By Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO - The president of the city’s Board of Supervisors has introduced an ordinance that would prohibit large hotels from converting guest rooms into homes.
Supervisor Aaron Peskin’s office said the legislation, proposed Tuesday, was prompted by the news that the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill plans to convert more than 200, or nearly half, of the hotels’ rooms into condominiums.
Critics say the Fairmont’s example could spur more conversions of hotel rooms into condos, hurting tourism and hospitality workers. Hotels counter that it’s a smart business move.
The Fairmont San Francisco’s owners have not said what they will charge for condos in the tower, a 1961 addition to the ornate 1907 hotel atop Nob Hill.

By Associated Press

OAKLAND - An ordinance that limits city residents to three dogs in most homes has been tentatively approved despite the objections of dog lovers.
The ordinance approved by the Oakland City Council Wednesday also bans roosters and requires that licensed dogs in Oakland have a microchip inserted under their skin to speed identification of strays.
“The problem is not the number of dogs but how responsible the owners are,” Oakland resident Judi Bank said. “A single dog can be a nuisance.” Critics of Councilmember Larry Reid’s proposal said it would do nothing to stop backyard breeding or to hold irresponsible owners in check.
Reid agreed that the measure is not a cure-all, but said it would improve the quality of life for residents whose neighbors keep too many dogs in small spaces.
Final adoption is set for Sept. 20.