-
nopna.orgNOPNANewsAffordable Housing Crisis Sparks Discussion Along DivisaderoAs reported previously, the North of Panhandle Neigh-borhood Association board has signed on to a policy statement to request that all new development in the neighborhood designate at least 20 percent of on-site units as below market rate (BMR) and make them available to low- and moderate-income qualifiers. In addition, a new group, known as Affordable Divis, has goals that include an even higher percentage of BMR units—33 percent at the minimum, 50 percent preferred—before endorsing a project. Even the city’s Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission are working out ways to create additional BMR units or give higher priority to local residents for those units. With so many proposals in the mix, it can be hard to keep them all straight. What follows is a rundown of some of the action taking place.Board of Supervisors President (and District 5 Supervisor) London Breed has taken up a number of measures to increase density and the number of affordable units for new construction. This includes the designation of the Divisadero Corridor as a neighborhood commercial transit district (NCT), which provides for greater density of hous-ing by increasing the total number of units permissible per surface area. It also requires that a percentage of the units contain multiple bedrooms. The NCT designation resulted With new developments planned for the Divisadero Corridor, affordable housing has become a hot topic around the neighborhood.by JJ STRAHLEPlans for 650 Divisadero expanded significantly after Divisadero was rezoned. RENDERING: Webco Group LLCjan : feb 2016North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association(continued on page 3) 2 | NOPNANews
FROM THE BOARD
Did you recognize us? As you may have noticed, the North
Panhandle News is now the NOPNA News. The redesigned newsletter is
part of an effort to create a more modern, streamlined publication for all of
our readers, without compromising the stories and character that bind our
The NOPNA News is published by the North
of Panhandle Neighborhood Association for
the residents, businesses, and friends of
our neighborhood, which is bounded by
Masonic Avenue and Turk, Divisadero and
Fell Streets.
community.
The redesign is the result of a lot of hard work from our volunteer newsletter
team, graphic designer Lisa Eastlack, managing editor Libby Estell, and
Mimi Sparrow. On behalf of the NOPNA board, I would like to express
my gratitude for their creativity and commitment.
We’re kicking off this year with a brand-new look, but in another way 2016
will be a year of looking back. That’s because this year marks the 25th anni-
versary of our North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association, founded in
1991. Stay tuned for some special coverage of this major milestone.
With 25 years of community advocacy behind it, NOPNA is resolved to
keep moving forward. Our goals are to help build a safe and diverse neigh-
borhood, to encourage traffic safety, and to continue to host fun events for
the community. We are also helping create dialogue between city officials
and the community to address concerns about how to create a more bal-
anced, affordable approach to housing. Check the newsletter, Facebook,
or nopna.org for updates and information on how you can get involved.
As always, if you are interested
in volunteering, please email
board@nopna.org. Be sure to check
the website for upcoming events.
I wish everyone a healthy and
prosperous New Year!
Charles
DuPigny is
vice president
of the NOPNA
board.
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
NOPNA’s mission: The purpose of this
association shall be to establish neigh-
borhood 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:
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 neigh-
borhood.
Please join us! You can sign up online at
For more information, call 415-267-6113.
Calendar of Events
NOPNA General Meeting
Thursday, March 17
7:00 p.m. Informal get-together
7:30 p.m. Meeting
Oasis Cafe
901 Divisadero@McAllister
Divisadero Farmers Market
Sundays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Grove@Divisadero
SFPD Park Station
Community Meeting
Tuesday, March 8, 6 p.m.
Park Station, 1899 Waller St.
SFPD Northern Station
Community Meeting
Thursday, March 10, 6 p.m.
Northern Station, 1125 Fillmore St.
Panhandle Park Community
Work Day
Saturday, February 13, 9–11 a.m.
Saturday, Jan. 9, 9–11 a.m.
Meet near the playground
jan : feb 2016 | 3
Affordable Housing Crisis
(continued)
in a proposed expansion of the Alouis Radiator develop-
Affordable Divis and Supervisor Breed’s office held an
ment at Grove and Divisadero. It grew from 16 to 60 units
information session in December at The Independent to
and tripled the number of BMR units. Nearly half of the
discuss affordable housing and said they have more such
proposed apartments are two-bedrooms.
meetings planned for 2016.
In a partial response to the added pressure from neigh-
NOPNA holds a general meeting on the third Thursday of
borhood groups to increase the number of BMR units built
every odd month at Oasis Cafe, at Divisadero and McAl-
on site, Supervisor Breed’s office has worked with the City
lister streets, and regularly features Supervisor Breed, the
Attorney and the Planning Commision on a provision to
San Francisco Police Department, city agencies and other
2012’s Proposition C, which put the BMR percentage for
organizations, as well as the developers of potential local
10+ units at 12 percent. The new provision would require
housing projects. Stay tuned to nopna.org and Facebook
23 percent on-site or 25 percent off-site, since the density
or join our email list for future announcements.
requirements increased with the new NCT designation.
Furthermore, the Planning Commission has recommended
JJ Strahle is a member of the NOPNA board.
changes to the city code that would allow for 25 percent
of new BMR units to be made available to current or
recently former residents of the area adjacent to construc-
tion. The implications of this code change, combined with
the other proposed legislation, would be that current
residents of NoPa who qualify for low- to moderate-
income BMR units would have a chance to remain in
the neighborhood as residents in some of the new
construction proposed for Divisadero.
Lastly, another piece of legislation is working its way
through Planning and the Board of Supervisors. Known
as the Affordable Housing Bonus Program (AHBP), it
proposes to increase the height limits of new construction
in exchange for additional BMR units on new develop-
ments. The proposal would allow for up to two additional
stories—provided that 12 percent of units are low-income
BMR, 18 percent are moderate-income BMR (30 percent
net BMR units), and a minimum of 40 percent of the total
number of units in the building have two bedrooms.
Since the proposals are complicated and this article is
short, we recommend you follow along in future issues of
The NOPNA News and get involved at community meet-
ings held by NOPNA, Affordable Divis, SF Planning and
Supervisor Breed.
4 | NOPNANewsThe Harding Theater is another step closer to renewal. On November 19, the San Francisco Planning Com-mission unanimously approved the theater owner’s request for a conditional use authorization and multiple variances.The conditional use permit allows the repurposing of the former Vaudeville theater from its last use as a church to its new life as Empo-rium, a bar and game arcade with other entertainment, movie and retail uses. Emporium’s owners, brothers Danny and Doug Marks, presented their design and operation plans to the commission, much as they did at the Sept. 17 North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association General Meeting. At the urging of neighbors who attended the meeting, the Chi-cago-based owners added daytime operating hours to the plan to open the venue to the under-21 crowd.Designs for Emporium are focused on preservation and restoration. “All significant character-defining spaces and details will remain,” architect Mark Topetcher told Hoodline in November. Proposed changes include upgrad-ing the restrooms and rebuilding the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The damaged plasterwork inside will be restored, and the marquee canopy at the front of the building will be rebuilt. The two retail spaces on either side of the theater’s Divisadero Street entrance will be renovated and made available for rent by two additional businesses.The variances permit a reduction in the required rear yard to accommo-date two off-street parking spaces within 25 feet of the front wall of the proposed five-story, seven-unit condominium building at 1282 Hayes St. Another exempts the proposed Emporium from the requirement for an off-street freight-loading area. The commission was convinced that the atypical size of the Hayes Street lot justified the hardship of applying typical zoning codes for rear yard and parking. They were also convinced that the theater’s existing lack of off-street loading doesn’t need to be changed for the new tenant. Empo-rium plans to use existing on-street loading zones on Divisadero Street.Harding Theater owner Michael Klestoff and the Marks brothers will continue with approvals for the site and building permits. Watch for future updates on their progress.Dera-Jill Pozner is a member of the NOPNA board and an architect with a practice in NoPa.Harding Theater Proposal Clears HurdleRENDERING: TOPetcher ArchitectureThe conditional use permit allows the repurposing of the former Vaudeville theater from its last use as a church to its new life as Emporium, a bar and game arcade with other entertainment, movie and retail uses. jan : feb 2016 | 5Bonnie SpindlerAll Time Top Residential Sales Agent at Zephyr415.474.4445 LIC# 01175723properties@bonniespindler.comwww.bonniespindler.comMake 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 SanFrancisco, 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. 6 | NOPNANews
NOPNA Celebrates
the Season
Volunteer
for the NOPNA Newsletter
Join our team of volunteer writers, photographers
and designers or help us with distribution.
Interested? Contact board@nopna.org.
Top: Guests gathered for a
group shot with Supervisor
London Breed. Right: Colton
Shrier sang and played guitar.
PHOTOS: Libby Estell
NoPa friends and neighbors gathered at Cyprian’s Cen-
ter in December to enjoy good cheer and celebrate the
holiday season. San Francisco Supervisors London Breed
and Scott Weiner and Breed’s legislative aide Vallie Brown
stopped by. Live music was provided by Colton Shrier and
Fr. Mike Reddig. Thanks to Fr. Thomas Jackson, executive
director of the center for generously sharing the event
space. Cyprian’s Center is a community-based and volun-
teer-driven venue within St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church
at Lyon and Turk Streets.
Mimi Sparrow is a member of the NOPNA board.
Helping the Homeless: Dani Robillard
jan : feb 2016 | 7
“Doer of Things.” That’s how Dani Robil-
lard describes herself on her calling card.
Among the things she’s done recently,
one stands out. In December, Robillard
raised $900 from friends on Facebook,
solicited donations from local businesses,
and used the proceeds to distribute care
packages to 90 homeless people.
Robillard calls the effort Operation Give a
Damn, now in its second year. “It was sur-
prising to see how many people wanted
to contribute,” she says.
“Knowing I was able to
give 90 people warmth and
fill their bellies? I’m stoked.
That’s success.”
In addition to friends who
gave money, goods and
time,
the managers at
Lucky and Faletti markets
donated bottled water
and fresh fruit. “They have
yes in their hearts,” Robil-
lard says. “I love them so
much.” What she couldn’t
get donated, she bought.
Each beneficiary received
two sets of socks and
underwear, two PB&J sandwiches,
two pieces of fruit, a bottle of water, a
vitamin C packet, two chocolate can-
dies and a handwritten “love note”
from Robillard. Some also received
hygiene items and hats and gloves.
Five lucky recipients got a new back-
pack donated by some of Robillard’s
friends.
How does Robillard, who waitresses
at Bar Crudo and serves as a volun-
teer firefighter, know what the home-
less population needs most? She asked.
“I learned last year that the one thing
homeless people really need is socks
and underwear. It’s a big, big deal. So is
water.”
After stuffing the bags at her Lyon Street
apartment, Robillard and friends made
two trips to hand-deliver the care pack-
ages to people near Civic Center, around
Sixth and Mission, and in the Tenderloin.
“It’s brutal in the TL,” she says. “Word got
out and we got swamped.”
When she ran out of com-
plete packages, she passed
out lunch bags with extra
sandwiches, water
and
notes.
A NoPa resident for more
than 20 years, Robillard
believes in acting locally. “I
think it’s really important to
get to know the people in
your neighborhood and help
them out,” she says. “Start
small. Make five lunches. It’s
never hard to find under-
privileged people.”
Libby Estell is the managing editor of
the NOPNA News.
Top: Dani Robillard has lived in NoPa for
more than 20 years. Middle: Robillard
distributed the bags to homeless people in
the Tenderloin, SoMa and near Civic Center.
Bottom: Friends helped Robillard assemble
the bags at her Lyon Street home.
PHOTOS: Dani Robillard
8 | NOPNANews
OUT AND ABOUT
What’s New in the Neighborhood?
Divisadero continues to attract new businesses, almost faster than we can report
on them. The southern blocks, where NoPa becomes the Lower Haight, have
been particularly active. Here’s a roundup of the latest changes in and around
the neighborhood.
With all the new businesses springing
whose communications director
2. Nigiri-only sushi restaurant Ijji
up, we’re glad to hear the Divisadero
Merchants Association is trying to
regroup. A number of merchants
gathered at Madrone Art Bar on
Dec. 8 for a kickoff meeting. The
organization fizzled last year after
the closure of Big Umbrella Studios,
served as president.
1. Lava Mae, the mobile shower
service for the homeless, now parks
its converted city bus outside the
opened in late January in the old
KK Cafe space at 252 Divisadero St.
The tiny 18-seat spot is open only for
dinner, Tuesday to Sunday.
DMV at 1377 Fell St. on Saturdays
3. Indian Paradox is preparing to
from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
replace the former King Foot Subs
at 258 Divisadero St. Owner Kavitha
jan : feb 2016 | 9
O
R
E
D
A
S
I
V
I
D
O
R
E
D
A
S
I
V
I
D
Raghavan plans to pair south Indian
9. Ju-Ni, an omakase sushi spot, is set
cuisine with wine, a concept she’s
to replace Candybar, which closed its
been testing with pop-ups around the
doors at 1335 Fulton St. late last year.
Bay Area.
Details on the new restaurant are few,
Ellis
11
but the speculation is that the name—
Eddy
4. Powder, a frozen dessert (think
shaved ice) parlor, is taking over
the old Viper Vapor shop at 260
Divisadero St. Founder Mimi Hanley
and her business partner both live in
Japanese for “one dozen”—may
point to the number of courses on the
omakase (chef’s choice) menu.
10. At press time, Kava Tea Lounge
the area and plan to open this sum-
had just announced their official
mer.
5. Tsk/Tsk, which opened in the for-
mer Ziryab space last summer, closed
its doors on Jan. 1. The closure makes
opening date, Feb. 18th, after two
years of construction. Kava specializes
in herbal cocktails made from the kava
root.
way for the planned spring opening
11. Edge of Frame studio and gallery
of Horsefeather, which the owners
opened Jan. 1 at 1207 Divisadero, in
intend to be permanent.
the former Square Meals storefront.
Founded by three artists, it’s a place
for artists to create, show and sell
work.
Libby Estell is the managing editor of
the NOPNA News.
1
k
c
i
r
e
d
o
r
B
r
e
k
a
B
6. Hayes Valley favorite Souvla has
signed the lease on the former Her-
bivore space at 531 Divisadero St.
The Greek menu will feature the same
spit-roasted pork, lamb and chicken
wraps and salads as the other loca-
tion, as well as its frozen yogurt. Look
for it to open later this year.
7. The owners of Health Haven and
Pet Haven have announced they’re
closing in mid-February. They hoped
to have a new tenant lined up before
vacating but, at press time, no lease
had been signed for the space at 621
Divisadero.
8. Colorado-based outdoor bag
supplier Topo Designs opened in
the former Your Scents shop at 645
Divisadero in mid-December.
Turk
Golden Gate
10
McAllister
Fulton
9
Grove
8
7
Hayes
6
5
Fell
Oak
Page
Haight
O
R
E
D
A
S
I
V
I
D
4
3
2
10 | NOPNANews
Holiday Tree Invites Peaceful Reflection
Kelly Doran was having a hard time getting in the holiday
Doran went daily to read the new messages of hope. “Yes,
spirit. It was her first Christmas in 17 years without her
there was some vandalism and some nasty messages,” Doran
beloved dogs, Powder and Daffy, who she’d had to put
admits, but she “would just clean things up and restock.”
to rest earlier in the year. She couldn’t bring herself to
decorate. “I was going to skip the holidays.”
She left the ugly messages so as not to sanitize human
nature. “But after a week, someone took the unpleasant
But then came the terrorist attacks in Paris and San
cards down. Pretty considerate, huh?”
Bernardino. Doran decided to share the holidays rather
than skip them. She put up her tree in the archway
entrance to her garage near the intersection of Central
and Hayes for neighbors to enjoy. “Many ISIS attacks
had already happened, so I got the idea to invite people
to write their thoughts on colored index cards and hang
them on the tree.”
She posed a sign that read, “Our world is hurting, feel free
to write a message on a card….joy, hope, anger, courage,
despair… and hang your thoughts on our Peace Tree.”
She placed a crate filled with index cards, colored markers
and paper clips on the ground beside the tree.
“It was instant and powerful. People started
writing messages.”
In all, Doran’s Peace Tree attracted more than 80 messages.
Most were “happy, positive, poignant and unsigned.” More
than a third were written by children. “Some messages were
prayers to deceased loved ones, some were prayers for the
Middle East, USA, schools and students that were attacked by
domestic terrorism. Some were kids just wishing merry Christ-
mas. And many were thanks for the Peace Tree and lights.”
Sadly, not all of the responses were positive. One of
Doran’s neighbors insisted it come down. At 11 a.m. on
Christmas Eve, Doran’s landlord and a fire inspector cut
the secured ropes and pulled the Peace Tree to the side-
walk, destroying many of the messages in the process.
Libby Estell is the managing editor of The NOPNA News.
Left: Doran erected the Peace Tree outside her garage. Middle: Doran preserved the notes people posted on the tree after it came
down. Right: Kelly Doran. PHOTOS: Kelly Doran
VISION ZERO
jan : feb 2016 | 11
Protected Bike Lanes Along the Panhandle:
What Do You Think?
As a parent, spouse, safety advocate
and environmentalist, I see cycling as
a viable means of traversing the city
for many people. I find that taking my
son to school, shopping, and play are a
more interactive experience with him on
a bike, and we have a chance to inter-
act with others more easily as well. I am
experienced and comfortable riding in
traffic, but approximately 60 percent of
the population are known to be “inter-
ested but concerned,” would-be riders
who are reluctant to ride in traffic.
The Panhandle is a wonderful and well-
used park, with a capacity problem on
the northern path. Plans to improve the
southern path are in the works, but San
Francisco’s growing number of bicy-
The Panhandle is one of the city’s most heavily used bike routes.
PHOTO: SF.Streetsblog.org
clists will result in greater challenges. A relatively easy solution is to expand
the protected cycle path from Baker Street to Shrader Street with parked cars
and a passenger buffer similar to John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park.
The result would be three continuous vehicle lanes instead of contraction and
expansion at varying intervals with no loss of parking.
The North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association board would like your
opinion about the proposal to install a dedicated bike lane along the north and
south sides of the Panhandle, protected by parked cars and a painted buffer
with pedestrian islands, from Baker Street to Shrader Street.
Your input will be valuable in determining our priority in requesting attention
for improved infrastructure in our community and helpful in showing support
for the plan. Please visit nopna.org to get more information, take a look at
possible design elements and complete the survey.
The North of Panhandle
Neighborhood Associa-
tion board would like your
opinion about the pro-
posal to install a dedicated
bike lane along the north
and south sides of the
Panhandle, protected by
parked cars and a painted
buffer with pedestrian
islands, from Baker Street
to Shrader Street.
Tim Hickey is president of the NOPNA board.
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
527 BRODERICK STREET
• Gorgeous Broderick St Home
• Remodeled Detached House-Like Condo
• Privately Located in Rear of Central NOPA Lot
• Large Exclusive-use Redwood Deck
• 2 Levels 3BD/2.5BA
• 11' Ceiling and Custom Designed Features
SOLD $1,818,000
REPRESENTED SELLER
1157 BRODERICK STREET
• Upper Level Condo Remodeled with
2077 GOLDEN GATE AVE
• Upper Level Condo, Recently Converted
1949 MCALLISTER STREET
• Detached Stand Alone
Designer Finishes
• Recently Condo Converted
• 3 Bedroom 2 Bathroom
• Spacious Open Floor Plan
• Spacious Master Suite +Addl Powder Room
• Beautiful Southern Views
House-Like Condo
• Spacious Three Level Floor Plan
• 3-4 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms
• Tranquil Views of Terraced Yard Designed
• Private Exclusive-Use Garage
• Deeded Deck and Shared Yard
by Flora Grubb
• Exclusive-Use Bonus Room on Ground Level
• 1-Car Independent Parking and Storage
SOLD $1,280,000
REPRESENTED SELLER
• 1 Car Independent Parking
SOLD OFF MARKET - $1,505,000
SOLD $1,030,000
REPRESENTED SELLER
REPRESENTED SELLER
Mollie Poe | NOPA Sales Specialist | Top 1% SFAR 2015
20 Year NOPA Resident | NOPNA Business Member
Pacific Union Int’l • Christie’s Real Estate
1699 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94109
415.902.2447 | mollie@molliepoe.com | www.molliepoe.com
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Phone Number
Respect the neighborhood, be part of the community
Your Custom Text Here