San Francisco City Planning Commission

ANNUAL REPORT:
19
19
-
April 10, 1947
Sari, Francisco City P1 a nnl ng Comm
Is s Ion
CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
MICHEL D. WEILL, President
GARDNER A. DAILEY Vice Fret.
MORGAN A. GUNST
MRS. CHARLES B. PORTER
JAMES J. WALSH
T J. KENT JR.,
Director of
Room 252, City Hall

San Francisco 2, California
April 10, 1947

C,... A.
Ii
Roger D. Lapharn, Mayor

City and County of San Francisco
200 City Hall
San Francisco
Dear Mayor Laphani:
Trasiuitted herewith is the annual report
of the City T Wing Commission describing Its
activities anUccomplishments during 1946.
As noted In the report, 1946 was a year
of transition for the Planning Commission. The
technical staff was reorganized and vacancies were
filled during the latter part of the year by returning s3rvicemen. Because of this, the Comm1ssio
most Important projects were undertaken late In the
year with comp1e4on dates scheduled for 1947, as
described In the report.
In thi,s 1Iht, the Commission feels confident that Its accomplishments In 1946 are but an
augur of greater results which can be expected in
1947.
It is with pleasure, therefore, that the
Planning Commission, in accordance with your instructions, submits to you this report of its activities
last year.
Respectfully submitted,
4. C4j
MDW:LBC
Enc.
Miche]. t. Weill
President
913
ANNUAL
REPORT:
1946
Fifty-One Meetings Held

The City Planning Commission held 24 regular meetings and 27
special meetings during 1946. 71ith an official Master Plan
adopted in December, 1945, serving as a guide toitinits studies
and decisions, the Commission looks back on 1946 as a year of
achievement during which several important projects based on the
Master Plan were carried out.
Zoning Cases Increased
The Commission took action on 137 applications for zone
changes, an Increase of 73 over the previous year. Of these
applications 80 were approved, 45 denied, and 12 withdrawn. Two
denials were overruled by the B0E:.rd of Supervisors on appeal and
four were sustained. The Commission approved 15 applications for
modification of sot-back lines and disapproved four. 8996 applications for building permits were acted upon by the staff, of
which 8089 conformed to the zoning laws. An average of 36.1 applications were reviewed daily. P1annng studies and reports were
made on 15 new subdivisions and two resubdivisions.
Sunset _Community _Center_Approved
Among the outstanding planning achievements of the year was
the carrying out of plans for the Sunset Community Center, the
first actual realization of one portion of the Master Plan. This
major cooperative planning achievement of the year resulted from
the coordinated action of the Bord of Education, the Recreation
Commission, the Library Commission, and the Department of Public
Health in response to the proposal of the City Planning Commission
in March, 1946 that all departments work together to create a
unified center in the Sunset District. The Commission showed how
a unified development would have obvious advantages that the
previously proposed individual departmental projects could riot
offer. The Mayor, the Board of Supervisors and the public gave
the support necessary to obtain official approval.
As a result of the action by the Mayor and the Board of
Supervisors, an integrated community center will be built on 24
acres of existing sanddunes. The Center will consist of an elementary school, a junior high school, a public library, a community clubhouse, a health center, a swimming pool and outdoor
play areas and will servo 50,000 persons of all age groups.
2.
Minimum Lot Size ordinance Passed
Alarmed by the lack of open space controls and the trend
toward smeller and smaller lots in San Francisco, the Planning
Commission drafted a proposed ordinance to establish minimum lot
sizes. As a result, after many conferences with interested construction, business and civic groups, the Board of Supervisors
adopted an ordinance which specifies stendards.for the minimum
size of residential iota and the maximum area of building coverage.
Although theso standards are less than those recommended in the
first proposal of the Commission, they do assure official protection for light, air, and open space for San Francisco dwellings.
Steps Taken Toward _Urban Redevelopment
In March, 1946 the planning
which it determined that a large
which it designated as Area A,
In which to apply the provisions
Commission completed a study in

portion of the western Addition,
would be the most suitable area
of the Community Redevelopment Act.
In response to a. subsequent request from the Board of Supervisors that the Commission indicate a number of small blighted
areas in the Western Addition thet might be considered as alternatives to the larger Area A, the Planning Commission pointed out
the danger of piecemeal planning, and recommended in a report submitted shortly after the end of the year, that a. "resolution of
Intention" to apply the Community Redevelopment Act to all of
"Area AU be adopted by the Boara so that general studies coula be
started. Upon completion of a. general plan for the entire area,
the Commission reported, precise plans for projects within the area
ould be developed. The Commission stated that prompt preparation
of general plans for the western Addition would require additional
funds and staff, and steps have since been taken to provide a supplementary appropriation for this purpose.
Central _Airlines Bus Terminal Study Made
So that the most efficient location for a. proposed central
terminal for airline buses might be established, the airlines serv ing San Francisco requested the assistance of the Commission in
determining a site for such a terminal. The airlines recognized
the need for planning in anticipation of a larger volume of passengers as the result of the 20 million dollar airport improvement
program and the construction of the Bayshoro Freeway which will
connect the Airport with downtown San,FrPnciscO. The Commissions
report, based on a survey of f4fteenites, recommended that a
temporary terminal to meet airline needs for the next five to ten
years be located in the area adjacent to the southern boundary of
the central business district. The permanent terminal should not
be constructed, the Commission recommended, until a solution to the
second Bay crossing and freeway traffic distribution problems has
been agreed upon.
Second Bay Crossing Studied Made
In August, 1946 the Commission participated in the Citys

presentation to the joint Army-Navy Board, concluding that a
second Bay crossing should be constructed between the present
Bay Bridge and the San Mateo Bridge seventeen miles south, and
recommending the area in the vicinity of Army street as the best
terminal location for such a corssing. The Commission urged that
the plans for the second crossing include approaches and interchange structures as integral parts of the crossing to afford
efficient traffic distribution in San Francisco.
This report was followed by a Study of Traffic Distri-
bution Facilities for Second Bay Crossing made jointly with the
Department of Public Jorks at the request of the State Division
of Highways. In this report ten basic principles were established
and applied to five possible terminal locations in San Francisco
to determine whab facilities would be necessary to provide adequate
distribution 0 vehicular tr.ffic from a new Bay crossing in each
of the locations. This report was reporduced by both the federal
and state agencies studying the proposed crossing as part of their
official reports.
Charter_Amendment Proposed
It has been the belief of the Commission that if San Francisco is to cope with the planning problems that face it, the work
of the Commission must be more closely integrated with the work of
all the city departments. Based on this tenet, the Junior Chamber
of Commerce proposed a, charter amendment, which after modification,
won the approval of the Planning Commission and the Mayor. It has
since received the unanimous approval of the Board of Supervisors
for inclusion on the November 1947 ballot.
This amendment would establish a Department of City Planning,
composed of (1) the present five-man Commission plus the Manager
of Utilities and the Chief Administrative Officer as ex officio
members of the Commission, (2) a. Director of Planning as administrative head of the dope rtmcnt, and (3) the necessary technical
and clerical staff. In order to integrate all municipal planning
activities the department would be required to advise the Board
of Supervisors and operating departments of the City in all
matters related to the Master plan. The Departmont of City Planfling would be responsible for the preparation of a coordinated
annual capitol improvement program for the City to be submitted
to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors for final action. It is proposed that the Board of Supervisors shall refer all ordinances or
resolutions affecting the Master Plan to the Department of City
Planning for report and recommendation before adoption. The Contrail er , the City Attorney, and the Mayor cooperated with the Planfling Commission In drafting the amendment as finally approved.
Commission Participated in Education Program

As a part of a program to educate future citizens to a consciousness of their environment and how it can be improved, the
Commission presented a. series of seven informal lectures to the
Teachers Institute during second half of the year in cooperation with the Board of Education. Staff members gave talks on
the background of city planning in San Francisco, the basic
techniques of planning, the elements of the Master Plan, and the
importone of education on city planning in the future of the City.
plans Made for Departmental Improvement
In recognition of its increased responsibilities and activities, the Commission made 2. thorough study of its personnel
problems. In a report to the Civil Service Commission submitted
on November 1, 1946, it recommended the establishment of a. positionclassification plan consisting of seven professional planning
classes based on the most advanced national standards in the planning profession. In order to strengthen the caliber of its technical staff personnel this immodiato program was designed to become
a part of a long-range program which would provide for positive
recruiting efforts, waivr of residence requirements when eligible
lists are exhausted, improvement of contents of permanent examinations, establishment of closer ties with universities, and a program of in-service training. The Civil Service Commission has
since approved the reclassification recommendations, and the 19471948 budget of the Planning Commission is based upon this clear
out personnel plan.
ATP Council and Technical Committee Formed
In the middle of December, 1946 the City Planning Commission
submitted to the Mayor its recommendations for both the immediate
and long-range stops that should be taken to solve the acute transportation problems of San Francisco. The Mayor, on December 20,
acting on these recommendations, created the Administrative Transportation Planning Council, composed of the Chief Administrative
Officer, the public Utilities Commission, the Planning Commission
and the police Commission. The Council in turn activated the
Technical Committee composed of department heads and instructed it
to prepare a coordinated program of transportation improvements.
The Committee submitted its first report, on immediate bond-issue
proposals, to the Council on February 28, 1947.
Interdepartmental _Cooperation_Furthered
The Commission gained the assistance of other departments in
its work during the year, and was able also to assist them. When
5.
c Bay area was being considered os the location for the United
Nations, extensive assistance was given through the Mayors office
to the technical staff of the United Nations by the staff of the
planning Commission.
In cooperation with the Board of Education a study of "Public
School Construction Needs as Related to Estimates of Future Enrollment" was mode to assist the Board in preparing a program of
capital improvements in accordance with the Master Plan.
Technical assistance was given the Mayors Office in the preparation of transparent overlay maps showing schools, parks, and
playgrounds, and drawings for a. proposed central parking terminal
loop were prepared for the Board of Supervisors.
New Director Appointed
There were several changes in the technical staff of the Planning Commission, including the return of four icon from military
service. L. Doming Tilton resigned as Director of Planning effective October 1, 1946, and steff member T. J. Kent, Jr. was appointed Acting Director pending selection of a new Director. After
a thorough search for and review of qu... lified persons, Mr. Kent
was appointed Director of Planning by the Commission on December
31, 1946.
During 1946 the Commission was composed. of Gardner Dailey,
Morgan Gunst, Julie Porter, Jerries Walsh, and Michel Weill. In
April, J. Joseph Sullivan was appointed to the Commission to fill
a. vacancy loft by the appointment of Commissioner George Johns to
the Board of Education. Later in the year Mr. Sullivan was appointed by the Mayor to the Board of Supervisors and on October 10,
1946 he was succeeded on the Planning Commission by Morgan Gunst.
Michel Weill served as President during the yor and Gardner Dailey
as Vice-President.
FOUR-YEAR REVIEW AND PROGRESS REPORT
December 12, 1947
San Francisco City planning commission

rTTI7 TT A XTTTTF
riuNi.NuJ
Ii1r%2TDDTfkT
100 Larkin Street, Civic Center

San Francisco 2, California
MICHEL D. WEILL, President

GARDNER A. DAILEY, Vice-President
MoRGAN A. GUNsT
MRS. CHARLES B. PORTER
File No.:
December 12, 1947
JAMES J. WALSSt
T. J. KENT, JR.. Direcar 01 Planning

JOSEPH MIGNOLA. JR., Secretary
D 923
The Honorable
Mayor Roger D, Lapham
200 City Hall
San Francisco
Dear Mayor Lapham:

In accordance with the instructions contained in
your letter to all department heads dated November 24, 1947,
concerning material for your annual message to the Board of
Supervisors, i am transmitting herewith the City Planning
Commissions report on its accomplishments during the past
four years and its program for the future.
The contents of the report have been divided into
the three sections listed below:
I. San Franciscos Planning Responsibilities
The Four Years: 1944-1948
II.
III.
The Job Ahead
In compliance with your request, lengthy statistical tabulations have been excluded.
Sincerely,
TJX:DLJ
Eno.
T
T
Lkrecto
ont
/
Ianning
I SAN FRANCISCOS PLANNING RESPONSIBILITIES
planning in San Francisco as a recognized governmental activity

is new. From the day the first surveyors chain was used in the
pueblo of Yerba Buena there was planning, but of a very limited sort.
The street pattern bequeathed San Franciscans from that time illustrates the lack of overall purpose which prevailed for a century in
the development of San Francisco despite such worthwhile efforts as
those symbolized by the Burnham plan.
In 1929 a City Planning Commission as a separate governmental
agency was formed and empowered by the Charter with the responsibility to make, adopt and maintain a master plan of the physical
development of the city. But the staff and funds budgeted for the
Commission were not sufficient for it to be anything but a perfunctory organization.
In 1941 0 as a result of action by civic and official groups,
an earnest start was made toward the development of a master plan
with the employment of a consultant and the organization of a small
staff. The following year a full-time Director of Planning was
employed and further staff additions provided. But progress on the
preparation of the master plan, required by the Charter, was hindered
by the wartime shortage of available personnel. Too, the long-term
needs of the city were augmented by the pressing demands of war. San
Francisco had become a primary base of military operations, and its
population increase created immediate problems of housing, transportation, recreation, education, and overall coordination of governmental activities in the city. The planning sihts were necessarily
changed from the long range to the "duration.
Nevertheless it became apparent during the war that San Francisco, like other progressive cities in the nation, needed an
effective city planning program and department as an integral part
of its municipal government. The first steps toward that end had
been taken with the provision of an increased working budget and a
permanent staff of qualified city planners. By 1944 San Francisco
had embarked on a permanent program of city planning.
II TIKE FOUR YEARS
1944-48
The past four years mark a period during which the work of the
City Planning Commission of San Francisco has been fully integrated
with the work of other departments of the city government. T11e
Commissions expansion of scope, program, and effectiveness has been
marked each year by significant events leading to the present period
of greatest activity.
2.
1944: Public Works Improvement Program, Sunset Rezoning,
- LandThse. -
At the request of the Mayor the City Planning Commission prepared

a SIX-Year Public Works Improvement Program in which the citys operating departments designated their needed projects. Suggestions from
civic groups and organizations were included in the program. This
effort marked the first attempt on the part of the city to place the
City Planning Commission in its proper role of a research and coordIna
ting agency serving the Mayor and the operating departments. This
study and review by the City Planning Commission of public works projects proposed by the various city departments has since been establish
ed as a regular annual procedure in connection with the preparation of
the budget.
In response to demands from residents of the Sunset District, an
area zoned for Second Residential uses in which 90 percent of the
property had been developed with single family homes (a First Residential use), a study of the District vias made and the Commission recommended to the Board of Supervisors that the major portion of the District be rezoned from Second to First Residential in order to offer
protection to the single-family homes that had already been built.
The. rezoning case, approved by Poard, was the largest ever undertaken
by the City Planning Commission; its successful outcome was the result
of citizen Initiative and support based on technical advice from the
Commissions staff. Also in response to a public demand and in order
that the superb views of all the residents might be protected, a 40
foot height limitation for Telegraph Hill was recommended to and
approved by the Board of Supervisors. Regular zoning activities were
reduced to a minimum because of the war, with a total of only 31 applications received.
The first step was taken in the preparation of the Land Use
Section of the Master Plan with the publication of a report based on
the collection, compilation, and analysis of data concerning the uses
of land and buildings throughout the entire city-- a project left unfinished in 1940.
Recommended changes in the city planning sections of the Charter
were submitted on request to the Mayors Charter Committee. Contacts
were established with citizen groups interested in the planning program and active educational work was carried on. Technical studies
were Initiated on problems of transportation, parking, Market Street,
a second bay crossing, urban redevelopment, and the opening of Calvary
and Laurel Hill Cemeteries for residential construction.
1945: Master Plan Adoption, EmbarcaderoFreeway, Planning

ulThfTh
With more and more attention at the end of 1944 directed toward
planning for the postwar period, the way was opened for Increased
activity by the City Planning Commission during 1945.
The Six-Year Public Works Report was submitted by the Mayor to

the Citizens Postwar Planning Committee for study and the City Plan
fling Commission assisted the Committee by furnishing necessary
information and basic studies. In 1944 all city departments had subrnitted to the Planning Commission projects totaling $280,000,000.
Recognizing the impossibility of carrying out so large a program, the
planning Commission selected projects, on the basis of urgency and
importance, totaling 131,000,000. These were submitted by the Mayor
to the Citizens Committee for study, and an additional $46,000,000
was added to the project list.
The Commission made a special. study of the Embarcadero Freeway
originally recommended in 1943 in its Shoreline Development Report,
and this important freeway was incorporated into the tentative master
plan after a thorough investigation of construction and economic
feasibility had been made by the firm of Woodruff and Sampson, consulting engineers. Meanwhile study of other phases of the Transportation Section of the Master plan continued as a major planning project.
Urban redevelopment studies wore also advanced.
Smaller detailed projects included location studies for the
proposed new Wholesale Produce Market and the new Juvenile Detention
Home. Zoning applications increased to 59, almost double the number
In the previous year, and four important subdivision plans including
the cemetery sites of Calvary and Laurel 11111 were analyzed and
recommendations were made to the Department of Public Works. The
rezoning of the two former cem(.-,teries marked the first time that
stipulations regulating and controlling building heights and lot
coverages were instituted for an entire subdivision on the basis of
an overall development plan.
The major objective and accomplishment of 1945 was the completion of the framework of the Master Plan needed to enable San Francisco to take advantage of the Community Redevelopment Act passed by
the State legislature earlier in the year. In December of 1945, the
Planning Commission officially adopted the Master Plan of San Francisco culminating three years of planning work. The Master Plan was
composed of three sections: 1) Land Use Section, 2) Transportation
Section, and 3) Urban Redevelopment Section. Adoption of The Master
Plan represented a major step forward in the planning annals of San
Francisco. The plan Is not static: it is subject to constant revision
and expansion, and the Commission has diligently continued in this work
since first adopting the Master plan officially. In preparing for this
Important action, the publication of a series of bulletins entitled
"Planning San Francisco" was begun earlier in the year in order to
acquaint the public and officials with the responsibilities of the City
Planning Commission and the objectives of the Master plan. Other
educational work concerning the Master plan included exhibits, illustrated public talks, and press releases.
1946: Transportation Council, Redevelopment, Sunset

-- Community
Lot
ance Second Bay Crossing.
This year was a particularly significant one for the City Planning Commission in that its technical staff was completely reorganized
and four vacancies (of a total of 21 positions) were filled by returning servicemen while several vitally important technical studies were
successfully carried out which resulted in immediate and positive
action.
Among the technical studies two major accomplishments were in
the fields of transportation and urban redevelopment. After an intensive three months study, the Commission submitted to the Mayor
a report on the need for and method of coordinating the citys transportation planning activities which clearly indicated that the solution of the cityts transportation problem was a four-way one involving
mass transit, automobile traffic, pedestrian needs, and off-street
parking. In December, 1946, the Mayor, acting on recommendations of
the City planning Commission concerning both immediate and long-range
steps that should be taken, created the Administrative Transportation
planning Council, composed of the Chief Administrative Officer, the
public Utilities Commission, the City Planning Commission and the
police Commission. The Council in turn formed a Technical Committee
composed of the four department heads and instructed it to prepare
a coordinated program of transportation improvements. This work was
completed in March of the following year and a $50,050,000 transporta
tion bond issue program was submitted to and approved by the voters
in November of 1947.
Steps were taken toward an urban redevelopment action program
with completion in March of the Commissions study of possible
boundaries of a redevelopment area in the Western Addition District.
The City Planning Commission recommended to the Board of Supervisors
that a large portion of the District, described as "Area A" and defined as a suitable area in which to apply the provisions of the
Community Redevelopment Act, be designated officially as a "redevelopment area."
The third outstanding planning achievement in 1946 was the
preparation and approval of U. six-block plan for the Sunset Community
Center-- the first actual realization of one portion of the Master
Plan which made possible the acquisition of land for needed public
facilities before streets had been put through and land costs had
become prohibitive. The cooperation received by the City Planning
Commission from the Board of Education, Recreation Commission,
Library Commission, Department of public Health, and Department of
Public Works marked a milestone in the trend toward coordinated
action by city departments in detailing of plans for public improvements. Official approval by the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors
has assured the Sunset District a 24 acre center grouping together
all needed community facilities.
5.
In the foil of the year citizens in the vicinity of Mission
Dolores applied for a change of zoning of the frontage of
six blocks
this
area
from
commercial
to
second
residential.
In
order
to
In
preserve the old-time character of that historic site and protect
its prevailing residential development, the City Planning Commission
rezoned the area.
The new activity in residential building necessitated consideration of establishing controls over lot sizes and, after study of the
subject by the Commission and discussion by all groups concerned, a
minimum lot size ordinance was recommended to and approved by the
Board of Supervisors. The ordinance established, for the first time
in San Francisco, minimum standards for lot sizes, lot widths, and
pe rcentage of building coverage per lot.
A significant study was carried out jointly with the Department
of public 1rforks concerning distribution facilities that would be
needed in connection with a second bay crossing. The findings of
this collaborative project were published by the two departments in
special report submitted to the California. Division of Highways
and the Joint Army-Navy Board studying the questions of need and
location of a. new crossing. Another technical study was undertaken
and completed on the location 01 a. central airlines bus terminal.
The number of zoning applications in ]046--137---increased to more
than twice the numbr acted upon during the previous year.
Important as these technical studies and reports were, the
effect of the successful reorganization of the Commissions staff
cannot be overemphasized. In November, after weeks of thorough study,
the City Planning Commission submitted a comprehensive report to the
Civil Service Commission or its personnol needs, recommending the
establishment of a position-classification plan based on the most
advanced national standards in ho planning profession. The Civil
Service Commission has since approved the far reaching reclassification
and examination recommendations. At the end of the year Mr. T,J.Kent,Jr,
was appointed Director of planning to succeed Mr. B. Deming Tilton
who had resigned during the summer.
1947: Transportation Progress Bonds, New Zoning Ordinance.,

a.EAmendm
nV1Topment,
During the three preceding years the main issues on which an
effective planning program must be based were clarified and in
January of 1947 the City planning Commission had before it what
proved to be a year of long, forward strides and accomplishments.
Among the gains that had been made were a sound staff organization,
a. definite work program focused on the major problem confrontin
the city government, and an excellent policy of cooperation esta lished with the operating departments. On January 23, 1947, the
City Planning Commission formally adopted a. four-point program of
major planning activities for the following year including (1)

development of a comprehensive transportation plan, (2) preparation of a revised land use plan and a new zoning ordinance, (3)
completion of a specific urban redevelopment study for the Western
Addition, and (4) special studies, regular administration and continuing master plan revision.
Transportation. During the first months of 1947 the City
planning- CaTmIsilon worked with the Administrative Transportation
planning Council and the Mayor on the preparation of a plan for
coordinated transportation improvements. The plan was completed
and a report was published on March 1. In the report it was plainly
stated that further extensive studios were needed to complete a
comprehensive long range transportation plan. In May an appropria
of $200,000, requested by the City Planning Commission for the ATP
Council to develop this plan, was approved by the Mayor and the Board
of Supervisors. The ATP Council won the approval of the Board of
Supervisors for its immediate transportation program and had placed
on the ballot for the November elections four related bond issues
totaling $50,050,000 to enable the iiinnediate transportation program
to be carried out. On November 4, 1947, the citizens of San Francisco, by an overwhelming vote, approved this program.
The City planning Commission participated in informing the
voter
of the elements and purpose of the transportation bond issue program
by preparing an exhibit which was displayed at its office at 100
Larkin Street and in the rotunda of the City lIeu. A special eightpage bulletin illustrating the bond program was also issued as a
number in the regular series of planning bulletins published by the
City Planning Commission.
The City Planning Commission, the ATP Council, the Mayor, and
the Board of Supervisors, on Septorxihei- 12 approved the final program
and organization re-commended by the Technical Committee for carrying
out the long-range transportation planning job and work got under
way in October with the engagement of consultants and the setting up
of a full time staff, composed large]y of representatives from the
four city departments, in the new offices of the Commission at
100 Larkin Street. De Leuw, Cather and Company, transportation
engineers, and Ladislas Segoe, consulting city planner, are working
with the four departments on the development of this plazi.
The City Planning Commission recommended in favor of and strony
advocated the official position of San Francisco calling for the
Southern route for the proposed second bay crossing. The Commission
Issued several statements and participated in hearings held on the
issue.
New Zoning Ordinance. In the course of the departmental reorganization a. separate Zoninj-hivision was established to efficiently cope
With the increased zoning activities which followed the end of the
War. Up to December 10, 1947 a total of 81 rezoning applications and
12 requests for variances in lot sizes had been received.
7.
the urgent need for a new zoning ordinance and the reLand Use Section of the Master Plan as a basis for such
an ordinance, the City Planning Commission in May outlined a two-year
program to complete thisjob. The additional funds needed for this
purpose were provided by the Board of Supervisors in the 1947-48
budget and in July additional technical personnel was employed and the
task begun. Ladislas Sogoe was employed as principal consultant to
aid in this work. The program is divided into four stages including
the compilation of up-to-date land use information, designation and
replanning of living and non-living areas, revision of the Land Use
Section of the Master Plan, and preparation of the new zoning ordinance. During 1947 progress was made principally on the first two
stages. A special issue of the bulletin, "Planning San Francisco",
published in September, 1947, was devoted to an explanation of the
need for zoning ordinance changes and the procedure the Commission
was to follow in developing the new ordinance.
Urban Redevelopment. In January the City Planning Commission,
in response
by the Public Buildings, Lands and Cit
planning Committee of the Board of Supervisors prepared a secon
report advising the Committee on steps to be taken in the designation
of blighted areas for redevelopment in the Western Addition District.
A special appropriation was granted in April by the Board for the
purpose of enabling the Com:mission to undertake a detailed study of
the feasibility of redevelopment in the Western Addition. This
planning job, undertaken in MaT, was completed in December. The
recommendations of the final report, which were given wide publicity
in the press, called for designation of a specific redevelopment
area, establishment of a San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, action
by state and federal governments, and appointment of an Interim
Citizens Committee.
Charter Amendment. An event of special significance to the
CommiTn was THo
by the voters in the November election
of Charter Amendment No. 14 expanding the duties and responsibilities
of the City planning Commission and establishing a definite relationship between the Commission and the operating, departments. Interested
citizen groups were influential in placing the proposal on the ballot
and in the successful campaign for its approval.
Special Studies. An increased number of special studies came
before trio City Planning Commission. Principal among these were
(1) assistance to the United Nations in their consideration of the
Presidio as a site for permanent headquarters,
(2) technical aid
on a. land use study for the Cow Hollow Improvement Association, and
(3) a complete compilation of the capital improvement programs of
eight city departments prepared at the request of the Mayor. A total
of six subdivision referrals came before the Commission and a special
plan was prepared for the Lake Merced Area for the purpose of guiding
new development in the district. Completion of this plan was the
first step in the preparation of community area plans for the entire
city in connection with the revision of the Land Use Section of the
Master plan and the preparation of the now zoning ordinance
AN
THE JOB AHEAD
Goals
The last four years have been outstanding in the development
of the City Planning Commission as a strong and useful agency of
the city government. Yet the stops forward merely point in the
direction of the objectives that have been set forth in the program
of the Commission and in the new charter amendment which expands its
functions and duties.
While maintaining a long-range point of view toward the development and growth of the city as a wIiole, it is the duty of the Commission to help and serve the MayoV, the Board of Supervisors, and
operating agencies of the city in iemduate proolores of land use and
in the coordination and evaluation of immediate capital improvement
projects in relation to the master plan. The City planning Commission
alone, of all governmental agencies, has jurisdiction over and direct
interest in comprehensive land use planning, and this has been and
will continue to be its primary responsibility.
plans
Two major jobs ore now successfully under way, both of which are
fundamentally essential to the sound development of Son Francisco.
One is the completion of the Transportation Section of the Master Plan,
which work is new programmed, financed, and under way under the direction of the full ATP Council and its Technical Committee. The other
is the revision of the Land TjsoSection of the Master plan and the
preparation of a zoning ordinance based on the Plan. Both projects
are scheduled for completion in eighteen months.
Also urgently in need of continued planning action is the third
section of the Master Plan-the Urban Redovolopniont Section. The
first report on one specific area in the city has been completed by
the City Planning Commission and responsibility for immediate action,
on the basis of this report, lies for the present in other hands.
The City Planning Commission will, however, continue to give attention
to certain phases of redevelopment in the Western Addition and other
areas, for it is important in itself and as port of the studies on
transportation and land use. All three of those portions of the planning job are interdependent and must be carried forward together.
The preparation of an annual capital improvement program is now
a function of the City planning Commission as well as the compilation
of an annually revised six-year capital improvement program. Routine
administrative responsibility for the zoning ordinance will share
an increasingly important part of the daily work of the department as
building restrictions are relieved during tho coming years. Planning
is a continuing process and as new problems arise the City Planning
Commission will be better able to serve the city government and its
Citizens as its program progresses.
The tools with which to work--technicians, consultants, space

and equipment--are now satisfactory for the objectives set forth.
to further expansion of the permanent staff will be necessary: this
is a result of the cooperation of the Mayor, the Board of Supervisors,
and the other departments of the city government, notably the Civil
Service Commission, in establishing the present organization. From
now on the City Planning Commission and its staff, with its objectives clearly defined, can concentrate on developing effective plans
that will help San Francisco, the world-loved City by the Golden Gate,
become increasingly a city with a purpose, a program and a future
meriting great expectations.
DEPARTMENT
OF
CITY
PLANNING
1948-1949
ANNUAL REPORT
. ........................................................
CITY and COUNTY of SAN FRANCISCO
HONORABLE EL1R E. ROBINSON, MAYOR

Ernest 3, Torregano, President
Harold T, Lopez
Oliver M. Rousseau, Vice President
William
D. Kilduff
Mrs, Eugene M. Prince
Ex officio Members:
Thomas A. Brooks
Chief Administrative Officer
James H. Turner
Manager of Utilities
Paul Oppermann, Director of Planning

Joseph Mignola, Jr., Secretary
ANNUAL REPORT
148-1949
This Annual Report, requested by Mayor Elmer E. Robinson in his

letter to the City Departments under date of August 16, 1949 0
has been prepared by Director of Planning Paul Oppermann,*
assisted by the staff of the Department. Special acknowledgment
is made to James R. McCarthy, Acting Director of Planning from
July 1 0 1948 to March 18, 1949. Mr. McCarthy made available for
use in connection with the preparation of this report a summary
of the activities of the Department covering that portion of the
full period here reported during which he assumed charge of its
affairs.
The annual Report reviews the program of the Department from
July 1, 1948 to June 30, 1949, summarizing the activities of
the citys planning office over this period and indicating the
direction and emphasis proposed in the continuing and developing
program immediately ahead.
The function of the Department of City Planning in the government of the City and County of San Francisco is to prepare and
maintain a general over-all guiding plan "for the comprehensive
and harmonious development ... of the city and county" (Section
116, Charter). In conformity with the objective implicit in
this Charter statement the report of the Department has firmly
adhered to a course which will be described and concisely
summarized under the following headings:
I.
II.
III.
1V4
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
The Land Use Plan of the City and County

The Zoning Program
The Transportation Plan
Referrals and the Land Use Plan
Capital Improvement Program
Urban Redevelopment
Research
Public Relations
P)ans for the Period Ahead
Comments and Conclusion
irector of Plax-ining Oppermann has served with the Department

since March 23, 1949.
he Land Use Plan of The City and County

preparation of a comprehensive city-wide plan for the use of
every parcel of land within the municipalitys jurisdiction is
the far-reaching and complicated task of a Department of City
planning. Public land - as in streets, parks, school and public
building sites - has only one purpose and that is to serve and
perform useful functions to all the citizens who occupy the private parcels of land of the community: land used for industry,
business and residence chiefly. Planning for convenient, attractive and economical relationships of public and private land uses
is therefore clearly a primary responsibility of the City Planning Commission and the staff of the Department.
The land use plan is in effect the City and Countys "blueprint"
to provide an overall guide to private development, and to the
public development closely meshed and related to it and serving it.
The Department must take its lead, in preparing city plans to
serve present and future population of the city, from the present
pattern of growth and from analysis of the future needs of the
people. For this purpose the city has been divided into working
areas (containing office buildings, factories, shops and stores,
railroads and other transportation and distributive areas and
facilities) and living areas (containing houses, flats, apartments, etc.)
The land use plan of the city is based upon measurement of the
present needs of the people of the entire city for these various
purposes and estimates based upon population, economic and other
data related to land use studies.
Substantial progress has been achieved during 1948-1949 in the
preparation of the city-wide land use plan. The residential
portions ("living area") of the city have been analyzed, district
by district, to determine the present adequacy and future needs,
for example, of the Richmond District, the Mission District or
the Sunset, with respect to schools , parks, libraries or neighborhood and other public and private service facilities. In the
sections of this report on zoning and transportation which follow,
the underlying importance of the land use plan will be specifically
related to these subjects and progress relating to them during the
year will be reported.
The citys land use plan must be kept abreast of the citys growth
in population and changes in the uses and development of the citys
land brought about by day-to-day and year-to-year activities and
Progress in the business section of the community and in the communities and neighborhoods where the people live. Therefore,
While a great many portions of the citys land area and the buildings occupying them are fixed for long periods of time, the land
Use plan must anticipate and be prepared to meet new conditions
and requirements. Meanwhile however, private developments go forward daily: as private projects are completed, public projects
Which serve them likewise take their rightful places (as "public
land uses" In the master plan) and the city gradually chanes in
Its outline and pattern, guided by the overall "blueprint.
2.
In this Annual Report the process of growing in accordance with the

communitys master plan, and progress made during the year by the
Department in Serving as a branch of the city government charged
with this function, are described together.
The Zoning Program and The New Zoning Ordinance
Zoning is now well established in local government throughout the
United States, being now regarded "one of our most useful social
jflt1OflS in preserving human and social values" in our communities. Proof of the high regard in which it is held is found not
only in its almost universal application but in the vigorous current
emphasis on its protective and stabilizing effects on real property
of every type, and also upon the important supporting role assigned
in guiding public developments placed in the communitys land use
plan. Zoning is widely advocated and supported by business groups.*
During 1948-1949 0 concurrently with revision and modernization of
the citys land use plan, San Franciscos zoning ordinance, enacted
in 1921 (and one of the earliest in the United States) has been
under extensive study. The Department has had the assistance of
a nationally outstanding consultant in analysis of the citys needs
as revealed by land use and related studies. Working closely with
the Director and staff, with frequent conferences with the City
Planning Commission, the drafting of the Departments new zoning
ordinance has been primarily the responsibility of a highly regarded
Bay Area consultant, William E. Spangle. Proposed to be substituted
for the 1921 ordinance, which contains but two residential, one
commercial, and two industrial zoning classifications, Is a thoroughly up-to-date ordinance of 14 classifications (6 residential, 6 commercial and 2 industrial), incorporating special features and comprehensive coverage representing the most widely accepted and
advanced zoning practice.
The long out-moded 1921 zoning ordinance has caused continual difficulties, and excessive and burdensome labor on the part of the City
Planning Commission and the staff of the Department. The present
ordinance lacks provisions to insure adequate light and air or provision of off-street parking, or to control building coverage,
population density or building height, or to allow necessary variances from the strict application of the regulations. This has
made it difficult and, in many cases impossible, for the Commission
and staff, even with constant watchfulness, to prevent land overcrowding, traffic congestion, and creation of hazardous conditions
because of fire risk, etc. It has been difficult to avoid spot
Zoning and maintain zoning practice in accordance with sound
Principles.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, assisted by the American Institute
of Planners, will shortly release an extensively modernized
edition of its Zoning Manual for Cities of the United States.
The administration of the present zoning ordinance is under the immediate supervision of the Zoning Division of the Department. The
steadily increasing work load of the Division has taxed the time and
personnel of the Division, which has conscientiously and efficiently
served the public in an operation which is complex and detailed in
the extreme. A condensed table is inserted below to indicate the
large and expanding volume of transactions of this Division, the work
of which is directed by Mr. Elwood Gill under the supervision of Mr.
Bryant Hall.* With enactment of a new and entirely redrafted zoning
ordinance, proposed for the 1949-50 fiscal year, it is confidently
expected that simpler and less troublesome procedures may be introduced in the administration of a modernized zoning ordinance.
Land use analysis is proceeding on schedule s specifically related to
the new zoning ordinance. Completion of the present draft of the
text of the new zoning ordinance and accompanying zoning map of the
city is scheduled for a September 30 terminal date, The City Plan
rung Commission, assisted by Mr. Spangle and members of the staff of
the Department have reviewed the work, stage by stage, as completed.
Committees of business and civic organizations have assisted from
time to time by reviewing staff findings, including drafts of the
zoning text and zoning map changes. Full and continuing discussion
by the City Planning Commission, until complete review has been
achieved, will follow the September 30 deadline which will be met by
Mr. Spangle and the staff.
The new zoning ordinance is intended to reinforce the provisions of
the citys underlying land use plan, to assist in guiding public
improvements, and to establish and clarify the outlines of areas in
which private development and private investment may be undertaken
with the assurance that congenial land uses will be brought together
and inharmonious and mutually detrimental uses avoided. The new
zoning ordinance should provide a stimulus to many types of desirable
development, chiefly private, but, where appropriate and demanded,
public development as well.
The City Administrations Transportation Plan
Many transportation plans, some of large scope and others treating
special or partial aspects of the complex transportation and traffic
needs of San Francisco and related land areas, have been prepared
through the years. A number of expertly conceived studies have come
forward recently. Mayor Robinson instructed the Director of Planning,
when he assumed his duties in March 1949, to give careful examination
to all meritorious transportation proposals, to prepare and recommend
a comprehensive transportation plan which might serve as foundation
and basis for a City Administration Transportation Plan, around which
the official family and the citizens of San Francisco might rally
and move forward unitedly to support it and achieve it, step by step,
as rapidly as public sentiment and available financing permit.
Mayor Robinsons directive is being observed by the Department of
City Planning. The Director of Planning directed that transportation
Studies be emphasized in staff operations and with the full cooperation of the City Planning Commission technical data and background
11aterial on transportation, including land use, population and traf
ee last page
4.
fic data have been reviewed in a series of special meetings. A

series of Commission-sponsored public hearings have been scheduled
to obtain the views of business, labor, professional and civic
grouPS and to assist the Commission and staff in dotorminng the
tOflt of public acceptance of various transportation proposals,
including those of the Do Leuw-Segoe, Bingham, Chew and other
studies ,*
The significance of the city-wide land use plan, which it is the
special and sole responsibility of the Department of City Planning
to prepare and maintain, justifies emphasis and repetition in this
Annual Report of the Department. A transportation plan for San
Francisco worthy of the name must serve and link together every
portion of the city, taking cognizance of each residential district
and of every business and industry sector, relating every factor
or facet of what is in reality one interrelated, interdependent
problem: a city-wide transportation and traffic problem. The key
to transportation, as it is to zoning, to parks and schools, to
business and industry is sound practical land use planning to efficiently link together private locations (land uses) and public
facilities- streets, transit, parking and the like. In doing so
it must be kept in mind that both over-concentration or congestion,
and over-dispersion or excessive decentralization are undesirable,
wasteful and uneconomic. The underlying land use plan, assisted
by reasonable, legal, conservative and protective zoning, serves
as the foundation and guide to a city-wide transportation plan.
The City Planning Commission and staff of the Department has in
preparation such a land-use based plan of transportation. All
meritorious plans are being analyzed. The staff is preparing to
bring before the City Planning COmmission, for policy review,
recommendations for bringing up to date the now obsolete 1945
transportation section of the master plan. A revised transportation section of the master plan will be carefully studied by the
Commission prior to amendatory action. Official** and public
discussion will precede final action of the Commission. The Dopartments findings and recommendations will cover trafficways
including freeways and other thoroughfares; transit, including
subway; one-way streets, parking, and financial considerations.
Completion of the comprehensive, long-range transportation plan
for incorporation into the master plan, was placed at the top of
the Departments agenda for 1948-1949. It will remain "at the
top" and will receive the strongest emphasis during the period
immediately succeeding that reviewed in this rcrnort,
* These public herings, held on Juno 21, July 26, and August 30,
have been concluded and findings have been analyzed at this
Writing.
** Views of the city Departments have been transmitted to the
Department by the Mayor and have been analyzed. Discussions
of the official comments of the Departments are being held
at this time by the Department of City Planning.
5.
The Director of Planning has had the cooperation of the chiefs of

Departments concerned in their operations with transportation
matters. Now that interdepartmental conferences are again proving
necessary, to obtain as close agreement as possible not only on
general principles, but on specific applications to operating
programs of any over-all transportation plan recommended by the
Department of City Planning, a sufficient number of conferences
will be sought to conclude the necessary review of staff studies,
before the transportation findings of the staff are submitted to
the City Planning Commission for review and appropriate action.
In view of the importance and urgency of continuing major emphasis
on comprehensively revising the transportation section of the citys
master plan, continuing attention of a principal staff member has
been devoted to it. Mr. James R. McCarthy has admirably served
in this capacity. The Director of Planning has heavily relied
upon his intimate knowledge of transportation planning conditions
in the city and his familiarity with technical studies of recent
and earlier years. His responsible connection with the work of
the Transportation Technical Committee, which supervised the preparation of the De Leuw-Segoe report, is especially noted.
Southern Crossin
The additional crossing over San Francisco Bay has been a subject
of great importance and has become one of increasing controversy
during a recent period. From the time of his assumption of duties
the Director of Planning has participated, assisted by members of
the Departments staff, in the vigorous drive led by the Mayor,
with assistance of the city Departments and the Board of Supervisors to assure construction of the Southern Crossing. The
analysis of the supporting arguments and presentation of the case
for the southern Crossing, refutation of arguments for the Parallel
Bridge required extensive study, specially prepared graphic exhibits
and numerous public appearances in Sacramento, San Francisco, and
in Washington, D. C. Full and final success in the Southern Crossing
fight has not yet been achieved. To date the advocates of the
Parallel Crossing have not achieved their aims. Public and official
Support for their position has steadily weakened, and the prospects
for building the additional bridge in a Southern location appear
more favorable than at any previous time.
The Southern Crossing, when built, will constitute an important
major link in connecting transportation sections of master plans
of all the principal Bay Area communities.
The Department has participated in and contributed substantially
to the studies of the Bay Area Airport Planning Group. Completion
Of the first metropolitan area airport plan, to guide all types
Of airport locations throughout the Bay Area, and to achieve ccOrdination through cooperative action of the affected communities,
is an important event in the history of Bay Area transportation.
MR
orelifle Plan
In compliance with the requirements of the California Beach Acquis ition Act., an amendment to the master plan adding certain shoreline
properties in the Marina and Sea Cliff areas was adopted by the
Commission in October. Petitions were subsequently made to the
California Park Commission by the Recreation and Park Commissions
for State participation in the acquisition of such shoreline areas.
Referrals and the Citys Land Use Plan
The development in detail of the land use plan of San Francisco, by
residential communities and neighborhoods, has been carried forward
steadily upon the basis of the tentative land use plan for the
entire city completed July 1, 1948; this more detailed phase of the
master plan of land use was maintained on schedule, except for
occasional delays largely resulting from the heavy requirements
placed upon the staff of the Master Plan division by the mandatory
referral provisions of the charter. The referrals are required by
Section 116.1 of the Charter which calls for a report by the Department prior to adoption by the Board of Supervisors of any ordinance
or resolution dealing with change in extent or use of public areas.
This recently added function of the Department, a type of function
which many cities have now adopted (and which is now widely praised
and valued) is not only one of the most efficient instruments for
carrying out both public and private aspects of the master plan,
but it contributes greatly to achieving the coordination among capital improvements, made by the various Departments and provides substantial economies in the expenditure of public funds. All purchase
sales or transfers of City and County sites or rights of way, all
of which as land use matters are integral elements in the master
plan, receive scrutiny with respect to their bearing upon the citys
guiding plan of public and private development.
Referrals, while frequently requiring detailed and time-consuming
analysis, provide an opportunity for the Department to exert a
direct and immediate influence for the better development of San
Francisco. Referrals and the capital improvement program help the
Department to improve the quality of public and private development,
to apply land and transportation planning techniques, and thus to
assure sound community patterns, improved access, and adequate
consideration of public service relationships.
As a result of the mandatory referral procedure the Department has
assisted in securing conformity to the master plan of street and
highway, school, park, recreation, library and many other public
sites, thus advancing step by step, by means of recurring public
actions, in the gradual building of a more orderly and better
functioning San Francisco.
For instance, the school site program has been given several months
Of study, entailing numerous conferences with the School District
and its consultants. A report on this matter, covering 54 projects,
has been presented to the Commission for consideration.
7.
Many suggestions made in the course of this analysis have boon

accepted by the School District; others have given rise to
further study by the District. Also, site studies have been completed and a suggested plan prepared for the adjustment of properties and improvement of road alignments in the Fort Funston-Lake
Merced area, by which the park and zoo lands can be extended, a
National Guard Armory developed, andme 35 acres made available
for private housing development.
Mandatory referral procedure has resulted in bringing together,
for mutually beneficial discussions, staff personnel of the
various City Departments. The department in January sponsored
a meeting of the school, recreation, public works, and real
estate departments and the private developers affected by and
concerned with the Lake Merced school-recreation plan. Agreement
was reached as to the course to be followed in settling the multifold problems of this area. A meeting of the school, recreation,
public works, library, and health departments was also held recently for the purpose of agreeing upon a program for allocation
of space and development of the Sunset Community Center.
Close collaboration with several subdividers has resulted in development plans incorporating advanced standards. Stonostown is
already rising on plans developed in close liaison with this department and approved by the Commission in August. Additions to Parkmerced are also rising after negotiations which resulted in the
acceptance of some suggestions made by this department. After an
unsuccessful appeal to the Board of Supervisors on an application
for rezoning which was piecemeal in substance, the Twin Peaks
Investment Company has prepared, in collaboration with this
department, an overall development plan for the area under its
control.
gpital Improvement Programming
During the year San Franciscos local government achieved for the
first time, through operation of the Departments new charter
function of preparing a coordinated capital improvement program,
an interdepartmental program embracing all proposed municipal
improvements over a 6-year period. The Departments have cooperated smoothly and appear to view the programming service of the
city planning office favorably, as afnction contributing to
their own effectiveness through providing a broad and complete
Perspective of the whole of the citys capital improvement commitments for a substantial period ahead.
In 1949-50 recommended priorities in scheduling improvements
Will be established for the first time. This is a major step
toward development of a true capital improvements "program"

not a mere list of conforming projects. A manual is being prePared outlining in detail the procedures to be followed in the
Preparation of Departmental lists of improvements. The Department of City Planning has prepared this manual to assist and
facilitate the work of the cooperating City Departments.
Urban Redevelopment
With passage of the National Housing Act of 1949 substantial Federal
funds become available, both for loans and grants, to cities undertaking redevelopment programs (and prepared to meet Federal requirements), and for public housing.
Urban redevelopment has been called an "action arm of city planning."
When local redevelopment plans have been activated in this and other
urban centers the accuracy of this view will become clearer to the
general public. Sound redevelooment, contributing to eradication of
uneconomic and socially destructive blighted areas, substituting
stable private investments along with now taxable values in areas
affected, depends upon well-prepared city master plans. The Department of City Planning during the past year has assisted the San
Francisco Redevelopment Agency in preparing its first years program
and budget and in the Agencys preparation for cooperation with private investor-developer groups, the San Francisco Housing Authority,
and the Federal redevelopment office which is expected to be in
active operation shortly.
The question of whether bond funds for redevelopment land acquisition will be submitted to the voters in the fall elections is not
finally determined. Pending this decision estimates cannot be made
of the time when wise participation in the program of Federal loans
and grants might be forthcoming.
During the legislative session at Sacramento amendments to the California Community Redevelopment Act proposed by San Francisco and
Los Angeles, to improve and clarify procedures were approved. In
accordance with one of these amendments the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency has requested the Department of City Planning to prepare
a preliminary plan of the Jefferson Square area already recommended
for early redevelopment.
The Departments generalized land use and transportation plans,
its
detailed studios of community land use patterns in areas ripe for
redevelopment, its coordination of capital improvements programming
in these areas,, and its research studies are indispensable to the
Redevelopment Agencys program. California law requires that redevelopment may only proceed in accordance with an underlying and
guiding master plan.
The Department and the Redevelopment Agency are at present cooperating in analyzing additional areas of San Francisco appropriate
for redevelopment treatment. A broader, more flexible program
should result, providing a range of investment and development to
interest private capital and local enterprise. As these studies
attain greater precision not only will opportunities for private
groups take on clearer, sharper outline, but the citys responsibiliitles will become better defined. Likewise the extent and character
Of private redevelopment as it becomes better understood will suggest
more positively the new taxable values which will be created to
Coup for the City its share of the local cost of redevelopment.
9.
Research
physical development, to be efficient and to contribute to the
welfare of Sari Francisco, must proceed according to known needs.
The Department serves as a clearing-house for facts bearing upon
physical development planning. Its own contributions published as
monographs have included "changes in Industrial Land Use, San
Francisco 1919-1937," "Employment by Area in San Francisco,"
nMunjcipal Parking Authority," "Summary of Federal and State Legislation Affecting Highway and Transit Planning in The Bay Area," and
"Airport Standards, "
The research activities of the Department have included contributions to the work of the California State Division of Highways,
the Division of Water Resources and State Department of Employment,
the Bay Area Airport Planning Group, the Bay area Real Estate
Research Committee, the Bay Area Council, the San Francisco Unified
School District, City Departments, the Redevelopment Agency, the
Community Chest of San Francisco, the Commonwealth Club, newspapers
and radio stations, management firms, real estate firms, and banks.
The Department maintains a specialized library, subject file, and

map file which are available for amsultation by other agencies
and the public.
Public Relations The Departments record, its performance in terms of service to
the Mayor and city departments, to the Board of Supervisors and
to the public at large, are the test of public relations. The
Commission, the Director and staff have attempted to reflect their
awareness of this fact in their work together and in individual
contacts.
Acceptance in the community and on the part of the officers and the
Departments of the city administration have steadily gained. The
recognition of the essential character of the planning process, and
of the practical uses of the master plan in guiding public and private development throughout San Francisco, clearly signifies that
there has been a gratifying growth of public understanding of city
Planning in this city.
Effective public relations result from each department job well
done: conscientious labor on zoning cases, sound recommendations
On referrals, improvements suggested to subdivision developers,
guidance in evolving a well planned redevelopment program, publication of informative planning reports, participation in discussion
Of public issues as in the bridge controversy and other transportation problems, counseling and informing working committees of civic,
labor and industry organizations.
The Building Industry Conference Board, the West of Twin Peaks Lions
Club, the Clement Street Merchants Association, the Cow Hollow ImProvement Club, the Central Council of Improvement Clubs, the League
Of Women Voters, the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Adult Education
10.
Forums the Commonwealth Club, the American Institute of Architects,

the Landscape Architects Association, the League of California
Cities, the Parkside Improvement Club, the San Mateo Junior College all have been addressed by staff members. The California Council
o fR e publican Women also has been addressed by a Commissioner-staff
team. The Traffic Engineering Conference at the University of
California was addressed by Mr. Williams. The Western City magazine of July 1948 carried on article by Mr. Lombardi on capital improvements. Mr. Hall participated in a panel discussion at the
economy Housing Conference in February. Mr. Violich is currently
conducting a 15-week course in the Extension Division of the University of California with an enrollment of 59 students,
The Department participated in the exhibit of Landscape Architecture held at the San Francisco Museum of Art last fall, and sent
exhibit material to the Milwaukee Art Institute in January, and to
the Vancouver, Washington, Housing Authority in February. Exhibit
was sent to the National Citizens Conference on
material
Community Planning
held in Oklahoma City March 27 to 30. The
department has also assisted the School District in the d evelopment
and delineation of its series of third-grade text books on San
Francisco of which three have been published. The fourth, dealing
directly with planning, was reviewed editorially for accuracy.
Visitors from local schools, Bay Area universities, other cities,

and other nations have passed through the department office during
the past fiscal year to carry with them an impression of current
planning thinking and action in c$an Francisco. Shanghai, Melbourne,
Bombay, Tel Aviv, Stockholiz, Bahia, Paris and Geneva have been
represented by visiting planners, engineers, city councilmen, and
architects.
Plans for the Period Ahead
Principal stress will be placed in the immediate future upon revision of the transportation section of the master plan - a complex
and detailed task which the Commission and staff are concentrating
upon toward the objective of final action as early as possible
this fall.
The new zoning ordinance will be ready for Commission and city-wide
examination immediately following the September 30 deadline.
Numerous meetings will be required to explain the proposed zoning
regulations for each of the fourteen districts, the district boundaries of the new zoning map, to civic improvement clubs, real
estate, builder and trade organizations of the city. The Commission and staff of the Department will be guided in the adoption
Of the zoning ordinance by the results of these discussions and
meetings which will indicate the extent and character of public
U.flderstanding and acceptance which may be expected. Board of
Supervisorsi action, after formal public hearings, will be facilitated, it is believed, by thoroughgoing preparations along these
lines
11.
The Director of Planning has a strong conviction that a soundly

COnCV0d departmental program is inevitably an expanding one. The
work load of the Department of Planning continues to increase and
the demands for its services and thus upon its personnel show no
signs of lessening. It is necessary therefore continually to reeXamine the staff and budgetary resources available and to increase
the efficiency of departmental operations.
The Director, with the assistance of the staff, is currently preparing a detailed work program embracing each of the divisions of
the planning office. It is intended that this work program will
schedule all services of the Department carefully, in terms of
available personnel and funds, for the period 1949-1950, by distinct time intervals and affecting all work assignments, including
current and routine, and special assignments insofar as these are
now known. This work program, when completed, will constitute a
guide to the departmental staff and to the Commission, and will cons titute our recommendations to you concerning disposition of your
city planning resources during the months to come,
Comments and Conclusion
As the Department of City Planning has an overall coordinating and
advisory function, it provides services to the Mayor and the city

departments of the executive branch of San Franciscos government,
and to the legislative branch, the Board of Supervisors as provided
under the charter. Its function therefore is distinctly a staff
function, clearly illustrated in its land use planning for the locations and extent of all public land uses, carried out in routine
referrals on transportation and the street system, school, park and
recreation sites, and by means of the capital improvement programming
responsibilities of the Department. Close gearing of the overall
staff functions of this Department with the operating city Departments
is necessary for efficient and economical city government. In the
past year this type of effective cooperation and coordination has
been advanced with many city departments. This Departments services
in its staff capacity can be used further to achieve greater unity
in the development of policy and greater momentum in the action program of the Administration.
a u l Oppe mann
Director of Planning
Department of City Planning
~~
Attachment:
i Table
12.
VOLUME OF ZONING CASES

FISCAL 1947, 1948, AND 1949, COMPARED VITH EARLIER PERIODS
(See page 4)
period
1929-1935
1936-1945
1946-194 7
1947-1948
1948-1949
Calendar Year
Calendar Year
Fiscal Year
Fiscal Year
Fiscal Year
Number of Zoning Cases

Annually
54 (Average)
87 (Average)
89
104
121
This indicates an increase of 36% in the

two year period between fiscal 1946-1947 and
1948-1949.
13.
ANNUAL
REPORT
1949-1950
.........................................I
DEPARTMENT
OF
CITY
PLANNING
REPORT TO MAYOR ELMER E. ROBINSON

September 15, 1950

Ernest J. Torregano, President
Harold T. Lopez
Mrs. Eugene M. Prince
William D. Kilduff
Ex officio Members:
James H. Turner
Thomas A. Brooks
Chief. Administrative Officer

:s D[PIRTMENT
I
1966
U:;vjy Or C AL I FO R
NIA
DEPARTNT OF CITY PLANNING

ANNUAL REPORT 1949-50
This report briefly covers the activities of the Department of
City Planning during the 1949-1950 fiscal year.
The report is organized under the following headings:
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
City Planning Commission

Land Use Plan
Zoning
Transportation Plan
Redevelopment
Referrals
Subdivisions
Research
Public Relations
Appendix A. Civil Defense

Appendix B. Section on "City Planning",
pp. 169-170

The City Planning Commission was comprised of the following five
citizen members: Ernest J. Torregano, Oliver M. Rousseau, William D.
Kilduff, Harold T. Lopez, and Mrs. Eugene M. Prince. On January 27,
1950 Commissioners Torregano and Rousseau were re-elected President
and Vice-President respectively. Ex-officio members were Thomas A,
Brooks, Chief Administrative Officer, and James H. Turner, Manager of
Utilities, represented by Louis M. Perrin, Senior Electrical Engineer
Of the Utilities Engineering Bureau since August 4, 1949, Commissioner Prince was reappointed to a four-year term by Mayor Robinson on
January 15, 1950.
The Commission met formally 72 times. Zoning hearings were
Conducted at 24 meetings; public hearings on transportation plans
Were held on four occasions.
Land use Plan
The city-wide generalized land use plan was completed during the
fiscal year and work accelerated on the detailed plans for communities,
Working districts, and special areas.
generalized land use plan for the entire Twin Peaks area was
epared
at the request of Mayor Robinson. In January a report was
pr
on John Mc Laren Park, recommending changes in the bounpr epared
arieS which reduce the present area of the Park somewhat and which
would beflit the development of the entire district bordering on
the park,if adhered to. Several meetings wore arranged to obtain
n eeded coordination of Departments to permit final recommendations
as to Mc Laren Park boundaries to e made to the Mayor and Board of
Supervisors. This long overdue final action, which may be expected
in the near future, will establish boundary lines to guido Recreation and Park Department, Department of Public Works and Board of
Education in programming proposed public improvements. Likewise,
the uncertainties which have plagued property owners adjacent to
Mc Laren Park will be ended when the boundaries are firmly established.
In addition to continuing work of the City Planning Commissions
Staff on the residential community and working area detailed land
use maps, special land use studies were prepared for the Director
of Property, Board of Education, and various other city agencies.
Examples are the land use study of recently acquired land in the
Fort Funston area, prepared at the request of the Director of
Property, and that of the Commodore Stockton school service area for
the Board of Education. Examples of other special land use studies
are the staff study of an all-sports municipal stadium in the vicinity of the city-county line near the Cow Palace, prepared at the
request of Mayor Robinson, numerous such studies prepared for the
Redevelopment Agency, discussed in greater detail later in this report, and the study of Sharp Park Rifle Range for the Park Department (before consolidation with Recreation).
Zo ning
Throughout the year study of the proposed new zoning ordinance,

which was submitted on September 30, has held a high place on the
agenda of the City Planning Commission. A number of meetings of the
Commission as a whole-were devoted to review of the proposed new
ordinance, A special committee, appointed by President Torregano,
Consisting of Commissioners Rousseau, Prince and Brooks, has been
reviewing the zoning text line by line, likewise is studying the
1CW District maps, for the purpose of presenting a new ordinance in
a form that will obtain wide public and official support. Much
Conscientious work,however, remains before a complete and final
Presentation can be made,
The zoning ordinance presently in effect was adopted in 1921.
This ordinance has caused numerous difficulties in administration
for the Department, an excessive amount of labor on the part of the
City Planning Commission and affecting the staff. The task of working with the existing outmoded ordinance, whose many shortcomings
Would be largely if not entirely overcome by the adoption of a
modern ordinance, has grown steadily greater. The number of applications for zoning changes has increased steadily from 89 in the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1947 to 104, 121, and 140 in the three
2.
fo llowing fiscal years respectively. Thus the rezoning case load
was larger by more than 50 percent compared with that of four years
ago.
During the fiscal year, nine appeals were filed with the Board
Supervisors.
The Commission was sustained in its decisions in all
of
a
record
which attests the conscientious efforts of the
but one case,
City Planning Commission and Staff in meeting its zoning responsibilities.
Transportation
On December 16, 1949, the City Planning Commission held a public
hearing on the Trafficways Plan proposed as an amendment to the Transportation Section of the Master Plan. The plan, comprising a system
of freeways, and major and SeConaar thoroughfares, was developed by
the Department after thorough analysis of previously made proposals,
and of citizen reaction thereto. A second hearing on the plan was
held on April 27, 1950. At these hearings general endorsemont of the
Town Association, the Chamber of Ccinaerce,
plan was given by the Do
1.
Ie
-
- --
t--------
- --
--------.
- -
Clubs, an a nenb:r of other n -:erosted c:Ltizons and orgarzations.

an, for ::::ls as they
Vior:1:s y:t:sts - o :::tafn :eils of the
After further
ov Kcllolv raighberhoed, were riade
affecoci
staff analysis, satisfactory modifications in the portions of the
plan objected to were made. Modifications affecting Cow Hollow were
approved by Cow Hollow representatives at an informal hearing on
July 6,
On May 25 the City Planning Commission held a public hearing
on a proposed plan of one-way streets in the Metropolitan Traffic
District. General support was given the Dian and the principle of
one-way streets, but localized protests were voiced regarding phases
of the plan especially affecting a number of streets near the Civic
Center. Further consideration to the plan is currently being given
by the Commission.
On December 29, 1949 Mayor Robinson directed the Director of
to review all previous subway proposals and to make recommendations within ninety days for a Market Street subway and related
transit program for San Francisco. To aid in the engineering phases
Of the work, the consulting firm of Dc Leuw, Cather & Company was
engaged by the City Planning Commission, Numerous conferences were
held with staff representatives of the Public Utilities Commission
during the course of the study. Subsequent to submission of the rePort, further modifications in the recommended first-stage construction program were studied and alternative proposals prepared. These,
Were in readiness when the international situation became so critical
as to cause deferment of the subway program.
PlSl)fliflg
Other phases of the citys official transportation program in

Which the Department has participated, include assistance the Staff
S given to the Parking Authority, a report on a downtown airline
3.
bus terminal, and aid to the California Aeronautics Commission, in

i t s study of an airport site on the tidelands south of Hunters Point.
Members of the staff of the Department also popared testimony and
participated in the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee Hearings hold
jr, Washington, D. C. on the question of a second Bay crossing, The
s t aff also prepa:ed and submitted testimony on the proposed Second
Bay crossing before the Doiwig. Committee of the California legislature. The Director and staff members met with the Mayors Bay Area
Rapid Transit Committee at the request of the Committee in connection
with current sulYWay and transit proposals.
Redevelopment
The report of the Redevelopment Agency made in March, 1950,
entitled "Redevelopment in Diamond Heights" was prepared with assistance of and in close consultation with the Department of City Planning. Designation of Diamond Heights as Redevelopment Area B by the
Board of Supervisors followed completion of the report, as recommended, The Department has also worked closely with the Redevelopment
Agency in studies leading toward a preliminary plan for the redevelopment of Area A, in the Western Addition, which was designated for
redevelopment by the Board of Supervisors in August, 1948.
In March, 1950, the Public Buildings, Lands and City Planning
Committee of the Board of Supervisors requested a study of the Sutro
Forest area, and submission of a report on the proposal to designate
certain portions of the area as blighted within the meaning of the
California Community Redevelopment Act, The report of the Department
recommended against designating the area as blighted.
Referrals
During the past fiscal year a total of 115 referrals were receivod by the Department, under provisions of Section 116.1 of the
Charter, for report as to conformity with the Master Plan, Most of
these referrals were concerne with the acquisition, transfer, or
sale of land, or with various changes in or closing of streets. All
referrals were reviewed for cnfc>rmity with the long-range city-wide
land use and transportation plans. In a number of instances several
departments were brought together for the purpose of reaching general
agreement, and to obtain coordination of the several programs. By
means of the referral process, required by the Charter, the master
Plan effectively serves as a guide to public development. The constructive effects of this referral process will be increasingly
evident, as will be numerous resulting economies of public and private funds,
Subdivisions
A total of oleen subdivision maps were reviewed in accordance
With Section 118 of the Charter. In several instances the review of
these subdivisions required consideration of zoning, lot size and
building height requirements in addition to street layout, provision
tOX shopping centers, and schools, playgrounds, and other community
4.
needs*
Ca pita l Improvement Program
On January 20, 1950, in compliance with Section 69.1 of the
Charter, the Department submitted its second annual report on a
s i x - Year capital improvement program. Recommendations as to conformity with the master plan of each project proposed for the fiscal year 1950-1951 were made, and projects proposed by departments
for 1951-52 through 1955-56 were listed. In the preparation of the
rePort 235 projects Proposed for 1950-51 were reviewed for conformity with the master plan.
Re sqa rch
To prepare plans and make recommendations it is necessary to
clarify the isues and to assemble pertinent factual data. The
Department serves as a clearing-house for community information
bearing on all aspects of the physical development of the city.
The Department maintains a specialized library, subject file, map
file, and projection slide file which are in frequent use and likewise are available for reference use by other agencies and the public. The library, now containing 1,460 volumes, was augmented during the year by purchase and permanent loan materials. A thorough
analysis has been made recently of its functions and recommendations
have been formulated for its further improvement, as funds permit.
Research activities include service to the Commission, the
staff and various public and community agencies on matters concerning zoning, the capital improvement program, transportation and related subjects. In addition, a necessarily limited but systematic,
continuing research activity is being conducted which is contributing to the useful factual knowledge of the city necessary to guide
its growth in sound directions. The research activities of the
Department are directed to providing the basic facts for answering
questions concerning the planning of the use of land and of coordihated transportation for San Francisco in a city-wide sense. A
major departmental research project since 1947 has been compilation,
tabulation, and analysis of land uses in San Francisco in that year.
This project will complete the third survey, previous ones having
been conducted in 1919 and 1937. During this year stress has been
Placed upon development of information, analysis of trends, and
Prospective uses relating to commercial land use, with special emPlasis on uses and practical applications in the citys zoning
The Department is recording and has published a number of
StUdios
bulle ti ns showing the distribution of building construction, to show
Current changes in land use and population distribution in the
varius sections of San Francisco. Land use researches have included study of the removal of cemeteries and conversion of the vacated
larld in San rancjsco. Research assistance has been given in study
Of land use and other significant factors relevant to planning of
Proposed redevelopment areas. A recent staff study contrasts costs
Of driving to work with use of public transit.
5.
The research activities of the Department have contributed to

the work of state and federal agencies providing local services., as
as to many departments of the municipal government; to the Bay
Area Council, the Chamber of Commerce, to newspapers, management
concerns, real estate offices and agencies, banks, and other business
gro ups. To lep outside groups, various individuals and other city
departments informed as to the work of the Department, a monthly
average of 200 reports, studies and publications is sent out. In
addition, the Department has replied to a very large number of
written and personal inquiries besides assisting schools, colleges,
universities, Federal, State and municipal agencies, the U. S. Department of State has been assisted in providing planning information to visitors from more than a score of foreign countries during
the year.
public Relations
The Department has continued its policy of accepting numerous
invitations received to appear before civic, business, labor, improvement and official organizations to explain and discuss its program, or specific phases of the master plan.
An exhibit was prepared for the series describing government
services of city departments, by the Emporium, in its display windws
in the fall of 1949. The Department also prepared the display of the
Redevelopment Agency for the Emporium series.
The Director of Planning, as President of the American Institute of Planners, has roprontod the Department at national meetings
of this national professional organization of city planners, including the annual meeting of the Institute held in March, 1950 at
Niagara Falls. The Director also participated in the annual meeting
was appointed during
of the U. S. Conference of Mayors in New York,
the year and served on the Housing Research Advisory Committee of
the Housing and Home Finance Agency in Washington, and represented
the Department at the Annual Meeting last fall of the American
Society of Planning Officials in Cleveland.
Extremely important to Departmental public relations, in
addition to the activities noted above, s the continuing program
of Departmental official reports, informational and technical
bulletins, The Department has obtained much favorable notice in San
Francisco and throughout the nation, during its existence as an arm
Of San Franciscos city government, especially in recent years, for
the excellence of its city planning publications and bulletins. To
maintain San Franciscos respected and even enviable position its
City planning publications program must be kept at or near its established level, both in quality and in quantity.
To produce and distribute its regular recurring reports, such
as this Annual Report and the Annual Capital Improvement Report, is
riot a problem. There is need, in order to keep civic, business,
labor and improvement associations well informed of progress in the
Department in completing current amendments to the Master Plan, on
Plans, general or detailed, affecting the various communities, neighborhoods and working areas of the city, for occasional special types
6.
formational and educational reports.

Popularly written
for example, to
d
benefits
of current
9
sportation
plan for
tran
garding
current
work
re
detail than at any time
uniti0s, its business,
and graphically illustrated reports are

explain to the community at large the purposes
amendments to the comprehensive city-wide
San Francisco, and to inform the community
on land use plans being prepared in greater
previously, for the citys residential cornindustrial and public areas.
In conclusion, as the Department of City Planning is a coainating and advisory agency in the structure of San Franciscos
government its function is to provide services of these types to the
Mayor and other city departments of the executive branch, and to the
Board of Supervisors, the legislative branch, as provided in the City
Charter. Its function is therefore distinctly a staff function.
0
Close and continuous coordination of the overall staff functions

of the Department of City Planning with those of the citys operating
departments is necessary for efficient and economical city government.
The routine procedures provided for in the Charter, as in the
Capital Improvement Program, and in connection with referrals to this
Department from other departments on conformity with the Master Plan
are providing an orderly process of cooperative action in carrying out
the Master Plan, on a steady step-by-step basis.
Interdepartmental conferences hold during the 1949-1950 fiscal
year have resulted in innumerable constructive official actions being
expedited to the benefit of the citizens as a. whole -- details of
which are not always reported and brought to public attention. The
results however are real and tangible and the community is substantially aided thereby in solving its problems of growth and developtnent.
Additional improvements in interdepartmental cooperation are
needed and are possible. These should be explored and instituted,
Perhaps on the basis of more formal, regularly recurrent conferences
between city departments which have joint business affecting the
Planning and provision of public improvements involving land use and
the citys Master Plan.
During the year cooperation and coordination bavo been advanced
with many City departments. This Departments services in its staff
capacity can be increased further, to assist in achieving greater
Unity in the development of Administration policy, and an accelerated
Pace in constructive and beneficial actions on behalf of San
Franciscans.
etlw, tI"
IPaul
Opperniann
Attachment:
Appendix A
Appendix B
7
Appendix A. Special Memorandum on Civil Defense (requested by Mayor

his letter of August 8, 1950 to all Departments).
CIVIL DEFENSE
The Department of City Planning as a clearing house for information on plans and development programs of all city departments is in
a Unique position to aid in civilian defense planning. Detailed maps
i n the files of the Department show existing uses of the land, rosideflt and working population densities and location, and other data
invaluable for civil defense planning The Department, therefore, is
ready to serve the Director of Civilian Defense at his call.
Appendix B, which quotes in full the City Planning Section of
the HoPlOy Report on Civil Defense for National security very well
and clearly states the case f6Fho corTion and close continuing
relationships of the city planning programs and the civil defense
programs of urban communities.
Section on "City Planning", pp. 169-170, from CIVIL

eridix B.
SE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY (The Hopley Report), quoted in full,
follows:
CITY PLANNING
considering the spaciousness of the United States, its population
d Industry are concentrated into comparatively congested areas,
This makes the nation vulnerable to present and future weapons of mass
destruction such as atomic, high explosive and incendiary bombs.
It was in recognition of the danger to critical war industry that
National
Security Act of 1947 gave the National Security Resources
the
Board the responsibility for "the strategic relocation of industries,
services, government and economic activities, the continuous operation
of which is essential to the Nations security", The directive establishing the Office of Civil Defense Planning states that it "will advise the National Security Resources Board of the relation of such
matters to a civil defense program and will, to the extent requested,
work closely with such Board, (1) in the development of policies and
the solution of problems having to do with strategic relocation, and
(2) in the implementation, where appropriate and when requested by the
Board, of any such policies which may be directly related to a civil
defense program."
Civil defense should be concerned with the dispersal of population coincident with the relocation of industries. City planning can
boa powerful influence toward reducing th war hazards to civilians
in newly established communities. Indeed, if the lessons in city
planning alone that were learned during the war could be applied
throughout the United States during the next several years, the overall civil defense problem would be greatly simplified.
PLANNING. Considerable damage and loss of life in the devastated
cities of Europe during World War II was attributable to deficiencies
In planning and lay-out, It is important from the standpoint of civil
defense that city planners of the United States take advantage of
European experience in the correction of similar defects in American
cities, Among the more objectionable features from the standpoint of
civil defense are:
a. Insufficient space between buildings because of narrow
streets or small size of building lots.
b. Lack of open spaces such as wide streets, parks, playgrounds
and other recreation areas that would serve as fire-breaks.
c, Industrial plants, some of hazardous occupancy, too close
to population centers and to other essential industries.
d.. Excessively large and high buildings closely spaced, creating
dangerous concentrations ofpooplo.
It is suggested that pertinent planning criteria be revised and
aPPopriata legislation be enacted, if necessary, so that growth and
9.
r eP15 0m0nt in existing cities and the development of new communities

luay be accomplished along lines that would minimize loss of life and
proP3tY damage which would be caused by enemy action.
ZONING, The zoning standards in force in this country, when

j udged by peactimo standards, were considered reasonably satisfactory.
However, the heavy bombing of European and other cities during the
war spotlighted serious defects in those cities which were similar
to faults existing in cities of the United States.
Some of these are:
a. City blocks filled in solid with combustible structures.
b Large, and often-times hazardous industrial activities in the
midst of residential areas, (Under such circumstances when a critical industrial process is bombed the residential areas suffer almost as much as the main target,)
c. Vast multi-story apartment house dcvclopmonts which ooncon
trato thousands of persons in relatively small areas.
BUILDING CODES; City growth in the United States has taken place
wader building codes which had not boon modified to take account of
the lessons of the war-damaged cities of Europe, Now, however, civil
defense considerations make it important that such demonstrated shortcomings as those listed below be rectified in the revision of building codes:
a, Excessive use of combustible material in the construction of
buildings.
b. Insufficient space between buildings of combustible or semifire-resistant construction.
C, Lack of fire-walls, use of improperly designed or installed
fire-safe doors,
d, Excessive use of wall-bearing construction,.

CORRECTIVE MEASURES. A review of defects in city planning as
revealed by surveys of extensive war damage shows that from the civil
defense standpoint the greatest fault is that of congestion. One
remedy for this lies in the adoption of measures which, when applied
to existing cities, will permit of a steady improvement coincident
With growth and replacement, and when applied to the planning of new
community development will ensure that the population receives the
maximum practicable protection initially.
Among the measures which would contributo greatly to the safety
of the public in wartime are the following:
a. Limiting the population of a given area,
b. Separation of communities by a distance of at least several
miles,
10,
c Bettor fire protection through a bolt system of parks, several hundred foot wide arranged grid-wise; wider street rights-ofway; and larger building lots; limiting the height and bulk of
office and residence buildings and requiring greater use of fireresisting materials in building construction, with firo walls and
sprinklers whore applicable.
d. Zoning of industry, either of a hazardous nature in peacetime
or of a typo likely to become vital in wartime, to locations separate from residential construction
The Civil Defense organization should make available to city
planning agencies all information on the civil defense aspects of
city planning.
11.
ANNUAL
1950-1951
REPORT
DEPARTMENT
OF
CITY
PLANNING

C S S
REPORT TO MAYOR ELR E. ROBINSON

September 10, 1951
CITY PLANNING COviISSION

Ernest J. Torregano, President
Harold T. Lopez
William D. Kilduff
Mrs, Eugene M. Prince
Ex officio Members:
Thomas A. Brooks
James U. Turner

Ui!i
N PRTMENT
3 16
ANNUAL REPORT 1950 - 1951

DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING
City planning during the 1950 - 1951 fiscal year.
Zoning
Transportation Planning
Land Use Plan
Redevelopment
Subdivisions
Referrals
Research
Public Relations
Civil Defense
The City Planning Commission continued to be comprised of the

following five citizen members during 1950-51: Ernest J. Torregano,
who was re-elected to the presidency on February 21, 1951; Oliver M.
Rousseau, who was re-elected vice president on February 21, 1951;
William D. Kilduff, Harold T. Lopez, and Mrs. Eugene M, Prince. Exofficio members were Thomas A. Brooks, Chief Administrative Officer,
and James H. Turner, Manager of TJtilities. Mr. Turner, as authorized
by Section 116 of the Charter, was represented by a deputy, Louis M.
Perrin, Senicr Electrical Engineer of the Utilities Engineering Bureau,
who served until April 12, 1951 and Bernard A. Devine, General Manager
and Chief Engineer of the Bureau of Light, Heat and Power, who served
after that date.
The Commission met formally 59 times. Zoning hearings were conducted at 24 meetings. A number of special meetings have been devoted
to consideration of the new zoning ordinance in preparation, so that
this work may be completed at an early date.
Zoning
Throughout the year study of the proposed new zoning ordinance
*s held a high place on the agenda of the City Planning Commission.
It is the desire of the Commission to complete its work on the new
ordinance at an early date, so that a zoning ordinance having wide
Public acceptance and official support may be adopted.
The zoning ordinance presently in effect was adopted in 1921.
This ordinance has caused numerous difficulties in administration for
the Department. The task of working with the existing outmoded ordilOnco, whose many shortcomings would be largely, if not entirely overcome, by the adoption of a modern ordinance, has grown steadily greater.
1.
A modern ordinance and procedure will remedy these defects.

The number of applications for zoning changes continued to be
largo in 1950-51, and a number of controversial oases arose, to which
t ho Commission gave careful study, in order to seek solutions in the
public interest.
During this fiscal year there were 100 applications for changes
in use district classification, 25 applications for variances in lot
and seven applications for changes in set-back lines -- a total
jZO,
o f 132 cases. This was only eight cases less than the peak load reported last year and represents a volume about 50 per cent greater
than that of five years ago.
Appeals were taken to the Board of Supervisors on 11 of those
cases. Actions of the Commission were sustained in all but two of
the appeals.
Thu volume of work involved in processing zoning cases, in checking all building permit applications, and in handling a large number
of inquiries and complaints of violations, has placed a severe strain
upon the personnel available in the Zoning Division of the Department.
Tho prompt service to which the public is accustomed has not always
been possible; field investigations and follow-up work on complaints
have been of necessity minimized to conserve limited staff resources.
Transportation PJ!jnni iK
A major amendment to the Master Plan of San Francisco was made
on January 18, 1951 when the Commission adopted the One-way Street
Plan, this being Plate 2 of the Transportation Section of the Master
Plan. Adoption of the Ono-way Street Plan, as amended, followed
numerous staff discussions, City Planning Commission review, conferencos with City Departments, and with citizen groups and individuals
The Board of Supervisors in April enacted most of the
concornod.
Plan into ordinance. It is to be put into effect as soon as the new
traffic signals on Market Street, and necessary channolization structures, are installed by the Department of Public Works.
Traffieways Plan Studies of the staff were reviewed by the City
Planning Commission and the Trafficways Plan was adopted as an amendnnt to the Master plan, shortly after the period covered by this
X1oport,
A special research report, on "The Cost of Driving to Work", was
Published by the Department. In the report the economic advantages
Of public transit to the individual over the use of the private autoMobile were cited. The information in the report-has been used by
the Municipal Railway in leaflets distributed on streetcars and buses,
fld has received widespread national mention, including publication
III Mass Transportation, and circularization as an addenda to the
publication on "The Journey to Work", pubScioty of Planning Officials.
2.
A special report to the Redevelopment Agency on Estimates of

Volumes and Required Design Capacities of TrTicways
the
rnAddmEC ommun
e*Tthp ai1
mi sThh the
r;y_Z,7
-p_
red7W_
ay - the Troposed widening of Geary Street tobe underta1en concurrently with the first redevelopment project in the Western
Addition.
r,a
Land Use Plan

Following completion of the City-Wide Generalized Land Use Plan,
s taff work was completed on more detailed land use plans for the
three communities in which redevelopment is expected to go forward;
Community 5, Western Addition; Community 7, the Mission, of which
Diamond Heights is a part; and Community 9, Bayshore, in which the
john McLaren Park area is situated. Staff studies were completed at
the end of the fiscal year on a report, requested by the Redevelopment Agency, on densities and holding capacities of the three communiareas
ties mentioned, to guide the Agency in it work, Measurement of
In each typo of land use throughout the city has been completed.
Redevelopment
The Department, acting under the provision of the California
Community Redevelopment Act, is at work upon an intensive program of
assistance to the Redevelopment Agency in providing planning studies
of two redevelopment areas approved by the Board of Supervisors,
which are located in the Western Addition area and in the Diamond
Heights area respectively. A study has boon made also of a possible
third area, the John MoLaron Park area, where numerous benefits may
be obtained through the application of redevelopment powers to an
area long subdivided but seriously arrested in its development by
poor planning, improper street layout and excessive street grades.
The City Planning Commission on May 24, 1951 approved the Preliminary Redevelopment Plan for the Diamond Heights Project Area.
This action, under the provisions of the California Community Redovelopment Act, followed completion of the detailed planning work
on the project area by the staff of the Department working in close
collaboration with the staff and consultants of the Redevelopment
Agency. The Department also participated in preparation of the
othibit of the project plan, hold shortly after the period covered
by this report, and in the preparation of the report on the Tentative
Plan for Diamond Heights, which will soon be completed.
The Department also worked on preparation of a report to the
Redevelopment Agoncy on the area in the vicinity of the John MeLaron
Park that is suitable for the application of the redevelopment process, In October, 1950, the Recreation and Park Department approved
in principle the modification in the boundaries of John McLaron Park
Zecommondod in the report on this subject, submitted by this DepartMont in January, 1950.
Collaborative work with the Housing Authority has resulted in
?efinomont of plans for the Hunters Point, Potrero Annex, Bernal and
3.
AlemanY public housing sites, to provide efficient coordination with

the TraftiCwaYS Plan and the land use plan. In addition the CommisgjOIl joined with the Housing Authority and the Redevelopment Agency
reconiending to the Board of Supervisors, at their requests, sites
the Western Addition for public housing projects.
3bdjVi31OflS
Six subdivision maps were submitted to the Department during the

year under the provisions of Section 118 of the Charter. Two of the
subdivisions, Lawton Heights and Midtown Terrace, entailed problems as
to the application of the minimum lot size ordinance. Extensive public hearings and discussions were held by the Commission before approval of the maps was granted. In addition the Commission reviewed
plans submitted for the Lakeshore Plaza Shopping Center and approved
a final plan, after staff discussion with the developer and the Traffic Engineering Bureau of the Department of Public Works resulted in
modifications. The department assisted in obtaining clearance from
the National Production Authority to permit construction to proceed.
Referrals
A total of 82 referrals were received under the provisions of
Section 116.1 of the Charter during 1950-51. Most of these referrals
pertained to land acquisition, land sales, and land transfers, and
to changes in or closing of streets. Reports were also made to the
Board of Supervisors on height limit proposals submitted for portions
of Telegraph Hill and Russian Hill, and on a proposed amendment to
the minimum lot size ordinance. Consultation was also given on a
minor amendment to the zoning ordinance.
At the request of the Recreation and Park Department a city-wide
plan for a system of swimming pools was prepared. Particular emphasis was placed on the development of a community center in Mission
Park where a swimming pool site has been proposed.
lap ital_Improvement_Program
On January 20, 1951 3 in compliance with Section 69.1 of the
Charter, the Department submitted its third annual report on a sixrear Capital Improvement Program.
The Capital Improvement Program serves several purposes. The
information presented is useful to civic organizations, public
Utility companies, banks, real estate and other business groups in
six
showing city public works pro jocts being proposed for the next
Years ., and thoso currently being completed. The report is designed
to be a special aid to the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors in providing factual information, useful in making decisions concerning
Public improvements. It is also helpful to many city departments in
showing the projects of all the other departments.
It contains a complete list and set of maps showing all projects
Which city departments propose to construct during the ensuing fiscal
Year beginning July 1 (Schedule I), and those proposed for the five
4.
The report ShOWS the progress being

years (Schedule II)
on construction of public improvements for which city funds have
noon already appropriated.
01 1bsequent
Each project proposed for the fiscal year 1951-52 was analyzed
relation
to other development proposals and recommendations were
j
as to conformity with the Master Plan. The projects proposoI by
0 partr1entS for 1952-53 through 1956-57 were listed. In the prop
~, Vation of the report 191 projects proposed for 1951-52 were reviewed
for conformity with the Master Plan.
In rocognition of the international situation, departments wore
asked last year, in submitting their project information, to indicate
which projects listed as proposed for 1951-52 should proceod under
of limited war, and of those, which should procood, as well,
0 0d1to
der conditions of total or major war. This information was summarized to indicate how the proposed expenditures would be scaled down
in the light of each of three possible conditions which might prevail-peace, limited war, major war.
With the cooperation of city departments it was possible to limit
the number of projects, particularly the number to proceed under major
war conditions. The Capital Improvement Program has helped to screen
out non-essential projects and to point up the projects of greatest
necessity to San Francisco.
Reaearch
To prepare plans and make recommendations it is necessary to
clarify the issues and to assemble pertinent factual data. The Department servos as a clearing house for community information bearing
on all aspects of the physical dovlopmont of the city. The Departmont maintains a spocializod library, subject file, map fib, and
projection slide file which are in frequent use, likewise are available for reference use by other agencies and the public. The Departments library, now containing over 2,000 volumes, was augmented
during the year by purchasas, donations, and permanent loan materials.
year
A. major departmental research project completed during the
Was the compilation, tabulation and analysis of land uses in San
Francisco since 1949, This project completes the third survey,
Previous ones having been conducted in 1919 and 1937. During the
Year studios also have been made upon development of information,
analysis of trends, and prospective uses relating to commercial land
USc and retail shopping centers. The Department is recording, and
Publishes, in conjunction with issues of its bulletins, information
showing the distribution of building construction, current changes
ifl land use and population distribution in various sections of San
Fr ancisco.
is
A major research study during the year now nearing completion
tho survey of the market for various typos of housing in San Francisco*
This study, conducted under a work order at the request of the Hoevebopmont Agency, was undertaken to ascertain local preferences for
l arious types of housing, in areas where redevelopment will take place*
I t is aimed at offering factual information of practical value to
ivate investors and builders,
5.
The research activities of the Department have contributed to

work of state and federal agencies providing local services, as
1 as to many departments of the municipal government; to the Bay
a Council, Chamber of Commerce, newspapers, management concerns,
i estate offices and agencies, banks, and other business groups.
5jdo groups, various individuals and other city departments were
t informed regarding the work of the Department by a monthly
rage distribution of 200 reports, studies and publications.
In addition, the Department has replied to a very large number
written and personal inquiries and information requests, as well
assisting schools, colleges, universities, Federal, State and
icipal agencies. The U.S. Department of State has been aided by
Department in providing planning information to city planners
resenting more than a score of foreign countries, who have made
Department their headquarters during visits to the Bay Area.
The research contributions of the Department have been rocog17,ed nationally through distribution, by the American Society of
planning Officials, of the Departments manual on the technique of
apital improvement programming, of "The Location, Regulation and
Removal of Cemeteries in the City and County of San Francisco", and
"The Cost of Driving to Work"
Public Rlati one
A quarterly bulletin of planning information has been published
d circulated to organizations and persons requesting it. Data on
rivato construction progress and trends in the city has been included in each issue. The Department, through the quality of its technical performance--its Master Plan studios and extensive specialpurpose and special-project reports--has established its equality
with other departments of the city government with a longer history
In municipal affairs. Its relations with business, industrial, civic,
labor and improvement associations are excellent. The Department
enjoys the confidence of those groups, their leaders and their
representative organizations in San Francisco.
The city planning program is reported extensively and favorably
in the local newspapers, and it has rocived favorable notice on

numerous occasions in radio, television and other public information
programs. The Departments activities enjoy high standing in Cali
tornia and throughout the nation in professional city planning and
Unicipal circles. The Commission and staff have frequent contacts
With the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Association, Bay Area Council
id with various civic and professional organizations in committee
work and on special projects.
Commissioner Kilduff represented the Commission at the annual
eeting of the Shoreline Planning Association of California in September, 1950. The Director of Planning, as President of the American
Institute f Planners, has represented the Department at national
Outings of this national professional organization of city planners,
1 cluding the Annual Meeting of the Institute held in March, 1951 at
Chicago. The Director also represented the Department at the National
6
foroflcO of the American Society of Planning officials in Los

0loS in August, 1950. Three staff members, who were present,
icipatod in the program of the conference.
The Director and staff members serve on national and state proorganization committees. Their relationships with these
ornjti0115 and the excellent reputation of the city planning office
have reflected groat credit upon the official administration of San
and have assisted in important ways in maintaining the
00 fidonco and the support of the citizens of San Francisco in their
local government.
0s sionai
Civil Defense
The Disaster Council and Corps has been furnished base maps,
topographic, land use and population maps, as well as data on population, traffic and transportation, Key staff members of the Department
of City Planning have boon enrolled in the Disaster Corps for service
in emergencies in maintaining a city-wide "situation plot" at the
Control Center. The Department participated in an inspection and
evaluation of the Control Center upon its establishment.
For the Disaster Corps "Hypothetical Problem No. 1" (wherein
measures to be taken to meet an emergency created by an enemy atomic
attack on a specific location in the Central Business District at a
particular time were outlined) the Department furnished estimates of
the number of persons expected to be within affected zones at the
hypothetical timo. Th:Ls involved an interpretation of latest census
data, information on employment locations, and traffic survey data
on the number of parsons journeying to work and shopping in the hypothetical target zone.
The Department reviewed, at the request of the Disaster Corps,
Its proposed Civil Defense Intra-City Routes tt , to be used by emergency vehicles and to be kept open for minimum transportation requirements in case of disaster.
A project now under way for the Disaster Corps is the analysis
Of problems involved, in " pro-di saster" evacuation of the Central
business District. In this problem it is assumed that sufficient
Warning might be received prior to an enemy attack to allow evacuation
Of persons and of as many vehicles as possible from the Central Business District and surrounding areas. Estimates of daytime population
and number of vehicles in the Central Business District, capacity Of
exit routes for vehicles and pedestrians, and capacity of transit
facilities for evacuation are involved. In this problem the Traffic
Engineering Bureau of the Department of Public Works has been consulted,
Another project requested of the Department by the Disaster Corps
includes a "vulnerability analysis" of the city. Here, analyses,
Charts, graphs, and maps would be prepared to indicate vulnerability
Of different sections of the city with regard to population densities,
fire-fighting potential, resistance of buildings to fire, blast, and
radiation damage, and vulnerability of control centers, communications,
7.
j1it :L os , water supply, and transportation facilities to enemy

based on a standard survey method prescribed by the Federal
of Civil Defense. Additional personnel would be required by
the Department on work order to undertake this comprehensive survey
d analysis.
The Office of the State Director of Civilian Defense has also
furnished information by the Department on the number of persons
bOC
%peCtOl to be in an affected area in case of an atomic attack, in0 ]uding special information as to the number of aged persons and
3oh001 children in the area, and the Department also assisted the
parking Authority and the San Francisco Chamber of Coimuorco in prosimilar information to the National Production Administration
d Federal Office of Civilian Defense.
Paul Opperuanh
ANNUAL
REPORT
1951-1952
Period from July 1, 1951 to June 30, 1952
DEPARTMENT
CITY
and
OF
COUNTY
CITY
of
SAN
PLANNING
FRANCISCO
REPORT TO MAYOR ELMER E. ROBINSON

September 12, 1952

Ernest E. Williams, President
Mrs. Eugene M. Prince, Vice President
Harold T. Lopez
Elmer J. Towle
William D. Kilduff
Ex officio Members:
Thomas A. Brooks
James H. Turner

ANNUAL REPORT 1951-52
jty Planning during the 1951-1952 fiscal year.
Definition of Department of City Planning, the Master
Plan, Scope of the Master Plan, from the Charter of
the City and County of San Francisco
II
III Master Plan
IV
Land Use Plan
V
Trafficways
VI
Zoning
VII Capital Improvement Program
VIII Referrals
IX
Subdivisions
X
Redevelopment
Special Projects
XI
XII
Special Reports
XIII Civil Defense
XIV Public Relations
XV
Summary
I
I
scope of the Master Plan. - xcerpts rrom tne Lnarter ox tne ulty
and County of San Francisco)
Definition of Department of City Planning: "There is hereby
established a department of city planning which shall consist of a
planning commission, a director of planning and such employees as
may be necessary to carry out the functions and duties of said department. The city planning commission shall consist of seven members,
five of whom shall be appointed by the mayor. The chief administrative officer and the manager of utilities, or their designated deputies, shall be members ex. officio."
The Master Plan: "It shall be the function and duty of the
commission to adopt and maintain, including necessary changes therein, a comprehensive, long-term, general plan for the improvement and
future development of the city and county, to be known as the master
plan. The master plan shall include maps, plans, charts, exhibits,
and descriptive, interpretive, and analytical matter, based on physical, social, economic, and financial data, which together present
a broad and general guide and pattern constituting the recommendations of the commission for the coordinated and harmonious development, in accordance with present and future needs, of the city and
County and of any land outside the boundaries thereof which in the
opinion of the commission bears a relation thereto,
Scope of the Master Plan: "The master plan shall show the geniral location, character, and extent of existing and proposed street
1ai1way, bus, railroad, air, water, and other transportation routes
nd terminals, public ways grounds, and open spaces, and the general location of major buiidings, structures, and facilities contructed thereon or proposed, and shall include a land use plan showing the proposed general distribution and the general location and
extent of housing, business, industry, recreation, education, and
0ther categories of public and private uses of land, and recommended
Standards of population density and building intensity, with estiinates of population growth and a general description of the amount
and general classes of industrial, business and other economic activities for which the commission deems that space should be supplied
wjthi-fl the territory covered by the plan, all correlated with the
land use plan. It shall include proposals for the acquisition, extension, widening, narrowing, removal, relocation, vacation, aban;donment, sale, or change in the use of any of the foregoing public
ways, routes, grounds, open spaces, buildings, or structures."
:
II City Planning Commission

The City Planning Commission at the beginning of the fiscal
year 1951-52 was comprised of the following five citizen members:
Ernest J. Torregano, Oliver M. Rousseau, William D. Kilduff, Harold
T. Lopez, and Mrs. Eugene M. Prince, On December 18, 1951, Ernest J.
Torregano resigned as a member of the commission. On January 15,
1952, Ernest E. Williams was appointed to fill the unexpired term of
Ernest J, Torregano. Also, on January 15, 1952, Elmer J. Towle was
appointed in place of Oliver M. Rousseau, at the expiration of his
term, On January 24, 1952, Ernest E. Williams was elected President,
and Mrs. Eugene M. Prince was elected Vice-President. Ex officio
.members were Thomas A. Brooks, Chief Administrative Officer, and
;James H. Turner, Manager of Utilities, represented by Bernard A.
Devine, Chief Engineer and Manager of the Bureau of Light, Heat and
Power.
The Commission met formally 56 times, Zoning hearings were conducted at 24 meetings.
III Master Plan
The Trafficways Plan was adopted as a part of the Master Plan by
the City Planning Commission on July 17, 1951. The Tiafficways Plan
:Provides a system of freeways, major thoroughfares, secondary thoroughfares and parkways for San Francisco and is based on the plan
recommended in 1948 by De Leuw Cather & Company and Ladislas Segoe &
Associates in their report to the City Planning Commission. Since
its adoption, the Trafficways Plan has been accepted by the Department
of Public Works and by the State Division of Highways as the basis for
their respective development programs.
IV Land Use Plan
Land Use plans were completed for each of the twelve community
j5 tricts, or living areas, of the city. These plans, preliminary in

ature, have not been published, but are available to the public for
eview at the office of the Department of City Planning. These plans
ave been the basis for the zoning maps which are being prepared for
ach of the twelve community districts and four working areas of the
ity to accompany the fourth draft of the proposed zoning ordinance.
These zoning maps will be reviewed with citizen and business

roups the remainder of this year and will then be submitted to the
oard of Supervisors for adoption. The City Planning Commission will
iso have before it for consideration this coming year the city-wide
.and Use Plan for adoption as an amendment to the Master Plan.
Adoption of the Land Use amendment to the Master Plan, coupled
jith the Trafficways Plan adopted last July, will bring the Master
Plan, adopted in 1945, up to date in its major aspects.
V Trafficways
Detailed strip maps were prepared for all of the freeways in the
rafficways Plan. The preliminary designs for the Embarcadero Freeway-Bayshore Freeway-Bay Bridge connection which were developed by
the State Division of Highways were reviewed by this Department.
Suggestions for modifications have been submitted to the State Divieion of Highways, the agency responsible for construction of this
route. The Department of Public Works has been advised in conjunction with its preliminary design work on the portion of the Mission
Freeway south of Monterey Boulevard. The department participated in
interdepartmental conferences and decision pertaining to the operation of one way streets, the re-routing of buses at the Third and
Townsend Station of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and in the alignment of parkways in and adjacent to McLaren Park.
The Department also participated in discussions pertaining to
the detailed boundaries of the Sea Cliff section of Bakers Beach
and to the location of swimming p0015 to serve the Richmond, Mission,
1arina and North Beach sections of the city.
VI Zoning
During the year City Planning Commission completed its draft of
the proposed new Zoning Ordinance, and prepared mimeographed copies
for distribution to city officials, citizen groups and individuals
interested in its content. An intensive program of conferences,
hearings and educational discussions of the content of this important
legislation has been mapped out and set in motion, in order to
Simplify the work which must be done by the Board of Supervisors
when the ordinance comes to that body for adoption. Enactment of
this modernized measure for the protection and regulation of land
Uses will place San Francisco among the most advanced municipalities
Of the country in this respect.
VII Capital Improvement Program

In compliance with Section 69.1 of the City Charter, the Department submitted its fourth annual report on a six-year Capital Improvemerit Program, The Capital Improvement Program serves several purposes. It provides the only complete list available of all public
improvement projects which city departments propose to construct during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1952, and those proposed for
the five subsequent years.
This year almost 500 proposed projects were analyzed in relation
to existing and proposed capital improvements, and regarding service
relationship to private developments, to determine conformity with
he San Francisco Master Plan. The report also shows the progress
being made on construction of over 400 projects for which city funds
have already been appropriated.
The information presented in the Capital Improvement Program is
helpful to all city departments in the complete picture it supplies
of all city projects, and has proved useful to civic organizations,
public utility companies, banks, real estate and other business
groups by providing accurate and detailed information on public works
projects being proposed for the next six years, and those currently
under construction. The report is designed to be a special aid to
the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors in making official decisions
concerning public improvements. Under the Charter, it is required
to be issued just prior to budget review in the Spring of each year.
To effectuate the policy established by Mayor Robinson, for the
defense emergency period, all departments were again requested this
year to select and indicate which of their proposed projects might
proceed under three possible conditions - peace, limited war and
major war. This procedure resulted in improved evaluation of urgency
of projects and more realistic departmental programs of capital improvements.
The annual Capital Improvement Program provides a means by which
the City considers in a canprehensive, systematic manner and schedules
properly, future public works. By reviewing and revising the program
each year the City is able to tally its current and future needs and
to relate these to available or reasonably estimated financial resources. In a review of this type intelligent selection of immediate
and long-term projects may be made with reduced likelihood that important requirements will be overlooked in the pressure of shortrange day-to-day operations.
VIII Referrals
97 referrals were reviewed and acted upon under the provisions
of Section 116.1 of the Charter. These referrals ranged from routine
Street closings to important public property line determinations.
Two of these latter referrals led to the revision of the property
line separating public property adjacent to OShaughnessy Boulevard
and property fronting on Marietta Drive in Miraloma Park. This re-
v ision will protect the right-of-way of the future Crosstown Freeway
and will make available for building the eastern frontage of Marietta
Drive.
Additional rights-of-way adjacent to Twin Peaks Boulevard on the
eastern slope of Twin Peaks was also obtained after a study by this
Department. An exchange of land fronting on Burnett Avenue was negotiated for the land on Twin Peaks Boulevard acquired to protect
the view from this world-famed scenic eminence.
The City Planning Commission recommended to the Board of Supervisors, in response to a referral, that Columbia Square be retained
as a park and that a temporary solution be sought to the need for a
school in the South of Market area. The Master Plan designates the
South of Market area for industrial use with the objective of eliminating residential uses in this level area. A survey of the South
of Market area made by the Redevelopment Agency and reviewed by the
City Planning Commission showed a declining trend of residential use
South of Market and the potentialities in this area for the use of
redevelopment authority to make more land available for industry.
IX Subdivisions
Piano for three new subdivisions and one re-subdivision were

approved by the City Planning Commission. Considerable staff advice
and consultation with the developer was given for the two largest
subdivisions, Midtown Terrace No, 2 and Lakeshore County Club Acres.
Review of the latter subdivision resulted in recommendations which
reduced the area of pavement by 30,000 square feet and gained 17
additional lots, as well as resulting in a better and safer neighborhood pattern. Staff review of five public housing project plans
and Planning Commission approval of four of the plans was also accomplished. Plans were approved for BernaJ.. Dwellings, Potrero Terrace
Annex, Alemany and Hunters Point.
X Redevelopment
In accordance with its responsibilities under the California
Community Redevelopment Law the Department was active during the year
in preparing plans for redevelopment projects, and cooperated on a
continuing basis with the Redevelopment Agency in advancing these
plans toward construction stages. In connection with its redevelopment planning responsibilities the Department prepared for publication its research report on local shopping districts in San Francisco
and continued its housing market studies. It also proposed a long
term program for neighborhood conservation which would utilize the
Citys regulatory, capital improvements, and redevelopment powers,
neighborhood by neighborhood.
Just before the beginning of the fiscal year 1951-1952 the City
Planning Commission had formulated the Preliminary Plan for the Diamond Heights project area, This is a unique project for replanning
5
most dramatic hilld reassembling land on three of San

tops where an archaic street pattern has prevented development. Durjng the course of the year the Department joined with the Redevelopment Agency in the tentative plan" or second major stage, reviewing
that plan in detail, considering alternative plans, preparing for and
attending public hearings before the Redevelopment Agency and the
Board of Supervisors, and working with interested departments to
coordinate their building and recreation projects with the general
plan for the area s
During the first half of the fiscal year the Department prepared
in cooperation with the Redevelopment Agency the Preliminary Plan for
the first project area in the Western Addition (the Geary Area) which
was officially formulated by the Commission on December 3, 1951. The
Geary Area is one of the worst blighted areas in the city yet its situation is excellent for apartment houses, a Western Addition community center, neighborhood and community shopping, and for hospitals
and medical buildings. Through the project will run a widened and
modernized Geary Street. During the second half of the fiscal year
.:the Department published its report on the plan and explained the
plan to citizens and citizen groups, made data available to financial
and real estate agencies interested in investment opportunities in
?the area,
Early in the fiscal year the Department published its report
recommending the designation of the area around John McLaren Park as
a redevelopment study area. Following designation by the Board of
Supervisors the Department studied the area in cooperation with the
Redevelopment Agency and worked with developers and City departments
to coordinate building projects with the general land use plan for
the area.
The Department cooperated during the year with the Redevelopment
Agency in considering redevelopment possibilities in the South of
Market area. Here spotty areas of serious blight have been left
within blocks largely devoted to industry and commerce, and the warehouses and trucking associated with those activities. The plan would
make available for such purposes land now constituting some of the
Citys most serious health and fire problems. The report of the
Studies has been made available to the members of the City Planning
Commission and the Redevelopment Agency,
Based on its experience in planning redevelopment projects, the

Department took the opportunity to propose that redevelopment be
Supplemented by an organized program of "neighborhood conservation"
by which planning and programming advice would be rendered on a more
Systematic basis to neighborhood groups in areas where large-scale
redevelopment is not needed but where a stepped up program of code
enforce, and a selective capital improvement program, rezoning,
Street and traffic changes and small-scale redevelopment might be
Unified under a general program for each of San Franciscos ninety
neighborhoods. General plans for the physical development of the
City have now been developed to the point where they can and should
be used more actively than ever for organized neighborhood conservation and improvement.
pecia1 Project s.
The Department assisted the Civic Development Committee of the
Chamber of Commerce in its study of the expansion and improvement of
the Civic Center, Since the end of the World War II over 20 different projects have been proposed for location in the Civic Center by
various cty departments and the State and Federal Governments. Many
of the proposals conflict with one annther and require city planning
and land use analysis to determine optimum locations. There is need
to conduct a survey of space needs of the existing scattered and
crowded government agencies, to determine what types of buildings and
facilities will be needed, and to prepare a long-range site plan
jndicatin suitable locations for these public facilities in harmony
with and functionally related to the existing, uncompleted Civic
Center. A public meeting on this matter was .held by the City Planning
Commission on January 22, 1952 when over 20 representatives of outside organizations and city, state, and federal officials spoke on
their space problems as related to Civic Center development and expressed concern over the lack of a carefully considered comprehensive
plan and program for needed expansion of San Franciscos Civic Center.
Recognizing the interest in this matter and that it was a large
task over and above the normal work-load of the Department, the
Commission asked in its 1952-53 budget request for 475,000 to prepare
the required survey and plan, This budget item was approved by the
Mayor. The Board of Supervisors, however, deleted it from the Departments budget. Ten thousand dollars, however, was appropriated
to the City Architect to commence a survey of space needs of city
departments. Thus work now is beginning on this long delayed Civic
Center plan, advocated by the Department of City Planning for severa]. years, The Department is continuing to cooperate with interested groups and city, state and federal offices concerning their developments affecting the Civic Center,
At the request of the Board of Supervisors a draft ordinance was
prepared jointly with the Department of Public Works to relate the
Construction and maintenance of billboards adjacent to freeways.
This problem is still before the Board of Supervisors.
A draft of an ordinance regulating the maintenance and operation
Of quarries in San Francisco was approved by the City Planning CornMission and is currently before the Board of Supervisors. This
Ordinance was prepared to prevent the occurrence of future slides
and threats to property similar to those which occurred adjacent to
existi ng and abandoned quarries during the heavy rains of the past
Wifl,
i Special Reports
A report on the location of a Union Airline Bus Terminal was
npleted
in February, 1952 and transmitted by the City Planning Cornoi
j5sion to the Downtown Association. The report recommended five
iternative downtown sites for a Union Bus Terminal to serve airline
sser1gerS. A committee representing the airlines which serve San
rancisco has been appointed by the Downtown Association to choose
nd develop a specific site.
A report on a Plan for the Location of Firehouses was completed
during the fiscal year and was presented on August 7, 1952. This
tudy, made in cooperation with the Fire Department, resulted in a
plan for a system of 46 firehouses to serve San Francisco in place of
the 52 now in use d Twenty new sites should be acquired and 29 existing sites sold in order to carry out the plan. This plan will be
considered by the City Planning Commission for adoption as a detailed
tart of the Master Plan this fall,
Also published during the fiscal year was Planning Monograph No.
10, On Existing Land Use in San Francisco, 1948. This was a detailed
statistical report on the land use survey made in San Francisco in
1947, and reports the data both by community districts and working
areas, and by census tracts. Data for 1920 has been compiled in a
comparable form for comparative reference.
I Civil Defense
The Disaster Council and Corps have received assistance in sevral ways. Key staff members of the Department are enrolled in The
isaster Corps for service in emergencies in maintaining a city-wide
situation plot" at the Control Center.
The Department reviewed, at the request of the Disaster Corps,
ts proposed emergency routes within San Francisco to be designated
S routes to be followed in evacuation and by emergency vehicles and
o receive priority in rebuilding and clearing of debris, etc.
A report was prepared on "Estimated Time Required for Emergency
re-Disaster Evacuation of the Central Business District and Surroundrig District". Department representatives attended the State Civil
efense meeting concerning "Defense and Shelter from Atomic Attack
ri Existing Buildings". This led to completion of a survey for the
isaster Corps of blocks suitable for inclusion in a block-by-block
Lirvey for shelter from atomic attack in existing buildings.
At the further request of the Disaster Corps the Department prered a report entitled "Buildings Suitable for Survey for Shelter-Existing-Buildings Program in Central Business District, Indus-.
ial Areas and High-Density Residential Areas??. This report is very
portant in showing the methods and amount of work involved in coneting a city-wide survey of existing buildings and which might be
itable for adoption as bomb shelter.
The office of the State Director of Civil Defense has also reeived assistance from the Department. The Director is a member of
he California State Defense Mobilization Service Committee which
eets periodically to review and formulate policy for meeting the
pact of the national defense program, especially as regards housing
rid community facilities requirements, upon the cities and counties
r the state.
Public Relations
The Department serves as a clearing house for community informajon bearing on all aspects of the physical development of the city.
Lhe information available fcr reference use is consulted by other
gencies, students and the general public. The Department maintains
specialized library of over 2,000 volumes and reports, a subject or
esearch file, a map file and projection slide file which are in
requent use. In the continued absence of a centralized municipal
eference bureau, the Department to the extent of its limited re,ources of budget, staff and library materials helps supply requests
or information.
The Department has contributed to the work of state agencies and
.egislative committees and federal agencies as well as many city
Lepartments; to the Bay Area Council, Chamber of Commerce, newspapers, management concerns, real estate offices and agencies, banks
Lnd other business groups. The Department has provided information
equested to a large number of groups, various individuals and to
ther city departments regarding its activities through the distriution of a monthly average of approximately 200 reports, studies
Lnd publications.
In addition, the Department has responded to a very large
umber of written and personal inquiries and information requests, as
reli as assisting schools colleges, universities, Federal and State
he U.S. Department of State has been aided
nd municipal agencies.
y the Department in providing planning information to over 40 visitng city planners representing many foreign countries, who have made
he Department their headquarters during visits to the Bay Area. The
ity planning program has received extensive notice in the local
ewspapers and on numerous occasions in radio, television and other
ublic information programs. An article on the Sunset Community Cener, written by the Director, appeared in the June 1952 issue of
American City" magazine.
The Director represented the Department at the annual meeting of
he American Society of Planning Officials at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
ri October 1951 and also at the annual meeting of the American InstiUte of Planners at Baltimore, Maryland in April 1952. The Director
iso was a principal speaker at the Businessmens Conference on City
lanning, sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce,at Portland,
regon in June 1952.
jV Summary
The heavy work load of the Department continues. The conscientious and responsible efforts of the Commission and staff, working
together harmoniously under the policy leadership of Commission
president Ernest E. Williams, and the staff under supervision of
the Director, are maintaining a consistently high level of work production in the Department. Relations with municipal officers and
with leading organizations representing business, industry, labor and
CjVjC groups, have never been better. Major phases of the Departmenth
work program in a number of instances are approaching definitive
stages, as in amendments to the Master Plan, Land Use Plan, and new
zoning ordinance.
City Planning is an important, integrated function of San Francisco city government. An example is acceptance of the adopted
Trafficways plan as a guide to freeway and highway development in
San Francisco, by the State Highway Commission.
The Department is respected and its personnel widely known and
consulted throughout the community by all representative groups,
especially by private concerns and individuals engaged in the progressive type of land and property development, of which Stonestown
is an outstanding example. It is a municipal office engaged in an
established and valuable municipal function. It is a cooperating
member of the official family performing widely useful, necessary and
constructive services to every part of the city and to every citizen
of San Francisco,
Respectfully submitted,
2w4-
Paul Opper ann
Revised - 11/26/52
10
1952-1953
ANNUAL REPORT
Period from July 1, 1952 to June 30, 1953
DEPARTMENT
CITY
and
OF
COUNTY
of
CITY
PLANNING
SAN
FRANCISCO
REPORT TO MAYOR ELNR E. ROBINSON

September 11, 1953

Harold T. Lopez
Mrs. Eugene M. Prince, Vice President
William D. Kilduff
Elmer J Towle
Ex officio Members:
James H. Turner
Tjornas A. Brooks
Staff
Joseph Migola, Jr., Secretary

1952-1953
ANNUAL REPORT
The City Planning Commission at the beginning of the fiscal year
52-1953 was comprised of the following five citizen members:
nest E. Williams, President, Mrs. Eugene M, Prince, Vice President,
iliam D. Kilduff, Harold T. Lopez, and Elmer J. Towle. On January
, 1953, at the expiration of his current appointment, Harold T. Loz was reappointed for a period of four years, At the meeting of
bruarY 5, 1953, Ernest E. Williams was re-elected President and
S. Eugene M. Prince was re-elected Vice-President. Ex officio memrs were Thomas A. Brooks, Chief Administrative Officer, and James
Turner, Manager of Utilities, represented by Bernard A. Devine,
jef Engineer and Manager of the Bureau of Light, Heat and Power.
The Commission met formally 47 times. Zoning hearings were conted at 23 meetings.
er
During the 1952-1953 fiscal year the City Planning Commission
ed four separate amendments to the Master Plan.
The first of these amendments was adopted after a public hearing
October 9, 1952 and incorporated into the Public Facilities Secon of the Master Plan the Firehouse Location Plan. This plan was
bstantially the plan recommended by the Department in the e p or t on
Plan for the Location of Firehouses in Sari Francisco submitted in
gust 1952. This report culminated a study made by the Department
City Planning in cooperation with the Fire Department to develop a
stem of firehouses to meet current and foreseeable future needs. A
nd issue in the amount of 4,750,000 was approved by the voters in
vember for the construction of new firehouses at locations recomnded in the plan.
Second amendment to the Master Plan was enacted by the City
laming Commission on January 29, 1953 when it adopted the City-Wide
and Use Plan. Consisting of a map and a text of stated objectives,
rinciples and standards, the plan indicates generally the principal
ses of public and private land in San Francisco. This amendment to
he basic Master Plan adopted in 1945 brings the Master Plan up to
ate as a reflection of changes made over the past eight years in the
fficial ideas of the future use of land in San Francisco, This plan
S the basis for the more detailed zoning plan submitted this year
nd described more fully below,
Third Master Plan action during the year was an amendment of the
horeline Development Plan to include Angel Island as a recreation
rea. This was adopted by the City Planning Commission on February
9, 1953 aa a necessary legal requisite to carrying out the declara.on of p.o.iar, approved by the electorate in November, 1952, authorZing the acquisition or lease of Angel Island.
-2Fourth amendment to the Master Plan was the Library Location

an, adopted as part of the Public Facilities Section of the Master
an on April 30, 1953. Like the previously adopted Firehouse Locaon Plan, the Library Location Plan was derived from a staff study
the locational and land use requirements of public libraries and
a Plan for the Location of Public Libra ri es in San a
e
submitted
on April 2, 1953. A bond issue for construction of
sCO
;--facilities in the amount of 1,894,950 was approved by the Library
ission and the Board of Supervisors for submission to voters in
e November 1953 election.
Staff work was also started on a study of park and recreation
cilities with the objective of revising the Master Plan insofar as
blic parks and recreation are concerned.
enter P1
Submitted in June 1953 was a report on AnIn_oducQr1 Plan for
C i v ic Center which presented certain broad aspects of the problem
growth and change in the Civic Center and ideas on a suggested
rm for expansion of the area. The report also suggested a program
r the preparation, adoption and execution of a precise plan for Lure deve1opnnt in the Civic Center. The first recommendation of
e report - that a technical coordinating committee be formed - was
proved by the Board of Supervisors in August 1953.
me Bus Ter
Recommendations made in the report submitted in February 1952 by
e Department on The Location of a Central Airline Bus Term i nal were
ted upon by the Boardf Supervisors when they resolved to prohibit
e use of downtown streets and sidewalks as terminals for assembling
d loading passengers and luggage into buses, to become effective in
].y, 1955, The recommendations were also favorably acted upon by
e majority of the airlines serving San Francisco with the developnt of a joint program for the construction and operation of an airnes bus terminal at Taylor and Ellis Streets, one of the alternative
tes recommended in the report.
-Wav Stree
Additional streets in and leading to the downtown area were put
to operation as one-way streets according to the One-Way Street Plan
the Master Plan. A revision in the rerouting of the #21 trolley
s route, necessitated by the use of Grove Street in front of the
vic Auditorium by conventions, was suggested by the Department of
ty Planning and put into effect by the Municipal Railway.
1Iaren Park Boundaries
Since 1926 lands within the area designated as McLaren Park have
been in private ownership because the city, lacking allocated funds,
tailed to acquire the land. Property owners in the area have had a
-3d of uncertainty cast over their land, for they were prevented
building upon their land because it was officially designated as
blic park, but they were compelled to continue to hold their land
pay taxes.
The Department of City Planning proposed new boundaries for the
j which were agreed upon by all the city departments concerned and
e adopted by the Recreation and Park Commission in October 1952.

eport on john McLarenParkBoundaries was published by the Departit in December 1952, Modifications were made by the Board of Superiors and the new boundaries were adopted, increasing the acreage of
park from 299 to 330 acres, Funds were appropriated by the Board
Supervisors to acquire all remaining private parcels within the new
Lndaries, thus finally establishing permanent boundaries to the large
ic serving the southeast portion of the city. A system of contour
ds making both the park and lands outside the park more easily acsible was recommended by the Department of City Planning and acted by city departments concerned in conjunction with the new bound,e s.
Studie
An ordinance regulaiing the use of land for quarry purposes was
ared and submitted to the Board of Supervisors for consideration
An ordinance regulating the location of billboards adjacent to
ways was prepared and submitted to the Board of Supervisors. Conrable modifications were made after public hearings by both the
Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors resulting in an
nance governing billboards adjacentto the Bayshore Freeway.
Plans developed by the State Division of Highways for the EmbarcaFreeway were reviewed in detail and suggestions for revisions in
locations which result in the taking of less private property were
pted by the State. Plans for the Central Freeway extending from
teenth and Mission Streets to Van Ness and Golden Gate Avenues were
reviewed.
Location of an additional school at Hunters Point was studied with
School District and a site selected.
Sites for additional public housing projects were studied with the
ing Authority and recommendations made.
j The Department consulted with the Redevelopment Agency during the
rse of preparations of final plans for the Diamond Heights and WestAddition redevelopment projects.
A study of sites for off-street parking was made for the Clement
reet, Merchants to guide the group in formulating a program for offZ1eet parking.
Maps constituting proposals for the zoning plan to accompany the

of the proposed zoning ordinance were prepared in fourteen secns covering every parcel of property in the city. These maps as
1 as the text have been subject to review by civic and business
ups and property owners prior to their submission by the City Plang Commission to the Board of Supervisors for adoption.
The zoning plan is based on the land use plan adopted by the City
rifling Commission in January 1953. It differs from the land use
however in that it is precise and specific whereas the land use
is broad and general and in that it reflects existing uses and
ues whereas the land use plan looks ahead 25 years to changes which
1 be desirable as the city grows and develops. For example, the
d use plan extends the industrial area of the city in some sections
reas the zoning plan recognizes and protects existing residential
s. The zoning plan will be adopted as an integral part of the new
ma ordinance.
A pamphlet describing The New Zoning Ordinance - What It 7roposes
Ehy was published in February 1953 to explain in simple language
major provisions of the proposed zoning ordinance.
ferral
-
During the fiscal year 1952-1953, 85 referrals were processed.

ee of these were subdivision referrils. The largest number of rerals in any single category dealt with street vacations (22), with
e of land referrals (16) the next most numerous category.
Dital Improvement Prog

In compliance with Section 69.1 of the City Charter, the Departit submitted its fourth annual report on a six-year Capital ImproveProgram. Almost 500 proposed projects were submitted by city
artments. Each project proposed for 1953-1954 was analyzed in relaOn to existing and proposed capital improvements, and as to its sere relationship to private developments, to determine conformity with
e San Francisco Master Plan.
The Capital Improvement Program serves several purposes. It prodes the only complete list available of all public improvement projts which city departments propose to construct during the fiscal year
ginning July 1, 1953 and those proposed for the five subsequent years.
The report also shows the progress being made on construction of
Ublic improvements for which city funds have already been appropriated.
his group of projects, which also included those to start this fiscal
ear, totals over 400 projects upon which a status report was made.
The information presented in the Capital Improvement Program has
XOved useful to civic organizations, public utility companies, banks,
-5-
al estate and other business groups by providing accurate and de,jled information on public works projects being proposed throughout
e community for the next six rears, and those currently under conruction or approaching completion,
The report is designed to be a special aid to the Mayor and the

ard of Supervisors in providing factual information useful in making
ficial decisions concerning public improvements. For this reason,
der the Charter, it is required to be issued just prior to budget reew in the spring of each year. It is also helpful to all city dertments in the complete picture it supplies of all city projects.
The decision to provide a public facility should be based on each
ojects relative importance among all the citys proposed public imoveiflentS. Such improvements should also be studied in relation to
,e citys total financial resources available for public facilities.
stly, they should be located so as to create an equitable distribu-.
on of facilities over the entire city, conforming to the Master Plan
d building a better San Francisco.
As an aid in making sound decisions on necessary and useful pubc improvements, the report on the capital improvement program prodes a source of objective and coordinated information covering the
tire city. It provides facts of value to all groups within and outde the government upon which many personal and business organization
cisions can be intelligently made, affecting and benefitting every
ighborhood and district of the city.
At the request of the Commercial and Industrial Development Corntee of the Board of Supervisors, the Department completed a report
the relocation of the wholesale produce market.
This problem has long been recognized by the Chamber of Commerce,
Department of Agriculture, and the produce industry itself. The
sent site of the wholesale produce market offers an excellent area
the expansion of the financial, office building, and business cenof San Francisco. With a limited amount of land this city must
e the best use of its available area. The present produce market
not in keeping with modern standards of food handling and the site
occupies is better suited to other uses.
A number of sites in the industrial area along Third Street were
Udied and five have been recommended as suitable for the location of
new market. Information on the procedures for relocating the market
Ws also presented, as well as suggestions for new development in the
resent commission district.
~
The study completed by the Department presents the information for

ilding a new modern market which is important to the whole city.
Owever, the initiative for accomplishing this civic improvement rests
Properly in the hands of the business community and especially the
Produce people who are most affected,
IM
A report on the Population of San Francisco, 1900-1950, was cornted during the fiscal year and will be published in 0ctober 1953.
$ study, based on the 1950 Census, presents the characteristics of
Franciscos people and the changes that have taken place in our
ulatiofl during the last fifty years.
,
ea Raiid. Transit Commissi

The Department has been active in assisting this Commission to
nulate its program. The Director of Planning has served on the
nical Advisory Board to the Commission and a staff member has been
ording secretary to the Board.
The Rapid Transit Commission has received 750,000 from the Bay
a Counties and the State Legislature to complete a nine-county transurvey. Preliminary to and part of the survey will be the preparan of an over-all, general regional plan of land use for Bay Region
elopment. The Department is continuing to play a part in the affairs
the Rapid Transit Commission whose activities are of vital importance
San Francisco.
te 1 at 0 ri
The Department has contributed to the work of State agencies and

is lative committees and Federal agencies as well as many city detments; to the Bay Area Council, Chamber of Commerce, newspapers,
agement concerns, real estate offices and agencies, banks, and other
mess groups. The Department has provided information requested to
arge number of groups, various individuals and to other city departnts regarding its activities through the distribution of a monthly
rage of approximately 200 reports, studies and publications.
The Department serves as a clearing house for community informalion bearing on all aspects of the physical development of the city.
Me information available for reference use is consulted by other ancies, students and the general public. The Department maintains a
pecia1ized library of over 2,000 volumes and reports, a subject or
research file, a map file and projection slide file which are in frequent use.
In addition, the Department has responded to many written and
personal inquiries and information requests, as well as assisting
Schools, colleges, universities, Federal and State and municipal agencies. The U.S. Department of State has been aided by the Department in
Providing planning information to over 60 visiting city planners repre-
senting many foreign countries, who have made the Department their
headquarters during visits to the Bay Area.
The city planning program has received extensive notice in the local newspapers and on numerous occasions in radio, television and other
Public information programs.
The Department has been active in the Tr-County Planning Council
hich consists of the planning commissioners of the cities and counties
-7-
o f San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara. A staff member of the Department has served as secretary-treasurer for this organization and
has organized and kept the minutes of a number of meetings.
The Director represented the Department at the League of Californi.
Cities meeting at Los Angeles, October 12 through 18, 1952, and was
elected president of the Planners Department of the League.
Mr. Bryant Hall, Principal City Planner, attended the National
planning Conference of the American Society of Planning Officials at
Boston, Massachusetts, October 5 through 8, 1952, for the Department.
. Hall received one of the principal awards of the General Motors
national contest on Better Highways.
The Director was invited and, at no cost to the city, participated
in the city planning and urban traffic problems panel sponsored by Time
Incorporated and the Magazine of Building in New York, January 7 and 8
1953. The Director also was a featured speaker at the conference on
metropolitan planning held in Vancouver, Canada on February 27, 1953.
In June, 1953, the American Institute of Planners held their annual meeting at the Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco. The Departmerit handled all local arrangements for this meeting which was attended
by more than 300 professional city planners from all over the country.
Z oni Ordinance
Following several years work on a proposed new comprehensive
zoning ordinance, the Department prepared and distributed to interested
individuals and organizations in March, 1953, a short, explanatory version of the proposed ordinance. This booklet has been useful in prooting a general understanding and interest in the new zoning plan.
Groups of 20 or 30 persons representing various organizations were invited to meetings at the Departments offices on April 22, 29, May 6
and 13 when discussions were held. Also, the Director and members of
the staff have spoken to various improvement clubs, and other organizations, on the new zoning ordinance during the last fiscal year.
Several organizations have asked for a 60-day period to study the
FOVjSjOnS of the ordinance more carefully and this was granted by the
i1ty Planning Commission. The proposed new zoning ordinance is having
Continued discussion with interested groups and it is oped that it
Will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for consideration shortly.
Respectf11y subitted
Paul Opper nn
19 5 3-19 5
ANNUAL REPORT
Period
DEPARTMENT
CITY
and
OF
COUNTY
of
CITY
PLANNING
SAN
FRANCISCO
REPORT TO MAYOR ELMER E
RO3IN30N
September 20, 195
CITY PLANNING COM.II83ION

Elmer J. Towle
WilliamD. Kilduff, Vice President
Michael J. 3uckley
Mrs. Eugene M. Prince
Ex officio Members:
homas A. Brooks
James H, Turner
Staff
Paul Oppermanri, Director of Planning

l953514.
ANNUAL REPORT
The City Planning Commission at the beginning of the fis. year 1953_195L. was comprised of the following five citizen mem
Ernest E, Williams, President, Mrs. Eugene M. Prince, Vice
r8
esident, William D. Kilduff, Harold T. Lopez, and Elmer J. Towle,
January 15, 1 95, Michael J. Buckley was appointed by the Mayor
fill the unexpired term of Mr. Lopez, who resigned when he was
pointed by the Governor to the State Board of Hqrbor Commissioners.
so on January 15, 195, at the expiration of her current appoint1t, Mrs. Prince was reappointed for a period of four years. At
e meeting of January 21, 195 Ernest E. Williams was re-elected
esident, and William D. Kilduff was elected Vice President. Exficio members were Thomas A. Brooks, Chief Administrative Officer,
. James H. Turner, Manager of Utilities, represented by Bernard A.
vine, Chief Engineer and Manager of the Bureau of Light, Heat and
we-r.
The Commission met formally 62 times. Zoning hearings
re conducted at 24 meetings.
ster P1
A number of important actions during the year marked proess in the orocess of detatling the Master Plan of the City and
runty, and in carrying out its provisions. Notable was establishnt of a priority program for design and construction of state
utes through San Francisco, involving the expenditure of many
ilione of dollars during the next five years. Agreement on the
lorities was reached in consultation with the Department of Public
rks and the District Office of the State Division of Highways,
eso routes are in conformity with the Trafficways Plan, adopted
by the City Planning Commission in July, 195 1 - Completion of the
Bayshore Freeway is part of this program. State funds have been
budgeted for construction on the Embarcadero Freeway, and for the
acquisition of the right-of-way for the Central Freeway up to Turk
and Gough Streets. Sections of the proposed Mission and Crosstown
roeways and the Junipero Serra Freeway are also under study as
state routes.
The Department has continued to cooperate with the Pay
Area Rapid Transit Commission, by suolying land use maps, population, traffic and planning data to the planning consultants employed
by that agency, The data is being used in reparing a preliminary
general regional plan of land use for the Bay Region, as the basis
for recommendations for a solution of the metropolitan transit problem.
Formal and informal discussions on the cable car system
re held in the spring of 195, Alternate proposals for curtailnt of the system were reviewed. One proposal for partial abandonnt, with consolidation of lines to be permanently retained, was
rst outlined in the Report to the City Planning Commission on a
ansportation Plan for San Francisco, November 194, by Dc Leuw
MM
-2Cather and Company, Consulting Engineers, and Ladislas Segoe and

Associates, Consulting City Planner. In the course of these disUSSiOflS this plan was developed in greater detail, and became known
as Plan 3, which was placed on the ballot and aproved by the elctorate in June.
The extension of the one-way street system which has
proven so effective in improving traffic flow was the subject of a
number of interdepartmental staff meetings with: interested property
owners. After hearings on this subject before tne Planning Commission in March, the Master Plan was amended in several minor respects.
Further hearings on one-way streets are scheduled for the coming
year.
Detailing of the Land Use Plan was marked particularly
by the issuance in April of an intensive study of park and recrecation areas entitled Reoort on a Plan for the Location of Parks and
Recreation Areas in San Francisco". The work was done at the request of and in cooperation with the Recreation and Park Department.
This technical study is now under review by all officials and
agencies concerned. Field trips with interested public officials
and citizen groups have been made, and the proposals have been
widely shown with the projection of slides illustrating the principles of recreation area location, The plan, after such modifications as are considered desirable after public hearing by the Commission, will be proposed for adoption as an amendment to the Master
Plan.
Zon in g
The corresponding regulation of private uses of land so

as to bring about its development in harmony with the Master Plan is
continuously handled through the process of zoning. Administration
of the present ordinance, as in past years, has presented many
problems, Certain new developments, such as the increased number of
applications for motels, have become somewhat controversial, The
Commission has recommended an interim amendment to the ordinance, to
1arify the classification of motels. The Commission also recommended an amendment, which was enacted by the Board of Spervisore
in May, authorizing the acceptance of applications for vaiances to
stipulations previously established, and aproval of the tame under
Specified conditions.
During the year, the staff assisted in further review of
the p roposed new zoning ordinance by a number of citizen groups,
including the Real Estate Board, the Chamber of Commerce, and numerOUs civic organizations, Individual comments and criticisms as well
as the recommendations of these groups were studied in detail by the
Staff and by the Commission. For this purpose, the Commission held
number of special meetings to which representatives of the intersted groups were invited. In June, 1954, the text and maps as revised in the light of all this study were finally aporoved and transittcd to the Board of Suiervisors. As a result of these conferences
,nd revisions it is expected that progress at the Boards hearings

w ill be greatly expedited, as substantial support for the final draft
has been assured.
Program
In compliance with Section 69.1 of the City Charter, on
January 20, 195 the Department submitted its annual report on a
six- yoar Capital Improvement Program. This multi-purpose program
provides the only complete list available of public improvement
projects which city departments propose to construct during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1 95, and those proposed for the five
subsequent years.
This year, nearly 500 such projects were analyzed in relation to existing and proposed cai.ta1 improvements, and regarding
service relationship to private development, to determine conformity
with the San Francisco Master Plan. The report also shows the progress being made on construction of over 400 projects for which city
funds have already been appropriated.
The information presented in the Capital Improvement Program is helpful to other city departments in the complete picture it
supplies of all city projects, and has proved useful to civic organizations, public utility companies, banks, real estate and other
business groups by providing accurate and detailed information on
public improvement projects being proposed for the next six years,
and those currently under construction. The report is designed to be
a special aid to the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors in making
official decisions concerning public improvements. Under the Charter,
it is required to be issued just prior to budget review in the spring
of each year.
The annual Capital Improvement Program thus provides a
means by which the City can consider in a comprehensive, systematic
manner its schedule of future p ublic improvements. By reviewing and
revising the program each year the City is able to tally its current
and future needs and to relate those to available or reasonably
estimated financial resources. In a review of this type intelligent
selection of immediate and long-term projects may be made with reduced likelihood that Important requirements will be overlooked in
the pressure of short-range clay-to-day operations. The 1953 Grand
Jury recommended such use of this report as the basis for the city
annual budget, so as to relate capital expenditures to the cit y ts
Capacity to finance thorn.
bferrals
During the year a total of 82 referrals was received
Under the provisions of Section 116.1 of the Charter from various
Cit y departments and agencies requesting reports as to conformity
With the Master Plan. A variety of proposals was reviewed and re1orted upon, including the purchase of an eight-lane right-of-way
for the Mission Freeway between Monterey Boulevard and Alemany Boule-
_L._
vrrd, the widening of Portola Drive, the location and acquisition of
jtes in the Downtown area for offstreot parking purposes, the looatiofl and acquisition of property for a recreation center in the
4Western Addition, and the proposed locations of additional oermanent
Ubl1C housing projects in the Western Addition and Chinatown areas.
05t of the referrals pertained to land acquisitions, land sales, and
land transfers, and to changes in or closing of streets. The referral
process is proving an effective instrument in coordinating public
m prov3mnts and guiding them toward goals set in the Master Plan.
Subdivisions
During the past year, five subdivisions were submitted
under Section 118 of the Charter and reports with recommendations
were made. Each was studied as to relationship to adjacent areas,
street pattern, street widths, street grades, lot layout, lot dimensions, building setback lines and other site planning factors such as
topography, drainage, and community facilities. The largest subdivision reviewed was the Midtown Terrace No. 3 Subdivision, containtrig 21 lots. This subdivision is located on tho west slopes of Twin
Peaks and presented difficulties in design bocause of steep topography
and access problems. This Is the first of several subdivisions proposed in tho vicinity, and during its review negotiations were undertaken for the reservation of a school site in the area immediately
adjaoent and next scheduled for subdivision.
Also submitted under Section 118 of the Charter were the
prelIminary site plans for two permanent public housing projects in
the Hunters Point area; the Harbor Slope and Hunters View projects.
were reviewed as to site orientation, number of dwelling units
or acre, street arrangement and off-stroet parking spaces provided.
4Mter several recommended modifications were made, they were approved
by the Commission.
develooment
At the request of the Redevellpment Agency the density
tandards for tall apartments in the Diamond Heights rojoct were
eviewed, and recommendations made. Also, at the request of the
gency, a special study called The South of Morket Redevelopment Area
.y was prepared.
At the request of the Commercial and Industrial Developtent Committee of the Board of Supervisors, in Auust 1953 the Departent made available in final form a complete Report on the Relocation
has long
Of the Wholesale Produce Market. The problem is one t
recognized by the Chamber of Commerce, the Department of AgriCulture, and the produce industry itself, The study completed by the
Department presents information on site selection, with detailed
,analysis of a number of ossible locations, and discusses ways and
1eans of building the new modern market. The Department has worked
Continuously in c000eratiori with various committees, agencies and
representatives of the produce industry itself toward achieving this
Important project.
-5ia1 Projects and Reports

In March, 1951., a report on Tho Population of San Francisco
1900-1950,A Half Century of Change was published. As part of the
c ontinuing research on the growth and development of the city, this
publication was well received by many public agencies and private
organizations. It presented and analyzed the trends and changing
relationships of population and related facts in San Francisco and
the Bay Area in the last 50 years. Such information has a practical
bearing upon business and personal plans of citizens as well as upon
the plans and prorams of city departments and other public agencies.
Work has been started on a technical monograph to summarize
the results of staff studies of Daily Trips to Downtown San Francisco.
This will be completed during the fall. The study will provide data
as to the mode of travel, the origin and destination of commuters
and other persons entering downtown. This information will be useful
in future studies of the relationships of the downtown business area
to the rest of San Francisco and to the Bay Area, and in planning for
transportation and transit improvements.
In order to participate in the advantages of a citywide
urban renewal program afforded by the 1954 Federal Housing Act, the
Department has been conducting studies measuring the quality of
housing. Each section of the city will be classified as to type of
area and indicated remedial program; i.e., redevelopment, rehabilitation, conservation and stable area. The Department has been meeting
monthly with other members of the Interagency Committee on Urban
Renewal, of which the Director of public Health is the Chairman.
The Committee, appointed by the Board of Supervisors, is preparing
to report to the Board on the ast years activity in an lablock
area south of Market Stret, where a concentrated inspection and
enforcenient program of health, housing, building and fire codes was
undertaken.
A.
At the request of the Commercial and Industrial Development

Committee of the Board of Suoervisors, a report was prepared in
Cooperation with tha Department of Public Works on a suggested plan
; for Tideland Redevelopment that included existing land use, assessment, and ownership conditions and a suggested plan for the future
Use of the south hayshere tideland area. Preliminary engineering
estimates and a summary of existing legislation for the development
of the tidelands were contained in the report.
A special study on the Hayes Valley Recrcation Center was
made at the request of the encral Manager of the Recreation and Park
Department, also a special review and re2ort on a plan for the location of municipal swimming pools, with a suggested building program.
Acquisition by the city of all the land within the estabished boundaries of John McLaron Park is nearing completion. In
Oricequence, a joint technical committee has been established with
he staff of the Recreation and Park Department for the purpose of
reparing a preliminary plan for the deve1pment of John McLaren Park.
-6yin Ordinance
An ordinance establishing procedures and conditions for
r egulating quarrying within the City and County of San Francisco was
recommended by the Commission and adopted by the Board of Sujervjsor.
This important measure became an effective addition to tho City Planning Code on April 10, 1 95 4 .
Downtown San Francisco
Staff work has been started on studies which will lead to
a suggested plan for the rnodernizaion of the downtown area. The
first steps will involve an analysis of existing conditions as to
land USC, traffic movements, parking facilities and other physical
aspects of retail shopping, financial, entertainment, hotel and
office facilities. Work on this will be continued during the coming
year, in full cooperation with civic agencies and individual citizens who have indicated that they are increasingly aware of the
Importance of attacking this complex problem boldly and with determination.
Civil Defense
Staff members have participated in the quarterly Command
Post Exercises for Civil Defense, by maintaining the city-wide
situation plot at the Control Center and by assisting in the evaluation of radiological conditions, The Department furnished estimtes of the number of persons expected to be within affected zones
together with casualty figures anticipated under the given conditions
. of the problem, Close liaison is maintained in meetings on dispersal
p1ans with members of other city departments and representatives of
)t Sonoma, Mann, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
Public
Relations
Because of the intimate way in which the activities of the
.
Department
of City Planning affect many individual property owners,
W
the continued maintenance of a high standard of courtesy and coopernation in dealing with them has always been a matter of special con cern, Administration of the zoning ordinance requires innumerable
$ contacts with the public, and every applicatin for information and
assistance is given the best efforts of staff members. Zoning matters coming before it have been accorded earnest and careful consideration by the members of the Commission, in order to secure the
Eintended purposes of this type of regulation, with the minimum of
L interference with orivate initiative consistent with the public
Welfare.
lgk
It is worthy of note also that the Department continues

to represent the City Government as host to numerous visitors from
,Other cities, including distinguished city planners and architects
trom foreign lands. This year there wore thirty of the latter,
representing a dozen countries, who exchanged with us information
on planning matters.
7
Extremely im,ortant to Departmental public relations, in
addition to the activities noted above, is the continuing program of
Department official reports, informational and technical bulletins.
The Department has obtained much favorable notice in San Francisco
of its publications
and throughout the nation, for the
and bulletins.
The Department has continued its policy of accepting
numerous invitations to appear before local civic, business, labor
and official organizations to explain or discuss specific phases of
the Master Plan. The Director represented the Department at statewide and national meetings when city planning problems were discussed..
In conclusion, as the Department of City Planning is a
coordinating and advisory agency in the structure of San Franciscos
government its function is to provide services of these types to the
Mayor and other city departments of the executive branch, and to the
Board of Supervisors, the legislative branch, as provided in the
City Charter. Its function is therefoe distinctly a staff function.
Close and continuous coordination of the overall staff
functions of the Department of City Planning with those of the citys
operating departments is necessary for efficient and economical city
government.
Interdepartmental conferences held during the fiscal year
. have resulted in innumerable constructive official actions being
. expedited to the benefit of the citizens as a whole - details of
which are not always reported and brought to public attention. The
results however are real and. tangible and the community is substantially aided thereby in solving its roblems of growth and development. It is our ho?o that this Departments services in its staff
- capacity can be increased further, to assist in achieving greater
unity in the development of Administration policy, and an accelerated
pace in constructive and beneficial actions on behalf of San Francisco.
-
)/
Paul Opperman
ANNUAL REPORT
1955- 1956
period from July 1, 1955 to June 30, 1956

DEPARTMENT
C I T Y and
OF
0 U N T Y
CITY
of iS A N
PLANNING
F R A N C
I S C 0
REPORT TO MAYOR GEORGE CHRISTOPHER

September 14, 1956

Roger D. Lapham, Jr., President
Robert P. Lilienthal, Vice President
Donald Beach Kirby
Ex Officio Members:
Thomas A. Brooks
Staff
Paul Opperinann, Director of Planning
Thomas G. Miller, Secretary
Mrs. Charles B. Porter

Thomas P. White
James H. Turner
DEPARTMENT OF CU? PLANNING

ANNUAL REPORT
1955-56
The City Planning Commission at the beginning of the fiscal year
1955-1956 was comprised of the following five citizen members: Ernest E.
Williams, President, William D. Kilduff, Vice President, Michael J. Buckley,
Mrs. Eugene M. Prince and Elmer J. Towle. In January, 1956 five citizen
members were appointed by Mayor Christopher to fill the vacancies caused by
the resignation of the Commissioners listed above. The new Commission is
comprised of the following five citizen members: Roger D. Lapham, Jr.,
President, Robert P. Lilienthal, Vice President, Donald Beach Kirby, Mrs.
Charles B. Porter, and Thomas P. White. The ex officio members, Thomas A.
Brooks, Chief Administrative Officer, and James H. Turner, Manager of
Utilities, represented by Bernard A. Devine, Chief Engineer and Manager of
the Bureau of Light, Heat and Power, served throughout the entire fiscal
year.
The Commission met formally 52 times. Zoning hearings were conducted at 24 meetings.
The Master Plan
One Master Plan study was initiated during the fiscal year and
carried through to the state of official adoption by the City Planning Commission. This was the Small Craft Harbor Location Plan which was adopted by the
City Planning Commission on June 14, 1956. Adoption of this plan, indicating
eight potential sites for small craft harbor development, particularly for
recreational use, will enable the City and County of San Francisco to qualify
for expenditure of funds by the State Lands Commission in the development of
small craft harbors as part of a state-wide system. Preparation of this plan
was carried out in cooperation with the Recreation and Park Department and
the Mayors Small Boat Harbor Committee.
Other Master Plan studies were initiated or continued in the current
year, but did not reach the stage of public hearings and formal consideration
by the City Planning Commission. A Health Center Location Plan and report
were prepared in cooperation with the Department of Public Health for review
prior to scheduling a public hearing before the City Planning Commission. This
plan would become a part of the Public Facilities Section of the Master Plan
and would serve as a guide to the development of a permanent city-wide
system of public health centers.
The Recreation Area and Park Location Plan was reviewed and revised
jointly by the staffs of the Recreation and Park Department and the Department
i. of City Planning and made ready for review by the Recreation and Park CommisSion and adoption by the City Planning Commission. This plan, also to be part
of the Public Facilities Section of the Master Plan, would express the general
departmental policy regarding the extent and location of parks and recreation
facilities in San Francisco, including the Interior Greenbelt. The Greenbelt,
first proposed in 1949 by the Department of City Planning, would extend across
the center of the city from Golden Gate Park to Glen Canyon, embracing portions
of Sutro Forest, and Twin Peaks and Glen Canyon. The addition of a few priVately owned parcels to already city-onod lands would provide the necessary
links to a complete chain of parks and a continuous riding and hiking trail
across the center of the city. Negotiations with private property owners and
-2the several public jurisdictions concerned were furthered during the year, and
it is anticipated that specific recommendations will be made to the City Planrung Commission and to the Board of Supervisors early in the fall of 1956.
Another part of the Public Facilities Section of the Master Plan on
which revision studies were undertaken was the School Location Plan. A complete
review of the public school location needs was initiated in cooperation with the
San Francisco Unified School District. It is expected that this will be completed by the end of the calendar year.
During the fiscal year detailed land use and development plan
studies were made for approximately one-third of the residential area of the
city. These studies brought up-to-date from the last study made in 1947, the
land use data for the areas covered, and reviewed and revised, in some cases,
the land use plan for the particular areas. These studies will aid the City
planning Commission in reviewing the proposed zoning maps and, when completed,
will serve as a basis for recommended revisions and updating of the City-wide
Land Use Plan, last amended in 1953.
Among special studies made was an analysis of potential sites for
the Police Administration Building. Ten sites were analyzed and their advantages and disadvantages compared in a report to the Mayor.
A plan for a park at the Ferry Building was prepared and submitted
through the Mayor to the State Park Commission for consideration for inclusion
of the park and funds for its development in the system and program of the
State Park Commission.
Special studies were made, of City-owned land along Stanley Drive
for possible institutional use.
New Zoning Ordinance
The Board of Supervisors Committee under the Robinson administration
never quite completed its review of the text of the Ordinance as submitted by
the Robinson City Planning Commission. The last item completed was a revision
of the definition of Commercial Kennels. Unfinished were review of floor area
ratios and density provisions, and certain matters affecting outdoor advertising. During election period and the tail end of the regime no progress
was made.
In January, the new City Planning Commission began and pursued
diligently its own review of changes made itt Committee and those reflecting
its own differing policies. This work was completed by the end of the fiscal
year, and the responsibility for further progress again placed in the hands
of the Board of Supervisors Committee.
One major provision of the new code was enacted into law,
however, in advance. This was done because of strong popular demand and
with the full cooperation of the Commission, and had to do with the requirement of off-street parking space on a one-for-one basis in connection with
all dwelling units hereafter erected. This went into effect in December of
1955, and is presently being enforced with excellent effect.
.3Divison
The work load in this Division has been heavy throughout the year.
A conservative estimate indicates that 150 persons are served directly each week
a t the zoning counter, in addition to a daily average of 50 to 60 telephone
inquiries.
During the year, 88 applications for zoning reclassifications were
processed. There were 19 applications for variances from the provisions of the
minimum lot size ordinance and 8 for change in set-back lines. The new ordinance
re quiring off-street parking also resulted in variance applications, of which
there were 7, making 114 cases in all to be posted, heard, investigated and
decided, during the fiscal year. In only 6 cases was there an appeal from the
Commissions ruling, and its decision was sustained by the Board of Supervisors
in all but two of these.
Review and certification of building permits as to conformity with
zoning regulations, now increasingly difficult because of parking requirements,
is a major continuing task. The number of these averages nearly 1,000 per month.
In compliance with Section 69.1 of the City Charter, on January 20,
1956 the Department submitted its annual report on a six-year Capital Improvement
Program. This multi-purpose program provides the only complete list available
of public improvement projects which city departments propose to construct during
the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1956, and those proposed for the five subsequent
years.
Data on 888 projects were submitted by the departments and agencies
of the city and their information was digested into the reports program schedules. Of these, 384 projects were completed or under way during 1955-56 The
programs proposed for the fiscal year 1956-57 involved 330 projects which required review and analysis for determination of conformity with the citys
Master Plan. Another 174 projects were reported on which represented proposals
for the five years subsequent to fiscal year 1956-57, which were not reviewed
for Master Plan conformity, but were reported on to show probable magnitude of
future programs.
The program proposed $52,793,080 worth of improvements during 1956-57
and $194,947,220 in the five subsequent years and later. Almost half of this
amount was proposed for additions to the Hetch Hetchy Water and Power Supply
System.
The programming of capital improvements is now essential in scheduling the citys non-cash-grant-in-aid contribution to urban redevelopment and
urban renewal projects financed partly by federal funds, and will likewise prove
essential as matching funds for federal grants and loans to promote conservation
and rehabilitation projects in the renewal program.
Of the 330 first-year projects reviewed by the Commission for conformity with the Master Plan, 20 were found to need further study or coordination
with plans for projects proposed by other agencies. None were found to be
directly in conflict with the Master Plan.
-4Considerable data on the citys financial ability to finance capital

improvements, as well as on related State Highway Commission construction prujectS within the city (particularly the freeway program) were included in the
report.
At present, this Capital Improvement Program report is the only rcprt
issued by a city agency that assembles in one place the programs for improvement
of the Citys physical plant as proposed by all of the Citys departments and
agencies, regardless of sources of funds. This has proven helpful, not only to
the citys departmental personnel, but also to civic organizations, public utility
companies, real estate and other business gr:ups. It is also of particuler usefulness to the Mayor, the Controller, and the Board of Supervisors in providing
a long range picture for reference to specific requests for capital improvements
proposed by the departments for inclusion in the annual city budget.
Referrals
The effectiveness of the city planning function is measured by the
ability to translate plans into programs of the operating departments of city
government. The referral procedure under Section 116.1 of the Charter is proving
an effective instrument in this regard. During the past year 85 projects were
submitted to the City Planning Department by various City departments and agencies
for review and report as to conformity with the Master Plan. Most of the referrals submitted dealt with such day-to-day activity as proposed land acquisitions, land sales, land transfers, street widenings, street extensions, sidewalk
narrowings, Street vacations, and the like. Four firehouse sites were approved
as being in conformity with the Firehouse Location Plan of the Master Plan. Other
projects reviewed and reported on were the Civic Center Exhibit Hall, the
underground garage in the Civic Center plaza, the Sutter-Stockton garage, and the
final plans for the Western Addition and the South Basin redevelopment areas.
Subdivisions
In accordance with Section 118 of the Charter, nine subdivisions were
submitted for review. Reports and recommendations were made to the Director of
Public Works. Each was studied as to relationship te adjacent areas, street
pattern, street widths, Street grades, lot layout, lot dimensions, building setback lines and other site planning factors such as topography, drainage, and
Community facilities.
Subdivision development was mainly centered in the Twin Peaks arca.
In all, approximately 505 lots were established in these subdivisions.
In addition eight subdivisions adjoining City-owned property in
San Mateo County were submitted for review.
Thirty-two grading applications were processed in accordance with
Section 309g of the Building Code.
ILrban Renewal
The final plan for the 325 acre project in Diamond Heihts was
approved by the Commission April 14, 1955 and adopted by the Board of Supervisors
on January 18, 1956. Property acquisition by the Redevelopment Agency should
Start early in 1957. Approximately 2800 dwelling units will be built. A grant
:Of $915,988 and a loan of $6,790,882 will be made by the federal government.
-5The Commission approved the final plan for the Geary Rebuilding Area
in the Western Addition, 26 blocks to be rebuilt with approximately 2600 dwelling
units. Property acquisition should begin early in 1957. Final approval expected
soon by the federal government will carry an outright grant of $7,336,000 to the
city and a loan of $17,229,000.
An application for federal assistance for planning the next project
bounded roughly by Post, California, Presidio and Van Ness will be made shortly
by the Redevelopment Agency.
The 43 acres in the Produce Morket area were designated as Redevelopment Area E in February, 1955 by the Board of Supervisors in a move to relocate
the wholesale produce market and allied industries to South Basin and to put
this prime downtown location to a higher and better use. Several substantial
private developers have shown a serious interest in this project.
In January, 1956 the Board of Supervisors appropriated $25,000 to the
Commission to prepare economic and market studies necessary before any actual
planning work could commence. These studies by the Real Estate Research Corporation of Chicago and Lawrence Lackey, Architect, both consultants tD the Commission,
were completed on June 15, 1956. The advice and cooperation of i:any business
groups through the Chamber of Commerce were well received.
A survey of land use, building types, and industry types was made for
the Embarcadero-Old Produce Market Redevelopment Area E prior to the market and
economic studies made by the Real Estate Research Corporation.
In May 1956 the Board of Supervisors accepted $25,000 of a total
$55,000 to be donated to the city by private enterprise businessmen known as the
Zellerbach-Blyth group. The architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
will be employed to prepare preliminary and tentative development plans so that
early in 1957 negotiations with interested private developers may be undertaken
for rebuilding Area BE".
In conjunction with the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the
produce industry a final plan was prepared for a new market at South Basin. The
46 acre area was declared for redevelopment in February 1955 and the final plan
approved by the Supervisors on February 14, 1956. The produce industry had
advanced the funds to do this necessary planning work. The South Basin site is
still being held available by the Redevelopment Agency for a new produce market,
awaiting serious interest by a united produce industry.
The original 19 block area South of Market, designated in March 1953,
was expanded to 23 blocks on December 27, 1955 to accommodate plans for a
privately financed project proposed by Messrs. Swig and Zeckendorf. Of the 26
blocks, however, the Swig-Zeckendorf group was interested in only six, and their
Interest has since shifted to Area
A detailed analysis of the four blocks proposed by Ben Swig to be
added to the South of Market Redevelopment Area D was made for the Redevelopment
Agency and a report was rendered indicating that portions of the blocks were not
considered eligible to qualify as blighted under the California Community Redevol;Opment Law.
-6At the behest of property owners in the designated area, studies are
now underway toward reducing the 26 block area to specific projects that can go
forward soon, possibly with federal assistance,.
A private group proposed a $7,500,000 apartment development in an
eight-block area on Telegraph Hill through the use of city redevelopment powers.
Studies by the Department gave no indication this project was justified and it
has been dropped after determined opposition by Telegraph Hill residents and
others.
Following the Departments report and plan of June 1955, a neighborhood conservation and improvement program under voluntary leadership of property
owners and residents council has been stimulated on Potrero Hill.
At the request and on behalf of the Mayor the Department prepared for
federal certification San Franciscos Workable Program for the elimination and
prevention of slums and blight. The Housing and Home Finance Agency certified
the city as eligible for one year to receive federal assistance. A number of
city agencies are concerned with the citys urban renewal program.
The Board of Supervisors appropriated $4,400 to the Department for
servicing the Citizens Participation Committee for Urban Renewal following their
reappointment by Mayor Christopher. The monthly meetings of the Committee were
attended, agenda and minutes prepared and the services rendered. A brochure
which the Cocmittec plans to distribute is being prepared.
The Inter-Agency Committee on Urban Renewal, consisting of the following representation: Planning, redevelopment, housing authority, public health,
fire, public works, school, and city attorney, is coordinating all urban renewal
activities by city agencies. The Department prepares minutes, agenda and provides meeting space for the usual monthly meetings. Many subjects pertaining
to urban renewal planning are under study toward preparation of a city-wide program.
By providing leadership and meeting space the Department has coordinated the health, fire, building inspection and redevelopment agency staff members
in preparing the first draft of a city housing code. This proposed ordinance
will be reviewed by the Inter-Agency Committee members and others for ultimate
introduction to and adoption by the Board of Supervisors. The Code was recommended by the federal government as desirable in the slum prevention aspect of
urban renewal.
In September 1955 the Department completed and published its report
Housing and Neighborhood Conditions -- a classification of areas for Urban
Renewal. A penalty scoring system was used to classify the housing and neighborhood quality of each census tract in the city. This preliminary classification is necessary before areas may be selected for varying types of housing
remedial programs such as redevelopment, rehabilitation, conservation activities.
Cooperation and assistance was given to the Community Chest during
1955-56 in the community council program as part of neighborhood organization for
urban renewal.
-7-
a,2o2e scAiiaL Projects and Reports

In June of 1956 the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission requested
this Department to prepare a plan indicating sites for heliports in San Francisco
that would be in conformity with provisions of the Master Plan.
The final draft of this report is now in preparation. Considerable
research has been necessary to accumulate data on the flight characteristics and
requirements for landing places for the large regularly-scheduled passenger craft
that are expected to be in service in five, ten, or fifteen years.
Problems of future traffic potential, necessity for location of
heliports near downtown centers, possible noise nuisance, and consideration of
limitation of payload flight pattern requirements have been investigated with the
help and coordination of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commissions Bureau
of Engineering, the University of Californias Institute of Transportation and
Traffic Engineering, the U. S. Civil Aeronautics Administration, the Port of New
York Authority, the New York City Department of Marine and Aviation, the International Air Transport Association, Standard Heliports, Incorporated, Hiller
Helicopters, Rick Helicopter, Incorporated, Sabena Belgian Airways, and the Real
Estate Research Corporation of Chicago.
Sites for a heliport to serve downtown San Francisco and secondary
heliports to serve outer community areas of the city will be recommended in the
report.
In January 1956 the Department participated in meetings with the
census bureau and business groups concerned with the citys census tract boundaries, through the Chamber of Commerce.
Studies were commenced leading toward completion and publication this
fall of a Street Appearance Report on ways and means of improving the appearance
of San Franciscos streets, including sign control.
Added to our official responsibilities are, of course, many public
relations functions and meetings, some of which are listed below.
During April, May and June 1956, Gustav:) Becker of Guatemala City
Planning Department was trained in this office, on arrangement with the State
Department.
Two interns in the fall of 1955 trained in the Department as part of a
continuing policy to receive these trainees from the Coro Foundation.
Several studeuts from Universities and Colleges around the Bay Area
Studied in the department and department personnel lectured at various classes.
A total of 53 foreign visiting officials were received in the department during 1955-56.
Secretarial services, meetings attended and arrangements were made
for various planning groups such as the Tr-County Planning Council, Commonwealth
Club, Roadside Council, Chamber of Commerce Committees, American Society of
P
Officials, American Institute of Planners and other organizations.
Ordinance
The first permit applied for under the new rdinance establishing procedures and conditions for regulating quarries was processed. Under the conditions established after lengthy hearings, the operator will be required to furnish a performance bond covering fencing, operational controls, and provision for
planting to prevent undue erosion after the work is completed. The operation
involved is an extensive one in the vicinity of Bay View Park.
Freeways and Transit
Freeway plans developed by the State Division of Highways for the
Southern Freeway and for the Western Freeway were reviewed and modifications
were recommended to improve the alignment in relation to adjacent land uses and
to the ramp locations in relation to surface streets.
Plans for the city section of the Southern Freeway were reviewed during
the course of preparation by DeLeuw, Cather & Company, and discussions have been
held on the preliminary plans for the Crosstown Freeway now under preparation
by the sane firm for the Department of Public Works. These reviews help to
insure that the principles of the Master Plan, particularly those of the Land
Use Section of the Master Plan, and of the Trafficways Plan, will not be violated
in the alignment and design of the freeways.
Preliminary plans for the Tiburon Bridge were reviewed and a policy
statement was adopted by the City Planning Commission against the use of Russian
Hill as an approach base.
The Department also participated in discussions leading to decisions
, to modify the legislative requirements for the approaches to the Southern
Crossing. In addition, the Department reported to the Board of Supervisors on
; the problem of traffic flow at the Southern Pacific Station at Third and Townsend Streets, recommending that an overpass at Fourth Street be integrated with
the Fourth Street ramp to the Embarcadero (Tennessee) Freeway approach to the
Southern Crossing rather than proceeding in the direction of moving the station.
4 This recommendation was based on the assumption that the proposed Bay Area
rapid transit system recommended to the Bay Area Rapid Transit Commission will
be developed, resulting in the peninsula commuters coming into the downtown area
via a subway under Market Street.
The Bay Area Rapid Transit Plan was reviewed, and the Department, ES
a member of the Mayors Interdepartmental Transit Committee, developed a tenta
tive rapid transit plan proposal for San Francisco that would be integrated
With and supplemental to the Bay Area system. The Committee recommended the
plan to the Mayor for detailed engineering study to the end that all of San
Francisco be served by a rapid transit system that would shorten travel time
and distance within the city.
Defense
A continuing and close staff relationship exists with the Disaster
Council and Corps. Key staff members are enrolled in the Disaster Corps and
have participated in the Command Post Exercises by maintaining the city-wide
Situation Plot, and by assisting in the evaluation of radiological conditions.
-9Data on population, traffic and transportation have been furnished

Assistance has been given in the revision of the evacuation
the Disaster Corps.
routes from the City.
The Department has also assisted in the preliminary design and layout
work for the civil defense information program to he undertaken by the San Francis00 Advertising Club. The regular monthly meetings of the West Bay Counties
Civil Defanse Planning Committee were attended at which subjects of mutual
interest were discussed and plans for the evacuation of San Francisco in event
of emergency were formulated.
City lanningommission
The new members of the Commission, appointed by Mayor George Christopher
at the beginning of his administration, entered upon their duties in the midst
of all the extra work and some turbulence accompanying a change of adr:iinistration.
In addition, the Commission found itself in the midst of a number of controversial
matters, such as the Ferry Building Park project, Redevelopment Area E, the
proposed South Basin new produce market and the Swig-Zeckendorf proposals affecting the South of Market area.
The Commission also took up in the first weeks of the Christopher
administration the Departmental budget and work program, involving the establishment of their own policy views in the Department for the remainder of one fiscal
year and for a full fiscal year ahead.
The Capital Improvement Program was brought before them by the staff
for action early in February. About the same time, the Real Estate Research
Corporation of Chicago contract and the Lawrence Lackey contract for market
studies and building and site economics analyses were drafted by the staff and
approved by the Commission.
This is only the beginning of an intensive and continuing series of
urgent work assignments for which the Commission had responsibility wcrking with
the Director and staff. There was no let down at the end of the fiscal year
when the staff vacations began and appeared to be none in prospect at the close
of fiscal year 1955-1956. Without unity of command and good leadership on the
. part of the Commission, plus a working accord between Commission and staff the
volume of work produced in the Department under the new Commission and its
high quality would not have been possible.
Off ice of the Director of Planning
The Directors office coordinates and supervises the work of the

staff organized under four Divisions (Land Planning, Project Planning, Referrals
and Design, Zoning). Some idea of the extent of activity is given in the following: telephone calls of the Directors office alone, 100 to 125 weekly; meetings,
15 to 20 weekly; correspondence and memoranda, 50 to 75 weekly. Each of the
Divisions of the Department is concerned with phone calls, meetings, correspondence and memoranda preparation, report writing in particular.
The volume of work, which steadily increases, urgently requires
additional personnel. Fortunately the Board of Supervisors provided an appropriation of $25,000 for the market and building economics studies basic to the
Sound preparation of a preliminary plan for Redevelopment Area E. There was the
additional important gift of the Zellerbach-Blyth Committee-of-Eleven group.
-10.Without the Supervisors appropriation and the substantial gift by the Committee,
the major project going forward for redevelopment of the old produce market
district would not have been possible.
The Board of Supervisors approved an appropriation of $60,000 for the
preparation of a Civic Center Master Plan. The Civic Center Master Plan work
must be completed within a nine months period from the time the contract for
consultants is let. Much of the burden of the Civic Center work must be carried
by the staff of the Department of City Planting. A Technical Coordinating
Committee was created by the Board in 1953 and this Committee representing the
City departments concerned will handle the relationships with the consultants
to be employed by the City in the prosecution of the work. An orderly plan
looking a full twenty year period ahead is to be accomplished by the joint work
of the Committee and the consultants in this project.
Recommendations
At the time the Departmental budget was reviewed with the President of
the Commission and the Director of Planning, Mayor Christopher, City Controller
Ross and the Mayors Administrative Assistant, George Grub!.,, agreed that supplemental appropriations were to be brought to them by the Department requesting
needed personnel, office equipment and supplies, and consulting services. These
budget and personnel requests were to be supported by full explanations and to be
timed as requests to fit closely with the work program.
The principal budgetary request concerning personnel was that related
to the expected enactment by the Board of Supervisors of the new comprehensive
zoning ordinance. The zoning ordinance is under active review of the Committee
on Public Buildings, Lands and City Planning, under Chairman Henry Rolph. When
the date of enactment by the Board of Supervisors can be estimated within two
or three months time an appropriation request will be forwarded to the Board
through Mayor Christophers office for additional permanent personnel to administer the new and complex provisions of the new zoning ordinance. No specific
recommendation is made at this time.
Among the City Planning provisions of the City Charter are Sections
117.1, 117.2 and 117.3 which are to become effective at the time the Supervisors
adopt the new ordinance. Among these provisions are those which provide that
appeals from decisions of the Zoning Administrator shall go to the Board of
Permit Appeals. The Commission and staff are currently advocating substitute
Provisions to establish a separate Board of Zoning Adjustments. This would be
identical in principle with California law which enables local jurisdictions
to establish such an appeals body. The provisions of the California law are
those which are found in State Enabling Acts throughout the United States and
they recognize that zoning is a technical matter closely allied to city planning
and identified with that function of municipal government. Specific recommendations affecting the Board of Zoning Adjustments setup will be forwarded to the
Mayor and Supervisors before the end of the calendar year 1956.
1.2r!pnnel Administration and Salary Standardization
The Department has had continuing difficulty in the recruitment of
Adequately trained and qualified personnel to fill vacancies on the staff. It
ta the recommendation of the Commission and staff that recruitment of city
planners be established on the basis of nation wide examinations, rather than
the one year San Francisco residence requirement. The demand for trained and
-11experienced city planners has greatly exceeded the supply since World War II and
the problem is becoming more acute each year. By opening the Civil Service
exanjnati 0r 5 on the basis of established technical proficiency and firm requirents respecting education and experience, it is believed that additions to the
taff
to fill any vacancies through resignations or as a result of new permanent
s
po sitions being established will be in the best interest of the City and of the
plafltifl8 program.
It is further recommended that the rule of one be abolished by the
Civil Service Commission to permit the new almost universally accomplished rule
of three to apply. Examining techniques seldm take sufficient account of
personality factors and other important qualifications which are valuable in
achieving a balanced and effective city planning staff. The Departrient further
recommends that the six months probation period for new employees should be
extended to a full year. Adaptability and interest of new staff members requires
longer period than six months in some cases and the option to test a new
employee for a period longer than six months is deemed a desirable option.
Summary Comment
The Department of City Planning program has never been so extensive.
major assignments have been given to the city planning office in the
Many newassignments
4. first six months of Mayor Christophers administration. The Commission and
It is believed that the
staff are working efficiently and with mutual respect.
fiscal year ahead will give ample evidence of the importance of this relationship in the magnitude of work accomplished and in the value and benefits to the
..San Francisco community.
A.
Paul Oppermann
1956- 1957
ANNUAL REPORT
period from July 1, 1956 to June 30, 1957
DEPARTNENT
CtTY
and
OF
PLANNING
CITY
COUNTYOf
SAN
FRANCISCO
REPORT TO MAYOR GEORGE CHRISTOPHER

September 13, 1957

Roger D. Lapharn, Jr., President
Robert P. Lilienthal, Vice President
Donald Beach Kirby
Mrs. Charles B. Porter

Thomas P. White
Ex Officio Members:
T. N. Bland
Thomas A. Brooks
Staff
Thomas G. Miller, Secretary

ANNUAL REPORT
1956-57
The City Planning Commission at the beginning of the fiscal year was
priced of the following five citizen members: Roger D. Laphain, Jr.,
sident; Robert P. Lilienthal, Vice President; Donald Beach Kirby; Mrs.
,rles B. Porter; and Thomas P. "Jhite. The ex officio members were Thomas
Brooks, Chief Administrative Officer; and James H. Turner, Manager of
lities, represented by Bernard A. Devine, Chief Engineer and Manager of
Bureau of Light, Heat and Power. Although Mr. Turner was replaced by
T. N. Bland as Manager of Utilities during the fiscal year, Mr. Devine
tinued to represent him, and there was no actual change in the member.p of the Commission during the period covered by this report.
The Commission met formally 54 times. Zoning hearings were conducted
24 meetings.
THE MASTER PLAN
tion Area and Park Location Plan

Two major amendments to the Master Plan were adopted by the City
fling Commission, after public hearings held under the provisions of Section
of the Charter.
One amendment, adopted in November 1956, was the Recreation Area and
k Location Plan, part 3 of the Public Facilities Section of the Master Plan.
ed on the recommendations made in the April 1954 Report on a Plan For the
ation of Parks and Recreation Areas, the adopted plan reflects long-term
icy regarding the extent and location of parks and recreation areas in
Francisco. Included in the plan is the Interior Greenbelt, first proposed
1949 by the Department of City Planning, which is a continuous belt of
ested trails and high peaks extending across the center of the city through
ro Forest over Twin Peaks and into Glen Canyon. Specific proposals for
d acquisition were recommended by the City Planning Commission and endorsed
the Recreation and Park Comnmision, and in January the Board of Supervisors
roved the expenditure of $175,000 for the acquisition of parcels of land in
ro Forest and on the southern slopes of Twin Peaks which are important links
the greenbelt.
Street Plan
A second amendment to the Master Plan was adopted by the City Planning
mission in April 1957, adding more streets in the downtown area to the One-Way
eet Plan, a part of the Transportation Section of the Master Plan, These
Posed additions to the one-way street pattern included Third and Kearny Streets
thbourid between Brannan Street and Broadway, and Stockton and Fourth Streets
thbound between Sutter and Brannan Streets, Th amendment was adopted after
-2tailed joint staff study with the Departments of Public Works and Police and the
jcipal Railway, and joint City Planning Commission, Police Commission and Public
ilities Commission review and consideration. The recommendations were considered
the Board of Supervisors in June 1957 and were adopted, with modifications, in
ly 1957.
Location Plan
Staff work was advanced to completion for policy review of the School Loion Plan, developed to amend the School Plan adopted originally in 1945. It is
ected that a public hearing can be scheduled by the City Planning Commission in
early fall precedent to adoption.
Area Studies
Detailed land use surveys were made of twelve of the 54 residential areas
the city and of two of the working areas, and development plans were prepared for
yen of the residential areas. These studies brought up to date the land use data
t compiled in 1947, and in some cases revised the land use plan for the particular
as. These surveys and plans will aid in the review and revision of the proposed
ing plan, and when completed will serve as a basis for revisions and updating of
City-wide Land Use Plan, a major part of the Master Plan which was last amended
1953,
URBAN RENEWAL
rca B - Old Produce Marke
under contract as consultants to the department, the architectural firm of
idmore, Owings & Merrill prepared a general development plan for the Golden Gatewaydevelopment Area B. The consultants prepared a model and published areport on the
an. Financing of plan preparation was made possible by a gift of $55,000 from the
ilerbach-Blyth committee of businessmen. The department worked with the architects
roughout the preparation of the plan. The next step is the official adoption by
e City Planning Commission of a preliminary plan. The Board of Supervisors has
thorized application by the Redevelopment Agency for $300,658 in planning funds
om the housing and Home Finance Agency for Area E. The Supervisors also approiated $37,500 to the Agency for appraisals in Area E.
Anorganization in Area B, the Non-Produce Owners & Tenants Protective
sociation, asked that the area be dedesignated. The request was tabled by the
ard of Supervisors. At the request of the Supervisors, the department prepared a
udy of existing employment in Area E compared with potential employment after
development,
rry Park
Mario Ciampi, architect, under contract to the department, prepared a plan
r a park in the area around the Ferry Building which would complement the Golden
teway project. This plan was presented on July 16, 1957. This park project has
e citys top priority in requests for funds from the State Park Commission for
velopment of a state historical park.
"-3-) - South of Market

Redevelopment in the South of Market district was carried through the
first two of the fourteen steps required under California law to the point of
designation of a project area and adoption of a preliminary plan by the City
planning Commission.
In cooperation with the Redevelopment Agency the City Planning Cornmission recommended to the Board of Supervisors that the 23 block designated
redevelopment area be reduced to 12 blocks and that funds be appropriated for
studies leading to the designation of a project area and the development of a
plan and schedule. The Board appropriated $5,000 for the special study; a
Report on a Preliminary Plan for a Project in the South of Market Redevelopment
Area "D" was completed in May, and the Preliminary Plan was adopted in June. An
application for a federal planning advance and capital grant reservation has
been approved by the Board of Supervisors for submission by the Redevelopment
Agency.
h Basin
In view of the lack of a united wholesale produce industry interested in
building a new market on the South Basin site, the Board of Supervisors by resolution on February 11, 1957, rescinded its resolution designating South Basin as
a redevelopment area.
kable Pr
At the request of the Mayor, the department again prepared the Citys
rkable program for urban renewal for submission to the Housing and Home Finance
ency. It was submitted in November. A letter from the Regional Administrator
December stated that the workable prpgrarn could not be recertified until cerin deficiencies in administrative organization, adequate codes and ordinances,
ograrns of code inspections, legal capacity for enforcement and urban renewal
anning were remedied.
C
ttee on Urban Renewal
Dr. Ellis Sox, Chairman of the Inter-Agency Committee on Urban Renewal,

eceived secretarial and staff services from the department throughout the year.
Board of Supervisors resolution in January named the committee the citys
fficial agency on urban renewal. A working committee, with members fromthe
ity Planning Department, the Health Department, the Redevelopment Agency, and
he Bureau of Building Inspection, prepared a draft of a housing code for San
rancisco which is now under review by the departments concerned. An adequate
ousing code is considered one of the prerequisites by the Housing and Home Finance
gency for certification of the citys workable program.
An Inter-Agency subcommittee prepared a report and recommendations to
he Mayor on the deficiencies in the workable program,
In June, the Mayor appointed Lester C. Bush as Urban Renewal Coordinator,

d subsequently appointed C. H. Potts, formerly Assistant Superintendent of
Uilding Inspection, as Associate Urban Renewal Coordinator with quarters in the
-4Mayors office,
Citizens Participation Committee for Urban Renewal
This group was provided with secretarial and staff services through the
department. A special appropriation of $4,400 was available for this purpose The
committee sponsored the local presentation of "Our Living Future," a film and
lecture by the American Council to Improve Our Neighborhoods, on January 23 at
the Marines Memorial.
NEW ZONING ORDINANCE
The City Planning Commission reviewed changes made in the text by the
Public Buildings, Lands and City Planning Committee of the Board of Supervisors
and the changes recommended by the Commission and staff. At the conclusion of the
fiscal year covered by this report, the Commission had completed this work, and the
staff began the task of correcting the zoning maps to reflect the changes agreed
upon by both the Commission and the Supervisors Committee.
Still pending before the Supervisors Committee are questions relative
to floor area ratio, density, the duration of non-conforming uses and several
iinor matters. When these matters are settled it will be possible to complete the
zoning maps and begin the district hearings.
ZONING DIVISION
1, .
The work load in this Division has been heavy throughout the year. A
onservative estimate indicates that 150 persons are served directly each week
t the zoning counter, in addition to a daily e.verage of 50 to 60 telephone
nquiries.
During the year, 101 applications for zoning reclassifications were

processed. There were 24 applications for variances from the provisions of the
:inimum lot size ordinance and 5 for change in set-back lines. The ordinance
equiring off-street parking also resulted in variance applications, of which
here were 18, making 148 cases in all to be posted, heard, investigated and
ecided during the fiscal year, In 14 cases there were appeals from the Commis,)ions rulings; and its decision was sustained by the Board of Supervisors in
eight of these.
Review and certification of building permits as to conformity with
ing regulations, now increasingly difficult because of parking requirements,
a major continuing task. The number of these averaged over 1,000 per month,
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
On January 20, 1957, in compliance with Section 69.1 of the Charter, the
bepartment submitted its ninth annual report on a six year capital improvement pro.j ram. Recommendations as to conformity with the master plan of each project proosed for the fiscal year 1957-58 were made, and projects proposed for 1958-599
.hrough 1962-63 were listed. The report included also the progress of projects
-5
under construction.
Capital improvement projects totaling $270,669,541 were proposed for expenditures by departments, boards and agencies of the City and County for the six year
period beginning July 1, 1957, with $59,712,135 scheduled for the fiscal year 1957-58.
F.
Approximately 60 percent of the first year program expenditures are to be

..j:financecl from approved bond issues. Budget requests amount to 11 percent with the
remaining 29 percent being financed through prior budget appropriations, departmental
,revenues, state and federal aid and proposed bond issues.
FREEWAYS AND TRANSIT
Design Plai n for the Southern and Western freeways, developed by the State
ivision of Highways, and for the Southern and Crosstown freeways, developed by conultants to the Department of Public Works, were reviewed by the staff and modificaions were recommended. The Division of Highways deferred design work on the Western
reeway when the Board of Supervisors directed the employment of consultants to
nalyze and review the necessity for the freeway. The consultants were furnished with
opulation and land use data available from the files of the department.
TheDirector of Planning testified before the Subcommittee on Highways of the
ssembly Interim Committee On Conservation, Planning and Public Works concerning
reeway planning procedures, city-state coordination, and the need for better means
f informing the public of the freeway plans and programs as they are developing, and
he need for designing freeways as parkways in residential areas.
The Department answered telephone and personal inquiries concerning freeways
h averaged five per day.
I:
her Thoroughfares
The Department participated with the Recreation and Park Department and the
partment of Public Works in developing plans for the McLaren Park Golf Course and
e cross-park road connections required to serve neighborhoods on either ide of the
rk. The Department also studied the circulation needs of the Clarendon Heights
ea and recommended the extension of Palo Alto Avenue to Clarendon Avenue.
it
The Interdepartmental Committee on Transit, chaired by the Director of Planng, made recommendations to the Mayor for a rapid transit development program and
rticipated in discussions with the Mayor and Board of Supervisors which led to a
,ecision to defer planning studies for rapid transit until after the formation in
tober of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit Committee,
REFERRALS
During the past fiscal year a total of 122 referrals were received by the
Partment, under provisions of Section 116.1 of the Charter, for review and report
to conformity with the Master Plan. Most of the referrals submitted concerned
proposed land acquisition, landsales, land transfers, street widenings, street

extensions, sidewalk narrowings, street vacations and the like. Projects reviewed
and reported upon included the 1956 School Bond Building Program totaling $25,790,000
the Civic Center Underground Garage, the Fifth and Mission Garage, the extension of
the Ping Yuen housing site, and the site plan for the Double flock housing project.
SUED IV IS IONS
In accordance with Section 118 of the Charter, ten subdivisions were reviewed and reports with recommendations made to the Director of Public Works. 468
lots were established. Subdivision development was largely in the Mt. Davidson,
Twin Peaks and Sutro Forest areas.
Four subdivisions adjoining city-owned property in San Mateo County were
also submitted for review,
QUARRYING AND GRADING
Quarrying
Two applications for conditional use authorization to operate Quarries
were received, one on the north slope of Bay View Park hill and the other on the
south slope. The quarry on the north slope proposed the removal of 7,500,000
cubic yards of material. This application was approved subject to conditions
controlling hours of operation, access routes, and landscaping and was the first
quarry approved under the provisions of the Quarry Ordinance enacted in 1954.
The application for a quarry on the south slope of Bay View Park hill
proposes the removal of 500,000 cubic yards of material in a five year period.
This excavation will provide material for fill and cover garbage disposal operations on adjacent property in San Mateo County. It is intended, if the application
is approved, to renew the application every five years for at least a twenty year
period. This application is presently under advisement by the City Planning Commission.
Grading
Permits for six grading operations involving the removal of over 1,500,000
cubic yards of earth were processed during the year.
SPECIAL PROJECTS AND RETORTS
State Park Priorities
An analysis of all park projects proposed for consideration and inclusion

in the State Park system was made, and recommendations for priority of development
were reviewed and adopted by the joint committee representing the City Planning
Commission, the Recreation and Park Commission, and the Art Commission, and were
Submitted to the Mayor and Board. of Supervisors.
-7cCenter Master Plan

An interdepartmental Technical Coordinating Committee, chaired by the
rector of Planning, employed consulting architects and engineers to develop a
ng-term plan for the expansion of governmental and cultural facilities in the
VIC Center. The Committee and Consultants submitted recommendations concerning
ty office and court needs which are reflected in the bond issue proposal, to be
bmitted to the voters for approval this coning November, for construction of a
W Court House and for conversion and rehabilitation of space in the City Hall for
fice use. The work of the Committee and consultants will be completed in the
57-1958 fiscal year in the form of a complete development plan for the Civic Center.
League Stadium Studies
At the request of Mayor Christopher and Supervisor McCarty this department,
cooperation with the Recreation and Park Department, the Department of Public
ks and the Real Estate Department, studied various sites in San Francisco for a
eball stadium. Sites were analyzed as to area requirements, accessibility by
risit and auto, climatic conditions, and topographic features. The availability
the site in terms of ownership, public or private, the cost of acquisition and
time required for site clearance and preparation were also taken into consideran. The studies indicated a preference for sites in the south bayshore area of
Francisco,
and Na
Closer liaison and working relationships were established between the
rtment of City Planning and the Commanding General of the Sixth Army and the
idio Post Planning Board, and with the Commander and planning staff of the
1 Shipyard at Hunters Point, to the end that problems of physical growth and
ge affecting the city and the military installations can be anticipated and
lv ed.
s Point - Bay View Park
The greatest growth problems confronting the city are in the southeast
tion along the Bay between Islais Creek and the County Line. The Naval Shipyard,
ch is expanding in area, the Hunters Point Reclamation District which has been
ated to reclaim tideland areas south of the shipyare, and the relatively inessible Bay View Parkhill, adjacent to the Candlestick Point site for the
rmts? baseball stadium, are related parts of a growth and development problem
ch has been under study by the Department in the past year,
rsonnel Administration and Salary Standardization
The Department has had continuing difficulty in the recruitment of
equately trained and qualified personnel to fill vacancies on the staff. It
the recommendation of the Commission and staff that recruitment of city planners
established on the basis of nation wide examinations, rather than on the one year
Francisco residence requirement. The demand for trained and experienced city
anners has greatly exceeded the supply since world Par 11 and the problem is
ME
becoming more acute each year. By opening the Civil Service examinations on the
basis of established technical proficiency and firm requirements respecting education and experience, it is believed that additions to the staff to fill any
vacancies through resignations or as a result of new permanent positions being
established will be in the best interest of the City and of the planning program.
It is further recommended that the rule of one be abolished by the Civil
Service Commission to permit the new almost universally accomplished rule of three
to apply. Examining techniques seldom take sufficient account of personality
factors and other important qualifications which are valuable in achieving a
balanced and effective city planning staff, The Department further recommends that
the six months probation period for new employees should be extended to a full year.
Adaptability and interest of new staff members requires a longer period than six
months in some cases and the option to test a new employee for a period longer than
si monthsi c1eemed a dsiabloptin..
Additional Activities and Services Provided
The Department of City Planning in the course of each year is called upon
to engage in numerous activities and provide many services which are important and
useful to the public and to the city administration, but which ordinarily escape
notice. A number of examples are given below..
National Planning Conference
The Director was successful, after several attempts in recent years, in
bringing the National Planning Conference, held annually by the American Society of
Planning Officials, to San Francisco. This important meeting, attended by more than
1500 persons from all over the United States and many foreign countries, was held
at the Palace Hotel March 17 to 21, 1957.
Olin
MayorChristopher, Planning Commission President Roger Lapliam, Jr., and

the Director of Planning were speakers at the Conference which was widely reported
throughout the country and locally by the national news services, a score of
.Metropolitan newspapers who covered the Conference, and by the local press.
Area Plannin
The Commission and staff have participated in numerous conferences and
eetings held in San Francisco and in other Bay Area communities on regional planing legislation and on other planning subjects. The departmental staff has
Ooperated with the staffs of the Bay Area counties and cities on numerous matters
f mutual concern and interest.
The California Legislature acted upon a number of planning bills during
the 1957 session both with respect to the provisions of these bills and in connection with hearings of Assembly Committees, for example the Collier Committee and
the Lindsay Committee, also Senator Breeds Committee on Subdivisions. Staff
Cooperation was freely given when required. Two bills which became law, AB3360,
the Planning District Act, and S13850, the Bay Area Rapid Transit District Act, are
important to the continued progress of the Bay Area in solving its transportation
nd general development problems ona coordinated basis,
The Department staff cooperated with and supplied information to the Grand
ury, Planning and Housing Association, the Bay Area Rapid Transit Commission, the
j County Planning Council, the Commonwealth Club, the Bay Area Pollution Control
oarct, in addition to continuing assistance and consultation with the Chamber of
oinmerce, the American Institute of Architects, the Real Estate Board, Associated
:ome Builders and many others.
The staff assisted the United Community Fund in the establishment of
istrict Councils to coordinate welfare and recreational activities and to promote
eighbor hood leadership.
Each year the Department cooperates with Coro Foundation in the trainng in this office of two or more Coro interns. The interns who have been trained
n the Department have found excellent positions in government and industry upon the
onclusion of their internship.
The Department assists the University of California, in particular its
epartment of City and Regional Planning, itsCollege of Architecture and its School
I Business Administration, in the onduct of planning and structural problems,
usiness and industry research and the like. Publications of the San Francisco City
lanning office are in demand in major university and college libraries and
unicipal Reference Libraries throughout the United States and in a number of
oreign countries.
The U.S. Department of State and the Governmental Affairs Institute has
elected the city planning office asaprincipal port of call for group and mdivdual leaders to visit. For example, teams of Swedish, German, Japanese and Italian
eaders in government and public affairs have been sent to the Department of City
lanning for lectures and briefing in planning and government. The number each year
verages at least five per month, The State Department on numerous occasions has
omriended the Department of City Planning for its cooperation and its contributions
o the success of these programs of international cooperation.
A member of the staff of the Department, Chief of the Projects Planning
i.vision Frank Lombardi, has served as President of the California Chapter, American
flstitute of Planners, during the year.
The president of the Planning Commission, the Director of Planning, the
hiefs of the four Divisions of the Department, and the Secretary have spoken on
Umerous occasions during the year before San Francisco civic, business and neighorhood organizations. Members of the staff, in particular the Director, have
dciressed national conferences meeting in San Francisco or nearby communities during
he year.
imary Comment
The work program and budget of the Department, as approved by the Planning
mission and as approved with modifications by the Mayor and Board of Supervisors,
been adhered to conscientiously during the fiscal year herein reported. A
thly progress report indicating all current work, reporting in detail all work
Process and work completed, based upon priorities in scheduling, was inaugurated
uary of 1957. This has proved to be a valuable reporting instrument for the
dance of Commission and staff. Copies are sent to the Mayor, to the members of
-10the Board of Supervisors, and to a number of department heads as well.

Substantial progress has been made during the year in all aspects of the
work in the Department to the extent time and energy and budge.t of the Commission
and staff have permitted.
The Mayors letter to all departments, dated August 22, 1957 requested
that the Department report under six enumerated headings. As all headings are
covered where applicable to the Department of City Planning in the text of the
above report excepting only items (3) and (4), these are covered under the
following:
Item 3. Comparison of Expenditures
Appropriation No,
Bud, et Appropriation
-
6,119.200.000 (Contractual
Services)
Expenditure
$7,499,
$6,058.96
75.
82.52
6.119,300.000 (Materials and Supplies)
1,070.
1,363.11
6,119,800.000 (Membership Dues, as

authorized by Ordinance
No. 4942)
630,
630.00
6.119.203.000 (Use of Employees Cars
Item 4. Estimated revenues (fees for zone changes, variances, etc.) was $3,800.
Actual receipts amounted to $4,760.
Paul Oppermann
July 1, 1957 - June 30, 1958
ANNUAL REPORT
September 12, 1958
CITY
AND
100 Larkin Street
COUNTY
OF
Civic Center
SAN
FRANCISCO
San Francisco 2
September 12, 1958
George Christopher, Mayor

200 City Hall
San Francisco 2
California
Dear Mayor Christopher:
In compliance with your request of August
15, 1958, and with Sections 20 and 25 of the
Charter of the City and County of San Francisco,
there is transmitted herewith a report of the
activities of the Department of City Planning
for the fiscal year extending from July 1, 1957
through June 30, 1958.
Very truly yours,
James R. McCarthy
Attachment
Annual Re po rt, 1957-1958

The City Planning Commission at the beginning of the fiscal year was
comprised of the following five citizen members: Roger D. Lapham, Jr., President; Robert P. Lilienthal, Vice President; Donald Beach Kirby; Mrs. Charles
B. Porter; and Thomas P. White. On December 11 Mr. Joseph E. Tinney was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. Kirby. In January, the Commission, in accordance with its rules and regulations, re-elected
Mr. Lapham as its President, and elected Mr. White as its Vice President for
the calendar year 1958.
The ex-officio members were Thomas A. Brooks, Chief Administrative
Officer; and T. N. Bland, Manager of Utilities, represented by Bernard A.
Devine, Chief Engineer and Manager of the Bureau of Light, Heat and Power.
The Commission held 50 meetings. Officially advertised zoning hear ings were conducted at 24 meetings.
Paul Oppermann, who had served as Director of Planning since March 21,
1949, resigned effective March 21, 1958 to accept the position of Executive Director for the Northeastern Illinois Metropolitan Area Planning Commission. The
Commission appointed James R. McCarthy, a Senior City Planner with twelve years
service in the Department, as Acting Director of Planning. On May 8, 1958 Mr.
McCarthy was appointed by the Commission to serve as Director of Planning.
Another significant staff change which occurred during the year was
the resignation of Frank P. Lombardi, a Senior City Planner with twelve years
service in the Department, to accept an appointment from Governor William F.
Quinn to the position of Territorial Planning Director for the TerritDry of
Hawaii.
-2New_Zoning Ordinance
The Commission completed its review of the text of the proposed new
zoning ordinance and submitted its recommendations to the Public Buildings,
Lands, and City Planning Committee of the Board of Supervisors. This Committee completed its review of the text and in turn submitted the text to
the Board for adoption. Differences still existed over the standards recommended for floor area ratios in the Central Business District. Special study
was given to this matter by the Department and a compromise ratio was recommended by the Commission. This one aspect of the text remained unresolved at
the end of the fiscal year.
Redevelopment Project Area E-1: The Golden Gat eway
During the year the Commission employed the Western Real Estate Research Corporation to update its earlier analysis and report upon the market
for office space and for apartment units in the lower Market Street - Embarcadero Redevelopment Area E. The Commission also advanced the redevelopment
project proposed for this area by adopting on April 10, 1958 a preliminary
plan for Prject Area B-i.
The Department subsequently worked with the Re-
development Agency and its consultants, Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, in

coordinating the interests of all affected city and state agencies and developing the Tentative Plan for the project area.
Ferry Building Park
The Department conducted numerous discussions with the San Francisco
Port Authority and with the aid of the Department of Public Works and the
Recreation and Park Department, presented at the end of the fiscal year a
plan, acceptable to all agencies concerned, for a four-acre park to be developed at the foot of Market Street in the designated Redevelopment Area E.
-3This plan, to be submitted to the voters for bond issue approval, would wipe
out one of the worst pockets of blight along the Bay shore of the city and
stimulate new private development in the vicinity both in and adjacent to the
Redevelopment Project Area E-l. Earlier in the year the Department participated in the preparation of an exhibit on the redevelopment and park plans
which was displayed in the Main Library from July 15 to August 30, 1957.
Other Urban Renewal Activities
The Department actively participated in activities of the Interagency
Committee for Urban Renewal and has served the Citizens Participation Committee for Urban Renewal. The Western Addition Cowunity Leaders Meeting on
Urban Renewal, held in February, received major assistance fron the Department.
The Department participated in the development of the first draft of the housing code and reviewed subsequent drafts in detail to ensure its compatibility
with the new zoning ordinance. The City Planning Corission met with the Redevelopment Agency and made recommendations for the establishment of three
additional renewal areas in the Western Addition and for the de-designation
of that portion of Redevelopment Area A situated south of Fulton Street.
Planning Area Studies
The period of 1957-58 saw the completion of detailed studies for the
54 residential planning areas of the city. This program, which has been carried on over a three year period, consists of a new land use survey, a revision f the land use plan in the area, maps and data relating t the age and
maintenance of structures and population and housing characteristics for each
area. The City-Wide Land Use Plan, a part of the Master Plan, was revised
and amended by the Commission in April of 1958 on the basis of the planning
area studies. The maps to accompany the new zoning ordinance are now being
-4 revised using the same materials. Similar studies are now being made of the
working or industrial areas of the city.
The planning area studies are designed to be of use also in the urban
renewal program now being undertaken md are an important part of the Workable
program for Urban Renewal to which the City is committed.
Ciic Center Development Plan
The Department continued t, participate through its representation on
the Civic Center Technical Coordinating Committee, established by the Board of
Supervisors, in the preparation of an expansion and long-range development
plan for the Civic Center. This work, undertaken primarily by consultants
with the guidance of the Committee, is expected to be completed and submitted
for public review before the November election.
One-Way Street Plan
Recommendations based on the amended One-Way Street Plan of the Master
Plan were made by the Planning Commission to the Board of Supervisors and were
adopted, with modifications, on July 15, 1957. Prior to placing the plan in
effect numerous meetings were attended by the staff regarding objections to
certain features of the adopted plan. The plan was amended on September 30,
1957 by the Board of Supervisors as a result of objections but later revised
on November 25, 1957, to conform with the plan originally adopted in July 1957.
The plan was accepted by the Board of Supervisors in January 1958, after a 90day trial period.
School Location Plan
Staff work was completed on the School Location Plan proposed for
adoption as an amendment to the Master Plan and was submitted to the School
District for final staff review before presentation to the City Planning Cornmission and the conduct of a hearing.

Cur rent 2ni!a
During the year, a ttal of 150 applications were heard by the Commiss ion and processed. Of these 99 were for Zoning reclassification, 33 for var-
iance from the provisions of the Minimum Lot Size Ordinance, 6 for changes in
setback lines, 11 for variance from the Offstreet Parking Ordinance, and one a
conditional use authorization for a quarry. In 15 cases there were appeals
from the rulings of the City Planning Commission. The Board of Supervisors
sustained the Commissions action in 8 cases, overruled the Commission in 6
cases, and one appeal failed to quality.
Many of the zoning requests engendered widespread public interest; one
hearing was held in the Chambers of the Board of Supervisors with an overflow
crowd. The Commission initiated one rezoning action on its own motion, and
held an unofficial explanation meeting at the Edison School for the benefit of
resident property owners.
The review and approval of building permit applications for conformity
with the regulations of the City Planning Code is a major continuing task of
the Zoning Division of the Department. Such applications exceeded 1050 per
month during the year.
In addition, permit applications referred by the Fire,
Police, and Public Health Departments are continuously processed. These averaged 125 per month during the year. In addition to a daily average of 60
telephne inquiries, some 35 persons were served daily at the zoning counter.
Chinatown Garment Factories
A staff study was brought t, near completion on the problem of zoning
violations involving over 100 small garment factories in Chinat.wn. A unique
problem exists in this area and an intensive investigation was conducted.
Recommendations for alleviation if the problem will be submitted to the Commission for consideration in the near future.
-6Subdivisions
In accordance with Section 118 of the Charter, eight subdivisions were
reviewed by the Commission and reports with recommendations were made to the
Director of Public Works. A total of 528 lots were established. The subdivision plans were principally in the Mount Davidson and Sutro Forest areas. They
included a portion of Miraloma Park, Marietta Park, and Forest Knolls #2. Also
reviewed was the site plan for the Hunters Point Housing Prject, Cal 1-17B.
Five subdivisions adjoining city-owned property in San Mateo County
were received for review and were referred to affected operating departments.
At the request 3f the Midtwn Terrace Home Owners Association, a study
was made of the potentialities for planting the slopes and improving the general appearance of the tract through a coordinated planting program, and a report was submitted by the Commission.
Referrals
A tta1 of 92 referrals were received under provisions of Sections
69.1 and 116.1 of the Charter for review and report as to conformity with the
Master Plan. Most of the referrals submitted under Section 116.1 of the Charter concerned proposed land acquisition, land sales, land transfers, street
widenings, street extensions, sidewalk narrowings, street vacations and the
like. projects reviewed included land acquisition and access-street improvements for the Giants Stadium, and the acquisition of several firehouse sites.
The tenth annual report on a six year capital improvement program was
Submitted by the Department to the Mayor in compliance with Section 69.1 of
the Charter. Recommendations as to conformity with the Master Plan of each
project proposed for the fiscal year 1958-59 were made, and projects proposed
-7for 1959-60 through 1963-64 were listed. The report included also the prograss of projects under construction.
Capital improvement projects totalling $384,101,743 were proposed
for expenditures by departments, boards and agencies of the City and County
for the six year period 1958-59 through 1963-64 and beyind. During 1958-59,
projects totalling $61,140,994 were scheduled, while in the five subsequent
years $265,358,849 were proposed for expenditures. Projects estimated to cost
$57,601,900 are planned for construction after Juno 30, 1964.
During the fiscal year studies were begun of techniques that could be
employed toward evaluating on a citywide priority basis projects submitted in
the capital improvement program.
garring and Grading
The application for a quarry on the south slope of Bay View Park hill
proposing the removal of 500,000 cubic yards of material in a five year period was approved by the City Planning Commission subject to conditions controlling blasting, hDurs of operation, access routes and landscaping. This
excavation will provide material for fill and cover garbage disposal operations on adjacent property in San Mateo County.
A second quarry application for the same purpose, proposing the removal of 350,000 cubic yards of material in the vicinity of Tocoloma Avenue and
Lathrop Avenue was under consideration by the City Planning Commission.
Permits for five grading operatins including the grading for the
Giants Stadium were processed during the year.
Actual Expenditures Compared with Budget Appropriations
Actual expenditures by the Department, for items other than personnel,
compared with budget appropriation were as follows:
-8ationN.
7.119.200.000 (Contractual
Services)
7.119.203.000 (Use of Employees
Cars)
7.119.300.000 (Materials and
Supplies)
7.119.800.000 (Membership Dues,
as authorized by
Ordinance No.
4942)
Budget Appropriation
Expenditure
$8,161.00
$7,706.58
75.00
45.54
1,070.00
1,015.65
630.00
630.00
The estimated revenues, derived from fees received for applications

for zone changes and lot and parking variances was $4,000.00. Actual receipts
amounted to $4,570.00, indicating an increase in the volume of such applications. As the Dpartment of City Planning is essentially a service department,
advisory to other agencies as well as ti the Mayor and Board if Supervisors,
its budget is primarily for personnel. The quantity of materials and supplies
and contractual services available to the Department was severely cut from the
amounts requested by the Commission. The consequent quality of service offered
by the Department has therefore been diminished in some areas of activity where
its potential has not been realized.
The Years Ahead
The past year has been one of major change for the Department in terms
of staff personnel. The coming year will see a new stability as staff changes
are completed and reorganization of the major functions of the Department is
effected.
The major task -- indeed the principal task -- for the Department in
the coming year will be the completion Df the maps to accompany the new zoning
ordinance, the conduct of hearings throughout the city on the zoning district
-9ma ps by the Coission and staff, and the submission f final ip rccoramcnda-
tions to the Board of Supervisors. This is the highest priority special task
co nfronting
the Department in the year ahead to the end that the new zoning
ordinance can become the effective replacement of the 1921 ordinance still adjnistered today by the Department.

San Francisco City Planning Commission - 1947 - Annual Report

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San Francisco City Planning Commission - 1947 - Annual Report

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ANNUAL REPORT:

April 10, 1947

Sari, Francisco City P1 a nnl ng Comm

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

Room 252, City Hall

April 10, 1947

Roger D. Lapharn, Mayor

Fifty-One Meetings Held

Commission completed a study in

Second Bay Crossing Studied Made

In August, 1946 the Commission participated in the Citys

Commission Participated in Education Program

FOUR-YEAR REVIEW AND PROGRESS REPORT

December 12, 1947

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

100 Larkin Street, Civic Center

MICHEL D. WEILL, President

December 12, 1947

T. J. KENT, JR.. Direcar 01 Planning

Dear Mayor Lapham:

I SAN FRANCISCOS PLANNING RESPONSIBILITIES

planning in San Francisco as a recognized governmental activity

II TIKE FOUR YEARS

At the request of the Mayor the City Planning Commission prepared

1945: Master Plan Adoption, EmbarcaderoFreeway, Planning

The Six-Year Public Works Report was submitted by the Mayor to

1946: Transportation Council, Redevelopment, Sunset

1947: Transportation Progress Bonds, New Zoning Ordinance.,

major planning activities for the following year including (1)

The tools with which to work--technicians, consultants, space

CITY and COUNTY of SAN FRANCISCO

HONORABLE EL1R E. ROBINSON, MAYOR

Paul Oppermann, Director of Planning

This Annual Report, requested by Mayor Elmer E. Robinson in his

The Land Use Plan of the City and County

irector of Plax-ining Oppermann has served with the Department

he Land Use Plan of The City and County

In this Annual Report the process of growing in accordance with the

fic data have been reviewed in a series of special meetings. A

The Director of Planning has had the cooperation of the chiefs of

Many suggestions made in the course of this analysis have boon

toward development of a true capital improvements "program"

The Department maintains a specialized library, subject file, and

Forums the Commonwealth Club, the American Institute of Architects,

Visitors from local schools, Bay Area universities, other cities,

The Director of Planning has a strong conviction that a soundly

advisory function, it provides services to the Mayor and the city

VOLUME OF ZONING CASES

Number of Zoning Cases

This indicates an increase of 36% in the

CITY and COUNTY of SAN FRANCISCO

REPORT TO MAYOR ELMER E. ROBINSON

CITY PLANNING COMMISSION

Paul Oppermann, Director of Planning

DEPARTNT OF CITY PLANNING

City Planning Commission

Appendix A. Civil Defense

City Planning Commission

Throughout the year study of the proposed new zoning ordinance,

fo llowing fiscal years respectively. Thus the rezoning case load

Clubs, an a nenb:r of other n -:erosted c:Ltizons and orgarzations.

Other phases of the citys official transportation program in

bus terminal, and aid to the California Aeronautics Commission, in