Supes’ move to avert Lee veto on development measure fails

A motion by the Board of Supervisors that would oppose state “by-right” development legislation and skirt Mayor Ed Lee’s veto of a resolution against it failed at a special meeting Monday.

The legislation, by Gov. Jerry Brown, would make it easier to build new housing without going through an extensive permitting process.

If enacted, the proposal would allow planning staff to approve housing developments that conform to the city’s zoning and include 10 percent affordable units, or 20 percent if the project is close to public transit.

The board ran out of time to override the resolution before the summer recess, pushing the issue into a special meeting.

Board members wanted to pass the resolution in the form of a motion, which Lee cannot veto because it is a parliamentary procedure.

A motion is supposed to be about those of us within the board setting our own procedural rules.