CitySmart Newsletter

CitySmart & Glen Park: Week of July 28, 2026

Tietz-Beneke House on Chenery Street Heads Toward Landmark Status
The Board passed on first reading a landmark designation for the Tietz-Beneke House at 657 Chenery Street, between Diamond and Carrie Streets — right along Glen Park’s commercial spine. The designation, sponsored by Supervisor Mandelman, is part of a larger batch of historic-property protections moving through the Planning Code process and still needs a second reading before it’s final.

Top 3 from July 28 BoS Meeting
1. Two-Year City Budget Finally Passed
The Board finally passed the city’s Budget and Appropriation Ordinance for Fiscal Years 2026-27 and 2027-28, along with the companion Annual Salary Ordinance setting positions and compensation for the same two years. Both are sponsored by the Mayor and passed unanimously, 11–0 — locking in how the city spends money for the next two fiscal years.

2. Fireworks Penalties Just Got Real Teeth — And Two Supervisors Weren’t on Board
The Board finally passed an ordinance sharply increasing penalties for illegal fireworks: a first offense now carries a fine of $125 to $250, and any second or subsequent offense within five years becomes a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $250 to $750, up to six months in County Jail, or both. Sponsored by Wong, with Sherrill, Melgar, Sauter, Dorsey, and Mandelman co-sponsoring, the ordinance passed 9–2, with Fielder and Walton voting no — both had also opposed it on first reading, making this one of the more contested votes of the meeting.

3. SF Voters Will Decide on a Transfer Tax Change for Foreclosed Properties
The Board voted to send a measure to the November 2026 ballot that would eliminate the real property transfer tax foreclosure exemption for most property transfers, carving out an exception for residential and mixed-use properties with fewer than five units, starting March 1, 2027. It would also let the city’s appropriations limit grow by the amount of transfer tax collected under the change for four years. Mahmood is the lead sponsor, with Dorsey, Melgar, Chen, Wong, Walton, and Mandelman co-sponsoring. The motion passed 10–0, with Walton excused.