Mayor London Breed made good on her promise to swiftly tackle anti-housing regulations on Thursday, announcing she will veto legislation that sought to impede development in San Francisco’s Northern Waterfront. This move strikes down the bill that was legislated by Board President Aaron Peskin, which aimed to limit density in neighborhoods characterized by historical buildings. Describing it as counterproductive to the city’s housing goals, Breed fiercely upheld her policy to oppose measures that would deter the creation of new homes.
As Breed declared in a statement reported by The SF Standard, “Restricting new housing runs counter to what we need to do to make this City a place that creates opportunities for new homes for the people who need them today and for future generations growing up in San Francisco.” The bill passed by the Board of Supervisors with an 8-3 vote on Feb. 27 would have seen limits imposed on housing density within three specific areas, all within Peskin’s district, including the Northeast Waterfront Historic District, Jackson Square Historic District, and the Jackson Square Historic District Extension.
Peskin had pushed forward the legislation under the premise that it would curtail high-rise developments that he believed would not fit the historical character of the neighborhoods. Yet, this stance has been met with criticism, as housing advocates rapidly voiced their disapproval. The mayor’s veto arrived following urging from pro-housing groups—SPUR, Housing Action Coalition, and SF YIMBY—who pressed for action against the enacted density limits. Breed, in her State of the City address, remained adamant that she would continue to squash “any anti-housing” legislation.
Peskin’s ordinance was met with particular scrutiny as San Francisco has been grappling with a state mandate to add 82,000 new homes by 2031. Advocates and officials are to continuously struggle to reduce barriers to housing construction. Jake Price, a community organizer with the Housing Action Coalition, expressed his support for the veto, telling The SF Standard, “I think this sends a clear message that if you try to down one or make it harder to build housing, you can expect the mayor to veto it.”
Breed also took to X post to reinforce her stance, arguing that San Francisco must emerge as a housing leader. “A lack of housing hurts workers, families, and our economy. It drives so many of our challenges: poverty, homelessness, climate change,” Breed tweeted. With the impending veto, Peskin’s bill will return to the Board of Supervisors, who have the option to override the mayor’s veto should they secure eight votes in favor of the legislation.
My policy: I will veto any and all anti-housing legislation.
A lack of housing hurts workers, families, and our economy. It drives so many of our challenges: poverty, homelessness, climate change.
San Francisco must be a housing leader — a city of yes. pic.twitter.com/V5R558wlzv
— London Breed (@LondonBreed) March 14, 2024
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