Planning panel struggles with likely budget cuts

From today's Examiner, "The Planning Department has spent more than a year working to reduce an extensive backlog, rebuild trust with the community and plan for The City’s future growth. It may have to scale back its ambitions, however, in the face of a possible $1 million in budget cuts next fiscal year."

"The department’s work is critical to addressing the housing crisis in San Francisco as it moves to rezone neighborhoods to accommodate denser housing projects. Planning staff members are charged with reviewing everything from huge development projects, such as the luxury condominium towers currently in vogue, to small projects like additions on homes."

"...additional staff has already reduced delays in the environmental review division from 11 to 7½ months..."