Land Use and Transportation Committee Meeting - December 2, 2024

This meeting of the Land Use and Transportation Committee, chaired by Vice Chair Dean Preston (Acting) and joined by Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, considered five legislative items. Supervisor Melgar was excused. The committee heard public testimony, debated each item, and took actions including forwarding, continuing, and tabling legislation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 1 (2301 Chestnut Street Special Sign District): Scott Shelterworth, COO of Original Joe's, expressed support for the sign district, stating it would help the public find the entrance and keep pathways clear.
• Item 2 (Disability Access Improvements): Henry Carnelis, president of a small business association, expressed disappointment with the proposed continuance, arguing the ordinance is costly for small businesses (sidewalk costs up to $70,000, total costs $80,000–$100,000) and has become a “cash cow for architects.”
• Item 3 (Impact Fees for Changes of Use from PDR):
  • Pisa Eugenio (SamCAN and Soma Pilipinas) requested amendments to preserve PDR zoning and fees, proposing exemptions only for child care, nonprofits, and residential care facilities.
  • Peter Papadopoulos (Mission Economic Development Agency) echoed concerns, recommending maintaining the jobs-housing linkage fee and limiting fee cuts to community-serving uses to avoid incentivizing conversions to biotech or high-end restaurants.
  • J.R. Epler (Patro Booster's Neighborhood Association) opposed the fee cuts, arguing they undermine PDR preservation strategies and that the fees fund needed neighborhood infrastructure.
• Item 4 (30 Van Ness Avenue Special Use District):
  • PJ Hanyo (SamKan) noted the developer had breached a 2020 community benefits agreement requiring 25% affordable units and requested a continuance to allow for good-faith negotiations.
  • Another speaker (unidentified) urged the committee to act with haste, stating the project would create 1,000 jobs for blue-collar workers who are suffering in the current downturn.
• Item 5 (Conditional Use for Residential Projects): No public comment.

Discussion Items

• Item 1: 2301 Chestnut Street Special Sign District (File 240931) – Supervisor Dorsey, the sponsor, introduced the ordinance to allow two projecting signs at 2301 Chestnut Street. Planning staff recommended approval with a modification to allow all corner commercial businesses in NC districts to have two projecting signs; they also suggested a sunset clause. Dorsey agreed to duplicate the file to work on the expansion. The committee forwarded the original ordinance to the full board with a positive recommendation and continued the duplicate file to the call of the chair.
• Item 2: Disability Access Improvements for Places of Public Accommodation (File 240982) – Adam Tongsavet (Supervisor Mandelman’s office) requested a continuance to January 27, 2025, to allow more stakeholder engagement. The committee granted the continuance without discussion.
• Item 3: Impact Fees for Changes of Use From PDR to Other Non-Residential Uses (File 240901) – Director Katie Tang (Office of Small Business) presented the ordinance on behalf of Mayor Breed’s office. She noted the sponsor wanted to keep the legislation as introduced to reduce business costs, citing that the fees range from $15,000 to $100,000 and affect about four projects per year. Supervisor Preston questioned whether the fees were actually a barrier. Supervisor Peskin moved to table the ordinance, stating that community groups had offered reasonable amendments but the mayor’s office refused to compromise. The committee voted to table the item.
• Item 4: 30 Van Ness Avenue Special Use District (File 240872) – Supervisor Peskin reported that productive discussions were underway with stakeholders and his staff. He and the sponsor (Supervisor Preston on behalf of the item) agreed to continue the item for one week to allow further negotiations on a compromise.
• Item 5: Conditional Use for Residential Projects in RM, RC, and RTO Districts (File 230596) – Supervisor Peskin, the sponsor, presented amendments to replace the interim conditional-use scheme with minimum density standards set at 75% of maximum density, and to cap single-family home expansions at 25% over a decade. He moved to adopt the amendments and continue the item to the December 9 meeting. The committee adopted the amendments and continued the item.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: Motion to forward the original ordinance (2301 Chestnut Street Special Sign District) to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation passed 2-0 (Melgar excused). The duplicated file was continued to the call of the chair.
• Item 2: Motion to continue the ordinance to the January 27, 2025 land use meeting passed 2-0.
• Item 3: Motion to table the ordinance (PDR impact fee elimination) passed 2-0.
• Item 4: Motion to continue the ordinance to the December 9, 2024 land use meeting passed 2-0.
• Item 5: Motion to adopt the amendments and continue the ordinance as amended to the December 9, 2024 land use meeting passed 2-0.