THIS WEEK AT THE VOICE FOR THURSDAY, DEC. 4, 2025
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by Mike Ege
Editor in Chief, The Voice of San Francisco
While the dust settled fairly quickly from Tuesday’s vote on the Family Zoning Plan at the Board of Supervisors, the other shoes have yet to drop.
On one level, the board vote is no surprise, having been telegraphed through a long committee process. Sources on the second floor predicted a performative last attempt at amendments from west side supervisor Connie Chan, and that’s precisely what happened.
Also telegraphed this week: the next shoe to drop in the upzoning struggle, a likely lawsuit against the city by opponents Neighborhoods United over what they allege is inadequate review under that legal caltrop YIMBYs are likely exhausted from hearing about, the California Environmental Quality Act.
“This new upzoning plan doesn’t have a valid impact report that reflects how different it is from the original Environmental Impact Report done under former Mayor London Breed. So, it needs a buff and a polish, you might say,” Neighborhoods United leader Lori Brooke told us in an interview last night. “I think it’s a very fair ask, considering how different the plan is. If everything’s copacetic, nobody should worry about it. But if it’s not, then maybe appropriate changes should be made.”
Brooke also mentioned another shoe to drop — political retaliation in next year’s elections. She herself is running against District 2 Supervisor Stephen Sherrill in a June special election to confirm Breed’s appointment to the seat after Catherine Stefani left for her new Assembly seat in Sacramento.
Sherrill has to run a gauntlet next year, with the special election in June and the regular election in November. In June, he faces Brooke and four other candidates; asked if she would run against Sherrill if she lost in June, she told us, “honestly, I don’t know yet, ask me again in March.”
The public face of making Family Zoning work as local legislation is the board’s Land Use Chair, Myrna Melgar, who represents District 7, not exactly a pro-density constituency. There’s been talk of recalling her, but neighborhood stalwart organ Westside Observer published an op-ed last month, penned by none other than former Coalition on San Francisco Neighborhoods president George Wooding, poo-poohing the idea.
Also facing a gauntlet is newly appointed Sunset Supervisor Alan Wong. He faces four challengers in June, including the anointed progressive candidate Natalie Gee. This is ironic, given that Wong also has a labor and progressive political background. One issue is his being appointed by Mayor Daniel Lurie, but another is that apparently, some progressives thought Wong was too independent in his thinking for his own good as a City College Trustee — a narrative telegraphed by progressive mouthpieces in a Mission Local article this morning. The conspiratorial Phoenix Project also sent out a missive this afternoon labeling Wong, who worked as a union organizer for six years and championed Free City College as a trustee, as an “astroturf” operative.
An independent-thinking politician is a rare thing in San Francisco, particularly one who apparently chose the field for himself at a very young age. Stop Crime SF chair Frank Noto remembers when, as head of the Sunset Community Democratic Club, Wong first approached him to get involved — when he was 16. Wong would later in his career join the board of Stop Crime SF, among other things.
There are two popular maxims in local politics. One is the homily about “dancing with who brung ya” that is so long-cited that the original author of it has been long forgotten; the other is the classic from former legislative king Jesse Unruh:”If you can’t eat their food, drink their booze, screw their women, and then vote against them, you’ve got no business being up here.”
We’ll see which one has more salience this year.
Check out links to our latest content below, or just bookmark our homepage to see the latest.
Top News
HOUSING
‘Protect my district’ vs. ‘save the city’: How lawmakers’ votes on Lurie’s housing plan revealed their true priorities
Mayor scores essential win on Family Zoning Plan at Board of Supervisors.
by Erica Sandberg
San Francisco’s housing status quo was dealt a blow on Tuesday as the Board of Supervisors debated whether to approve Mayor Daniel Lurie’s Family Zoning Plan. It passed in a 7 to 4 vote along the board’s traditional factional lines. The contentious debate marked the first full board meeting for newly appointed Supervisor Alan Wong in District 4, who voiced his support for the plan.
POLITICS
The Sunset welcomes District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong
The Sunset turned out in force as neighbors, civic advocates, and a contingent from the Asian American community gathered to watch City College Trustee Alan Wong take the oath as District 4’s newest Supervisor.
by Liz Le
EDUCATION
San Francisco school board may surpass $100 million deficit level
The San Francisco Board of Education next meets on Tuesday, Dec. 9, to potentially approve an administrators’ contract that will return the district to a deficit level surpassing $100 million this fiscal year.
by John Trasviña
Quote of the week
“Some colleagues have talked about this rezoning, pitting the west side against the east side of San Francisco. I would say we did that in 1978. In this rezoning, we are building a more equitable and accessible tomorrow.”
— Supervisor Myrna Melgar discussing Mayor Lurie’s Family Zoning Plan before Tuesday’s board vote, in ‘Protect my district’ vs. ‘save the city’: How lawmakers’ votes on Lurie’s housing plan revealed their true priorities
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
CITY HALL
Board of Supervisors revisits reparations
Bill, dormant since August, would create fund to accept both private donations and city appropriations.
by Mike Ege
EDUCATION
UESF sets up its first of two required strike authorization votes
Time is running out as mediators pass the baton to fact-finders as they try to resolve deadlock.
by Elizabeth Statmore
CRIME
Lurie, Dorsey tout new approaches at District 6 public safety town hall
“I don’t think the city does a good job of measuring who comes to San Francisco mainly to engage in drug-related behavior.”
by Griffin Lee
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EVENTS
Out and about Dec. 4–10, 2025
What to do this weekend and beyond.
It’s a week of lights and lightings, music and dancing, and all kinds of holiday delights. Here are some events to consider to enjoy the season.
Thursday, Dec. 4
The festivities start early in Golden Gate Park for the Holiday Tree Lighting, an annual tradition since 1929. (The lighting countdown begins at 6 p.m.) Enjoy live entertainment, food for purchase, rides and games, cookie decorating, and more. 4–8 p.m. Free admission.
Friday, Dec. 5
The Helpers Artisan Boutique is a marketplace for neurodiverse artists and provides a retail revenue for the artists, collaboration, and builds inclusivity through community events. Their booth outside the boutique at the Union Street Festival is always a highlight for me. Don’t miss their pop-up boutique for all your holiday gift shopping — including yourself. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ferry Building (Suite 21 across from Bay Crossings), weekends through December. Free admission.
Regardless of how you feel about Salesforce Tower on our skyline, the rooftop park (and the light installation on the top floors) can’t be beat. Tonight’s sixth iteration of Winterfest features live music, dancing, and park lighting. Special activities are scheduled throughout the weekend; check the link above for hours and schedule. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free admission.
The fifth year of Let’s Glow S.F., the nation’s largest, free holiday projection arts festival, promises the grandest yet. Sites across the city will be illuminated with large-scale animated projection art featuring work by 19 artists from around the world. Tonight is the countdown (6 to 7 p.m. at Harry Bridges Plaza), where you can enjoy a special performance by the Glide Ensemble, before city officials flip the switch at 7 p.m. Beginning Saturday, show hours are 5:30 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 14. Free admission.
It’s time for the Guardsmen’s annual Crab Feed and dancing among the freshly cut trees at their indoor tree lot. All proceeds (including tips to your drink servers) benefit at-risk youth. 6 p.m. at Fort Mason. Tickets from $55.
Handel’s Messiah was an immediate hit when it premiered in 1742 and has been a worldwide seasonal favorite since. The San Francisco Symphony performs the classic at Davies Symphony Hall, which is always a delight, and even more so decked out in holiday lights. 7:30 p.m. through Saturday. Tickets from $30.
Saturday, Dec. 6
Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets is a special 50-minute performance for the youngins’. It’s fun, well performed with professional dancers, accompanied by a live chamber orchestra, and a must-see. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., weekends through Dec. 21. Tickets from $24.
Listen to our podcasts
- The battle is on over Family Zoning in San Francisco
- Bridge tolls are going up, Supervisor Wong is on the spot and the political battles have begun
- The ultimate betrayal: Santa will not be at Macy’s on Union Square. Also, will Alan Wong support Family Zoning?
- A new Supervisor Alan Wong, repairs on 19th Avenue begin, and today is World AIDS Day.
- Plus more (and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible or everywhere else you get your favorite podcasts)
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