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About the Planning Department
Action Plan 2008-2010
Discretionary Review (DR) Reform
DR Reform FAQs
DR Reform Outreach
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 Discretionary Review Reform
On June 18, 2009 the Planning Commission adopted a package of reforms to improve the Discretionary Review (DR) process. Many of these reforms became effective immediately; however some of them must to be voted on by the Board of Supervisors and signed by the Mayor before they can take effect. The Planning Department anticipates that the Board will start considering the Planning Commission’s Discretionary Review Reform Package at the Board’s Land Use Committee starting on October 19, 2009. Once the Board approves the package and the Mayor signs it into the law, the new legislation will go into a two-year trial period, after which time the entire reform package will be reviewed and its effectiveness evaluated. The more controversial aspects of the proposal put forward by the Planning Department (e.g. appointing a hearing officer) were not included in the Planning Commission’s action. These aspects may be considered again by the Planning Commission after the two-year trial period and evaluation.
BASIC OVERVIEW
Currently, anytime someone files a request for Discretionary Review of a permit, the case automatically goes to the Planning Commission for a public hearing. Once the entire reform package is codified into law, the Planning Department will be able to review DR Applications and administratively reject applications that do not demonstrate an exceptional or extraordinary circumstance. Applications that are rejected by the Planning Department will not have a hearing before the Planning Commission; however permits can still be appealed to the Board of Appeals once they are issued by the Department of Building Inspection.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
> What is Discretionary Review (DR)?
> What’s wrong with DR, why does it need to be reformed?
> Was there public involvement in the reform process?
> What is the definition of “Exceptional and Extraordinary”?
> What are the main aspects of the new reform package?
> What policies are now in effect?
> What is a pre-application meeting?
> What are the Residential Design Standards?
> What is the Residential Design Team (RDT)?
> Can I attend a Residential Design Team (RDT) Meeting?
> How will this new process affect my application currently under review?
> Will this change how the Planning Department reviews permits?
> Will DR Reform change the 311 Neighborhood Notification process?
> What is a Request for Reconsideration?
> After the 2-year trial period, what are the Department’s measurements of success?
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