(a) Approval of Longer-Term Closure of the Traffic Lane. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21101, the SFMTA Board of Directors may approve the Longer-Term Closure of a Traffic Lane of any Street, in excess of two consecutive years, based upon a determination of public convenience and necessity, following any required public hearing held prior to implementation of the closure.
(b) Determination of Longer-Term Closure of the Traffic Lane. The Director of Transportation or designee is authorized to issue rules and regulations, including the application process for a permittee to submit a request, governing the Longer-Term Closure of the Traffic Lane that are consistent with this subsection (b). In determining whether to recommend to the SFMTA Board of Directors a Longer-Term closure of the Traffic Lane portion of any Street, the Director or designee may consult with other relevant City departments, including, but not limited to, the Planning Department, Department of Public Works, Police Department, Department of Public Health, the Public Utilities Commission, the Entertainment Commission, and the Fire Department. The SFMTA Board of Directors may, after considering the impact of the street closure on transportation and on the security, health, and safety of the public as well as the values and commitments set forth in the Transit First Policy, Vision Zero Action Strategy, Climate Action Strategy, and Curb Management Strategy that have been adopted by the SFMTA Board, determine that the street or portion of the street is no longer needed for vehicular traffic, and that the closure is necessary for the safety and protection of the public using the street during the closure, and may impose additional requirements or conditions necessary to protect the public interest. If a determination is made not to approve a Longer-Term Closure of a Traffic Lane, neither Public Works nor any other City agency shall have the authority to issue a permit for occupancy of the Traffic Lane.
(c) Posting and Public Hearing Requirements. The posting and public hearing requirements set forth in Sections 201 and 202 shall apply to any proposed Longer-Term Closure of a Traffic Lane for purposes of issuing a Roadway Shared Space permit; provided, however, that notices shall be posted for seven calendar days prior to the hearing instead of ten.
(d) Decision. The decision of the SFMTA Board of Directors with respect to any proposed Longer-Term Closure of a Traffic Lane shall be final.
(e) Upon the expiration or revocation of any Roadway Shared Space permit under the Shared Spaces Program as set forth in Administrative Code Chapter 94A, any restriction related to the closure of a Traffic Lane shall be rescinded and the closed portion of the Street shall be reopened within seven days. If the closed portion of the Street is not reopened within seven days, the Roadway Shared Spaces permittee shall be subject to fines and administrative penalties, and any structures placed in the Parking Lane may be seized, removed, or demolished, as provided under Administrative Code Chapter 94A.
(Added by SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 210504-065, Ad. 5/4/2021, Eff. 6/4/2021, Oper. 8/28/2021)