Work with Planning Department to develop Neighborhood Commercial Design Guidelines that reflect and support the character of the Sunset District. 

 

In Fall 2014, our office worked with the Planning Department to develop a survey on design and land use in the Sunset. The survey was designed to get public input from residents and visitors to the Sunset on building design and different types of development in commercial areas. Through this survey, our office was able to find out the types of businesses people frequent most, the types of stores or services that are missing from the Sunset, and the features and qualities people enjoy in the business corridors.

 

To view the survey results, visit http://www.sfbos.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=53075

 

Visual preference: 55% of English respondents preferred a retail or restaurant space on the ground floor, while 62.5% of Chinese respondents prefer residential use with a ground floor lobby. Respondents generally preferred transparent ground floors, balconies, and outdoor seating.

 

New unit design: Both English and Chinese respondents generally prefer newer and older four story buildings with retail on the ground floor. A majority were also open to the idea of more units in a building as long as the overall size of the building did not change.

 

Favorite street/building in the Sunset: People generally stated that the commercial corridors were their favorite including Irving, Judah, Noriega and Taraval (in order of preference).

 

Design features: When asked what design features made a street or building their favorite, respondents said restaurants, the ocean, interesting shops, businesses, and locally owned businesses.

 

The feedback generated from this survey will inform the Planning Department’s upcoming work on Neighborhood Commercial Design Guidelines for the entire city. We will work closely with Planning Department staff as they begin to create these guidelines.