SF advances Fire Code council on 9-1 vote (+ $15.9M for vets housing)

San Francisco
Board of Supervisors Meeting
April 14, 2026

TL;DR

• Fire Code Technical Advisory Council cleared a first vote to advise on sprinkler waivers for existing high-rise residential buildings, 9-1 with Walton voting no.
• City to apply for up to $15,869,669 in state Homekey+ funding for veterans housing at 629 Post Street, jointly with Swords to Plowshares.
• 14 buildings cleared a first vote for landmark designation, concentrated in the Castro, Mission, Haight, and Cole Valley.
• CleanPowerSF joins California Community Power's Willow Rock Long Duration Storage Project, $75.9M over 20 years starting 2030.
• Airport security contract with Covenant Aviation Security extended two years through June 2028, $10.5M increase to $20.3M total.

What happened

1. Fire Code Technical Advisory Council advances on 9-1 vote
   1. The Board cleared a first vote on an ordinance creating a Fire Code Technical Advisory Council. The council will advise the Board, Mayor, and Fire Department on the criteria the Fire Marshal should use when deciding whether to waive, modify, or delay sprinkler requirements for existing high-rise residential buildings. Supervisor Walton voted no, saying it's inappropriate for a sitting supervisor to serve on the council because it issues recommendations to the Fire Commissioner, and supervisors already have an oversight role. The item drew 159 public letters.
   2. What this means for you: If you live or own property in an older high-rise residential building, this council will shape how the Fire Marshal handles requests to delay or modify sprinkler compliance. The ordinance still needs a second vote to become law.
2. $15.9M Homekey+ application approved for veterans housing at 629 Post Street
   1. The Board authorized the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development to jointly apply with 629 Post LLC and Swords to Plowshares for a Homekey+ grant from the state, in an amount not to exceed $15,869,669 or the maximum allowable, whichever is greater.
   2. What this means for you: If the state awards the grant, it funds a veterans-focused housing project at 629 Post Street, run in partnership with Swords to Plowshares, the veterans rights organization.
3. 14 buildings advance for landmark designation
   1. The Board cleared a first vote on a 14-building landmark package. The buildings include Maud's at 929-941 Cole Street, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation building at 514-520 Castro Street, the Bank of Italy Branch at 400-410 Castro Street, and Castro Rock Steam Baths at 578-582 Castro Street. Also included are Engine Company No. 13 at 1458 Valencia Street, Hose Company #30 Firehouse at 1757 Waller Street, the Full Moon Coffeehouse at 4416-18th Street, and the Bob Ross House at 4200-20th Street. Rounding out the package are Sha'ar Zahav historic location at 220 Danvers Street, the American Indian Historical Society / Chautauqua House at 1451 Masonic Avenue, Geilfuss on Guerrero at 102 Guerrero Street, the Mission Folk Victorian Home at 361 San Jose Avenue, St. Matthew's Church at 3281-16th Street, and St. Nicholas Cathedral at 2005-15th Street.
   2. What this means for you: Once final, alterations to any of these buildings will need Historic Preservation Commission review. The package still needs a second vote.
4. CleanPowerSF joins $75.9M Willow Rock long-duration storage project
   1. The Board approved CleanPowerSF participation in California Community Power's Willow Rock Long Duration Storage Project through two agreements totaling $75,900,000 over 20 years. Service is estimated to start July 1, 2030 and run through June 30, 2050.
   2. What this means for you: This locks in long-duration battery storage capacity for CleanPowerSF customers starting in 2030.
5. Airport security contract extended two years, $10.5M added
   1. The Board approved Modification No. 1 to the Airport's general security services contract with Covenant Aviation Security. The change increases the contract by $10,500,000 to a new total of $20,300,000 and extends the term two years through June 30, 2028, with one remaining two-year option.
   2. What this means for you: Covenant Aviation Security keeps the general security contract at SFO through mid-2028.

What residents brought up

• A speaker reading from Guy Debord's Society of the Spectacle criticized Mayor Lurie's social-media framing of the budget. The speaker said the Mayor presents painful budget choices as something the economy imposes rather than a decision.
• A commenter asked the Board to encourage the Controller's Office to complete and publish the policies and procedures for the Inspector General's Office, citing printed materials received in February that indicated the work was in development.
• A representative of Safe and Sound and the Family Services Alliance thanked the Board for the Child Abuse Prevention Month resolution and the press conference earlier that day.

Also happened

• Mayor Lurie appeared for the monthly formal policy discussion on Supervisor Chen's topic of revenue projections and proposed layoffs. Chen pressed why the city is pursuing $100M in worker cuts given a 30% deficit reduction, a $120M Airbnb settlement, and potential $300M from Proposition D. The Mayor said the deficit will reach $1B without further action and the Airbnb settlement will be spread over three years.
• Airport Surveillance Technology Policy governing TNC virtual queue continued one week to April 21 after Lyft requested time to talk with the Airport. Walton voted no on the continuance.
• Climate Action Plan ordinance signed into law, updating the Environment Code's climate goals and city department responsibilities.
• Sapient Corporation contract for the Property Assessment System Replacement Project increased by $6,754,000 to $33,912,702, term extended through June 30, 2032.
• Mythics, LLC contract for Oracle products and cloud computing increased by $34,587,831 to $94,587,831, term extended 31 months to November 30, 2028.
• "Officer Lewin-Tankel Way" approved as commemorative street name on the 300 block of Eddy Street, honoring SFPD Officer Elia Lewin-Tankel.
• Six lawsuit settlements approved: $750,000 (Kominek-Adachi), $250,000 (Sandoval), $200,000 (Williamson), $162,500 (Teixeira), $52,000 (Wall), $35,001 (Marenco). Five employment disputes and one personal injury on a city street.

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