Peskin Threatens "Political Warfare" Over Housing Plan

Former supervisor rallies labor groups against Mayor Lurie's housing initiative, warning of a potential ballot fight in 2026.

The Facts

Former Supervisor Aaron Peskin is mobilizing opposition to Mayor Daniel Lurie's Family Zoning Plan, warning of "political ruin" and threatening "lawsuits and acrimonious ballot fights" over the initiative, reports J.D. Morris at The Chronicle.

The San Francisco Labor Council is set to consider opposing the zoning plan on September 3, 2025, a move that would represent a major escalation against the centerpiece of Lurie's housing agenda. According to an email obtained by The Chronicle, a local housing activist has been discussing a potential June 2026 ballot measure with Peskin and labor groups. The mayor's plan is a key part of San Francisco's strategy to meet its state-mandated goal of planning for 82,000 new homes by 2031.

The Context

The Family Zoning Plan would authorize taller, denser residential buildings near transit in areas like the Marina, Richmond, and Sunset districts. This is a direct response to the state's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) mandate, which requires the city to demonstrate serious housing production or risk losing local control over approvals and eligibility for state funding.

If San Francisco fails to meet its housing targets due to local obstruction, the state has the authority to strip local control and take over the building permit process entirely. This would remove community input from development decisions and impose state-determined housing policies on San Francisco neighborhoods.

The GrowSF Take

Peskin's threats represent a dangerous gamble with San Francisco's self-governance. While opposing an extremely popular housing plan that would help working families afford the city, his strategy risks triggering exactly what housing opponents claim to fear: loss of local control. If Peskin succeeds in blocking housing production, the state will impose its own development rules without community input. This approach prioritizes political theater over both housing production and local democracy, potentially surrendering San Francisco's ability to shape its own neighborhoods to Sacramento bureaucrats.