2020-05-28 · 28 comments · 21 / 6
98 Franklin is a Win On All FrontsGreetings, I'm the Chair of the Board of Trustees of French American International and International High School, a San Francisco resident for thirty-five years, and the father of two children whose fond memories of attending K-12 at French American linger over a decade and a half after graduating. I'm also a ten year veteran of SFDPH. Years of insight into the needs of our city and our families leads me to… Greetings, I'm the Chair of the Board of Trustees of French American International and International High School, a San Francisco resident for thirty-five years, and the father of two children whose fond memories of attending K-12 at French American linger over a decade and a half after graduating. I'm also a ten year veteran of SFDPH. Years of insight into the needs of our city and our families leads me to conclude the following: 1. Housing is the first priority in a long list of what the city most needs. We urgently require affordable housing, market rate housing, and the increased tax base both provide to fund supportive housing. Our 98 Franklin project contributes to all three. One consequence of CCSF's response to the current pandemic is that EMS calls for people experiencing homelessness have decreased dramatically ever since hundreds of homeless have been moved to supportive shelter. Apart from quality of life improvements for the homeless and non- homeless alike, that's a net financial gain for the city. But it can only be sustained with more residents paying taxes. 2. In the wake of the pandemic, restoration of CCSF's economy will depend in large measure on local consumers spending on local businesses. Increasing the Hub's population with 98 Franklin will support business in Hayes Valley, Mid-Market, and beyond. 3. The future of San Francisco lies with its families. 98 Franklin allows French American to expand enrollment, increasing the numbers of local children receiving a first class international education. With a projected enrollment of over 1,000 next school year, 75% of whom are SF residents, a generous financial aid program, families who reflect the mosaic of SF life, and a senior class with over one hundred and twenty acceptances to UC this year, French American contributes materially to the economic and intellectual life of our city. 4. San Francisco rightfully prides itself on the quality of its arts institutions, vital to the lifeblood of the community. Many of the most important are in the immediate vicinity of 98 Franklin. They've have long been supported by French American's families and by shared students. The opera, conservatory, ACT, symphony, ballet, and SF Jazz, like arts organizations around the world, now face uncertain futures in the wake of the pandemic. Without a new generation of local patrons, some of whom will take up residence at 98 Franklin, without additional students shared among us, that future is more uncertain still. One project. Big wins for the quality of life, the economy, the arts, and the very future of our city. Thank you for your consideration and support. Sincerely, Josh Nossitershow more Why we support the 98 Franklin ProjectDear Commission President Koppel and Planning Commissioners, We're writing to express our support for the proposed 98 Franklin Street development. We are JD and Kate Marple and we live here is San Francisco. Our daughters have attended French American and International since they were in preschool. Now they're in 6th and 10th grade. One thing we love about the FAIS community is that it brings together famil… Dear Commission President Koppel and Planning Commissioners, We're writing to express our support for the proposed 98 Franklin Street development. We are JD and Kate Marple and we live here is San Francisco. Our daughters have attended French American and International since they were in preschool. Now they're in 6th and 10th grade. One thing we love about the FAIS community is that it brings together families from many backgrounds. We create a shared culture that develops compassionate, confident, and principled young people who will make the world better. We've seen this happen. FAIS is a school where kids can be themselves, no matter where they come from and what they look like. The students accept each other's differences. We believe 98 Franklin is the kind of mixed-use, mixed-income, transit-orientated development that will serve San Francisco well. We were gratified to learn that the project will provide 80+ affordable housing units which San Francisco desperately needs. It will provide welcome streetscape enhancements to Oak and Lily Streets. And the influx of new residents and retail will deter vandals in the neighborhood. FAIS has already developed several previously dormant properties in Hayes Valley, added security staff, and helped increase foot traffic in the neighborhood. The 98 Franklin project is a unique opportunity to create a world-class high school facility for our school, a diverse and innovative institution, with deep roots in San Francisco. The new campus will be a distinct civic landmark that is representative of our culture and mission. We strongly encourage your support of French American International School and the 98 Franklin Street development. Thank you, JD and Kate Marple 1217 Dolores Street San Francisco, CA 94110show more I Support 98 Franklin ProjectDear Commission President Koppel and Planning Commissioners, I am contacting you to express my support for the proposed 98 Franklin Street development. My name is Dr. Leslie Adams. I am a resident of San Francisco and a faculty member of the French American International School. I have been a teacher, and currently Director of Student Activities for 43 years at the school. My tenure at the same school is due in large… Dear Commission President Koppel and Planning Commissioners, I am contacting you to express my support for the proposed 98 Franklin Street development. My name is Dr. Leslie Adams. I am a resident of San Francisco and a faculty member of the French American International School. I have been a teacher, and currently Director of Student Activities for 43 years at the school. My tenure at the same school is due in large part to being a member of a diverse community that brings together people from many backgrounds. The school community of students, families, teachers, and staff come together in a place where international ideas are shared and a plethora of cultures are embraced. It is an exciting, vibrant, and growing community. 98 Franklin Project is a development that will allow the French American and International community to grow. It is exactly the kind of mixed-use, mixed-income development that will allow us to continue our partnership in San Francisco well into the future. The partnership of International with the area will add housing, neighborhood improvement, and a more welcome atmosphere in an ever transitioning Hayes Valley. Positive and productive use of space will also contribute to the safety of the area as dormant space and property brings negative aspects to an area. The French American International School is committed to the Hayes Valley community by building a facility that will bring together children, their families, and teaching professionals into the area. The French American International School has deep ties to the city and the area in particular as shown by the Oak Street campus. The 98 Franklin project would continue the tradition of having a world-class international school community occupying a landmark building in Hayes Valley. I strongly recommend your support of French American International School and the 98 Franklin Street development. Thank you for your time, Leslie Dr. Leslie D. Adams -- Dr. Leslie D. Adams Director of Student Activities/Vie Scolaire +1 [phone removed] 150 Oak Street | San Francisco, CA 94102 | USA Image removed by sender.show more SF and FAIS family support for the 98 Franklin ProjectDear Commission President Koppel and Planning Commissioners, I am reaching out to express my support for the proposed 98 Franklin Street development. My name is Luca Mangini. My wife and I have lived in San Francisco since 2002. We are proud parents of three children ages 6, 3.5 and 3.5. Our eldest has attended French American International School for the last three years and will start 1st grade at 150 Oak st in the… Dear Commission President Koppel and Planning Commissioners, I am reaching out to express my support for the proposed 98 Franklin Street development. My name is Luca Mangini. My wife and I have lived in San Francisco since 2002. We are proud parents of three children ages 6, 3.5 and 3.5. Our eldest has attended French American International School for the last three years and will start 1st grade at 150 Oak st in the Fall. She and her siblings will directly benefit from this future development. The French American community brings together people from many backgrounds. Together we strive to create a shared culture that develops compassionate, confident, and principled people who will make the world better. 98 Franklin is exactly the kind of mixed-use, mixed-income, transit-orientated development that will serve San Francisco well into the future. The project will provide at 80+ affordable units which San Francisco desperately needs Located in the Hub District <U+2013> the 98 Franklin project is a unique opportunity to create a world- class high school facility for the French American International School <U+2013> a diverse and innovative institution, with deep roots in San Francisco and Hayes Valley in particular. I strongly encourage your support of French American International School and the 98 Franklin Street development. Thank you. -- Luca Manginishow more Support for the Hub/98 Franklin Project*Dear Commission President Koppel and Planning Commissioners, I<U+2019>m contacting you to express my support for the proposed 98 Franklin Street development. My name is Cynthia Leavitt, I<U+2019>m a North Beach resident and a parent of a rising senior at International High School. My family has been a part of this community for 3 years. Our son chose IHS because he wanted a culturally diverse school th… Dear Commission President Koppel and Planning Commissioners, I<U+2019>m contacting you to express my support for the proposed 98 Franklin Street development. My name is Cynthia Leavitt, I<U+2019>m a North Beach resident and a parent of a rising senior at International High School. My family has been a part of this community for 3 years. Our son chose IHS because he wanted a culturally diverse school that brought together people from many backgrounds. This experience has had a big impact on the person he<U+2019>s become and has inspired him to study international relations in college. As his parents we could not be happier with his school. We especially love its location, Hayes Valley has become a second home to us. We spend a lot of time in the neighborhood, shopping, socializing and have come to know intimately its many treasures as well as challenges. As a member of the IHS Parent<U+2019>s Association I<U+2019>ve been impressed with how thoughtful and respectful our administration has been toward its neighbors. I don<U+2019>t use that word lightly, there is a real love emanating from our school toward its Hayes Valley neighbors. We all know how unique our neighborhood is and want to protect it while nurturing it into the future. From community service projects, to supporting local merchants and artists to simply being a good neighbor, IHS is deeply committed toward serving the best interests of the neighborhood. The same is true for our students, my son and his friends are regulars at several neighborhood lunch spots and know the proprietors on a personal level. Our kids know their names, ask about their kids and look forward to sharing a good joke. We all know the city desperately needs affordable housing. The 98 Franklin is exactly the kind of mixed-use, mixed-income, placemaking, transit-orientated development that will serve San Francisco well into the future. But the project goes far beyond providing more housing, it will also help address vandalism by bringing increased pedestrian activity, new residents and new retail. French American International School has a history of working collaboratively with the community. The school has developed several previously dormant properties, added security staff, and helped increase foot traffic in the neighborhood. The new campus is uniquely positioned to establish us in San Francisco's urban landscape, and will be a distinct civic landmark that is representative of our culture, mission, and sense of place. I strongly encourage your support of French American International School and the 98 Franklin Street development. Thank you. Cynthia Leavitt show more French American International School project at 98 FranklinDear Commission President Koppel and Planning Commissioners, I am contacting you to express my support for the proposed 98 Franklin Street development. My name is Eric Foerg, and I<U+2019>m the parent of Leo Foerg, who will soon enter first grade at French American International School. Leo started at French American in PK4 and is already becoming fluent in French, although his mother (Caitlin Bair, included he… Dear Commission President Koppel and Planning Commissioners, I am contacting you to express my support for the proposed 98 Franklin Street development. My name is Eric Foerg, and I<U+2019>m the parent of Leo Foerg, who will soon enter first grade at French American International School. Leo started at French American in PK4 and is already becoming fluent in French, although his mother (Caitlin Bair, included here) and I don't speak French. We intend for Leo's 1 year old brother, Luka, to start PK3 at French American in a few years. We fully anticipate having a third child, who will later join Leo and Luka at French American. Leo has been thriving during shelter in place, due to the wonderful online instruction from the teachers at French American. Despite hearing no French from his family, Leo continues to grow as a French speaker, simply with an hour a day of Google Meet. Leo's ongoing weekly lessons in drawing from French American's after school instructor (Comic Animation) has led to great progress with art. This has been supplemented by daily craft projects guided by French American's after school instructors. Leo has further thrived during shelter in place, due to the ongoing friendship of his diverse French American classmates. One set of his friend's parents developed computer programs for classmates to meet together for online playdates and for classmates to meet online for supervised recesses with French American after school instructors. As a result, Leo has several online playdates this week from French American classmates, along with organized recesses involving topics such as puzzles and PlayDoh. One positive to shelter in place has been going 2.5 months without putting a child in a carseat. We would like to avoid car commutes to school and back in the future. We rent a house in the Richmond district, but we wish to buy a home near French American in the coming years. Aside from walking to school, the other major benefit of living in Hayes Valley would be to live in a more urban, vibrant environment than the suburban feeling Richmond district. While many families are fleeing San Francisco, we want to become more of a part of it. The French American International School project at 98 Franklin would help us reach those dreams. As I mentioned, we are presently renters in the Richmond district. Our relatives in Indiana, Missouri, and Florida think we are crazy for prioritizing a bilingual education over owning a home right now. They also think ill of us for not bolting to some posh, spacious suburb. French American is among the top reasons that we would never abandon San Francisco. We value our children being immersed in an internationally focused education over material comforts. We want our children to grow up in a dynamic environment. We want our family to be part of San Francisco's solutions to a brighter future. I strongly encourage your support of French American International School and the 98 Franklin Street development. Thank you. Eric Foergshow more Expression of Support for Hub/98 FranklinDear Commission President Koppel and Planning Commissioners, I am contacting you to express my support for the proposed 98 Franklin Street development. My name is Asim Bhansali. I<U+2019>ve been a San Francisco resident for 16 years, and have also worked in the City during that entire time. I<U+2019>m the parent of a high school junior and have been a member of the French American and International High S… Dear Commission President Koppel and Planning Commissioners, I am contacting you to express my support for the proposed 98 Franklin Street development. My name is Asim Bhansali. I<U+2019>ve been a San Francisco resident for 16 years, and have also worked in the City during that entire time. I<U+2019>m the parent of a high school junior and have been a member of the French American and International High School community for 13 years. We are San Francisco's oldest and largest international school. Our community brings together people from many backgrounds. Together we strive to create a shared culture that develops compassionate, confident, and principled people who will make the world better. French American International School has a history of working collaboratively with the community. During the time that my family has been part of the school community, the school has developed several previously dormant properties, added security staff, and helped increase foot traffic in the neighborhood. Located in the Hub District <U+2013> the 98 Franklin project is a unique opportunity to create a world- class high school facility for the French American International School <U+2013> a diverse and innovative institution, with deep roots in San Francisco and Hayes Valley in particular. And, the project will provide at 80+ affordable units which San Francisco desperately needs I<U+2019>ve seen the Hayes Valley neighborhood evolve greatly over the past 13 years. The new campus will be a distinct civic landmark in that neighborhood, and it will be one that is representative of our City<U+2019>s diverse culture and sense of place. I strongly encourage your support of French American International School and the 98 Franklin Street development. Thank you. Asim Bhansali 25 Sea View Terrace [phone removed] [email removed]show more 5/28 Item 15: SPUR endorses 98 FranklinDear Planning Commissioners: Related California presented the 98 Franklin Street project to SPUR<U+2019>s Project Review Advisory Board at our October 17, 2019 meeting for review and consideration. The SPUR Project Review Advisory Board finds this development proposal to be an appropriate set of uses for this location and endorses the development of 98 Franklin by a partnership between Related California and th… Dear Planning Commissioners: Related California presented the 98 Franklin Street project to SPUR<U+2019>s Project Review Advisory Board at our October 17, 2019 meeting for review and consideration. The SPUR Project Review Advisory Board finds this development proposal to be an appropriate set of uses for this location and endorses the development of 98 Franklin by a partnership between Related California and the French American International High School. 98 Franklin is located in such an important, central location for San Francisco, within The Hub portion of the Market Octavia Plan. This complex project makes good use of the half-acre site, serving a 400-student school in addition to creating 345 apartment units and revitalizing an underutilized site currently used for car parking. We are impressed with the building tower design and the close attention to ground floor activity at the Oak and Franklin Street frontages. Further, we appreciate the limited parking that is being provided, the elimination of a curb cut and the location of loading, trash collection and bike storage below ground, reducing interference with pedestrian and vehicular activity. Please see attached endorsement letter from SPUR's Project Review Advisory Board. Let me know if you have any questions. Best, Kristy Wang -- Kristy Wang, LEED AP Community Planning Policy Director SPUR <U+2022> Ideas + Action for a Better City [phone removed] [phone removed] m [email removed] SPUR | Facebook | Twitter | Join | Get Newslettersshow more Please approve the Hub/98 Franklin Project for the benefit of San FranciscoDear Commission President Koppel and Planning Commissioners, I am contacting you to express my full support for the proposed 98 Franklin Street development. My name is George Akel. I have lived in San Francisco for over the past 20+ years with my wife and children. My daughter is a junior at French American International School and we have been a members of this vibrant and diverse school community for the past 3 ye… Dear Commission President Koppel and Planning Commissioners, I am contacting you to express my full support for the proposed 98 Franklin Street development. My name is George Akel. I have lived in San Francisco for over the past 20+ years with my wife and children. My daughter is a junior at French American International School and we have been a members of this vibrant and diverse school community for the past 3 years. 98 Franklin is exactly the kind of mixed-use, mixed-income, transit-orientated development that will benefit San Francisco well into the future. Everyone is aware of San Francisco's dire need of affordable housing. The proposed project will provide over 80 units in an ideal location - close to services, employment and transit. The current site is greatly underutilized as a surface parking lot and the proposed project will bring design improvements to the public realm and pedestrian rights-of-way. In addition, the project through its redevelopment will help address the Hayes Valley neighborhood<U+2019>s challenges with vandalism. Increased pedestrian activity with additional residents, students, and business will serve as a natural deterrent to vandalism. Finally, the 98 Franklin project is a unique opportunity to create a world-class high school facility for the French American International School. The new campus is uniquely positioned to establish the school within San Francisco's urban landscape, and will be a distinct civic landmark that is representative of the school's culture, mission, and sense of place. The school has a long, successful history of working with San Francisco and the Hayes Valley communities and I hope this project would allow for a new chapter of collaboration. I strongly encourage your support of French American International School and the 98 Franklin Street development for the benefit of San Francisco. Thank you for your consideration. George Akelshow more Mark Schwettmann · spoken · 2020-05-28 · support
Design presentation
Jordan Otis · spoken · 2020-05-28 · support
Support
Theo Gordon · spoken · 2020-05-28 · support
Support
Kenneth Russell · spoken · 2020-05-28 · support
Support
Mike Chen · spoken · 2020-05-28 · support
Support
Jerry Dratler · spoken · 2020-05-28 · oppose
Does not meet requirement
Theodore Randolph · spoken · 2020-05-28 · support
Support
Sue Hestor · spoken · 2020-05-28 · oppose
Transportation
Carlos Bocanegra · spoken · 2020-05-28 · oppose
Inadequacy of transportation demand
Tes Welborn · spoken · 2020-05-28 · oppose
Traffic concerns
Leonard Basocco · spoken · 2020-05-28 · support
Support, carpenters union
Corey Smith · spoken · 2020-05-28 · support
Support
Samantha Leland · spoken · 2020-05-28 · support
Support
Robin Levitt · spoken · 2020-05-28 · support
Bike access, improve pedestrian access
Adelina Rodriguez · spoken · 2020-05-28 · support
Support, French American school
Jason Henderson · spoken · 2020-05-28 · neutral
Bike route
Anastasia Yovanopoulos · spoken · 2020-05-28 · oppose
Affordability AMI, impact on environment
Ozzie Rohm · spoken · 2020-05-28 · oppose
Opposed, not family friendly
Eric Becker · spoken · 2020-05-28 · support
Support, French American school
2023-03-30 · 9 comments · 9 / 0
Anne Taupier · spoken · 2023-03-30 · support
OEWD report
Mark Schwettmann · spoken · 2023-03-30 · support
Project sponsor presentation
Jim Abrams · spoken · 2023-03-30 · support
Project sponsor presentation
Amy Baghdadi · spoken · 2023-03-30 · support
Mixed use project that will benefit Hayes Valley
JP Balajadia · spoken · 2023-03-30 · support
Unique opportunity for French American School to provide world class facilities in Hayes Valley
Melinda Bihn · spoken · 2023-03-30 · support
School support. Height changes will result in a meaningful investment in affordable housing
Karen Schmid · spoken · 2023-03-30 · support
Excited about the benefits it would bring
Kyle Smeallie · spoken · 2023-03-30 · support
Introduction of the ordinance
Anastasia Yovanopoulos · spoken · 2023-03-30 · support
Affordable housing and school