Mayor Newsom Applauds Market Octavia Plan Approval

04/08/08 - The legislation required to implement the Market Octavia Plan was approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on its first reading today, paving the way for much anticipated new housing and infrastructure improvements in the plan area. The Market Octavia Plan is a culmination of an 8 year effort by the City and the affected neighborhoods.

"This is the first area plan of this scale that the City has developed and approved in over 20 years," said Mayor Gavin Newsom. "I have long held that these community-driven plans are the only way to provide input, certainty and clarity to residents and property owners on future land use decisions being made by our City."

The adoption of the plan will now allow for implementation of the long-range vision for the neighborhoods along Market Street and the new Octavia Boulevard, including Hayes Valley, the Castro, Duboce Triangle and parts of the Civic Center. Benefits of the plan include:

- An additional 6,000 units of new housing. The increased housing will be concentrated along transit corridors and at transit nodes, including Octavia Boulevard and the Market/Van Ness intersection.

- A comprehensive infrastructure improvement plan and approximately $85 million in funding to help build these improvements. Examples include new open space, streetscape improvements and transportation improvements.

- Additional opportunities and funding for affordable housing, including an expected 1,500 additional affordable units and $50 million in new funding sources.

- Preservation of neighborhood character, through neighborhood specific historic preservation guidelines, in the areas of the plan that are built out.

- Allows for the completion of Octavia Boulevard project, notably the 900 units of housing and affordable housing along the former Central Freeway right of way.

"Adoption of the Market Octavia Plan will lead the way for other important area plans, including Eastern Neighborhoods, Balboa Park and Glen Park," said John Rahaim, Planning Department Director.

After its approval today, the Market Octavia Plan will require an additional reading at the Board of Supervisors on April 15, 2008, and then signature by the Mayor to become effective.

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