San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting - October 19, 2023

The San Francisco Planning Commission met on Thursday, October 19, 2023, to consider a variety of land use items including continuances, consent calendar approvals, a discretionary review, a grant acceptance, and an informational presentation on the Potrero Yard Modernization Project. The meeting began with roll call showing five commissioners present (Moore, Braun, Imperial, Koppel, Ruiz) with Commissioners Tanner and Diamond absent. The meeting lasted from approximately 1:00 PM to late afternoon, with public comment taken both in person and remotely.

Consent Calendar

• All items on the consent calendar (Items 7, 8, 10-16) were approved unanimously (5-0) with the exception of Item 9 (38 Mars Street) which was pulled by the Commission Chair for separate consideration. Approved items included conditional use authorizations for 450 Sutter Street, 2208 Mission Street, 1539 Sloat Boulevard, 1515 Waller Street, 930 Pine Street (Units 114 and 214), 3911 Alemany Boulevard, 3431 19th Street, and 637 Irving Street.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment: Several speakers addressed the commission. Georgia spoke about the need to adjust demolition calculations to preserve existing affordable housing, noting that most projects are speculative. Sandra Dratler, representing Faith in Action and the San Francisco Land Use Coalition, presented data showing that only 18% of permits require conditional use or discretionary review hearings, and that the majority of discretionary reviews involve expansions of single-family homes rather than new housing units. Audrey Roman continued the presentation, showing that for multi-unit buildings, 57% of discretionary reviews were for expansions, not unit creation, and that 19% of conditional use authorizations for existing multi-unit buildings involved unit removals. Sue Hascher requested a presentation on the status of office approvals, noting that many approved office spaces are not being built.
• Public Comment on Continuances: One member of the public asked for clarification on Item 22 (Non-Profit Arts Education Special Use District) which was continued.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 – 38 Mars Street (Discretionary Review): This item was pulled from the consent calendar. The project sponsor, Lucas Eastwood, described a vertical and horizontal addition to an existing single-family home. The DR requester had agreed to a five-foot setback modification but did not withdraw the DR. The DR requester was not present at the hearing. The Commission approved the project as modified, with the condition that the roof deck be non-occupiable, citing the need to memorialize the agreement.
• Item 23 – Yosemite Slough Grant: Katie Lee, the department's new budget and grants analyst, presented a grant from the California Office of Planning and Research to fund a community-based adaptation plan addressing climate risk in the Bayview. The Commission approved acceptance of the grant unanimously.
• Items 24A/B – Potrero Yard Modernization Project: Staff from the Planning Department, SFMTA, and the Potrero Neighborhood Collective (PNC) presented an informational update and initiation of General Plan Amendments. The project includes rebuilding the 100-year-old bus yard, adding 223 bus parking spaces (up from 153), and constructing up to 513 housing units (100% affordable) on the site. A variant was discussed that would allow rooftop space for paratransit operations (reducing housing to 103 units) if housing funding is delayed. The Commission expressed support for the project but raised concerns about the cost and design implications of the variant. The Commission voted unanimously to initiate the General Plan Amendments and schedule a hearing on or after January 11, 2024.
• Commission Comments and Questions: Commissioner Moore highlighted the groundbreaking of the 108-unit affordable housing project at the former Potrero power plant. Discussion also covered budget cuts (director noted a $1-1.5 million fee revenue shortfall and potential future cuts), the planning code audit with a racial and social equity lens, and concerns about cannabis retail vacancies. Commissioner Imperial requested data on how conditional use authorizations are categorized for the consent calendar.

Key Outcomes

• Continuances: All proposed continuances were approved unanimously (5-0). Items continued include: Item 1 (exceptions from conversion limits) to November 2, 2023; Items 2A/B (355 Lombard Street) to November 2, 2023; Item 3 (342 Moultrie Street) to November 9, 2023; Items 4A/B (10 Seacliff Avenue) to November 30, 2023; Item 5 (67 Potomac Street) to December 7, 2023; Item 6 (2536 California Street) to January 25, 2024; Item 22 (Non-Profit Arts Education SUD) to November 2, 2023; and Item 25 (129 Laidley Street) to November 30, 2023.
• Consent Calendar Approval: All consent items except Item 9 were approved unanimously.
• Item 9 (38 Mars Street): Approved with modifications (non-occupiable roof deck) by a 5-0 vote.
• Item 23 (Yosemite Slough Grant): Approved acceptance of grant award unanimously.
• Items 24A/B (Potrero Yard Modernization): Initiation of General Plan Amendments approved and hearing scheduled for January 11, 2024 or later, by a 5-0 vote.
• Minutes: The draft minutes from September 28, 2023 were adopted unanimously.
• Director's Announcements: Noted that the APEC conference (November 11-16) may affect the November 16 hearing; a possible earlier start time of 10 AM is being considered. The Board of Supervisors voted to cease remote public participation, but the Planning Commission continues to offer it.