"Progress" in Hayes Valley

From: Michael Mullin michael@michaelmullin.com
Date: Aug 23, 2007
Subject: Matt Smith "The End of Our Progress" August 22, 2007
To: letters@sfweekly.com

Dear Tom Walsh, Editor of SF Weekly

This article shamefully misrepresented the context of the proposed rezoning and redevelopment of the UC Berkeley Extension Campus. Recent zoning for Hayes Valley in the Octavia/Market Plan will double the population there. This zoning was developed in a community process which assumed the existence of the open space and public use of the Laguna Street Campus. The proposed rezoning and redevelopment of the campus marks the failure of one of the City's rare attempts at pro-active community-based city planning. This neighborhood already suffers the negative effects of high density, poor planning and limited open space, including violent crime. The City has no planning process for future public uses like social services. Without the campus, quality of life in the neighborhood deteriorates. Surely the City should apply standards for the development of planned open space and public services in areas of intense housing development. When this City was founded, that land was set aside for public use, demonstrating remarkable foresight that should not be forgotten. UC Berkeley was given this land in 1957 in order that they provide higher education there. If this land is now rezoned and redeveloped, then the lost potential for public services and open space will be felt most strongly by the residents of the many neighboring affordable family housing apartments, not to mention those soon to be developed.

Michael Mullin,

CEO Michael Mullin Architect, LTD