News from the West of Twin Peaks Central Council
On Fame, Fortune and Principle – Dispatch from the Westside
By Denise LaPointe
The April West of Twin Peaks Central Council monthly meeting had it all – fame, fortune and philanthropy. Our guest speaker was local celebrity Carmen Policy, the former President and CEO of the San Francisco 49er’s, our coffers are replenished as improved membership dues are coming in fast and furious, two solid and upright neighborhood groups joined our ranks and the West of Twin Peaks Central Council was the recipient of a $2,000.00 check from Bud Wilson, former President of the District 7 Council.
The West of Twin Peaks Central Council was extremely honored to receive the surplus monies from former Supervisor Tony Hall’s District 7 Council. That group has come to a close and as such their board determined that the functions and efforts of our group closely mirrored their valiant efforts. Further, West of Twin Peaks Central Council unquestionably served the interests of District 7 therefore an appropriate recipient of those funds. A great boost for our group, who is working hard to preserve neighborhood character, honor the history of our area, and keep a watchful eye on City Hall and their shenanigans. Thank you to all on the former District 7 Council for your work and contribution!
Carmen Policy articulated San Francisco’s best chance to keep the San Francisco 49ers is voters affirming Proposition G on the June ballot. I work on this project professionally, so Vice President Don Dutil conducted the proceedings, and as usual the questions were genuine, informed, and made for a good discussion. I obviously am biased, as I believe the proposal is the best chance for revitalization of the Candlestick Point and the Bayview Hunter’s Point Shipyard. All the feedback I received felt that Mr. Policy was an exciting speaker for our group and was an open and honest advocate for Proposition G and opponent of Proposition F. I thought it was great information for voters, and important to hear of development plans other than the ones facing our side of town.
Speaking of our side of town, Stonestown General Manager Rich Forster and his staff presented plans for the renovation of Stonestown and big changes are coming. Stonestown is embarking on a big new renovation, which changes the footprint of the mall, and removes parking from the front and places it in the back. Additionally, Trader Joe’s is moving in, major retail tenants such as Crate and Barrel and other big names are talking with management, and new movie screens are being proposed. We’ll be watching closely, as commercial development impacts traffic and congestion and has added impact given the level of proposed development from Brotherhood Way, Parkmerced, Camden Drive, and Ardenwood.
Who knows, a couple good restaurants and new stores and San Franciscans will come to our side of town as a destination. Once City Hall starts charging $60.00 for parking tickets, shoppers will defect to Stonestown in no time at all!
In the endless shuck and jive from Republic Urban Properties on the Ardenwood project, the developer has contacted neighbors to help him with a workshop whereby they are asked to participate in helping him get his environmental application completed! Message to neighbors: tell the developer to present a decent plan and quit spending money on public relations firms and politicians and see what happens. This project is a textbook case on poor community outreach.
Still the project is too big, and the developer has no track record of building anything in San Francisco. Another message to neighbors: demand lower density before this gargantuan, out of character development gobbles up your nice blocks around Wawona, Ulloa, 14th, 15, 16, and 17th Avenues! Stay tuned; in no time the neighborhood will be “treated” to more community workshops reviewing plans that have never been submitted, no plans for access from 19th Avenue, no environmental review, and no community benefits.
We’ll continue to keep you informed on the meddlesome bike plan, removing parking from Portola Avenue (keep telling your supervisor NO), and the important interim control legislation to be introduced soon by Supervisor Elsbernd addressing the unprecedented development heading our way. If you ever think it doesn’t matter, or you are too busy to be involved, watch HBO’s spectacular series John Adams for a delightful history lesson on why being a conscientious citizen matters and the value of principled positions and the willingness to fight for them.
West of Twin Peaks Central Council will continue to strive to the highest standards to make sure regular, ol’ taxpaying, hardworking, civic minded people are represented on the issues that effect our neighborhood.
More Denise
Apr 2008 Neighborhood Alert
Feb 2008 You can't alwys get what you want
