Supervisor Carmen Chu: Chime in on Pot Dispensary

As a district supervisor, it goes without saying that my responsibility to the community is to listen to your concerns and suggestions for how to improve our neighborhood. In recent months, many constituents have contacted our office with a variety of concerns about a proposal for a medical cannabis dispensary (MCD) to occupy 2139 Taraval St., between 31st and 32nd avenues.

The city's Planning Code currently does not allow an MCD to be located within 1,000 feet of an elementary or secondary school (public or private), or a recreation building that primarily serves persons under 18 years of age. However, even if the proposed site meets the geographic restrictions, there are serious concerns to consider.

Taraval Street is a major transportation thoroughfare for residents where many youth travel to and from school and extra-curricular activities every day (especially with the presence of the Muni L-Taraval line). All along Taraval we find youth-oriented resources, including art, music or tutoring establishments, parks and playgrounds, preschools and daycare centers, the Parkside library and schools, close-by. Many constituents have also expressed concerns about the impact to neighborhood public safety and to recent progress made by local merchants to create a vibrant and more inviting neighborhood commercial corridor.

The project sponsors are currently in the middle of the application process for a permit. While the project is not yet approved, I want to stress how important it is to have your involvement. Ultimately, the SF Planning Commission will decide whether to grant a permit for the MCD and in making this decision, the commission heavily considers local neighborhood feedback and public testimony.

To weigh in on this permit application and proposal, residents and community stakeholders can:

Attend a Planning Commission hearing at City Hall when it is scheduled, possibly in April, to speak during the public comment period. (Please call our office if you'd like more information on the hearing date and time.)

Or, write a letter or e-mail the Planning Commission. Its address is: 1650 Mission St., Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94103. E-mails can be sent to: Cecilia.Jaroslawsky@sfgov.org. Planning Commission members include Ron Miguel (president), Christina Olague (vice-president), Michael J. Antonini, Gwyneth Borden, William L. Lee, Kathrin Moore and Hisashi Sugaya.

Gather signatures from concerned district residents or merchants on a neighborhood petition and send it to the Planning Commission prior to the hearing. You can also attend the hearing and bring your petitions.

If you would like more information regarding the proposed cannabis dispensary at 2139 Taraval St., you can contact Cecilia Jaroslawsky at the SF Planning Department at Cecilia.Jaroslawsky@sfgov.org or (415) 558-6348, or my office at chustaff@sfgov.org or (415) 554-7460.

Public Restrooms Coming Soon to a Park Near You

The SF Recreation and Park Department recently completed a needs assessment for public restrooms, and we are happy to announce restroom installations or renovations at three of our local parks.

At McCoppin Square, a restroom facility was not originally part of the bond that will fund improvements to McCoppin. Our office successfully advocated for inclusion of restroom facilities in those plans for the many residents who utilize the play fields and playground. Planning efforts begin this summer and will be available for use in 2011;

At Larsen Park, planning efforts begin in July and construction is slated to begin in early 2011;

At Parkside Square, planning efforts begin in July and construction is slated to begin in early 2011.

Upcoming District Events

There will be a West Sunset Playground community meeting at the AP Giannini Middle School, 3151 Ortega St., on Wednesday, March 10, from 6 - 7 p.m.

Join us at the meeting to learn about the proposed renovation of the surrounding courtyard and playground as the Ortega Branch Library undergoes construction. The public area is heavily used by students from the neighboring AP Giannini and Sunset elementary schools.

There will be a Friends of the Urban Forest Sunset tree care event on Saturday, March 13, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Friends will be caring for trees planted during the July 19, 2008 Outer Sunset tree planting in the area from Lincoln Way to Lawton Street, and 30th Avenue to Sunset Boulevard. This includes some structural pruning, hardware adjustment and health assessment of the trees.

Supervisor Carmen Chu represents District 4.