San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting Summary - September 14, 2023
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San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting Summary - September 14, 2023
The San Francisco Planning Commission held a regular hearing on Thursday, September 14, 2023, starting at approximately 1:15 PM. The meeting covered continuances, consent calendar items, commission matters, department updates, general public comment, and three major regular calendar items: Sunnydale Hope SF Design Standards amendments, an informational presentation on the Stonestown Development, and a conditional use authorization for 100 Columbus Avenue. All votes were unanimous unless noted.
Consent Calendar
- Items 4, 5, 6, and 7 (conditional use authorizations and a mandatory discretionary review) were approved unanimously (7-0).
- Item 8 (1314 Page Street) was continued to November 16, 2023, per staff request.
Public Comments & Testimony
- General Public Comment: One speaker (George Ashutish) urged codification of the flat policy to preserve original configurations, citing a project at 100 Columbus Avenue as an example of prolonged vacancy. Tom Radulovich (Livable City) advocated for retail policies that prioritize walkable 15-minute neighborhoods over desperate filling of storefronts, noting high rents and speculation.
- Sunnydale Hope SF: No public comments were received.
- Stonestown Development: Approximately 20 speakers commented. Supporters included community working group members, a San Francisco State University representative, and union members who praised the project’s outreach and housing potential. Opponents, including affordable housing advocates and union representatives, called for significantly more deeply affordable housing, criticized Brookfield’s track record (e.g., lawsuits over taxes), and urged the city to demand a higher percentage of affordable units. Several speakers emphasized the need for family-sized units and housing for very low-income households.
- 100 Columbus Avenue: Six speakers (business owners and neighborhood association representatives) expressed strong support, citing the project’s design, economic revitalization, and LoveFrom’s role as a creative anchor.
Discussion Items
- Item 13 – Sunnydale Hope SF Development: Staff presented 17 amendments to the Design Standards and Guidelines (DSG), including rezoning Block 7 from 40 to 50 feet to accommodate affordable housing, adding flexibility for street design, and clarifying rear yard conditions. The project sponsor (Related California) provided an update: 224 affordable units built, 170 under construction, and a community center with a gym, wellness center, and early childhood education centers. The commission unanimously approved the amendments.
- Item 14 – Stonestown Development (Informational): Brookfield Properties presented plans to transform the 41-acre site into a mixed-use town center with 2,900–3,500 residential units (up to 694 affordable), 6 acres of parks, and new retail/office space. The EIR studies a variant with 3,500 units. OEWD’s Ted Conrad outlined ongoing negotiations for community benefits, including a 37% affordable housing target (above the 15% citywide requirement) and flexibility in phasing. Commissioners urged maximizing affordable housing, family units, and senior housing, and discussed lessons from past development agreements to ensure timely construction. Infrastructure coordination with DPW, PUC, and other agencies was emphasized. No action was taken; final approvals are expected later in 2023.
- Item 15 – 100 Columbus Avenue: LoveFrom requested a conditional use authorization to convert a rear parking lot into a one-story office pavilion with landscaping. The project would support its existing studio at 809/831 Montgomery Street. Staff recommended approval, finding it consistent with the Jackson Square Special Use District’s intent. The commission approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Continuances: Items 1, 2A, 2B, 3, and 8 were continued to later dates (November 9, December 7, December 14, and November 16, 2023, respectively).
- Consent Calendar: Items 4, 5, 6, and 7 were approved (7-0).
- Start Time Change: The commission agreed to begin future hearings at 12:00 PM (noon) instead of 1:00 PM, with a 30-day notice period.
- Sunnydale DSG Amendments: Approved unanimously (7-0).
- 100 Columbus Avenue CUA: Approved unanimously (7-0) with conditions.
- Stonestown: No vote; the informational presentation set the stage for future EIR certification and project approvals. The commission directed staff to prioritize affordable housing, family units, and robust phasing strategies in the development agreement.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission. Hearing for Thursday, September 14th, 2023, to enable public participation. SFGov TV is broadcasting and streaming this hearing live. And we will receive we will receive public comment for discussion and action items on today's agenda. Each speaker will be allowed up to three minutes, and when you have 30 seconds remaining, you will hear a chime indicating your time is almost up. When your allotted time is reached, I will announce that your time is up and take the next person cue to speak. We will take public comment from persons in city hall first and then open up the remote access lines. For those persons calling in remotely uh to submit their testimony, you need to call area code 415-655-0001 and enter access code 2664024 6699 and press pound twice. At this point, you should be able to hear the uh hearing and uh you need to wait for the item you are interested in speaking to and for public comment to be announced. To comment, you must enter star three to raise your hand. Once you've raised your hand, you will hear a prompt stating that you have raised your hand to ask a question. Please wait to speak until the host calls on you. Uh when you hear that you are unmuted, that is your indication to begin speaking. For those joining via WebEx, please log in via the link found on today's agenda and enter password CPC 2023. Uh you will need to use the raised hand icon to ask a question. When you hear a beep and see a prompt that the host has unmuted you, that is your indication to begin speaking. Best practices are to call from a quiet location and please mute the volume on your television or computer. Uh for those persons in City Hall, I will ask that you line up on the screen side of the room or to your right. Please speak clearly and slowly, and if you care to state your name for the record. Finally, I'll ask that we silence any mobile devices that may sound off during these proceedings. At this time, I would like to take roll. Commissioner President Tanner. Here. Commission Vice President Moore. Here. Commissioner Braun. Here. Commissioner Diamond. Here. Commissioner Imperial. Here. Commissioner Coppel. Here. And Commissioner Ruiz. Here. Thank you, Commissioners. First, on your agenda is consideration of items proposed for continuance. Item one, case number 2022, hyphen 006976 CU8-1541 Polk Street. A conditional use authorization is proposed for continuance to November 9th, 2023. Items 2A and B for case numbers 2022, hyphen 005728 DRP and VAR for a discretionary review and variance are proposed for continuance to December 7th, 2023. Item 3, case number 2023, hyphen 000711 CUA at 1060 Howard Street. A conditional use authorization is proposed for continuance to December 14th, 2023. Further commissioners, under your consent calendar. Item 8, case number 2020, hyphen 007806 CUA. For 1314 Page Street, a conditional use authorization is proposed for continuance to November 16th, 2023. And this is a request coming from staff and the project sponsor is aware. Commissioners, there are no other items proposed for continuance, so we should take public comment. Members of the public, this is your opportunity to address the commission on the items proposed for continuance only on the matter of continuance. Uh on the matter of continuance. Back in June, you heard the item.
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