potrero view

Ron Miguel, Planning Commissioner President

February 2009

Long-Time Potrero Hill Resident Elected Planning Commission President

By Christine Lias


Ron Miguel moved with his wife and children from the Richmond District to Potrero Hill a third of a century ago for one simple reason:  to escape the fog.  “We were looking for sun,” said Miguel, 77, who was appointed last year by Mayor Gavin Newsom to the San Francisco Planning Commission, and elected Commission president last month.

Miguel, wife Ruth, son Barry, and daughters Melanie and Renee, who are now in their early-50s, settled in at 16th and De Haro streets.  Miguel found a “very friendly neighborhood,” and enjoyed the  “easy access to downtown,” but lamented the shortage of restaurants.  Miguel was thrilled when Goat Hill Pizza opened in 1975.

The community has steadily changed over the years.  A working class neighborhood populated by African-Americans and families of Eastern European descent became home to artists and individuals engaged in the multi-media sector during the 1970s and 80s.  More recently, upper-income families and Silicon Valley commuters have moved in.

“We are a city of neighborhoods.  But in a city of seven-by-seven miles, you can’t tell where one neighborhood ends and another one begins,” said Miguel, who is a grandfather of seven and a third-generation San Franciscan.  According to Miguel, neighborhoods that have distinct identities – such as Chinatown or North Beach – can bleed into each other without defining boundaries, unifying architectural styles or planned development.  Potrero Hill, which has experienced rapid growth and change over the past three decades, exhibits an evolving architectural style that may seem eclectic.  “I do believe in neighborhood character.  I believe that is possible even though there is change,” Miguel said. “I believe that it is possible to maintain neighborhood character and at the same time allow some variety of building styles.”  

Throughout the City real estate appreciation and new construction have stalled recently. Because the San Francisco Planning Department is funded mostly from building permits and other fees, a drop in construction and other projects translates into lower revenue, and less money for the department.  “It’s killing us,” Miguel said. “Filings are down 45 percent over last year and falling.  And [this year] doesn’t look any better.”  

As a Planning Commissioner, Miguel has a significant influence on land use issues, but he doesn’t always get his way.  Miguel joined the Potrero Boosters and Merchants associations in opposing the San Francisco Police Department’s (SFPD) lease of the former Jamba Juice and Sports Basement buildings, located at 16th and 17th streets.  But last October the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to approve the agreement in an eight to three vote, with Supervisors Sophie Maxwell, Jake McGoldrick and Tom Ammiano voting against the proposal.  The buildings will house SFPD’s Tactical Division, which will likely begin operations at the facility by the middle of the year.

“It is my opinion that this area of Potrero Hill is and has always been relatively crime-free,” Miguel said. “There were no statistics put forward by the SFPD to support any claim that their presence was needed.  I believe that removing this large block of property from potentially positive neighborhood uses is wrong.”

 “Ron has always demonstrated an understanding of the issues and a willingness to engage in lively discussions as to how best to solve the problems,” said Susan Eslick, Dogpatch Neighborhood Association president.  Eslick particularly praised Miguel as one of a number of community members who successfully convinced the City to designate Dogpatch as an historic neighborhood.

Last Fall San Francisco voters passed Measure D, which allows the City to help finance Pier 70’s redevelopment.  Miguel declined to say how he voted on the measure, but he emphasized the need to preserve the pier’s older buildings.  According to Miguel, rehabilitating historic structures may cost more money than tearing them down and building from scratch, but the existing buildings could be modified to accommodate mixed-use development.  Miguel envisions Pier 70 as hosting a combination of open space, recreational activities, offices, light manufacturing, wholesalers, and retailers, all of which might take a decade and a half to build-out.   “The secret is whether or not you put in any housing,” he said.  According to Miguel, because of restrictions attached to the land housing is unlikely to be built on the pier.

Miguel operated a flower shop at 25th Avenue and Geary Boulevard until 1991. After his retirement, he became involved with land use issues in the Richmond District and Presidio.  In 1990, Miguel joined the board of the Planning Association for the Richmond (PAR), and served as its president, from 1992 until this past year.  From 1994 until recently he worked with the Neighborhood Associations for Presidio Planning.  And he co-founded the San Francisco Housing Action Coalition, serving on its executive committee from 2000 to 2008.  In 2004, as PAR president Miguel advocated that at least portions of the 1920s-era Alexandria Theater, located on Geary Boulevard, be preserved. The movie theater, which had been closed and continues to sit vacant to this day, was threatened for demolition.   

Newsom appointed Miguel to fill former Planning Commissioner Dwight Alexander’s seat.  Miguel was approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors, for a term that expires in 2012.  He receives $200 a meeting.  Clearly he’s not in it for the money.  “I like it. I wouldn’t go if I didn’t,” said Miguel.

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