Category Archives: BCNA News

At the start of 2016, the BCNA Board of Directors wanted to develop a longer-term strategic plan as a means to establish goals and objectives for the organization.  Consequently, the Board created a survey to get feedback from its members to ensure it is meeting their needs and that its mission statement reflects the key priorities of the community.  Here are the survey results from over 70 BCNA members, which provided feedback to assist the BCNA Board in understanding where members would like the organization to focus its time and resources going forward.

BCNA Membership Survey Results

• Almost 70 BCNA members completed the membership survey, which was a figure much higher than expected
• Over 95% of the members agree with our mission statement
  • Many members would like to see the organization be even more proactive
• Over 90% believe that the BCNA is fulfilling its mission statement
  • More community involvement is needed to ensure the success of the BCNA
• Members believe that our most important focus areas should as follows:
  • Neighborhood development
  • Community outreach
  • Safety
• Most of the BCNA members belong to another neighborhood organization
  • Roughly half are members of the Golden Gateway Tenants Association
  • Others are members of Telegraph Hill Dwellers, Golden Gateway Commons, FOGG and Telegraph Hill Landing
• Members joined the BCNA to:
  • Be kept informed about activities in the neighborhood
  • Meet other members and be part of a community
  • Preserve and protect the character of the neighborhood
• A number of members are interested in getting more involved in the BCNA
  • Neighborhood development is a key area of interest
  • Many others have an interest, but don’t have time at this point
• Members believe that the BCNA’s main priority is to continue pursuing the items listed in its Mission Statement
  • Continuing to improve the conditions in our neighborhood
  • Proactive in keeping the neighborhood historic, safe and vibrant

BCNA Mission Statement
As set forth in the Bylaws, the purposes of BCNA shall be:

• To bring about information exchange, cooperation, and united action among the residents, property owners, and businesses in the Neighborhood
• To beautify and improve the Neighborhood
• To encourage a friendly association among people who live and/or work in the Neighborhood
• To protect the Neighborhood’s basic character, building scale, and open space—including public and private passive and active open recreational space
• To maintain the quality of life in the Neighborhood
• To keep alive the memory of the Neighborhood’s significant place in San Francisco’s history
• To monitor those actions of city government and other public agencies that affect the Neighborhood

All members of the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association are cordially invited to attend the annual membership meeting on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at 4:00 pm in the Bella Vista Room of Il Fornaio Restaurant, 1265 Battery Street.  The featured speaker will be District 3 supervisor Aaron Peskin.  BCNA board members for the coming year will be elected by the membership.

Friends and neighbors are welcome.  Il Fornaio’s delightful hors d’oeuvres will be served.  Please save the date.

By Bill Hannan

BCNA Board Member

On April 30, 2016 our state assemblyman David Chiu and our city supervisor Aaron Peskin held a public forum at San Francisco Community College at Kearny & Washington Streets.

David is chairman of the state assembly Housing Committee, and discussed several bills being considered in the legislature, including his proposed $1.3B housing bill, and 5 other bills including use of MediCal funds for supportive housing to reduce the need for emergency room medical services to homeless people.  He also sponsors a bill to close loopholes in existing laws regulating assault weapons.

In response to questions, David and Aaron each stated support for Proposition C on the June ballot in San Francisco to fund more affordable housing.  Aaron criticized Academy of Art University (“Academy of Real Estate”) for converting existing housing to dormitories.  Aaron lamented attrition of SROs, and abuse of AirB&B to create illegal hotels.  David mentioned that city regulations on AirB&B have been slowly progressing, but are now coming into effect.

Asked about affordable housing for middle-income earners such as teachers and firefighters, both said the traditional focus has been on low-income housing and that shortage of middle-income housing has been increasing.  Aaron stated that Proposition C includes 10% for middle-income and moderate-income residents.

BCNA’s Diana Taylor asked about neighborhood retail being squeezed out by offices.  David and Aaron replied that state law prohibits commercial rent control.  Aaron discussed the new SF legacy business program, which is now beginning.

BCNA’s Bob Harrer asked about sources of state funding for new programs.  David replied that his $1.3B housing bill would be a one-time expense paid out of a $4B state surplus, but that Governor Brown “is not there yet”.  Other possibilities are a “cap & trade” approach such as having polluters pay for cleanup costs, and also building new housing near existing transit corridors, or a $75 state fee for each real estate transaction.  David lamented cuts by former governor Schwarzenegger to state highway and transit funding.

Asked about school funding, in which California ranks near the bottom nationally, David recalled that Proposition 13 froze property taxes that supported public education, but said recent state programs are beginning to increase education funding, and Aaron said San Francisco has recently increased its local public school funding.

Gateway resident and FOGG head Lee Radner asked about the State Lands Commission suit against the City over Proposition B’s restrictions on waterfront height limits.  Both David and Aaron expressed support for Proposition B. Aaron said the case is scheduled for trial in October, 2016, and the City Attorney says he remains confident of his position.