India Basin Neighborhood Association
IBNA Board Resolution Establishing Public Benefit Criteria for
Supporting Proposed Height Increases in India Basin Neighborhood
WHEREAS, India Basin Neighborhood Association (“IBNA”) is a local not-for-profit organization whose primary purpose is to “preserve [India Basin’s] maritime history, natural beauty, diverse character and unique ambiance….desirous of maintaining our vibrant mixed-use neighborhood, where
businesses and neighbors all co-exist in harmony.” As our neighborhood is now undergoing extensive development, we wish to establish clear guidelines surrounding any proposed building height increases, which IBNA may support in certain limited situations due to the clear public benefit conferred by a particular development, as follows:
IBNA’s Requirements for Consideration of Development Projects:
Concentration of higher buildings along hillside: IBNA is open to considering building proposals that concentrate height greater than that currently allowed under existing zoning in limited sites where the proposed taller building would “hug” the hillside areas, rather than along the waterfront, which IBNA believes should be preserved as a public space meant to be enjoyed by all residents of the neighborhood; and
No increase of development capacity: IBNA is open to considering building proposals that concentrate height greater than that currently allowed under existing zoning in limited sites if the project’s proposed re-zoning and height reclassification do not increase development capacity beyond what is currently allowed under existing zoning; and
Generation of significant public benefits: IBNA would only consider supporting any proposed building height increase that meets the above requirement of “hugging” the hillside, only if the entire proposed project also generates considerable public benefits to the residents of the neighborhood; and
View studies: IBNA would only consider supporting any proposed building height increase that meets the above requirements if view studies, conducted by the San Francisco Planning Department or other such agency, reveal that the proposed development has the least impact on existing public and private residential views; and
Shadow studies: IBNA would only consider supporting any proposed building height increase that meets the above requirements if shadow studies, conducted by the San Francisco Planning Department or other such agency, reveal that the proposed development cast the least shadow impact on existing and future public open space.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, IBNA will actively oppose height increases in the general India Basin neighborhood unless the project(s) satisfy these strict site criteria and provide considerable public benefits to the residents of the neighborhood.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, IBNA’s potential support of any such project involving re-zoning and/or height increases will not establish a precedent for similar height increases on any other site in the general India Basin neighborhood, as each potential development will be judged against the above-listed criteria on a case-by-case basis.