A STEALTHY PROPOSAL by a building inspection commissioner could lead to a rash of housing demolitions, and affordable rental housing is most at risk. The commission should kill the plan, and if it somehow passes, the supervisors should overturn it.

As Rob Eshelman reported Aug. 24 (see "Preemptive Strike"), commissioner Roy Guinnane wants to change the rules for approving demolition permit applications. His plan would give a pro-landlord Department of Building Inspection director an easy way to circumvent the cumbersome permit process and allow buildings to come down without community input and appropriate oversight – or a clear plan for what will replace the old building.

As former commissioner Debra Walker noted at an Aug. 16 hearing on the matter, vacant property is worth more in this city than property with rent-controlled housing on it. Landlords have a huge financial incentive to tear down affordable housing and put up pricey condos instead – and Guinnane's plan would make it easier to do so. Mayor Gavin Newsom should publicly oppose this, and the commission should kill it, with extreme predjudice.