The Facts

Shadows will no longer be considered toxic waste that can stop new housing if Supervisor Mahmood's SHADE Act passes. Mahmood says shadow-based California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) appeals have stalled 2,195 homes over the past decade.

The Context

The proposal would not end shadow studies, but it would stop CEQA appeals based on "shadow impacts." An appeal is when an outside individual or interest group attempts to stop a development by appealing their permit. This triggers a lengthy study, review, and hearing period that often makes projects financially infeasible.

The proposal would not repeal San Francisco's sunlight law, which requires extra review when buildings over 40 feet cast new shadow on Rec and Park property. The studies, which require diagrams, calculations, and technical memos, will still be done, but vague "environmental impact harms" would not longer be considered adequate basis for appeal.

The GrowSF Take

Supervisor Mahmood is right to pick this fight. The 2,195 homes he cites getting blocked by shadow appeals doesn't include the thousands of homes that were never attempted due to the threat of CEQA shadow appeals. In a city that's getting hotter, shadows are not a good reason to say no to new homes.