Planning Commission hearings related to the SF-based real estate empire of the Stephens family shed light on a history of land use violations in a land-scarce city.
The Academy of Art University (AAU) in San Francisco has been owned by the Stephens family since its establishment in 1929. The website for the university states that "The Academy and San Francisco have grown up together," but some city residents believe the for-profit institution's growth has occurred without regard for land-use laws and in the face of a critical housing shortage.
Elisa Stephens, President of AAU, is referred to by her father, the university's founder, as the Princess, but former Planning Commissioner Ron Miguel refers to her as a scofflaw. Miguel was among those to offer public comment at a recent planning commission hearing to address the status of AAU's 31 planning code violations. Those violations relate mostly to a failure to obtain permits for converting over 40 buildings in prime SF locations to use for the school. According to Forbes reporter Katia Savchuk, these properties include rent-controlled housing.
"The Stephens family has turned that pile of art-school tuition into one of the largest real estate empires in San Francisco, with more than 40 properties in prime areas," Savchuk notes in a related article. Meanwhile, "In the 2013-14 academic year 55% of the school’s roughly 10,700 undergraduates had federal student loans totaling $45 million."
Savchuk reports on a vast network of political connections the Stephens family has cultivated over decades, including close ties to former Mayor Willie Brown and current Mayor Ed Lee.
"As enforcement limps on, AAU has continued buying new properties, and in some cases continuing to change the use of the buildings without informing authorities."
An environmental impact report is expected next year. Savchuck writes, "AAU plans to add another 1.2 million square feet in San Francisco by 2020, without building any new facilities, according to the report. If allowed, that would 'displace substantial numbers of people' from housing and businesses, the report says."
FULL STORY: How A For-Profit University Flouts San Francisco's Land-Use Laws
BART Closes $35 Million Deficit
Cost control and revenue generation measures prevented service cuts.
San Francisco Turns On California’s First Speed Cameras
The city is the first in the state to use automated traffic enforcement to reduce speeding and traffic deaths.
San Francisco Announces Plan to Overhaul Homelessness Strategy
Mayor Lurie’s three-phase plan promises 1,500 new shelter beds and a restructuring of outreach teams and supportive service programs.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland