UPDATE: Standards for Bird-Safe Buildings Announcement

BOMA San Francisco Members:

UPDATE - August 30, 2011

Upcoming Board of Supervisors Hearings - SEPTEMBER 2011

Now that the Planning Commission has adopted the San Francisco Standards for Bird-Safe Buildings, the Board of Supervisors will consider related amendments to the Planning Code to implement this new policy. This hearing will likely be scheduled in early September before the Land Use Committee. Contact the Clerk of the Board for more information.

Please email Ken Cleveland at kenc@boma.com and John Bozeman at johnb@boma.com with any concerns you my have.

UPDATE - June 22, 2011

Since the October 14, 2010 hearing, the Planning Department has received over 2000 comments on this proposal. At the Planning Commission’s request, staff has revised the draft proposal based upon public comment and further research. They are excited to announce the new June 2011 Draft Standards for Bird-Safe Buildings and upcoming public hearings.

The Draft proposes a three-pronged approach to the problem: 

• Establishment of requirements for the most hazardous conditions; 
• Use of an educational checklist to educate project sponsors and their future tenants on potential hazards; and 
• Creation and expansion of voluntary programs to encourage more bird-safe practices including acknowledging those who pursue certification through a proposed new program for “bird-safe building” recognition.

Upcoming Public Hearings

There are two hearings scheduled before the San Francisco Planning Commission regarding the revised Bird-Safe Buildings policy document and a proposed ordinance: 

June 23, 2011 – Initiation of the proposed Standards for Bird-Safe Buildings Ordinance

Set up an email reminder about this Hearing
The purpose of this hearing is solely to announce the Planning Commission’s intention to consider the Planning Code amendments at a later date – initiation does not involve a decision on the substance of the proposed Code amendments. 

July 14, 2011 (tentative) – Public Hearing on the proposed Adoption of Bird-Safe Building Standards
Set up an email reminder about this Hearing
At this hearing, the Commission will hear a staff presentation on the proposal and will listen to public comment. The Commission will then consider adoption of the policy document, the 2011 “Draft Standards for Bird-Safe Buildings” and related amendments to the Planning Code to implement the proposed policy.

A copy of the June 2011 Draft Standards for Bird-Safe Buildings document, along with links to upcoming Planning Commission Hearing materials, are available on the Planning Department web page at: http://www.sf-planning.org/index.aspx?page=2506#general_info

Do You Have Thoughts? Comments on the proposed code Amendments or Draft Standards for Bird-Safe Buildings can be sent to Erika Lovejoy before the above-mentioned hearings:

Erika Lovejoy
erika.lovejoy@sfgov.org
San Francisco Planning Department
1650 Mission Street, Suite 400
San Francisco, CA 94103
tel: 415-575-9026
fax: 415-558-6409

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UPDATE - February 25, 2011

The San Francisco Planning Department will accept comments regarding the draft document 'Standards for Bird-Safe Buildings' until February 28, 2011.  

If you have any comments or questions , please feel free to contact Erika Lovejoy with the Planning Department at erika.lovejoy@sfgov.org. 

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Original Post - October 7, 2010

The San Francisco Planning Commission will hold an informational hearing on October 14, 2010 (click here for more information) to announce the public release of a draft document titled 'Standards for Bird-Safe Buildings.' This document is intended to promote bird-safe design and to reduce bird collisions into buildings.  The draft document proposes a three-pronged approach to this issue:

• Establishment of requirements for the most hazardous conditions;
• Use of an educational checklist to educate project sponsors and their future tenants on potential hazards; and
• Creation and expansion of voluntary programs to encourage more bird-safe practices including acknowledging those who pursue certification through a proposed new program for “bird-safe building” recognition.

The draft document discusses potential negative impacts on resident and migratory birds, suggested remedies to lessen the hazard through treatments for glazing, lighting, and other building design elements and building operations.

Preliminary Recommendation: The Department recommends that the Commission instruct the Department to:

• Collect public comment through the end of 2010; 
• Consider revisions to the document based upon comments received; and
• Prepare a draft Ordinance for the Commission’s consideration in 2011 that would implement proposed controls and adopt a final 'Bird-Safe Building Standards' document; and 
• Adopt the draft resolution to that effect.

If you have any questions, please call (415) 558-6395.  Comments can be sent to the Planning Commission c/o Linda Avery, San Francisco Planning Commission, 1650 Mission Street, Suite #400, SF, CA 94103.