San Francisco is once again at the center of a heated housing debate as Mayor Daniel Lurie pushes forward a controversial “family zoning” proposal that could dramatically transform the city’s urban landscape. The plan aims to address the city’s critical housing shortage by allowing taller buildings along key corridors, potentially adding 36,000 new housing units.

Lurie’s proposal would fundamentally change zoning regulations, enabling buildings to reach heights of six to eight stories in certain areas, with some high-traffic commercial corners potentially seeing structures as tall as 14 stories. While the mayor touts this as a solution to San Francisco’s housing crunch, the plan has sparked intense opposition from multiple fronts.

West side residents are pushing back hard, arguing that the upzoning could lead to the demolition of modest single-family and duplex homes in favor of high-end market-rate apartments that remain unaffordable for working families. Small business owners are equally concerned, with many displaying signs warning about “extreme upzoning” and potential displacement.

Interestingly, the proposal has also drawn criticism from YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard) housing advocates. The California Housing Defense Fund argues that the plan contains a “poison pill” clause preventing developers from accessing state-level affordable housing development incentives.

To address business concerns, Supervisor Myrna Melgar is developing the Small Business Rezoning Construction Relief Program, which would provide grants to businesses impacted by demolition and construction related to the upzoning.

Mayor Lurie remains optimistic, stating that the city will “not leave small businesses, renters, or affordable housing behind”. The proposal’s first hearing at the SF Planning Commission is set to be a critical moment in determining the future of San Francisco’s urban development.

As the debate continues, one thing remains clear: San Francisco’s housing crisis demands innovative solutions, and Lurie’s plan represents a bold, if controversial, attempt to address this long-standing challenge.