[roadwarrior]

Also, I have a couple other points that can be added (I won't be able to attend the meeting tonight)

1 - Environment - Building dense housing/offices here increases the pool of housing for people to choose from. This will provide more options for those people who may have otherwise chosen to live in the suburbs and commute to and from the city to work by car. This, coupled with the fact that the area has excellent public transportation within walking distance will reduce the reliance over the long-run on the automobile and will help SF curb carbon emissions and suburban sprawl (destruction of open spaces).

2 - Neighborhood Preservation - For all the preservation activists in the city, this will help ease the housing crunch. By building smartly (high density in an underutilized area) it will reduce demand in other areas. For all of those preservationists who are concerned about destroying old victorians in Pac Heights, Noe Valley, etc, this is an answer.