San Francisco Sun

San Francisco, CA - Today, Mayor London N. Breed nominated Amy Campbell and Sean McGarry to the San Francisco Planning Commission. Campbell will replace outgoing Commission President Sue Diamond, and McGarry will replace Commissioner Joel Koppel.

The Planning Commission advises the Mayor, Board of Supervisors, and City departments on San Francisco's long-range goals, policies, and programs on a broad array of issues related to land use, transportation, and current planning. The seven-member body maintains the San Francisco General Plan and approves all permits and licenses subject to the Planning Code. The Commission also oversees and delegates certain approvals to the San Francisco Planning Department.

“In order to deliver world-class housing, transportation, open spaces, and infrastructure for our residents, we need leaders who not only bring their expertise but can also build bridges with the community to get things done,” said Mayor Breed. “I am proud to nominate Amy Campbell and Sean McGarry who I know will help San Francisco build on our collective effort to plan for a better and more resilient San Francisco into the future.”

With 17 years of experience as an architect, Amy Campbell currently serves as Senior Associate and Studio Director at Gensler where she focuses on building repositioning, rehabilitation, preservation, and repurposing existing structures for new uses. She has a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at architecture firms in Philadelphia and Copenhagen prior to Gensler.

Since November 2023, Campbell has served in the Planning Department’s Historic Preservation Commission to which she was appointed by Mayor Breed to protect the City’s architectural heritage while promoting growth and revitalization. She would step down from that commission upon her confirmation for the new role by the Board of Supervisors.

Campbell has been a San Francisco resident for over 18 years and lives in the Castro with her family.

“I am honored to receive this nomination from Mayor Breed and to have the opportunity to serve the city of San Francisco in this capacity,” said Commissioner Campbell. “My tenure on the Historic Preservation Commission has been immensely rewarding, and I am eager to bring the insights I have gained there as well as my professional architectural experience to help advance and guide the evolution of our extraordinary city.”

A member of the Carpenters Union for over 27 years, Sean McGarry has worked to raise living standards for all carpenters in both public and private sectors. He currently holds elected office at local and regional levels of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC). Under the Northern California Carpenters Union (NCCU) umbrella, McGarry is Senior Field Representative for Carpenters Local 22 in San Francisco, managing a team of field representatives who provide services to the City and County of San Francisco and its 4,000 members.

Prior to his current roles, McGarry had many years of experience in various areas of carpentry including commercial and residential trim, tenant improvement, apartment remodeling, structural renovation, and remodeling.

Originally from Ireland, he is a 30-year resident of San Francisco, a former board member of United Irish Societies, and lives in Richmond District with his family.

“I am honored that Mayor London Breed has nominated me to serve on the San Francisco Planning Commission,” said Sean McGarry. “I am committed to working to build more housing in all neighborhoods in a way that enhances residents’ quality of life.”

Outgoing Commissioners Acknowledgement

Mayor Breed appointed Sue Diamond to the San Francisco Planning Commission in 2019. She had an accomplished legal career working in land use since 1983 at both national law firms before starting her own firm.

As a Planning Commissioner she focused on increasing predictability in entitlements processes reducing constraints moving forward adoption Housing Element current President declined another term pending arrival two grandchildren desire flexibility schedule spend time them.

“Sue has worked hard addressing complex planning issues making them work for San Franciscans led developing City's critically important Housing Element fervent voice making planning approval processes simpler predictable everyone homeowners proposing addition sponsors proposing new multi-family housing thank wish well new chapter family” said Mayor Breed.

Originally appointed by Mayor Ed Lee in 2016 reappointed by Mayor Breed 2020 graduate Lowell High School University San Francisco electrician training currently Director Business Development Electrical Contractors Association International Brotherhood Electrical Workers Local 6 During time consistently worked find ways build more housing responsibly keep working families City

“I want thank Joel Koppel years dedicated service Planning Commission” said Mayor Breed “lifelong passionate thoughtful champion City residents workers left important mark future City”