necessities, such as food. so i am here to strongly encourage you to approve this eir and move this project forward. thank you. president chiu: thank you. next speaker. >> supervisors, on behalf of some in san francisco, thank you for hearing us. you see all the members we have you. all of these guys are going to wake up at 5:00, 6:00, 7:00 to go to work. we need the work, so i urge you to support this project. this means a lot for us to keep san francisco going. thank you. >> good evening, supervisors. my name is kevin, and i live with my wife and son near

aquatic park. growing up, we cannot afford to join a country club membership, so i consider myself to be quite fortunate to now be a member of the golden gate swim club. it is amazing that they say this practice is for the 1%. it is a private tennis and swim club. it cost me an arm and a leg to join, and i paid over $300 per month. here is my latest bill, which i realize it just went to a $20. they spread rumors that the club is going away. it is my understanding that renovation of the club as always been a significant part of a washington. in fact, it will be improved, and it will better serve swimmers like me you have to wait for a swim lane and deal with outdated lockers under essentially in a high rise with no lockers. -- no windows. members of the opposition, $2.60

million. this is one example. the truth is, this will give back 30 times the amount of public space than currently exists. does that mean we have to lose some private tennis courts? yes. i respectfully ask you to uphold the planning commission's support for this project. president chiu: next speaker. >> supervisor, the building and trades council. the gentleman referred to a planning process back in the first part of the 1990's. that began when the embarcadero freeway in them. it took several years and involved a number of stakeholders, including the telegraph hill people. it recommended a mixed use development that combined see what -- seawall lot 351 and the golden gate side. u.s. is seen at the time that it

recommended that the tennis courts go away. otherwise, there would of been a possibility of combining the sides. you have heard all kinds of bemoaning how planning has been ignored and how the heights are a problem, but the planning process at the time is being ignored by the very people who were doing the complaint. that is one thing important to point out. some of the arguments you ever, although you will not. up front, how does this serve the city? some of the arguments of talked about the difficulty of building. it was done and the embarcadero center. the city itself did so successfully on the muni metro. this is not an unexpected challenge and is one we can deal with. we have also heard a great deal of issues about housing. this project will displace no

one. this project will not gentrify a poor neighborhood. this project will not push african-americans out of san francisco. this project will not turn rent- controlled housing into temporary hotel units, and there are a host of other things that go on if i had more time, but i will ask you to reject the appeal of the conditional use permit and allow the project to go forward. president chiu: thank you. next speaker. >> hello, supervisors. my name is tony rodriguez, and i am with a local. i have lived incidences, and all life and have been able to enjoy it. i have been able to enjoy the whole city, and i always thought i had a say in the city, not just where i grew up where i now live, in bernal heights. i always thought what is good

for the whole is better than what is good for a select few, and you public servants have heard and received a lot of information on eight washington, and i would ask you to ask yourselves what is better for the city as a whole? jobs, tax revenue, money for affordable housing, a much nicer in bardera that everyone can enjoy, or to listen to a select few naysayers who advocate for no change or to keep waiting for something different that never comes, and as you to consider this. to improve is to change. thank you. >> good evening, supervisors. tim on behalf of the housing action coalition, and we should first commend the staff for the excellent her roadwork and adam dunn in shepherding this proposal. they had done the city proud. for years, we have maintained that ceqa is broken and that it is a huge obstacle in addressing the environmental changes, but

it is rare that we see as spectacular an example of the ceqa dysfunction as what is before you today. despite all the rhetoric, what is before you is a simple question, what should become of seawall lot 351, some of the most valuable land? should be changed or put into a parking lot? some have used the topsy turvy lot of ceqa logic that this is such a core environmental choice that the land should instead be preserved as a surface parking lot. our friends believe that any change to the adjacent swimming and tennis club is unacceptable, so serving as a parking lot is environmentally superior option. the good folks who own a nifty parking business on this land believe that the project threatens parking and the use of cars. in fact, their appeal mentions their threat, which tells us all about their environmental

priorities that we need to know, and boston properties, believing that the eight washington project threatens views of their offices have therefore decided that a waterfront parking lot is wiser land use. the two questions you have to decide is who gets to enjoy this highly visible public land and which use is the better outcome for the environment. we implore you to choose the environmental option that benefits the entire city and not just the privileged few, and i cannot emphasize strongly enough that a project that provides $11 million in funding for housing affordability in this city. thank you. >> good evening. my name is dave. we are a nonprofit that operates the ferry plaza farmers' market at the ferry building. an institution which as been referred to quite a few times this evening. in my capacity tonight, i'm

representing my board, my staff, and my 120 small businesses who rely on our marketplace for a significant portion of their revenue. we believe that the eight washington project is an example of the best use of the site and works well to well stabilize the residential and commercial character of the neighborhood and that the eir addresses the concerns. this project transforms this space from a surface parking lot and clubbed into immokalee residents, new customers, and creates more active in the public space for our shoppers, visitors, in point is, as well as those of us who are local residents. it also creates better access to the waterfront from adjacent neighborhoods, builds, adds new retail spacious, and adds additional parking to support the area retail. national studies and shown that one reason that some farmers markets failed is because of the

lack of sufficient parking for their customers. admittedly, the short-term loss of parking during construction of this project would be an additional problem. therefore, we do ask the city does the film its parking commitment to the ferry building both right now and during construction, but as long as there is sufficient or alternative parking now and during construction, then the long term additional consolidated parking solutions that this project provides is actually a welcomed addition to solving the means that we all have, so we ask that you do certified the eir. >> good evening, supervisors. i am the executive director of the san francisco labor council, representing over 100 unions and san francisco and tens of thousands of union members, not

just the construction workers and representatives you see behind me but also teachers and firefighters and janitors and maritime trade union workers, among others, every union in san francisco, and we support this project. we did, and the labor council, as you know, rarely ways and on development projects, but we did weigh in on this. there is great interest in this project. we have dedicated several different types of presentations that you have read from the people who are appellants as well as the people from the planning commission and the porch, and there was significant debate, not only at the labor council of butt out -- but at our executive board, so i want to be on record that we are for this particular project. there was a lot of debate. i will not go into all of the issues, but there are concerns about money going into the general fund and supporting the porch, that there is affordable money's not going in and also

that we desperately need jobs in order to stimulate the economy, and i just want to say right now that there are three things on behalf of the entire labor counsel that happens, and one is that you for a firm the certification of the eir to move forward, secondly that you also accept the planning commission plan on the conditional use, and also that there is no continuance that takes place, to move this board, which could further endanger this project. thank you. >> good evening. my name is alan. i am president of the market company. a key part of our process is doing studies on the real estate market in san francisco, so if we look at what is an availability, this area needs all kinds of housing, whether it is market or affordable. in the fourth quarter of 2007, we had the most market rate units for sale ever in san

francisco on the market. it was 3000 in the fourth quarter 2007. four years and one quarter later, that number has dropped by 70%. we have 900 units for sale, market-rate units, in a city of 800,000. by the end of this year, it drops another 10%. by first quarter 2013, it drops an additional 10%, so by first quarter 2013, we will have 300 market rate units for sale, which is one of the smallest numbers since the 1980's. this project before you will not only bring over 130 market rate units to market with in a couple of years but will also be paying for affordable units, which are also needed. if we really look at the reality of san francisco, over the last year, the typical average condominium was $850,000.

this building consists of a one- bedroom, two bedrooms, and three bedrooms. 1 bedrooms in today's market will start in the $700 million range -- $700,000 range. who buys them? all times. older people wanting to live and a flat area and wanting to be able to walk to everything. one-third of all first-time buyers get help from their parents. almost 20% of buyers pay cash. that is the reality of this down. this product is really blurring what san francisco does need. the new club will be a vast improvement of the old club. i was a member of the san francisco club for 20 years, but i really urge you to approve this. thank you. >> hello, my name is carlos.

>> excuse me, sir. can you please speak directly into the microphone? >> there are the procedural points that everyone has been discussing, but my approval or my support is with having this go forward. what speaks to me personally is that i grew up using public pools and public tennis courts. in that sense, interest is as a member of the public. i am not a member of the gateway tennis and swim club, so from my youth to old age, i guess i would appreciate having public space on the embarcadero, and on this side, i think eventually something will be built. to provide for as much public use as possible, whether it is not going to be tennis courts this round, maybe there will be

tennis courts and the future coming here or elsewhere, and maybe the money going into the general fund will support that, but i belong to the embarcadero y.m.c.a.. the tennis club, i do not think i will. i do not see that the gateway tennis and swim club, i guess is what it will become, so i say support this project, with the public amenities you can get. thanks. >> good evening, supervisors. my name is paul, and while i do not live in the immediate vicinity of eight washington, i am a fourth generation san franciscan, and i will be affected by the decisions you make today. i am very active in my neighborhood and work with underserved populations of seniors and use that have fewer options than they should.

what they see every day on their way to and from school are areas where they are not welcome more things they cannot afford. what they do not see our areas of open space and greenery and areas of welcoming pedestrian walkways. when you look at the eight washington site right now, all but a very few see is chain-link fencing keeping people out, a large swath of land that few people have access to. i see an unfinished piece of san francisco, a barrier. what all of us have the chance to save our more connections to the embarcadero, where people walking along the streets do not reach a dead end with a private club, where open space is set aside for all in san francisco to use, where those going along the embarcadero have a reasonable continuation rather then a fenced off boy. many people have barriers put upon them by language or other issues. they are working to bring three

those barriers to become successful and to belong to society as a whole. they and all of us deserve to live in a city where they can walk along the streets without being fenced out, to access to parts and greenspace instead of walking by parking lots, to the streets that are whole and not broken. eight washington brings a lot to this neighborhood and this city. i urge each of used to join the planning commission and certified the eir -- and certify the eir. we will all benefit. president chiu: thank you. next speaker. >> good evening, supervisors. i am a resident. i spent a lot of time running around the embarcadero and the ferry building during my necessary shopping. the development will bring much- needed additional housing, retail, and open space for all san franciscans and those in our

city to enjoy. it should not be quelled by a small number of people who do not want to lose a few private tennis courts or to have to deal with some construction in their neighborhood. san francisco is an amazing city, and like all great cities, it needs to evolve to fit the needs of its citizens and visitors. and quite frankly, we need more housing and shopping and restaurants and more developed open spaces or families to enjoy. the planning commission and approved projects will positively impact not only the embarcadero, all of san francisco for decades to come, and i strongly after to follow suit and move forward. >> good evening. i am going to read you a letter that was written by susan mccullough, and north beach resident, and she is the president of the north beach

neighbors, i believe. excuse me. "i have written to you in the past for my support above the eight washington project. however, i am sending you another letter in case i have to leave the meeting before i have a chance to speak. i am a residence and work and financial district and and the president of north beach neighbors. the north beach neighbors one of directors had presentations from the project sponsor an opposition, and after hearing both sides, we are in favor of the proposed project at the washington. i am writing this letter to urge you to uphold this. the project is gone through extensive reviews, and the developers have made many revisions to the project to address community concerns. secretary calvillo: excuse me, ma'am. could you lower that microphone? >> additional open space, and cling to the public as well as the commercial space on the

ground floor. these elements will add light to the section of the embarcadero and continue the improvements to the waterfront that started with the ferry building. the opponents of the project have tried to mislead people into believing they are losing their athletic club. however, as you are aware, while the new project will not have tennis courts, the club will be greatly improved when it is complete, especially the outdoor aquatics center. the addition of the condominiums on the property will help fund the additional public space, the renovations of the club, additional below-market housing. i believe the project will of a positive impact on the embarcadero and improve this portion of the waterfront. susan mccolley, north beach residents. thank you. >> mr. president, ladies and gentlemen, supervisors.

this is my second chance tonight. [laughter] my name is dick, and i have been working in san francisco since 1965. i have worked on many high- rises, including one embarcadero center. it is still there. it is not going to fault. it has a 10 foot thick concrete pad. we know how to build high rises, and we know how to build the grosz's underground. the groundwater in this town in many areas is 5 feet below the street level, to dig deeper than 5 feet, you need something to hold it back. i am concerned as a citizen that some construction projects in the development are being taken over by the not in my backyard

crowd, and they are delaying many important projects for years and years. this one for six. i have been a citizen of this city for 47 of this year's, 57 years in the construction industry, and i know they have hired the best architects and best engineers, and i know we will have the best project, so please approve the eir. thank you. >> my name is aaron, and before i proceed, i want to say i was not paid in any way to speak. i am completely voluntary. i move to the city after graduating from indiana university, where i played football, and i now work with a sports group based in seattle,

and i am currently here working on my master's at the university of san francisco. i like to encourage your yes' vote for eight washington, because it will of housing, restaurants, parks, and recreation. a washington creates a new aquatics facility things for families and people like me to enjoy. off families. i'm relatively new to the city and miller -- and relatively young to politics, but i can understand why anybody would want to replace an unattractive parking lot and this club would these. i understand that the club was built 20 years before i was born. they had a private club, and things change, and we should not have to pay to enjoy our waterfront. and the three pieces that i found the most evident out of this whole project is the fact that if this goes through, you are creating jobs, affordable

housing, and universal access. it is time for a change on the age washington's side. please vote yes and open the waterfront to everyone. thank you. >> i have lived on telegraph hill since 1969. i was the president of the telegraph hill dwellers for a few terms. i'm currently vice chair of bcdc and vice commission on the mtc. i appreciate you listening to the fears of those who play tennis. this might change their environment dramatically. i respectfully disagree. over time, they will find that this is a great project. it will bring increased revenue to the city and increased

housing funds as well. i would find -- i would point out light -- point out that i support this. i hope we can find more sites for low-income housing in the neighborhood as well as money. san francisco intends to add 27,000 new housing units in this downtown center area between 2010 and 2014. -- and 2040 to accommodate downtown growth. that would be at least 900 units per year. if we cannot agree to add housing in a location as ideal as this with an excellent developer, excellent architect, we will never meet our potential as a city in this region. i urge you to support this project by denying the appeal for the eir. this project is a totally

appropriate development, adjacent to transit, within walking distance, surrounded by parks. truly a perfect place for someone to live. obviously, those who live at the golden gateway love living there and more people should have that opportunity. >> my name is linda. i have lived in san francisco since 1989. for the last 10 years, i have lived on telegraph hill. i support this project and i believe that many of my neighbors support this project. i do not believe that thc fees for the majority of the people who reside on telegraph hill or in north beach. i think this is an excellent addition to the waterfront of san francisco. it is a beautiful project and it is certainly compatible with the existing neighbors, the existing

neighborhood buildings, particularly the golden gate way. it will provide a recreational facility. i do not believe that a small but highly vulnerable group will really seek to present a private club should derail planning in said the system. this project has been approved by the planning commission and by parks and rep. i hope that you will support it. i would add that if we were afraid to approve bold, exciting projects for the city, we can almost guarantee mediocrity. thank you. >> good evening, supervisors. my name is bob. i am an architect that is practicing. i set up my office in san francisco in 1966.

i am a 10-year resident of telegraph hill and i am a strong supporter of the project. i agree with everything my wife has just said. first, i think the architectural excellence of the building design is incomparable. it is the finest example of urban catastrophism that respects the scale and dignity of the buildings across the embarcadero. the heights are for writ and sensitive to the community feedback provided over the years. to address president chiu's concerns about the height of the building, i believe that the configuration, the 136 feet to 90 to 60 just simply looks better. if you consider the silhouettes

of the 230-foot building behind, it is far more eloquent to see this superposition -- superimpostion. my opinion, but i think this was a brilliant stroke of urban design, a partnership between slm and the planning department. please approve it. it is really going to be the right thing for our city. thank you. >> good evening, president chiu and supervisors. i'm here to express my support for pacific waterfront partner'' proposed project at 8 washington. it is a local business enterprise in north beach and partners with architects as well as a 20-year resident of north beach. i am fully supporti