A couple weeks ago, we told you that the U.S. Green Building Council had updated its LEED rating system and discussed the implications for projects. But LEED isn’t the only […]
Eastern Neighborhoods Amnesty Program: Can it Help You?
The implementation of the Eastern Neighborhoods (“EN”) Plan is kicking into high gear and this month the Planning Department mailed letters to property owners in the EN Plan area informing […]
It’s Earth Day, and LEED Grows Up
Today is the 39th Earth Day. Happy birthday, Earth Day. It goes without saying that the world is more environmentally conscious today than that first Earth Day in 1970. Green […]
Planning Commission Sends Mixed Signals On Entitlement Extensions
Last month we reported to you that the Planning Commission was reconsidering its policies related to the extension of various land use entitlements. On March 26, 2009 the Commission adopted […]
Are Arbitration Provisions Defective In Construction Defect Cases?
Many developers of condominium projects prefer alternative dispute resolution (ADR) when construction defect claims arise. ADR is seen as a more efficient way to resolve these disputes. Arbitration is one […]
Condo Sellers Gain New Leverage? Change in Deposit Rules Could Help Larger Projects
Residential condominium developers take considerable risk when developing new condominium projects. These risks are compounded in this challenging economic environment, with increased buyer defaults. Lenders providing construction financing often require […]
The San Francisco Planning Commission Considers – And Should Adopt – A Favorable Policy On Extension
On February 19, 2009, the Planning Commission held an informational hearing to discuss its policy on previously approved entitlements that have time-restricted performance conditions pertaining to commencement of construction. The […]
Commercial Property Owners Beware: Another Tax (Yes, One More) Could be Coming
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors, in an effort to help close the City’s budget gap, is considering a June special election to ask the voters to approve a new […]
Small Residential Buildings: To Condo or Not to Condo
Constant tinkering with the rules poses challenges to small building owners The San Francisco condominium conversion laws have changed in recent years and can be difficult to follow. Building owners […]
More San Francisco Land Use Regulations for 2009
The quantity of new land use ordinances that came out of the Board of Supervisors in 2008 was truly mind-boggling. From the very large (the Eastern Neighborhood rezoning, that we […]