The City’s Developmental Services Department (DSD) has confirmed that the proposed Columbia Street high-rise preliminary review findings (PRJ-1126254) have expired since there has been no further submittals in the past year, as governed by the Information Bulletin 513. Any new project proposal will need to be re-evaluated against the current city code and conditions. This includes Fire-Safety reviews using the latest Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) criteria, joint airplane/helicopter airspace safety, earthquake fault zone criteria and other aspects. And its prior acceptance into the Complete Communities incentive program should be void since the underlying facts and rationale have expired.  The Bove Group, in seeking new investors and developers, is advertising this project as “ready to issue” permits – which, in our view, is quite an exaggeration. 

Our community and local businesses support responsible development. This proposed high-rise is not that. It creates safety risks, imposes significant traffic and parking burdens on neighboring residents and businesses, fails to deliver any meaningful affordable housing benefit, and erodes the historic character that defines our neighborhood. These impacts are unacceptable. That is why more than 1,400 residents have signed the neighborhood petition and why local businesses stand in opposition