Biosciences Task Force
MINUTES
of the
SAN FRANCISCOBIOSCIENCES
TASK FORCE
Tuesday, November 9, 2004 at 4:00 p.m.
City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton Goodlett Place, Rm. 421
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chair Corinne Woods at 4:20 p.m.
Present: Jan Bolaffi Dick Morten Peter Cohen Karen Pierce
My Do Joe Raguso
Susan Exline (DCP) Scott Williams
Terri Feeley Corinne Woods
Amit Ghosh (DCP) Lori Yamauchi
Absent: Reed Benet Madison Kilpatrick
Michael Costa Dr. Mike Le
Chris Geiger (DOE) Scott Ogus
Tom Hui (DBI) Greg Stewart
Elaine Warren
2. REPORT OF TASK FORCE WORKING GROUP
Peter Cohen: group has been looking at land use and zoning. Report considers differences of opinion on TF re extent to which City should aggressively encourage bioscience. So report attempts to provide layering of possibilities, using concept of overlay zones, for where bioscience research and development could go in industrial areas and allows movement for policy makers to decide what works best.
First part is narrative that describes framework of three zones or tiers that geographically would allow for bioscience R and D in different parts of the industrial areas. Zone 1, termed “constrained,” a relatively modest, limited area, is a ring around Mission Bay.
Second and third zones, or tiers, move outwards from that inner area. This extends the area that would allow bioscience R and D a little further out from Mission Bay and Hunters Point, a little deeper into existing industrial areas. Zone 2 has advantage of being on heavy transportation corridors. Third zone goes out into north Mission, South of Market, southern large area of the central waterfront and big pieces of Bayview, northwest Bayview, around but not including the produce market.
Greg Asay, of Supervisor Maxwell’s office: intention in establishing Task Force was that TF recommendations would help inform the final decision-making by Planning Dept. and the Board of Supervisors.
Discussion ensued re maximum accessory office space. There are different definitions for each of the office uses. Lab office is part of a research environment; administrative office is accessory to a research lab.
Ms. Woods: need to make difference between administrative and research offices; not our intent to go up to 50% in administrative offices: if trying to attract incubator companies outside redevelopment areas, perhaps 25% would be enough. Wants TF to study issue more; need guidelines.
TF also discussed size of buildings, land use patterns and which areas the focus should be.
3. DRAFT TASK FORCE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Dick Morten and the Task Force clerk put all the members contributions together and typed a document that will serve as a start of a working draft. Want to prepare a report with appendices that contain each member’s document.
Ms. Woods: would like TF to come to consensus for report; can have a minority opinion if necessary but would like to avoid it.
Working Group agreed to meet next Thursday to work out zoning controls
Editorial group (Woods, Morten, Pierce) will meet on Tuesday to work on report.
4. PROPOSED LEGISLATION RE SHOWPLACE SQUAREINTERIM CONTROLS
Supervisor Maxwell’s legislation is asking that the City stop spot rezoning until the planning process goes through. Ms. Woods asked for a motion to support this legislation. Ms. Pierce made the motion. Mr. Morten seconded. Mr. Asay of Supervisor Maxwell’s office explained that the legislation was designed because of displacement of businesses around Showplace Square and Potrero. Ms. Yamauchi offered a friendly amendment to focus on areas near Mission Bay that would be prime for biosciences. Ms. Woods did not accept the amendment, saying that it was important to support this legislation rather than support cherry picking zoning, building by building. With one abstention, the TF unanimously agreed to send letter of support. Ms. Woods will compose letter and send it out to everyone for approval
5. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
