SAN FRANCISCO—On May 13, the City Planning Director, Rich Hillis resigned. He was hired as the Director of planning by former SF Mayor London Breed, five years ago. Hillis worked in other City offices prior to taking on the challenge of Director.
Hillis indicated that he intends to stay and work on some crucial zoning issues for future development until July or until his replacement is hired. As for the exact time, there isn’t one. Hillis mentioned first to the SF Chronicle, as there is no good time to leave, “a job you love.”
Hillis is not the first to resign under the new leadership of SF Mayor Daniel Lurie. The Director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH), Dr. Grant Colfax has resigned as well as the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) Chief Bill Scott.
On February 13, Mayor Lurie signed an executive directive with a 100-day plan, and a one-year plan in place. In his directive Lurie named Rich Hillis to lead the project. The news reports that Mayor Lurie pushed Director Hillis out are incorrect.
The full text of the Executive Directive may be found here.
0022_001 Mayor Lurie’s Executive Directive
These efforts are in time to meet the January 2026 deadline to implement new zoning legislation.
There is no mention of the Hillis resignation on the City of San Francisco Planning webpage. There is a joint hearing for Planning and Health Commissions, happening (today) on May 15, at 11:00 a.m. located at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Commission Chambers Rm. 400.
The problems with permits and zoning are not an issue exclusive to San Francisco. City and State officials have been under scrutiny in recent years.
In January, newly elected President Trump visited Los Angeles City and County officials following the Palisades and Eaton fires. President Trump requested then, that the permits for a rebuild be waived so the victims of the damaging wildfires would not be hindered by permitting delays.
On April 10, Mayor Lurie issued a Family Housing Initiative with timelines, feasibility studies, and maps included. A copy of which may be found here.
2021-005878CWP Mayor Lurie Family Zoning Plan
In addition, taller buildings will be permitted from the SF Marina district to both Sunset and Richmond districts to accommodate as many as 36,000 new housing units.
