Why are rents out of sight? Affordable housing crucified again in San Francisco. Aging supermarket may prevent apartment construction.

Photo above - an "iconic" San Francisco grocery store (according to locals) which should never be replaced with affordable housing.

Wait . .. what? California is cancelling an apartment building to preserve a SUPERMARKET? Honestly?

I through I had seen everything. Usually local know-it-alls pop up at a zoning hearing to PREVENT a supermarket or shopping center from being built. Today, it’s the opposite. Local politicians and residents are determined to preserve an aging supermarket which is past its "best if used by" date.

Because . . . apartments are part of the rezoning. The proposals isn’t even to tear down the beloved Safeway. Just make it safe and modern – and build new apartments on top.

What's the problem? Height restrictions. San Francisco politicians are rushing to enact a new zoning laws which would REDUCE the maximium height of buildings in that neighborhood, and prevent these apartments. Because somebody’s view of the water might be blocked, no doubt.

It’s only around 200 apartments. But land is so scarce and expensive in San Francisco that developers' best option is to build up, not sideways. The Safeway and parking lot in question only sit on about 2 acres. I have no doubt that if the Safeway burned down tomorrow, a Pickleball court would be approved immediately to fill someone's secret desire.

To be fair to local politicians standing in the way of progress, nobody has said yet how much the new units would rent for. Knowing how San Francisco operates (gas and milk both over $5.00 a gallon) it's reasonable to guess that the new units would not be affordable under any ordinary worker’s definition. But still 200 new apartments helps someone either move on up, or get indoors, right? Maybe a few residents could even get jobs working in that Safeway?

Lissen up, presumptive democrat nominee Gavin Newsom. Yes, the White House doesn’t not control local zoning. But if you want to run for president, you might put some distance between yourself and San Franciscos' "supermarkets, not apartments” policies. Governor Gavin, you have a blockbuster weekly podcast. At least 90% of Americans would find the blocking home construction to preserve shopping malls is completely insane.

Unless you're counting on the other 10% of America to shower big campaign contributions on you, because they’re the ones who feel new apartments are an eyesore.

I’m just sayin’ . . .


The grocery store at the center of San Francisco’s latest housing battle

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/the-grocery-store-at-the-center-of-san-francisco-s-latest-housing-battle/ar-AA1Uqoov?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=696cea8d6c244140a67904368e30a7e4&ei=46