Supervisors not expected to override Mayor's veto on JFK closure

By Angela Hokanson, Bay City News Service

May 22, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - It appears that legislation that would have mandated the closure of sections of John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park to cars on Saturdays is one vote shy of the two-thirds majority it would need at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to override San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's veto.

However, the chances of the board voting to overturn the mayor's veto are "probably remote to zero," according to Supervisor Jake McGoldrick, one of the sponsors of the legislation. McGoldrick doesn't think any of his colleagues against the measure will change their minds.

The legislation proposed closing JFK Drive to motor vehicles on Saturdays for a six-month trial period to allow people to more easily use the park for running, walking, and other recreational purposes.

How the legislation might impact access to the park's cultural institutions and access to the park for the disabled, as well as parking and traffic in nearby neighborhoods, were some of the concerns expressed by opponents of the legislation.

The board of supervisors is expected to vote Tuesday on the mayor's veto of the ordinance.

The road closure legislation was approved by the board with a 7 4 vote on May 9, but the measure now needs at least 8 votes to pass over the mayor's veto.

Newsom vetoed the legislation on May 15. The board has until June 14 to vote on the legislation, after which time it loses it ability to override the veto.

McGoldrick plans to work with the mayor's office to craft new legislation on Saturday road closures in the park that would address the concerns raised by the measure's opponents.

The new legislation would take into consideration issues like access to the Conservatory of Flowers, which proved to be a stumbling block in the initial legislation, McGoldrick said.

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