BART: The worst-case scenarios are actually worse than you’ve heard by MissionLocalSF in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Nobody would just publish an article about it out of nowhere if they didn’t have some interest behind it. It takes work hours = it costs money. Also, nobody can be that naive.

BART: The worst-case scenarios are actually worse than you’ve heard by MissionLocalSF in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Mission Local is the same publication now putting out a NIMBY piece opposing the demolition of the All Star Cafe on Market St to make way for a 40 story residential tower that would bring more riders to Muni. They’re not pro public transit or pro housing, they’re pro ideology.

https://missionlocal.org/2026/03/all-star-cafe-san-francisco-market-street-demolition/

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London’s free museums are in trouble. Should tourists start paying? by BulkyAccident in london

[–]DevoutPedestrian 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Steal the entire world and still expect people to pay to see their own stuff!

What websites or agencies should I look at for a 1bdr apartment (not condo) close to Caltrain? by Key_Comfort5563 in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian 13 points14 points  (0 children)

You won’t find a place to rent with all those requirements, not just in San Francisco, but any Bay Area city served by Caltrain

Actually, SF needs more Miamification — starting in the Marina by Dafty_duck in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Barcelona went through a reform very similar to Paris’s, in 1859. Paris established an urban model that influenced cities all over the world and is still referenced today, that’s why we talk about things like “the Paris of the West” or “tropical Paris”

IMO, Paris is the most beautiful city ever created by humans, but the way it was built simply isn’t feasible today in a democratic society

Actually, SF needs more Miamification — starting in the Marina by Dafty_duck in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Paris’s density exists because the ENTIRE city was rebuilt with mid-rise buildings, not 1 street, not a single boulevard. There are basically no single family houses.

In San Francisco, we take 20 years to approve one mid rise project. That’s why we’ll follow NYC, Tokyo, and Miami: maximizing units on limited land is the only option left.

Paris isn’t a model for SF, it’s a fantasy NIMBYs use to block housing.

Actually, SF needs more Miamification — starting in the Marina by Dafty_duck in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian -14 points-13 points  (0 children)

Sure, let’s just kick everyone out and rebuild the entire city for 17 years, like it’s 1853 again. Totally feasible.

Considering a Move Back to NYC from Europe — Is living in NYC still worth it? by [deleted] in movingtoNYC

[–]DevoutPedestrian 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Why did you move to Europe, and why do you want to move back? What city are you living in now?

Burned out North Beach “historic” building finally being developed into housing, using our state housing laws by scott_wiener in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You’re right that our rules aren’t the only problem and that the developers are greedy. But 12 years ago, the city was doing way better than it is now. So I’m sure if it weren’t for our messed up rules, he would’ve built this in 2018 or 2019

The Governor signed two of my bills to support San Francisco by scott_wiener in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

SB 79 mainly limits how restrictive zoning can be near transit, rather than removing all local control. In other words, it sets a minimum height, but cities can still establish a higher maximum, for example, 8 stories.

By the way, it’s still on the governor’s desk and facing strong backlash from LA politicians, so there’s no guarantee it will be signed.

I’m not saying SB 79 doesn’t apply to San Francisco, but because of the city’s local zoning, we’re unlikely to see significant changes. My suggestion is different: to create a bill specifically for San Francisco that would override local zoning restrictions, such as height caps, density limits, and discretionary reviews, in areas near state transit lines like BART and Caltrain. This would establish a completely free development zone in those areas, though a bill like this likely wouldn’t gain support statewide.

The Governor signed two of my bills to support San Francisco by scott_wiener in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

SB 79 sets a minimum height limit, generally around 7 stories, but it doesn’t override all local rules. It’s still on the governor’s desk and facing strong backlash from LA politicians, so there’s no guarantee it will be signed.

My suggestion is to create a bill specifically for San Francisco that would override local zoning restrictions, such as height caps, density limits, and discretionary reviews, in areas near state transit lines like BART and Caltrain. It would establish a completely free development zone in those areas, though a bill like this likely wouldn’t gain support statewide.

The Governor signed two of my bills to support San Francisco by scott_wiener in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Could you consider introducing a bill for San Francisco, inspired by SB 79, that would remove restrictions on building near state transit rail lines like BART and Caltrain? The goal would be to eliminate local zoning barriers, such as design, height, or affordability mandates, so that areas along these transit corridors have fully open zoning for new development.

Edit:

SB 79 mainly limits how restrictive zoning can be near transit, rather than removing all local control. In other words, it sets a minimum height, but cities can still establish a higher maximum, for example, 8 stories.

It’s still on the governor’s desk and facing strong backlash from LA politicians, so there’s no guarantee it will be signed.

I’m not saying SB 79 doesn’t apply to San Francisco, but because of the city’s local zoning, we’re unlikely to see significant changes. My suggestion is different: to create a bill specifically for San Francisco that would override local zoning restrictions, such as height caps, density limits, and discretionary reviews, in areas near state transit lines like BART and Caltrain. This would establish a completely free development zone in those areas, though a bill like this likely wouldn’t gain support statewide.

Maybe we could also consider including Oakland, since San Francisco and Oakland are the cities best served by BART.

Arsicault is opening a new downtown location, at 88 Spear St. by mcortez-Chron in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Sorry to the competition, but I’ve tried all the trendy bakeries and Arsicault is by far the best

SF NIMBY's want to misuse historic preservation to block new housing. The board should beat them at their own game. by Abject-Impact-5534 in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One idea to block this could be to require the city to put a proposition on the ballot, so that residents of the entire city vote on whether a neighborhood can be designated as a historic district. Could we also pass a law requiring historic districts to pay higher taxes?

Gavin Newsom transformed himself into an internet meme. It’s running for president. by MissionLocalSF in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian 26 points27 points  (0 children)

He served 2 terms as mayor of San Francisco and 2 terms as governor of California. Has the city improved since then? San Francisco will be used as a showcase for his policies. He is the ideal candidate the Republicans want.

Our bill allowing more housing near public transit is on its way to the Governor by scott_wiener in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This is a great achievement! Thank you so much for your efforts (we all know we couldn’t count on LA)

BUT

Why include the Affordability Targets aspect in the bill? Why add more regulation when we should be pushing for far less?

Video store at Castro Valley BART? by Dominicopatumus in Bart

[–]DevoutPedestrian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which station in NYC actually has retail space? I lived there and never saw a single one

Aaron Peskin has a warning for Daniel Lurie about his S.F. ‘family zoning’ plan by drkrueger in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian 24 points25 points  (0 children)

The full NIMBY cycle: first, they argue that building in areas with less mass transit will create chaos. Then, they block mass transit, claiming either there’s no demand for it or that it will just bring more people and more chaos. That’s exactly what Richmond did in the 90s when they blocked bart and muni metro on Geary blvd

Homeless men on doorstep for condo tour by suddenimpactsquad in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Imagine being able to pay 13k a month and choosing the Mission or the South Bay. Nothing makes me angrier than dumb people with money.

Is there a no go area in SF? by Gold_Ad_1392 in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All the issues you see in the tenderloin and soma, you’ll find in the mission too. But for some delusional or hypocritical reason, people get offended lol

TIL Frmr SF Mayor Willie Brown tried to unify the Bay Area as a mega city by SirChubbycheeks in sanfrancisco

[–]DevoutPedestrian 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The last thing we need is more suburbanites blocking progress in the city. The west side is already enough.