From The San Francisco Standard · · 1m 30s
Lurie's Housing Policy Claim
Mayor Lurie's staircase policy change sparks YIMBY skepticism.
In brief
Mayor Lurie's staircase policy change sparks YIMBY skepticism. Mayor Daniel Lurie announced a policy change allowing single staircases in apartment buildings but housing advocates say it's a hollow move without actual code changes. Originally reported by The San Francisco Standard.
Mayor Lurie's policy announcement
Mayor Daniel Lurie claimed the city would modify staircase requirements in new apartment buildings ahead of code implementation.
Housing advocates' reaction
Housing advocates and building experts decried Lurie's announcement as hollow and unnecessary.
Policy details
The draft guidelines propose letting developers of four- to six-story buildings request one staircase with a second exit.
Fire safety concerns
The Fire Department privately pushed back against single-stair ordinances, emphasizing safety standards.
No actual code change
The city's building code wouldn't change, requiring an ordinance passed by the Board of Supervisors for single-stair buildings.
YIMBY skepticism
YIMBYs say the policy change is thin gruel and lacks meaningful impact on housing development.
Historical context
Single-stair reform has long been a holy-grail issue for YIMBYs seeking to spur housing development.
State-level efforts
Assemblymember Alex Lee introduced a bill to codify single-staircase in the building code at the state level.
Housing Action Coalition's stance
Housing Action Coalition wants city leaders to pursue a single-stair case ordinance to get Family Zoning projects built.
Current status
The draft guidelines are pending a nonbinding vote or revisions by the DBI committee.
The takeaway
Mayor Daniel Lurie announced a policy change allowing single staircases in apartment buildings but housing advocates say it's a hollow move without actual code changes.
