SF Board signals it won't send Prop E charter amendment to voters

San Francisco
Board of Supervisors Meeting
March 17, 2026

TL;DR

• Board President Mandelman said it's "highly unlikely" the full Prop E commission streamlining charter amendment goes to voters in November; he asked the City Attorney to draft an amendment implementing some of the recommendations.
• $47,579,100 state agreement approved for a 100% affordable housing project at 1939 Market Street and nearby transit improvements.
• Twin Peaks Promenade street vacation passed first reading 8-0; construction starts summer 2026, opens early 2027.
• Mission and 9th Street Special Use District passed first reading, raising the height limit at 1270 Mission Street from 120-X to 200-X for compliant projects.
• 2245 Post Street Special Use District passed first reading.

What happened

1. Mandelman says the full Prop E charter amendment is unlikely to reach voters
   1. The Board sat as a Committee of the Whole to hear the Prop E Commission Streamlining Task Force's final report and draft charter amendment. Mandelman said from the dais that it is "highly unlikely" he or any other supervisor will introduce that particular charter amendment, or that the Board would send it to voters in November. He said he has asked the City Attorney to begin drafting a charter amendment to implement some of the task force's recommendations.
   2. What this means for you: The task force spent a year reviewing 152 public meeting bodies and recommended cutting that number to 87, moving roughly 20 bodies out of the charter, and changing how commissioners are appointed and removed. Mandelman's statement signals the Board will pick and choose pieces rather than send the full package to the ballot. A companion ordinance covering code-only changes is on a 30-day hold and takes effect after 90 days unless eight supervisors vote to reject it.
2. $47.6M state agreement for 1939 Market Street housing and transit
   1. The Board adopted a resolution authorizing the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development to execute standard agreements with the California Department of Housing and Community Development for a $47,579,100 total award under the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program. $35,000,000 goes as a loan to Mercy Housing California 109, L.P. for a 100% affordable housing project at 1939 Market Street. $12,579,100 comes to the City as a grant for transportation, streetscape, and pedestrian improvements near the site. Vote: 8-0.
   2. What this means for you: The agreement runs through December 10, 2080. The transit grant covers improvements near the housing site rather than housing construction itself.
3. Twin Peaks Promenade: Board converts east-side roadway to park
   1. The Board passed on first reading an ordinance vacating the eastern alignment of Twin Peaks Boulevard and parts of Christmas Tree Point Road as a public roadway and re-designating them as park space under the Recreation and Park Department. The eastern half of the figure-eight has been closed to cars since 2020 following a four-year pilot. Vote: 8-0. Rec & Park planner Chris Townes told the Board construction is slated to begin in summer 2026 with the promenade opening to the public in early 2027.
   2. What this means for you: The road won't reopen to cars. The change formally transfers jurisdiction so Rec & Park can manage the corridor as a linear park. Prior board-approved grants total about $4.25 million for the project and broader site improvements.
4. Mission and 9th Street SUD: 1270 Mission Street height raised
   1. The Board passed on first reading an ordinance re-adopting the Mission and 9th Street Special Use District at 1270 Mission Street. For projects that comply with the SUD requirements, the height limit at Block 3701, Lots 20 and 21, rises from 120-X to 200-X. Sponsor: Dorsey. Vote: 8-0.
   2. What this means for you: The SUD covers a specific block bounded by Mission Street on the south and Laskie Street on the east. Taller residential or mixed-use development becomes possible on those two lots if a project meets SUD standards.
5. 2245 Post Street Special Use District passes first reading
   1. The Board passed on first reading an ordinance establishing the 2245 Post Street Special Use District, amending the Planning Code and Zoning Map. Sponsors: Mahmood; Melgar, Mandelman. Vote: 8-0.
   2. What this means for you: This creates a new SUD for the parcel at 2245 Post Street. Detailed standards live in the underlying ordinance.

What residents brought up

The Prop E hearing drew the bulk of public comment. More than 50 people testified.

• A representative of the League of Women Voters urged the Board to reject the task force's proposals, naming three concerns: removing the league's nominated seat on the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, weakening the league's role on the Ballot Simplification Committee, and moving the Commission on the Status of Women out of the charter and reducing it to an advisory body.
• A representative of UNITE HERE Local 2, joined by the National Union of Healthcare Workers and IBEW Locals 6 and 1245, opposed the proposed restrictions on placing initiatives on the ballot, term limits for commissioners, and at-will removal of commissioners, calling the changes a concentration of power away from the Board and toward the executive branch.
• Multiple SFPD officers and association representatives opposed granting the Chief of Police sole authority over discipline, including termination. The SF Police Officers Association's legal defense administrator, the president of the SF Police Officers Pride Alliance, and the president of the SF Latino Peace Officers Association Metro Chapter each spoke against the change, citing due process and civilian oversight concerns.

Also happened

• Three lawsuit settlements finally passed 8-0: Kisha Henderson v. CCSF ($55,000, employment dispute); Renee Owens v. Friendship Village, Inc., et al. ($800,000, alleged wrongful death on a City sidewalk); Lan Pham et al. v. CCSF et al. ($500,000, alleged elder abuse, patients' rights violations, medical negligence, and wrongful death).
• Allied Universal Security Services contract for unarmed security at SF General Hospital extended six months through December 14, 2026, increased by $3,200,000 to a new total of $15,380,000.
• $3,000,000 grant accepted from JPMorgan Chase Bank for the StopScamsSF Program, running December 15, 2025 through December 14, 2028.
• $1,374,816.94 retroactive grant accepted from the California Department of Health Care Services for the CITED Round 4 Program, supporting Community Supports and Enhanced Case Management programs under CalAIM through December 31, 2026.
• Ordinance amending the Police Code passed first reading 8-0, requiring notaries and immigration document preparers to offer a city-prepared document listing free or low-cost immigration legal services providers and consulates.
• Landmark designation initiated for Engine Company No. 33 at 117 Broad Street under Article 10 of the Planning Code.
• Sidewalk flower stand permit program overhaul passed first reading, setting a 35-hour minimum operating week, requiring permittees on-site for at least 50% of operating hours, and banning permit sale or transfer.

For any updates or corrections, please email steven@polisdesk.com