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Under the new legislation, the 9,800 units covered by the sprinkler ordinance — most of them in Nob Hill, Russian Hill, the Marina and Telegraph Hill — would have until 2032, instead of 2027, to obtain permits for the sprinkler work, which some home owners associations have estimated would cost between $200,000 and $300,000 per unit. 

The legislation was co-sponsored by Supervisors Danny Sauter and Stephen Sherrill, whose district comprises most of the impacted buildings.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously gave Sherrill’s idea an initial nod Tuesday.

Sherrill is pushing legislation to make it easier for movie houses to sell alcohol if they are licensed to do so, and also to simplify the process for movie houses to offer other types of cultural attractions.

He said his proposed ordinance emerged from the ongoing effort to reopen the historic Clay Theatre in Pacific Heights.

3333 California St, the former 10-acre UCSF campus is slated to eventually be home to 744 housing units, a 175-spot child care facility, about 40,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and 5 acres of open space.

3700 California St. a few blocks to the west on the former California Pacific Medical Center campus that closed in 2019. That project will generate up to 19 new residential buildings with up to 530 homes. 

Stephen Sherrill, the incumbent, had an early lead, having raised over $200,000 for the June election as of Tuesday, not including public financing, according to campaign official.

The committee will look at the feasibility of the ordinance and come up with criteria that could exempt some buildings from the mandate. 

“Just pushing the time limits down the road doesn’t solve anybody’s problems,” said Sherrill. “We have to provide certainty as quickly as possible. Even the exemption process is going to be fraught and challenging. We are going to be aggressively focused on this for the next couple of months.”

Supervisor Stephen Sherrill has been a reliable vote for key pieces of the mayor's legislative agenda.

At a Monday press conference at the San Francisco Police Department’s Northern District Station, Sherrill described the program as “a first-in-the-nation lifesaving program and partnership.” 

“Small businesses are the backbone of San Francisco. But for too long, it’s been too hard and too expensive to get started. First Year Free helps change that. By extending this program, we’re continuing to cut red tape, lower startup costs, and make it easier to fill empty storefronts. That brings life back to our commercial corridors and boosts every business on the block. If you want to open a business in San Francisco, we want you here."

District 2 Supervisor Stephen Sherrill introduced legislation creating an entertainment zone for Union Street, known for its trendy restaurants, boutiques, and salons, during roll call at the Board of Supervisors meeting on March 4. “Throughout this city restaurants, bars, and small businesses are still fighting to recover, and I think it’s incredibly important to note that 2024 was perhaps the hardest year for restaurants since 2008, and we need to be doing more to help them thrive."

Supervisor Stephen Sherrill immediately worked with the SF Recreation and Parks Department to install 4 solar lights in the park to deter drug activities and is hosting a public safety town hall on March 6th at the Marina Middle School with the Chief of Police Bill Scott, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, and Sheriff Paul Miyamoto.

"My priority is, first and foremost, public safety. Supporting small businesses is my second priority. Responding to residents and working with them to not only react to their needs, but also to proactively address them. We need to make it easier to be in San Francisco."

"The overarching issue is that agencies need to be more responsive and transparent to residents. District 2 wants a government that acts on problems and doesn't throw up roadblocks."