with that. Unless you're the head of the Drug Dealers Coalition, of course...