the president of the board of supervisors, supervisor david chiu's nomination of cindy wu to the planning commission, for the term ending july 1, 2012. supervisor kim: thank you. cindy wu is here. same format. >> good afternoon. too much for considering my nomination. if appointed, i believe i would bring expertise and experience in community planning. i have management the chinese -- i have managed the program in chinatown over the last four and half years, giving experience in diverse communities in building technical skills. i came to ccdc from the graduate planning program themit, and i studied housing, a committee, and economic development. prior to that, i worked in support of housing act glide. in my work, and focused to break

down barriers that prevent people from the planning conversations and decisions in the city that might include language access or the fact that someone is working two jobs and they do not have time to be part of the process. i have look for creative and culturally specific ways to engage the public on planning issues. some examples of projects i have worked on recently are the broadly corridor planning, arts and storefronts, relocation planning due to construction projects. although much of my work as been focused on a few neighborhoods, it appointed, i would have an open-door policy and make it a priority to partner with on the ground stakeholders in other neighborhoods. i also think there might be potential to do cross- neighborhood lbored. we all right to say buses and go to the same gathering spots. with the commonalities we can find? as san francisco grows and changes, i want to make sure all people are represented in part of the process. one question that many people have been asking me about is if

there are potential conflicts due to my day job at ccdc. i did speak with the city attorney's office and understand that anything with the financial impact would be a conflict, so for example, i would have to recuse myself if ccdc or putting housing project forward. finally, just wanted to thank everyone who has supported me through this, especially those who have written letters and have come here today to support me. supervisor kim: thank you. i know we will have some questions from my colleagues to but i just wanted to flesh out the conflict issue a little more. if ccdc comes before the planning commission, you have to recuse yourself. can you talk about other gray areas in your conversation with the city attorney? >> i asked about questions such as if there were a large area plan, for example, the eastern neighborhoods plan, and if ccdc

owns land in that area plan to the advice of the attorneys i spoke to was that i just call at that time and work through every single issue at that time, but at this point, they did not see that it would necessarily be a conflict. supervisor kim: it the organization to deposition on the project, how would that impact your ability to vote on an issue? >> again, he did not see it as a conflict at this time, but recommended that i call when and if that situation came up. supervisor kim: thank you. supervisor campos thank you very much. i want to thank ms. wu for putting replication forward. it is not easy to go through this process where you have to come to rules committee meeting and, you know, have this kind of discussion, but i do want to say thank you to anyone who wants to serve the city. they should be thanked. one of the things i always want to make sure happens with

respect to planning is making sure that, in an addition to playing the role that you have to play as a planning commissioner, you know, making sure that you apply the planning code and all the relevant notes and make the best decision possible, that you take into account community input in doing that. i am wondering if you can say a little bit about that, because that is something that is a big priority for us on the board of supervisors. if you can say a little bit about how you approach your role with respect to that? >> sure, that is most definitely been a priority for me. i came into planning work wanting to connect grass-roots groups to planning. i think that it is important for the planning department staff to work with the groups that are working in neighborhoods, so those might be community-based organizations. they might be churches. the mib other entities that already have those relationships, and getting the information to those groups and in creating a forum where input can be gathered and actually

used. sometimes at the public meeting, sometimes it could be something like a website. we have not seen websites or in-person work for a lot of communities. so you have to be careful about who you are working with entering to figure out what their needs are but obviously, language taxes, child care, time of day of the meeting, how you ask the questions, how you from the question. are you talking about enter regional context or in a way that is about people's daily lives. making the language understandable. sometimes land use decisions become just about policy. but really, it is about how you get to the grocery store, how you get to school, how you do the daily things you need to live in the city. supervisor campos: and i appreciate that. i think is a very important to make sure that is part of the equation. as discussions and decisions are made. one thing that i know is also important is not only how the

planning commission deals with the individual cases that come before it. that is a very important role, obviously. but also, long-term in terms of looking at city-wide policy, making sure that the planning department plays a role and making sure that we're making smart choices that are inclusive of all san franciscans and that we really think about big picture, how we're doing in terms of land use. you know, we recently requested an audit around the issue of affordable housing, and one of the things that is very clear in that audit, and i know at some point there will be a more in- depth hearing about that, is how the planning department is not doing enough in making sure that as individual projects are approved, that we have a sense of where those projects fit in the larger objectives and goals that we have. you know, affordable housing being one of them. can you say a little bit about

your perspective on that, and how do we make sure that going forward, that the planning department is more proactive in that kind of overview analysis? >> sure, some of my initial thoughts are around the structure of how projects come to the planning department. right, there are individual projects did you make a vote to approve or not approved it. but then, is there a tracking system or a way to think about the aggregate of all the projects? if one affordable housing project comes in front of you and the market read project, how they interact with each other and within the neighborhood in district, within the whole city. and having a way for the planning department to track that and to compare with what the goals are of what the housing element has laid out. supervisor campos: thank you. and i do think it is important that we do more work on that,

and it is not just the planning department doing more of that work but also the board of supervisors and the mayor's office, making sure that we stay on top of that. another issue that is also a very important issue is the interconnection between planning, land use, and transportation. and as someone who serves now on the ntc, i know that we regionally oriented -- are in the process of planning with the region will look like for the next 25 years. and trying to make sure that, as we talk about transportation, that land use issues are part of that discussion is not an easy thing to do. we're going to the sustainable community strategy, and one of the things we're trying to push as san francisco is to make sure that the region tries to direct transportation funding to

projects that create affordable housing. make sure that people in the region it not only are able to get around to and from work, but also are able to stay and live here. i am wondering if you can say a little bit about that, because i know that is going to be a big topic for all of us going forward? >> sure. i actually think it is really exciting time for planning. because of sbc 75, because of sustainable communities, there's a lot of focus on housing and land use. reducing greenhouse gases is a great goal, but we need to make sure we understand what all the applications of these policies are. so density itself can be a goal, but then, what does it mean for what is built to achieve that density? if we are going to be building along transportation corridors, we need to think about whether not that housing is affordable

or at market rates and whether there is a role of preservation for existing housing? it is so much more expensive to build a new affordable housing unit rather than preserve an existing one. we need to think about exactly how that impacts neighborhoods when we are pursuing these density or transportation, greenhouse gas reduction goals. supervisor campos: i appreciate that. i know there are other members of the planning commission who are here who also care about that issue, and i do think it is important for us to watch that. if you look at the five different scenarios that the region is looking at in terms of what we are going to look like as a region, even in most of these scenarios, you have situations where a low-income family would end up spending about 87% of their incumbents on both transportation and housing -- of their income on both transportation and housing. what does that say about what the region is going to look like

if you're talking about low- income families having to spend close to 90% of their income on those two things? and i do think that we need to get more communication between planning department folks and folks who are working on transportation. thank you. supervisor farrell: thank you. i think supervisor campos asked all the questions that i think are relevant. but we have eight -- we had a chance to speak before and i want to echo what supervisor campos said. one of my main priority is is that community input into the planning process. and i do think, in my year at the board of supervisors, i have seen that taking a back seat a lot of times with committee members being super frustrated with what is happening. i would love to see ways to continue to give all that and make it better over time. look forward to working with you on that. thank you for all your work and for being here today. >> thank you.

supervisor kim: and supervisor campos did go over some of the issues around incorporating neighborhood and community input and concerns. i was hoping you could speak a little bit about your own experience working as a community planner and how you feel that expertise and background will help guide you in the process is a planning commissioner? >> i think having to go from the actual community planning side, you understand sort of how difficult it is to translate the language. not just literally translates from one language to another, but trends with the jargon and the way the planning code is written into a way that is understandable for people. i think that experience and then also getting to know folks on the ground in the neighborhood and understanding needs from their point of view has been really important. and being aboard a ship the process, whether through workshops are some other format,

being able to shape is so they can get input that matters and input that can be heard. i think it has helped reshape a number of priorities around inclusion in the process, but also at around how we find creative solutions. how do we do development without displacement? how do we think about what the city needs, but then how do we recognize the people living in neighborhoods right now? supervisor kim: i appreciate that. i also appreciated your comments about how we translate the planning code in the community. i think it is pour your thinking about that. it is complicated, but it impacts the lives of people in our neighborhoods. most of the questions i were going to ask have been asked by supervisor campos. i want to recognize that commissioner moore is with us today. i did see supervisor olague walked into the room. this seat is to replace her on the planning commission.

at this time, we will open it up for public comment. i have some name cards. pleased lineup after the speakers if you would like to speak on behalf of ms. wu. cordnic lee, patrick valentino, brad paul, abby trent, and gail gilman. and please let up after these speakers that you would like to speak on item number three. you have two minutes. >> good afternoon. i currently work at the employees' support specialist with urban strategies and non- profit that supports a disadvantaged population to increase their capacity to earn money and contribute to their communities. i first met cindy last year through leadership san francisco, where we quickly became colleagues and friends. i wanted to say that in the 13

years i have committed myself and my own career in doing transformational change work, particularly with disadvantaged communities and communities that it disconnected from governance processes and being able to help support them in having a voice, i thing this opportunity for cindy wu is a great one for her because of her commitment to reaching out to those same populations and understanding that a lot of what the disconnected populations in san francisco have to deal with in terms of their income and capacity to access resources greatly impacts their ability to be productive and be present in a lot of our governing process is in san francisco. i think one of her priorities and one of her strengths is having the capacity to take a lot of the jargon and break it down to parts that are very engaging to people. and she has the capacity to be about to teach that to others. i think it would have a great

influence on the committee. [bell rings] i also wanted to say that i think, in addition to her commitment, she is also willing to take on the extra work. through working with her through the education committee with the leaders of san francisco, i got to know and hear a lot of her perspectives about just what san francisco needs in terms of really finding ways to engage in the spectrum of people who live here. not just making it a world-class city for people who have the resources to live well but also for people who are disconnected. i think it went over my time but i am sorry. supervisor kim: thank you. >> good afternoon. i am an attorney here in san francisco. i have gotten to know cindy wu through leadership san francisco, participating with her since september 2010, and the central subway task force.

i have learned several things about cindy during that time. she is a top tier professional in every sense of the word. a very thoughtful team player. in terms of the testimony here today, i have learned something already. she is incredibly bright, but also warm and even-tempered. she is very good balancing conflicting interests. so i am very excited to be supportive of her. she is in deep domain expertise and the subject matters that will come before her. i voiced support to her appointment to the san francisco planning commission. thank you. supervisor kim: thank you. >> thank you for the opportunity to speak. i am from the chinese culture cent -- foundation of san francisco, representing the chinese culture foundation to support the appointment of cindy wu as the planning commissioner. many people already know the great work cindy has done in the

past decade. however, today i want to talk about our work ourccdc, especially how we work with cindy. our organizations have collaborated closely on chinatown's public arts program. arts in store from, central soya, a nickel project. in this process, cindy is always there. not only has she been a strong advocate in a team player, but her inside, expertise, knowledge of public policy, particularly the understanding of the nuanced cultural, economic issues always provides a valuable resources and leadership in our collaboration. with our work by manalich and will immigrants to establish artists to youth in the committee mentored by the artists, together we're making a difference storefront by store from, block by block, and utilize our dozen engine to revitalize the economy and the vibrancy of the neighborhood. i want to reiterate our strong

support of cindy's appointment. we look forward to continuing to work with her, to build and energize the city of san francisco through art and cultural innovations. supervisor kim: thank you. >> commissioner moore is in an intense discussion. supervisor kim: she can always get the line. i apologize commissioner. i would have called you earlier. you are always welcome. >> thank you, supervisors. colleagues, i would like to add my voice, support for appointing cindy wu to the planning commission. it is not only cindy's educational background, but it is her professional qualifications that make her an ideal candidate for the commission. i am saying that partially because, although a few years

ahead of her in age and experience, that greatly contributes to the solid understanding of the issues involved, and creating essentials bridges between us and the public. i see cindy and her qualifications. i see a sensitive person. i see a big idea person data that helps a lot, particularly in response to your question. it is not just what we struggle with peter it is courageous large, overarching ideas. responding with consistency and larger feedback in terms of all the feedback of the committee in terms of policy and changes. what i like about cindy, i have observed are in small and in larger meetings, she listens. an extremely important attribute in the position of the commissioner, and she operates within the public discussion.

being a commissioner, it is not only what you think that what you feel, but it is really what you hear and what you're extract is being those issues that need to guide you. i find her decisionmaking balanced, and i see her as a skilled person. that is extremely important for me. i saw her last summer in the chinatown urban institute, which she invited me to be, like, a final observer in the building ceremonies. and i observed her impact on people who are understanding, civic engagement, planning, and civic engagement of a larger scale, which we will be involved in. i support her appointment and give considerations. supervisor kim: commissioner, thank you so much for taking the time to be here. thank you for your service. thank you for being here. >> madam chair, supervisors, my name is brad paul, and i have

been involved in housing and land use issues i think since 1974. i have sat through hundreds of hours of hearings and i have seen good commissioners, a pretty good commissioners, and not so good commissioners but i am excited to be here to support center. three reasons. akron, temperament, and age. she's too modest to say this, but she went to the two best planning school play in the country. she has also been meeting for the last four years ccdc's amazing planning program, one of the best in the contributor that not only do planning to do organizing, and a development. they know what it takes to build large projects. in terms of her temperament, you have heard of thoughtful she is, her experience, and what a good listener she is. today when planning commissioner antonini was thinking departing commissioner olague, he said that even though they often disagree, she was opened -- she

was open to other people's ideas, and that described as india's low. finally, her age. so part of a different generation of people involved. in our 50's and 60's. it is great to see people in their 20's, 30's, and 40's taking up this cause. cindy and the people behind me from these groups are committed, as several of you have suggested, to making sure that residents in your communities have the tools they need to have a real voice. and land use decisions, to determine who gets to live in the neighborhood and who does not. i think she would make an excellent commissioner. she will work with your residence in your needs in your neighborhoods and make you proud. thank you. supervisor kim: thank you. >> good afternoon, rules committee. ♪ rules are you who hoo i really want to know.

rules who are you? who hoo i really want to know good luck cindy wu who are you? i really want to know you work hard like a mule who hoo i really want to know you're no fool who are you now? good luck to cindy wu ♪ >> good afternoon, supervisors. does with the executive director of community housing partnership headed as we here to express our support for cindy wu to the planning commission to the city has worked tirelessly with individuals and groups that have been disenfranchised, who have not had a voice at the

table when it comes to regional planning. she has done this in communities such as the mission in chinatown where we have some of the most recent developments taking place and displacement affecting our communities. community has partnered with her and ccdc to bring to the table voices of individuals who are not normally heard videos are also given to speak to you as a d3 resident and someone who is a member of the neighborhood association. the outreach she has done to make sure that when issues affecting district 3, that all those voices come together, not just those from chinatown but those from the paul street corridor and the north beach neighbors, which are sometimes constituents who do not see eye to eye. cindy has had the talent for listening to those concerns and bringing together a plan that is beneficial to the whole community. we urge the rules committee to unanimously center for to the board, and we're excited to be working with her and watching her brought on a planning commission. thank you. supervisor kim: thank you.

>> good afternoon. yes the with laborers local 261. i am giving on behalf on our membership for the appointment, in support of the appointment of cindy. we're in support of her apartment for the planning commission encourage you to do the same. thank you. supervisor kim: thank you. kevin chang. >> good afternoon, commissioners, supervisors. i am an organizer, and i am a lifelong resident of the excelsior district and a longtime organizer in the mission district. you know, i am wholeheartedly support on the planning commission. i think a lot of folks that came before me expressed her talent,

her spectrum of abilities and experience. me, as an organizer, focus on the eastern side of the city. along with our allies, we forward you a letter on behalf of a dozen organizations representing the east side, from a filipino committees to latin base to mean it published amenities, african-american, the working class of the city. we really wanted to make sure that there is a place there that on the planning commission, many times our issues have fallen on deaf ears. port christina olague, having to hold up that way in hold the line on that. it has always been successful, and these are huge, huge shoes to fill. i thing cindy wu is going to do an excellent, excellent job. and i had the personal experience last year of working alongside her and changing some of the practices of the planning department in how they engage

communities of color. you know, from little things like translation to leaving cultural competency, had great discussions with staff. [bell rings] and hopefully we are on the road to changing the practice. another thing is just people seeing that there is this young person, a person of color on the planning commission, especially for folks trying to hold on to the city and feel the government does not listen, to see somebody that looks like them, talks like them, has the experience that they do. it means a lot. we have a long way to go the planning commission. we're hoping we get an eastern side representative when the mayor has to appoint someone in june. i support her appointment. thank you. supervisor kim: thank you, mr.grande. >> my name is kevin chang, a lifelong resident of san francisco. if such a direct beneficiary of many of the programs that cindy wu has participated in. as someone who is a small business owner, who has

invested and hired in san francisco in the real-estate industry, i see a different side of cindy wu. someone who can reach out to other aspects of the community. i engage with activists, people who build and hire an investment san francisco. that part of the community needs to be able to also be present at the planning commission. cindy wu has kept her door open, has kept her mind open. more importantly, has listened critically to the issues that are shared by many said franciscans because of that, i think she brings that crucial perspective that allows her to not only see what she can do with the neighborhood but what she can do with people who participate with the neighborhood. that is very important, and i think she would be perfect on the planning commission. a voice that will be for all san francisco. thank you. supervisor kim: thank you. i also see that commissioner fong is here. i believe the planning commission is going on currently. currently. >> thank you.