March 3, 2022
TO: The SF Redistricting Task Force (RDTF@SFGOV.ORG )
RE: Â District 3 United Neighborhoods Proposed Plan & Map
We, the undersigned neighborhood organizations, are writing to express our support for the redistricting plan shown below for District 3.[1]  This plan adjusts District 3âs boundaries by simply extending the existing western boundary of Van Ness northward all the way to the Bay. This approach incorporates the missing ânotchâ bounded by Van Ness, Union St, Jones-Columbus-Leavenworth, and the Bay into D3.  The remaining boundaries of D3 are unchanged.
D3 United Neighborhoods Plan: Proposed Map & Boundaries:
Figure 1: Boundaries Van Ness (west), Bay (north & east), Mission, Steuart, Market to Cyril Magnin St, etc. (south, same as current D3). SEE MAP BELOW.
This plan is similar to the one previously submitted by the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association, North Beach Neighbors, Russian Hill Neighbors and other signatory organizations. It meets the Task Forceâs redistricting criteria while offering significant benefits, which include:
- Uniting the Russian Hill neighborhood, which is currently split between D3 and D2. The Russian Hill Neighbors sent a letter to the Task Force on February 11 requesting a plan that unifies their neighborhood and combines it with their peer neighborhoods in District 3.
- Maintaining the integrity of existing neighborhoods (e.g., North Beach, Chinatown, Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill, Nob Hill, Polk Street, and Barbary Coast). This proposal does not create new splits in any neighborhood nor any new divisions in D3 racial/ethnic populations under the city charter.
- Meeting the district population requirement within 1% of âideal.â The population of D3 with the current boundaries is 72,474 or 8.9% below the ideal number of 79,545. By extending the northwestern boundary to Van Ness, D3âs population would be 78,908 a mere 0.8% below the ideal.
- Continuing a tradition of diverse people within communities of interestâprimarily mixed Asian and non-Hispanic White population. District 3âs demographics mirror San Franciscoâs mixed minority-majority ethnicity with fewer than half of the population non-Hispanic Whites (39.8%) and more than one-third Asians (34.9%) according to a 2022 population study. According to the 2019 ACS maps of SF, while the majority of D3 residents speak English, more than 90% also speak an Asian or Pacific Islander language in their home.
- Connecting Ghirardelli Square, the Cannery, and Aquatic Park with other D3 waterfront and tourist attractions (Fishermanâs Wharf, Pier 39, Exploratorium, North Beach, Ferry Building, Alcatraz Tours, Coit Tower, Chinatown, and Union Square). At the same time, it maintains commercial corridors of small and neighborhood serving businesses (North Beach, Polk Street, Jackson Square, Chinatown).
- Featuring a high concentration of dense housing and a close working relationship with the Central Police Station.
- Reflecting communities of interest by maintaining solidarity among neighborhood groups having a long, storied history of collaboration, cooperation, and community with their fellow neighborhood and merchant organizations.
In summary, this proposed plan meets the redistricting requirements of population equity, racial/ethnic diversity, and the integrity of existing communities of interest. It is simple and logical, taking advantage of the natural boundary provided by Van Ness Avenue. Most Importantly, it aligns with wishes of various neighborhood associations having a long history in District 3.
Respectfully submitted (alphabetical by organization),
[1] Other District 3 organizations have expressed agreement in-concept with the D3 United Neighborhoods Plan & Map but could not meet our submission deadline.
cc: Supervisor Peskin (Aaron.Peskin@sfgov.org)
