The president's message by Dennis Richards

I'm heartened that the membership elected me at the January meeting to be president. I suppose my first order of business is to introduce myself.

I've lived in Duboce Triangle for five years and have worked over the past 10 years on a variety of issues facing the neighborhood and the city. Along with being president of DTNA, I'm also on several other nonprofit boards such as San Francisco Heritage.

As always, there are plenty of things going on in the neighborhood, particularly when it comes to land use.

Market/Octavia Plan

As mentioned in earlier newsletters, the City's Market- Octavia plan is designed to provide a framework for development in the neighborhood over the next 30 years, and would result in rezoning a large part of Duboce Triangle.

We have some concerns about the plan, which are spelled out in a separate article in this newsletter. We submitted those concerns to the Planning Department in January, and we're waiting to hear a response. I'm pleased to report that we've already seen a benefit from our advocacy. The Planning Department will conduct an historic/cultural resources survey of our neighborhood. This will help us learn more about Duboce Triangle, while helping us to protect it.

CPMC medical office building

Plans to build a new California Pacific Medical Center office building at Noe and Duboce streets continue. We are anxious to resolve three remaining issues with the hospital: shadows along Noe Street, landscaping and parking. I'll keep you posted.

Newsletter

We are expanding the newsletter to six pages. Hopefully you'll notice features such as historical properties, a crime log and our advertising rates to encourage more local business to help support DTNA. Please patronize these local businesses.

I look forward to my new role as president and hope to hear your feedback on issues that are important to the neighborhood. Our success continues to depend on your involvement.