About 70-80 people were there. Planner Andres Power brought us up to date on the median plan. Dedicated left-turn pockets will be added in both directions at Folsom and east-bound at South Van Ness, and the current ones at Bryant, Mission, Valencia, and Guerrero will be retained. These will all have dedicated arrows and also allow U-turns. Left turns will be prohibited at all other intersections to eliminate the snarl that currently happens when a car waits in the left lane for a gap in oncoming traffic. These decisions have been informed by traffic counts and modeling done by the Planning Department, and surveyors are out on the street now gathering further details.
The landscaping in the median will be drought tolerant, though the suggestion that it could be riparian at areas with underground water (specifically at 101 and near St Lukes) was thrown out from the floor.
The bike lanes will be five feet wide, as wider lanes look too much like car lanes. The suggestion was made to add cross-hatch striping to give a little buffer between the bike and car lanes. The weird part-time bike lane that runs eastbound for the block between York and Hampshire would become a permanent, full-time lane with permanent, full-time parking on that block. This made neighbors living on that block who had opposed bike lanes back in 1997 happy.
Discussion was generally positive and focused on practical questions and clarifications. The issue of potential congestion came up, but the questioner was supportive of the plan in later discussion. The strongest criticism seemed to be that the sidewalks wouldn’t be widened throughout -- only at corners -- and Andres said the expense of widening them would be prohibitive (about $2 million a block!). The Planning Department is looking for funding now to extend the project to the eastern side of the freeway all the way to the Bay.
Finally! Construction should begin in summer 2010 (this is after the PUC has completed the sewer work scheduled to start later this year), and it should take about a year.
Name: China Wok
We noticed Bureau of Urban Forestry trucks taking branches off one of the two large trees slated to come down on 24th Street today and asked one of the workers if the trees are definitely going to be removed. He answered that they were doing emergency branch removal after the last storm. He added that the City has to post a 30 day notice before removal (which they did last fall), and that there is an appeals process (initiated in November). He had no idea that these trees are doomed, but he did quip that they'll probably stay where they are for now: "If there's no money in the budget...the trees stay."
We'd like to invite you to the third community design workshop for Cesar Chavez Street. At the first meeting last summer we discussed shared priorities and goals. At our next workshop this past fall we looked at and chose a preferred design option based on those shared priorities and goals. At this third workshop, we will look at and discuss illustrations showing the preferred design, block by block, from Hampshire Street to Guerrero Street. This will be the final workshop in the series.
Please come and share your opinions. There is background material, including summaries of past workshops, available for download at http://cesarchavez.sfplanning.org.
On February 19, 2009, the Planning Commission approved the conditional use application for Whole Foods in Noe Valley. There was a short public hearing, after which the Commissioners indicated how impressed they were with the project and the outreach to the community. The project includes standard conditions of approval. The Commission vote was unanimous.Andrew Calabrese will continue to serve as community liaison for Whole Foods, but he's asked that all questions/concerns are sent to Noevalleyinfo@wholefoods.com. This address will forward to him. (We wouldn't be surprised if he'd like to tidy up his inbox.)
This month's edition of the Noe Valley Democratic Club meeting was much more crowded than usual. The reason? Likely the community interest in the arrival of Whole Foods on 24th St. Over 150 people attended a meeting that usually has 12-20 participants. The panelists included representatives from the SFPD, the NVA, Whole Foods and a surprise representative of the shuttered Real Foods -- all MC'd by Bevan Dufty.
This time it just might happen -- Contigo is set to open March 3, 2009. Staff training has begun, with an emphasis on building a strong neighborhood restaurant. What does that mean? If you haven't been following Brett's blog all this time, here's a bit of what to expect:We chose the name for our restaurant because it synthesizes our philosophy about the dining experience into one word. Contigo means “with you” in Spanish. It implies connection, community, collaboration, and conviviality.Contigo
We believe that the single most important facet of dining is connection: friends, neighbors and lovers sharing a meal together...more
I heard from dog lovers about dingy yellow water from the faucets at Joby's Run at the Upper Noe Recreation Center. Please let your dogs know that the problem has been fixed with the assistance of PUC and DPH.*whew*
The Environmental Health Inspectors from the Department of Public Health tested the water and found that the main problem was old pipes. PUC staff installed a new pipe to connect the drinking fountains to a new water line and repaired the fountain valves. Now, the line is connected to the same line used by humans and the water is clear again.
I would like to thank Christopher Faust of Friends of Upper Noe Dog Owners Group [FUNDOG!] for bringing this issue to my attention and Laura Spanjian and Michael Carlin of the PUC.
We posted a while back that Simply Chic was rumored to close. While the rumor appears to have been based in truth, Simply Chic is not closing:Hello,And on a more worrisome note, she goes on to ask for help:
My name is May, I'm the owner of Simply Chic. I came across your website and enjoy reading all the posts. I wanted to let you know that we decided to stay. I've been negotiating with the landlord and we came up with a nice agreement.
On Wednesday Feb 11th, three teenagers came to the shop and demanded money. My shop girl called 911. The teenagers left but vandalized the place and the police couldn't find them. I'd really like to hear some suggestions on how other shop handle "teen" shoppers.
Sincerely,
May Warren
Bell Market, February 14, 2009
Noe Valley Farmer's Market
26th & Guerrero Market
Valencia Farmer's Market
Church Produce
Casa Guadalupe
Drewes Bros. Meats
Fresh Meat Market
24th Street Cheese Company
Pasta Gina
February 19
3950 24TH STREET - north side between Sanchez and Noe Streets; Lots 041 and 028 in Assessor’s Block 3654 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization, pursuant to Planning Code Sections 303(c), 303(i), 703.4, 728.40, and 790.102(a), to allow a new formula retail grocery store (d.b.a. Whole Foods) to operate within the 24th Street – Noe Valley Neighborhood Commercial District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions.
1409 SANCHEZ STREET - east side between 27th and Duncan Streets; Lot 031 in Assessor’s Block 6592 - Mandatory Discretionary Review, under Planning Code Section 317 requiring review of residential demolition, of Demolition Permit Application No. 2008.10.20.4543, proposing to demolish a one-story, single-family dwelling in an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the demolition permit.
1409 SANCHEZ STREET - east side between 27th and Duncan Streets; Lot 031 in Assessor’s Block 6592 - Mandatory Discretionary Review, under Planning Code Section 317 requiring review of the replacement building in association with residential demolition, of Building Permit Application No. 2008.10.20.4546, to construct a two-story over garage and basement, two-family dwelling in an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two -Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the new building permit.
1381 Sanchez Street - east side between Cesar Chavez and 27th Streets; Lot 025 in Assessor's Block 6579 - Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2008.09.23.2413 proposing to enclose the existing rear stairs along the south property line in order to accommodate a reconfigured interior at the first floor and the ground level at the rear. The subject building is a single-family home located within an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Take Discretionary Review and Approve the Project with Modifications.
From a comment we've since deleted if for no other reason than it wasn't on topic:Why don't you post something about stephen fowler noe valley neighbor? He was on wifeswap on abc. check out www.stephenfowlersucks.com or google stephen fowler wife swapRegarding such, we've followed the Gawker posts (and the rest of the related craziness across the 'net). We didn't post because it felt like a pile-on and that's not what we're about. Stephen Fowler does not represent Noe Valley -- even if he lives here, goes on TV, and says things that make him (and everyone else in Noe) seem like a ______, _______ and ______. Noe has nothing to fear from this man -- his wife is embarrassed (in a Mrs. Spitzer way) and has said he needs professional help.
Sure ... Chloe's, Savor, Toast and now City Grill attract hoards of people looking for classic brunch for a value. But now Incanto is raising the bar -- according to Mark Pastore in his periodic Letters from Incanto:The menu will showcase the best of Incanto and will prominently feature Boccalone meats including all of Boccalone's fresh sausages, guanciale, pancetta, and sanguinaccio.Expect stretch Priuses to drop off savvy foodies this and every Sunday between 10am and 2pm.
This Sunday's menu will include a black truffle mortadella panino with potato-leek salad, house-milled whole wheat polenta with poached farm egg, and a brunch version of our legendary handkerchief pasta. We will also feature Incanto's award-winning Italian wine program and a not-to-be-missed Roman Bloody Maria.
Deep Sushi: No solid evidence (yet), but Eater is reporting that it's been sold. Possibly to people involved with Ozumo. At any rate, still closed.
We sent a note to Andrew Calabrese, community liasion for the Noe Valley Whole Foods, asking him to keep an eye on comments related to the 24th St location. He just sent this update:I’ve been reading the blog and will keep reading in order to investigate and find answers for any questions or concerns that arise. I’ve met with NVMPA, the Farmer’s Market, Upper Noe Neighbors and the Dolores Heights Improvement Club. So far most of the questions that have come up have been the same as listed from the Upper Noe Neighbors.
The primary concern, it seems, from most meetings was the access to food for the elderly during the construction. I can say that our Development Team has approved a limited service shuttle to take folks to other markets during this time. Currently we’re researching for a service to handle this and pricing for review and approval. NVMPA, along with Peter Gabel and Leslie Crawford from the Farmer’s Market, are also working on other options such as encouraging other local shops to carry additional items and setting up a smaller farmer’s market on another day during the week for a few hours in the afternoon/early evenings.
I did pass some of the other questions on as well and Glen Moon, our VP of Store Development has confirmed that the store aisles will be built wider to make stroller access easier. Also, regarding the parking lot will be for Whole Foods shopping only, but will not be so strict as to disallow customers from briefly visiting other local shops in addition. As far as an ongoing shuttle service once the store is open and/or a delivery service (to make it easy for customers to walk to the store without having to carry home multiple bags), we’re open to both of these ideas and will research.
As mentioned, the Planning Commission hearing is scheduled for February 19th. We are asking for members of the neighborhood to come and speak on our behalf to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Name: Lotus Garden Vietnamese RestaurantFirst thank you for your blog. I live in Noe at the corner of Sanchez and Elizabeth and very much appreciate reading our neighborhood news. As many, I am very interested in the Whole Foods upcoming remodel. I received a notice of hearing from the SF planning dept over the weekend as I live less than 300 ft away from future WF.
I called Elizabeth Watty at the SF planning department to review the WF plans in advance of the public hearing scheduled on Feb 19, 2009.
She was very clear and told me that no other changes than interior remodeling were planned. No changes would be made to either exterior building or parking. The only outside change will be paint color. I hope this helps.
3645 23RD STREET - south side between Fair Oaks and Guerrero Streets; Lot 032 in Assessor’s Block 3647 - Mandatory Discretionary Review, under Planning Code Section 317 requiring review of residential demolition, of Demolition Permit Application No. 2007.10.10.5010, proposing to demolish a one-story, single-family dwelling in an RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.Also of interest is this item from the edge of Noe:
Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the demolition permit.
3645 23RD STREET - south side between Fair Oaks and Guerrero Streets; Lot 032 in Assessor’s Block 3647 - Mandatory Discretionary Review, under Planning Code Section 317 requiring review of the replacement building in association with residential demolition, of Building Permit Application No. 2007.10.12.5328, to construct a three-story over garage, two-family dwelling in an RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the new building permit.
3398 22Nd street - northeast corner at Guerrero and 22nd Streets, Lot 028 in Assessor’s Block 3617 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Sections 145.2, 303 and 710.26 to legalize a walk-up facility (ATM), dba "Swipe USA", that is not recessed 3-feet from the property line, in an NC-1 (Neighborhood Commercial Cluster) Zoning District with an 40-X Height and Bulk designation.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
NOTE: Will also include a brief informational presentation regarding Swipe USA's practice of installing ATMs within the City and County of San Francisco.
In November the builder began working on the second building again laying down the floors and breaking up and laying down the sidewalk, and cleaning up and putting in a yard which all look nice but if you really look closely there are bubbles in the wood and the first building has been exposed to the elements for so long that the wood is rotting and peeling away from the building. You can see it from the back side of the buildings.There have also been 5 new complaints at the Planning Department:
...
Is this the kind of builder we want in San Francisco? Would you want to buy a new home from these guys?
12/29/08: Unsafe bldg.All previous violations are still outstanding.
01/23/09: Installed gas fireplace w/o permit; Installed fire sprinkler w/o permit; Installed 3 gas fireplace without permit; Installed fire sprinkler w/o permit.