Supervisor Recall Effort Launched In SF

SAN FRANCISCO — Campaigns for and against a recall of San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio launched Saturday morning in the city's Sunset District, sources from both campaigns confirmed.

In order to force a recall election, supporters must gather approximately 10,000 signatures.
The Recall Engardio kickoff event was held at the United Irish Cultural Center on 45th Avenue. The "Stand with Joel" campaign supporting the supervisor launched at a home on 46th Avenue.

The recall effort is based on opposition by some residents to Proposition K, a city measure supported by Engardio that voters passed in November. The measure is permanently closing a 2-mile stretch of the Great Highway to vehicles.

"Engardio pledged 'forward-thinking leadership,' yet he pushed Prop K despite strong opposition from District 1 and District 4 voters. Instead of listening, he backed a plan that worsens congestion, pollution, and neighborhood traffic," reads a Thursday press release from the Recall Engardio campaign.

The pro-Engardio campaign fired back in a statement released Sunday.

"This misguided recall attempt is wasteful and disruptive, especially when voters will have the option to make their voices heard next year when Joel is up for reelection. It distracts from the important work of tackling the major issues San Franciscans face," the campaign said.

Prop K asked voters if Upper Great Highway should be made into a dedicated pedestrian thoroughfare and recreation area adjacent to Ocean Beach. Vehicle traffic would be rerouted onto Lower Great Highway, which runs parallel to the east of the coastal road.

Traffic on Upper Great Highway was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown of the city starting in March 2020. In May 2022, a pilot program was created that continued to restrict vehicles on Friday afternoons, weekends and holidays.

The pilot program expires at the end of 2025, but supporters of the closure advocated making it permanent and expanding it to seven days a week. Emergency vehicles, government vehicles and Recreation and Park Department shuttles will be exempt.

Opponents railed against the highway's closure, arguing it would create traffic headaches for commuters and the surrounding neighborhood.

The closure during the pandemic was part of an initiative by city leaders to create more outdoor recreation space by closing certain streets throughout the city, including Upper Great Highway between Sloat Boulevard and Lincoln Way.

Seven San Francisco supervisors endorsed Prop K, citing the popularity of the closure with visitors to Ocean Beach and reduced impact from vehicle pollution.

The pilot program was previously opposed by a neighborhood group, the Sunset-Parkside Education and Action Committee, known as SPEAK, which filed an appeal in May with the California Coastal Commission about the closure. The Commission denied it, allowing the city to proceed with the trial closure.

SPEAK argued that unregulated foot traffic was threatening the endangered Western snowy plover habitat on the dunes lining the beach.

But the Golden Gate Bird Alliance endorsed Prop K and argued that restricting vehicle traffic would create a safer environment for the birds.

A spokesperson for the organization, Ryan Nakano, said the Alliance believed the corridor would create enhanced habitat protection and "cultivate a culture of ecological stewardship" among visitors.

ChiaYu Ma, the city's deputy controller, said in her analysis of the proposition that it would lead to one-time savings of $1.5 million and annual savings of between $350,000 and $700,000. It could further lead to savings of up to $4.3 million in traffic signal and other maintenance costs that would no longer be needed.

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