The Board Brief: July 3, 2025
CEQA Crumbles, Housing Rumbles, and SF Gets Moving
🎆 Morning, San Francisco! As we lean into July with fireworks and budget deadlines ahead, here’s what’s happening: California cracked open one of its most stubborn barriers to housing, BoS waived fees for small businesses, and we list out communities for you to join. Here’s your two-minute civic download:
🌆 City Snapshot
👬 827,526: total population of SF
👶 18%: percent of population under 18 years old
🗺️ 34%: percent of population born in another country1
🌆 California’s Housing Earthquake
We’re devoting a special section to cover the shakeups happening in the housing world of California this week:
Newsom Signs Landmark Law to Unblock Urban Housing. A seismic shift in California law just stripped most urban housing projects of CEQA’s (The California Environmental Quality Act) infamous red tape. With the state budget’s passage, new apartment buildings in cities like San Francisco are now largely shielded from environmental lawsuits that have stalled housing for decades. Supporters call it the biggest pro-housing move in a generation and possibly the beginning of the end for “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) obstruction.
$76MM Approved for Affordable Housing in Sunnydale. In a unanimous vote, the Board approved a $76MM multifamily housing revenue note to finance the construction of 89 new affordable rental units at 65 Santos Street in Sunnydale. This is part of the larger Sunnydale HOPE SF project, aiming to replace aging public housing with mixed-income communities and updated infrastructure. It’s a meaningful investment toward alleviating the city’s housing crisis in one of SF’s historically underserved areas.
👩⚖️ The Board Brief
Red Light Cameras Get the Green Light. The Board officially passed a Surveillance Technology Policy for San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency to continue using red light and “no turn” enforcement cameras. That means fewer illegal turns and (hopefully) safer intersections ahead.
Small Biz Fee Waivers Extended to 2026. A key ordinance passed that extends the waiver on first-year permit, license, and registration fees for newly opened small businesses through June 30, 2026. This gives new shops and services a softer landing in our famously pricey city.
Accessory Units Get Condo Approval. The Board passed legislation to allow certain Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to be sold separately from the main residence as condominiums. That could open the door for more affordable homeownership opportunities in neighborhoods citywide.
Closed-Door Session Scheduled with PG&E. The Board will enter a closed session on July 8 to discuss ongoing litigation with PG&E, signaling continued tension and legal action over longstanding energy disputes and infrastructure costs.
🗺️ Neighborhood Scoops
Bernal Heights: Charlie’s Café, a staple in the neighborhood for 24 years, received a commendation for its community love and loyalty. Owners Charlie and Krissy Harb were honored for their food and the vibe they’ve cultivated.
Sunnydale / Visitacion Valley: Big wins this week: as mentioned above, the city committed $76MM to new affordable housing and settled a major flooding damage lawsuit affecting homes on Le Conte Avenue.
🪩 Events & Communities
In this week’s edition of Hey SF, we’re switching it up. Instead of spotlighting one-off events (looking at you, July 4 fireworks 🎆), I’m highlighting local communities you can actually join —> the kind that unlock ongoing event series, deeper connections, and way more fun.
Big Brain SF- a speaker series in SF where academics and passionate people give lectures in the coolest bars and cafes in the city. Upcoming lectures include: When Politics Trumps Truth, The Science of Pandemic Prevention, Transgender (In)Visibility in California's Parole System, and Avoiding the Age of Ultron: Empathy, Antisociality, and AI.
Manny’s SF - this isn’t just your average coffee shop. It's a beloved community hub that doubles as a café, bar, bookstore, and civic events space founded by Manny Yekutiel. Manny’s hosts regular series like the San Francisco Politics Club and civic-themed “Living Room Sets,” plus book talks and panels covering tough city issues
SF Commonwealth Club - located at 110 Embarcadero, the Commonwealth Club is America’s oldest and largest public affairs forum, founded in 1903. They host hundreds of high-profile talks, panels, and live podcast recordings each year on everything from politics and climate to tech and culture. It’s a go-to space for anyone craving smart conversation and civic connection.
🧑🏻💻 Make your voice heard
Remember, if you want to issue a comment on an upcoming piece of legislation, email Board.of.Supervisors@sfgov.org with the meeting date, agenda item number, your name, and a brief comment by noon on hearing day (Tuesday). Your two minutes can move millions.
That’s all for now, folks! If you have feedback on the newsletter, reach out on Substack or Twitter.
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