OFFICIAL BCNA NEWS
As we reported in the fall issue of the Barbary Coast Record, the major financial benefactors to the successful âNo Wall on the Waterfrontâ ballot referendum were Dick and Barbara Stewart, residents of Golden Gateway Commons (not The Gateway apartments, as continually stated in the Chronicle.)
Beyond mistaking their home location, the media in San Francisco has portrayed the Stewarts as âNIMBYâ rich people who donât want their views blocked. That is clearly not the case.
Their interest in preserving the waterfront for all San Franciscans runs much deeper than the single 8 Washington issue. Case in point is their contribution to the recent success of gathering more than 21,067 signatures to place a measure on the June San Francisco ballot that would require voter approval for any waterfront development that exceeds existing height limits. The Department of Elections certified the required 9,702 valid signatures in a record four days. So it will definitely be on the June ballot.
The Stewarts contributed $75,000 to the signature-gathering effort.
But as they stated in the last issue of the Record, âThe simple story of why we did what we did is that we live in the neighborhood, have enough money not to be pushed around, and see this fight as, indeed, involving the most fundamental and universal principles of urban development.â
They believe the effort to bring more community input into the development along the waterfront is an even more compelling matter.
âThis issue is clearly even more important than 8 Washington,â said Dick Stewart. âIf a project makes sense, and the developers can show that to the voters, then height limits can be adjusted.â
âBut as it stands now, only political insiders and lobbyists have a say in this crucial process,â he added.
Proponents of the initiative, including the Sierra Club, say that the City has a comprehensive plan that is already in place regarding height limits. If a change is needed, it should be done in the light of day and with the people having a say, they state.
If passed, the measure would put a check-and-balance effect on high-rise hotel and condo developments along the bay.
The three projects in the pipeline that would be most affected:Â the Golden State Warriors’ proposal for an 18,000-seat arena complex at Piers 30-21; the San Francisco Giants’ plan for an urban village at what is now their main parking lot; and the development of the industrial Pier 70 area.