-
North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association
Sept/Oct 2015
Three Residential Developments
Headed to Divisadero
By Libby Estell
Plans for 650 Divisadero expanded significantly after Divisadero was rezoned.
Rendering: Webco Group LLC
A trio of residential buildings are in the works on Divisadero, posing the
largest-scale development along the corridor in recent history. And now that
the street has been named a Neighborhood Commercial Transit District (NCTD),
at least two of those new buildings are likely to be much larger than anything the
neighborhood has ever seen.
NCTD designation requires that new buildings with more than five units
offer 40 percent of the units as two-bedrooms or 30 percent as three-bedrooms.
Already the zoning changes have sent architects from Webco Group LLC back
to the drawing board.
Webco purchased the former Alouis Radiator shop at 650 Divisadero in 2013
and released plans for a 16-unit residential building on the site. The original
(Continued on page 3)
Halloween
Party
• Trick-or-treating,
costumes, haunted
garages
• 6 p.m. – Costume
Contest at Grove St.
between Baker and
Central
• Donate candy in the “big
tent” at Grove and Lyon
• Email board@nopna.org
to volunteer
Saturday
Oct. 31
5–8 p.m.
Page 1
North Panhandle News, September/October 2015www.nopna.org From the Board
Ask Not What Your
Community Can Do
for You...
By Tim Hickey
Young or old, newbies or
natives, people of the
neighborhood generally enjoy
good living and lots of great
activities here in NoPa. There are
many reasons but one of them is
that there is an active community
and an involved neighborhood
association. What does NOPNA,
the (all-volunteer) North of Panhandle Neighborhood
Association, do? Many things!
We organize the annual Block Party, Halloween
Party, and Holiday Party. We work with local
merchants and entrepreneurs who want to develop
a local enterprise. We create and distribute a free
newsletter with local interest content. We meet with
SFPD representatives regularly to share crime concerns
affecting the neighborhood and help reduce them.
We meet with elected offi cials and city department
managers to address quality of life and safety issues
and increase the services available in the area.
These are done out of love of the neighborhood and
a desire to make a difference. We strive to represent the
neighborhood and use our experiences to draw energy
and express relevancy on the issues. We cannot do it
without people who care.
We have many volunteer opportunities in fi nance,
writing, event organizing, and more.
Please, if you live in the community and want to
make it a better place, get involved, email the group
at board@nopna.org, and let us know that you can
help. We will contact you and fi nd out how your skills
and energy can best be directed. We all work full-time
and don’t require that you commit 40 hours per week,
just some time as available to show you care. The
neighborhood will benefi t and you will know you
are doing your part.
Tim Hickey is president of the NOPNA board. He has lived
in NoPa since 2010.
North Panhandle News is published for the residents, businesses,
and friends of our neighborhood, which is bounded by Masonic
Avenue and Turk, Divisadero and Fell Streets.
Publisher: NOPNA Board of Directors
Managing Editor: Libby Estell
Production Editor: Mimi Sparrow
Graphic Designer: Lisa Eastlack
Distribution: Will Valentine
Printing: Image Printing, San Francisco (415-553-7788)
NOPNA’s mission: The purpose of this association shall be to
establish neighborhood unity, maintain multi-ethnic and multi-cultural
diversity, foster a sense of neighborhood pride, promote a safe and
clean community, and improve the quality of life for all residents of
the neighborhood.
CONTACT NOPNA by email: board@nopna.org
GET the NEWS?—PAY your DUES!
Your NOPNA membership gives us a stronger voice at City Hall and
supports our efforts to create a clean, safe, and friendly
neighborhood.
Please join us! You can sign up online at nopna.org.
For more information, call 415-267-6113.
901Divisadero
(at McAllister)
NOW SERVING
LUNCH &
DINNER
Open 6 am
to 9:30 pm
every day
Authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean dishes, prepared
with natural ingredients and served with
special “injera” bread
Meat and vegetarian options • Beer and wine
Cafe specialties (pastries, sandwiches, and
“one-cup-at-a time” coffee) available all day
Great selection of Ethiopean coffee blends for sale
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Wheelchair accessible • No Reservations required
Page 2
North Panhandle News, September/October 2015
Residential Developments (from page 1)
plan called for a five-story 16-unit
apartment building on the eastern half
of the lot, with the 1920s façade on
Divisadero preserved but renovated
to house retail.
But NCTD zoning allows for many
more units on the site. The new plan
is to demolish the former radiator
shop and build an all-new six-story
apartment building. Of the 60 units, 48
percent would be two-bedrooms and
the rest one-bedrooms. Twelve percent
of the units would be designated
for below-market-rate rentals. The
building, designed by Warner Schmalz
of Forum Design, also includes 26
underground parking spots and two
retail spaces on Divisadero.
A public hearing to solicit
neighborhood feedback on the new
design was held in September.
The second development is planned
for 1242 Hayes St., in the empty lot
next to the Harding Theater. The
application filed with the Planning
Department this summer called for
A six-story, 152-unit building is planned for the Touchless Car Wash site.
Rendering: Solomon Cordwell Buenz
a five-story building containing nine
residential units.
Finally, there is the six-story, 152-
unit building planned for the current
Touchless Car Wash site at Oak and
Divisadero streets. Designed by the
firm of Solomon Cordwell Buenz,
the project is still in the early stages;
it calls for a mix of studio, one-,
and two-bedroom units; four retail
storefronts on Divisadero, and a
60-car garage.
Libby Estell is the managing editor
of this newsletter. She has lived just off
Divisadero since 2011.
Petition Wants to Increase Affordable Housing on Divisadero
In August, attorney, activist and local resident Dean Preston
launched a petition at ActionNetwork.org to increase the
minimum affordability requirements for future residential
developments along Divisadero. The city currently requires
developers to designate 12 percent of units in new buildings
as affordable housing; Preston wants to increase that number
to 33 percent.
“Divisadero has not seen large-
scale development of this kind
in recent history.”
The percentage was inspired by Proposition K, which voters
passed in 2014 to improve the city’s balance of market-rate
and affordable units. One of Prop K’s goals is that San Fran-
cisco will construct or renovate 300,000 residences by 2020,
with 33 percent of those homes offered to those with low or
moderate incomes.
The petition lays out three criteria for new residential develop-
ments and states that the community will not support projects
which do not meet these criteria:
• Must not displace current tenants, homeowners or small
businesses.
• Must contribute to neighborhood character and diversity
in terms of affordability and architecture.
• Must include 33 percent of units affordable to low- and
moderate-income residents.
“Divisadero has not seen large-scale development of this kind
in recent history,” Preston told Hoodline. “Neighborhood resi-
dents and neighborhood character are at risk. We must act now
to make sure that development does not result in displacement
and that it expands affordable housing opportunities.”
At publication, the petition had collected 350 signatures
toward a goal of 400. Once signatures have been collected,
Preston will send the petition to the Board of Supervisors,
Mayor Ed Lee, Planning Commissioners and local developers.
Page 3
North Panhandle News, September/October 2015www.nopna.org Auto Break-Ins on the Rise in NoPa
By Libby Estell
Does it feel like you’re seeing more broken car windows
on NoPa streets? You’re probably right.
Citywide, car break-ins increased by nearly 50 percent
Help prevent a break-in by removing any valuables from
you car. Photo: Avoision.com
in the first six months of this year. There have been 902
automobile break-ins so far this year in Park District alone,
“and by next month, we’ll clearly be over 1,000 auto burglaries
for the year,” Capt. John Sanford told those gathered at the
SFPD Park Station community meeting on Sept. 9.
Officers from Northern and Park districts who attended
the NOPNA General Meeting in July pointed to Prop 47 as
the reason for the increase in car break-ins. Approved by
California voters last year, it reduces penalties for non-violent
and petty crimes. Thieves caught with less than $950 worth
of stolen property now receive little more than a citation and
“are back on the street within hours,” officers said.
“We’re up against a number of things, but there are
still too many people leaving valuables in their vehicles,”
Sanford said in September, noting that perpetrators often
work in teams to scout residential blocks “very quickly.”
The burglaries take a matter of seconds.
So, what can you do to protect your car from break-ins?
It starts with removing anything of value. Bags, coats,
spare change, CDs, cell phones, electronics—any of these
items left behind and visible in your car can entice a burglar
to smash a window. Even an empty box, or a blanket draped
over what might be “hidden” valuables, can trigger a burglary.
The repair costs and potential rise in insurance premiums can
cost you far more than the value of these items.
What’s more, auto burglary can open the door to more
serious crimes. Garage door openers, vehicle registrations
and house keys left in a vehicle give criminals your
address and a way in, which can lead to identity theft and
residential burglary.
The SFPD recommends these steps to prevent auto
break-ins:
• Remove all valuables, including keys and garage door
openers.
• Close windows and lock all doors.
• Park in well-lit, busy areas where your car is easily visible.
• Do not leave mail in your car; it has your name and
address on it.
• Photocopy your registration and black out the address;
keep the copy, not the original, in the car.
• Park in your garage, if you have one.
• Use your car alarm.
Libby Estell is the managing editor of this newsletter. She has
parked her car in NoPa since 2011.
Page 4
North Panhandle News, September/October 2015www.nopna.org Make your mark with a landmark home.
NOPA and Alamo Square are San Francisco’s new luxury neighborhoods; of course, we’ve long known that—and
Bonnie invested here over 20 years ago. As new investors catch on to the charms of our area, now is an ideal
time to secure your slice of the city. Many homes here are historic treasures, and will only gain cachet as time
passes; no Realtor better understands the intrinsic value of homeownership better than Bonnie. She knows San
Francisco, she knows the industry, and she can successfully negotiate any market, anytime. That’s why her past
clients swear by her, and why 80% of them now own multiple properties.
Bonnie Spindler
All Time Top Residential
Sales Agent at Zephyr
415.474.4445 LIC# 01175723
NOPNA Block Party Brings Neighbors Together
on Lyon Street
By Mimi Sparrow
NoPa residents celebrated at the annual Lyon Street
Block Party on an unusually hot day in August. With
only a slight breeze to cool down, neighbors squeezed into
the shaded areas on the block between Hayes and Grove.
The party included live music, activities for kids, and
ribs and hotdogs cooked up by Khalil of Parkside Market.
The band Red Meat entertained the crowd with country
western tunes and songs. Later, Latina band Gringa took
the stage to get people dancing in the street. New residents
met their neighbors as kids created spin art projects and
experimented with face painting together.
Many thanks to Block Party sponsors Parkside Market,
Jackie Tom Rentals, Mollie Poe - Pacific Union Realtor,
Green Chili Kitchen, The Independent, Jennifer Rosdail -
Realtor, Central Coffee, Rock the Bike, Whole Foods,
Bi-Rite Grocery, and Faletti’s.
Mimi Sparrow is a NOPNA board member. She first moved to
NoPa in 2000.
Photos: Mimi Sparrow
Calendar of Events
NOPNA Halloween Party
Saturday, Oct. 31, 5–8 p.m.
Grove b/w Baker and Central
SFPD Park Station
Community Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 6 p.m.
Park Station, 1899 Waller St.
Page 6
SFPD Northern Station
Community Meeting
Thursday, Nov. 12, 6 p.m.
Northern Station, 1125 Fillmore St.
NOPNA Holiday Party
Saturday, Dec. 5, 6–9 p.m.
St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church
2097 Turk St.
Panhandle Park Community
Work Day
Saturday, Nov. 14, 9–11 a.m.
Meet near the playground
North Panhandle News, September/October 2015www.nopna.org SFMTA Improves Service on NoPa Bus Routes
By Libby Estell
Bus service in NoPa is experiencing some big changes.
Not only has the SFMTA approved plans to speed
up the 5-Fulton, the agency also added more buses to the
21-Hayes, 24-Divisadero and 43-Masonic routes.
By far, the biggest changes are coming to the 5-Fulton.
According to SFMTA Director of Transportation Ed
Reiskin, ridership on the route has grown by 10 percent
since limited service was introduced two years ago. The
new plans, approved by the SFMTA board on Sept. 1,
are designed to quicken the pace of service along
McAllister Street.
After residents resisted the SFMTA’s original plan to
add a number of traffic lights along McAllister, the new
plan calls for just one light, at Broderick Street, and two
traffic circles, at Lyon and Steiner streets. Other changes in
NoPa include removing the stop at Lyon and extending the
bus zone at Baker Street.
Changes to the 5-Fulton should cut travel times.
Photo: Torbakhopper/Flickr
The changes are expected to
deliver the route’s 20,000 riders
to their destinations about 20%
more quickly.
The changes are expected to deliver the route’s 20,000
riders to their destinations about 20 percent more quickly.
Now that the project has been approved, next steps include
detailed design. Construction is tentatively planned for
Spring 2016.
Meanwhile, service increases have begun along several
of NoPa’s other key bus routes. Made possible by the
addition of 30 new hybrid electric coaches to the city’s
fleet, the service increases were designed to decrease
wait times for commuters.
Riders on the 21-Hayes can catch a bus every 8.5
minutes instead of every 10 minutes in the afternoon.
Morning peak hours have also been extended to increase
frequency for the morning commute.
Buses on the 24-Divisadero route now arrive every
nine minutes throughout the day, instead of every 10.
Lastly, bus frequency on the 43-Masonic has increased
from every 10 minutes in the morning to every nine
minutes. Afternoon service is scheduled to arrive every
10 minutes.
Libby Estell is the managing editor of this newsletter. The 5R
is her preferred bus line.
Page 7
North Panhandle News, September/October 2015www.nopna.org Italian Restaurant Coming to Former
Auto Body Shop
By Libby Estell
The long-vacant auto body shop
at 838 Divisadero is going to
become a 115-seat Italian restaurant
called Che Fico.
There’s no word on whether the
exterior will retain its distinctive
red circle and arrow marquee, but
the interior is being redesigned by
dmarcStudio. Early renderings show
an airy second-story dining room with
exposed beams and skylights. The
space will be accessible by elevator
and a tiled staircase.
Chefs David Nayfeld and Matt
Brewer, who recently moved into
the neighborhood, are behind Che
Fico. They promise a rustic Italian
menu of handmade pastas, pizzas
and charcuterie. Meat and produce,
including the restaurant’s namesake
fig, will come from Brewer’s family
ranch in Sonoma.
Che Fico will be the third Italian
spot on the Divisadero Corridor,
after Little Star next door and
Regazza a few blocks down, but it
will be the only one with a full bar.
It promises “a curated stock of fine
and unique cocktails” as well as a list
of affordable Italian and California
wines.
Page 8
Che Fico will occupy the top floor of a former auto body shop. Photo: Google
Nayfeld and Brewer are Bay
Area natives who earned their
chops cooking in New York and
Chicago, respectively. The first-time
business owners addressed neighbors
assembled at the NOPNA General
Meeting on Sept. 17, saying they are
“ecstatic to be opening up a restaurant
in the community where we grew up.”
Che Fico is expected to open in
summer 2016. There’s no word yet on
what the building owner plans to do
with the ground floor, but Nayfeld said
the environmental cleanup of the body
shop was already complete.
Libby Estell is the managing editor
of this newsletter. She has been sampling
NoPa’s restaurants since 2010.
The NOPNA Newsletter
Needs You
Join our team of volunteer writers,
photographers and designers or help us
with distribution.
Interested? Contact board@nopna.org.
North Panhandle News, September/October 2015www.nopna.org Vision Zero
Masonic Avenue Street Improvements Make Slow Progress
By Tim Hickey
It took more than seven years to o vercome obstacles
and a small but vocal opposition, but plans to overhaul
one of NoPa’s busiest and most dangerous streets can
now proceed.
On September 2, the Board of Appeals rejected
opponents’ fi nal attempt to block the Masonic Avenue
Streetscape Improvement Project, clearing the way for
construction to begin in January. (To lessen the impact
on traffi c, only two lanes will be torn up at a time.) Little
by little, we will see a greener, calmer Masonic Avenue
emerge.
The $18.2 million project is designed to deliver
numerous improvements. The 43 Masonic bus route
will see faster service and bulb-outs at stops for safer
boarding. Sidewalks along the corridor will be made
a consistent 22 inches wide. Nearly 300 trees will be
planted. And a raised bike lane will clearly delineate
the section of road intended for cyclists.
I would recommend anyone interested in seeing what
CYCLE
TRACK
CYCLE
TRACK
these changes look like go for a walk down Masonic,
note their thoughts, maybe even take a video. Then, in
2017 when the work is done, have a seat on a bench and
evaluate. The project will be one of the greatest quality-
of-life improvements for residents, especially anyone
who lives on or travels through this corridor by foot,
bike, or bus.
CYCLE TRACK
CYCLE TRACK
BUS SHELTER
BUS SHELTER
CYCLE TRACK
CYCLE TRACK
PUBLIC ART ELEMENT
PUBLIC ART ELEMENT
BULBOUT
BULBOUT
GEARY BOULEVARD TO O’FARRELL STREET
GEARY BOULEVARD TO O’FARRELL STREET
N
N
MASONIC AVENUE STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS
MASONIC AVENUE STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS
BOULEVARD CONCEPT
BOULEVARD CONCEPT
EXISTING TREE
EXISTING TREE
PROPOSED MEDIAN TREE
PROPOSED MEDIAN TREE
NEW STREET LIGHTING
NEW STREET LIGHTING
AT MEDIAN
AT MEDIAN
NEW PEDESTRIAN SCALE
NEW PEDESTRIAN SCALE
STREET LIGHTS
STREET LIGHTS
PROPOSED STREET TREE
PROPOSED STREET TREE
EXISTING DRIVEWAY
EXISTING DRIVEWAY
CONCRETE PAVING AT
CONCRETE PAVING AT
PLAZA
PLAZA
EXISTING PLANTING
EXISTING PLANTING
AREA
AREA
PROPOSED PLANTING
PROPOSED PLANTING
AREA
AREA
Photos: S.F. Dept. of Public Works
in NoPa since 2010.
Tim Hickey is president of the NOPNA board. He has lived
North Panhandle News, September/October 2015
Page 9
BUS BULB
BUS BULB
BUS SHELTER
BUS SHELTER
CYCLE TRACK
CYCLE TRACK
CYCLE TRACK
CYCLE TRACK
BUS
BULB
BUS
BULB
CYCLE TRACK
CYCLE TRACK
CYCLE TRACK
CYCLE TRACK
BUS SHELTER
BUS BULB
BUS SHELTER
BUS BULB
CYCLE TRACK
CYCLE TRACK
BUS SHELTER
BUS SHELTER
BUS
BULB
BUS
BULB
At Work With Liz Terbolizard of Local Craft
By Libby Estell
“Everybody needs a window,” says seamstress Liz
Terbolizard, owner of Local Craft. “Anybody who
makes anything needs a window.”
But the right window can be hard to find. It took
six years of searching and working out of her home
for Terbolizard to find her storefront at 1421 Fulton
St., followed by six months of negotiations with the
building owner.
Once the five-year lease was signed, Terbolizard
bartered and traded with friends to completely gut the
long-vacant space. “It was wall-to-wall appliances from
the owner’s other buildings,” she says. “There clearly
had been some squirrels.”
“I’m very lucky to have this space and be able to make a
living.”
Local Craft is also a hub for referrals, for jobs
Terbolizard can’t handle herself, such as carpentry or metal
work. “I love to refer. It’s hard to say no, I’d much rather
refer people to someone.”
That openness and spirit of cooperation have made
Terbolizard, who lives in Glen Park with her teenage
daughter, a true part of NoPa. Those who pop in out
of curiosity often become clients and friends. “Having
a storefront is fantastic. I know everyone in the
neighborhood,” she says. “I love that I’ll see the kids
next door grow up.”
Just three weeks and a lot of hard work later, Local Craft
Local Craft, 1421 Fulton St.; 415-271-0212;
opened in May 2013. The space is primarily a workroom,
where Terbolizard meets with clients and cuts and sews
about a dozen projects at a time. She makes everything
from cushions and slipcovers to backpacks and sculptures.
“I probably make five different things a day,” she says.
sew@sfseamstress.com; Tues.-Thurs., 11:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
or by appointment.
Libby Estell is the managing editor of this newsletter. She has
lived in NoPa since 2011.
Liz Terbolizard at work in her shop.
Photo: Kwesi Terbolizard
Page 10
North Panhandle News, September/October 2015www.nopna.org NOPNA Holiday Party
Saturday, December 5, 6–9 p.m.
St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church
2097 Turk Street
Page 11
North Panhandle News, September/October 2015www.nopna.org MOLLIE POE
Top Producer & NOPA Specialist
As a long-term resident of North Panhandle, a Mom with kids in local schools,
and a strong supporter and advocate of everything NOPA (including the
neighborhood association as a business member and avid sponsor), I
regularly represent Buyers and Sellers within our wonderful neighborhood.
Please visit my website for further information on past sales and property
presentations, or call me directly with any Real Estate inquiries.
If you are thinking of selling, I'd love to help with a market analysis of your
property. Low inventory continues to drive our market and you maybe very
surprised to find the 'hidden equity' in your home, given these market
conditions. I have good insight into NOPA's Buyer pool, and I frequently
have access to pocket listings and a proven strategy to get you the best
results within NOPA's borders or other neighborhoods in our 7x7.
MY RECENT NOPA SALES
COMING SOON
( CALL FOR DETAILS )
• Gorgeous Broderick St Home
1868 GOLDEN GATE AVENUE
• Recently Converted Condo
• 2200 sqft on 2 levels
• Remodeled Detached House-Like Condo
• 3 Bedroom 3 Bathrooms
• Privately Located in Rear of
Central NOPA Lot
• Surrounded by a Private Redwood Deck
• 2 Levels 3BD/2.5BA
• 11' Ceiling and Custom
Designed Features
• Fully Retrofitted Bldg 2008
• Deeded Patio/Shared Yard
OFFERED AT $1,349,000
1572 GROVE STREET
• Middle Unit Condo
• Beautifully Remodeled
• 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom
• Shared Yard
• No Parking (Leased)
MULTIPLE OFFER - SOLD $1,710,000
SOLD $1,275,000
659 BRODERICK STREET
• Upper Level Condo in 2 Unit Bldg
803 CENTRAL AVE
• New Construction 2012
• 3 Bedrooms + Split Bath
• 3 Bed 3 Bath Townhome Condo
• Spacious 1772 sqft Floor plan
• 2 Levels + Deeded Patio
• Huge Undeveloped Attic
• Shared Yard
• No Parking
1506 GOLDEN GATE AVE
ALAMO SQ
• 3 bedrooms 3 baths
• Fire Damaged Unit
• Below Market Rate
• 80% Improved
SOLD $1,375,000
SOLD OFF MARKET PER
SOLD $1,199,000
REPRESENTED BUYER
SELLERS REQUEST $1,625,000
REPRESENTED BUYER
Mollie Poe | NOPA Sales Specialist | Top 1% SFAR 2014
15 Year NOPA Resident | NOPNA Business Member
Pacific Union Int’l • Christie’s Real Estate
One Letterman Drive, Building C, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94129
415.902.2447 | mollie@molliepoe.com | www.molliepoe.com
Page 12
North Panhandle News, September/October 2015www.nopna.org
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Phone Number
Respect the neighborhood, be part of the community
Your Custom Text Here