San Francisco Planning Commission Rescheduled Meeting - November 16, 2023
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San Francisco Planning Commission Rescheduled Meeting - November 16, 2023
The San Francisco Planning Commission held a rescheduled regular hearing on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. The commission addressed continuances, a consent calendar, a discussion on remote public comment, department matters, and four regular calendar items. Key outcomes included a vote to continue the remote public comment discussion to December 7, 2023, approval of a planning code amendment eliminating public art requirements for 100% affordable housing projects (5-1), and unanimous approval of a fleet charging definition amendment and two conditional use authorizations.
Continuance Items
The commission voted unanimously (7-0) to continue three items to January 2024 and one item (1701 Fillmore Street) to January 18, 2024. Item 1314 Page Street was continued to February 1, 2024, at the applicant's request due to scheduling conflicts.
Consent Calendar
The commission unanimously approved the consent calendar, including Item 4 (initiation of planning code amendment for exceptions and extensions for existing uses), Item 5 (1155 Pine Street #1 CU), Item 6 (201 Sansome Street #1005 CU), and Item 7 (1068 Florida Street CU). Item 8 (1701 Fillmore Street) was continued.
Commission Matters: Remote Public Comment
The commission discussed a directive from the mayor's office to cease remote public comment, following the Board of Supervisors' lead. Several public commenters spoke in favor of retaining remote access, citing accessibility for seniors, workers, and BIPOC communities, and noting the lack of abuse in Planning Commission meetings. Commissioners expressed support for continuing remote comment, citing increased participation and the value of public input. The commission voted unanimously (7-0) to continue the discussion to December 7, 2023, to allow for further dialogue with the mayor's office and to develop protocols for handling abusive speech.
Department Matters
Director Hillis provided an update on the response to HCD's policy and practice review, due the week after Thanksgiving. A hearing on state law changes and the review is scheduled for December 7. The legislative affairs manager reported on the Board of Supervisors' land use committee approval of a nonprofit arts educational special use district at 800 Chestnut Street, which was subsequently passed by the full board. The Historic Preservation Commission approved legacy business registry applications for Elixir, El Palacio, Heroes Club, and Friends of Scrap, and continued its own remote public comment decision.
General Public Comment
One speaker requested the commission codify the residential flat policy with objective design standards to preserve flat configurations, citing examples of flats being altered into mega units.
Regular Calendar: Item 14 – Eliminating Public Art Requirement for 100% Affordable Housing Projects
Supervisor Dorsey's office presented legislation to amend Planning Code Section 429, waiving the public art requirement for 100% affordable housing projects and allowing relocation or removal of existing art. The legislation was prompted by a case at 1400 Mission Street where an on-site mural became a graffiti target, burdening affordable homeowners. Planning staff recommended five modifications, including amending the Administrative Code to exempt affordable projects, and three clarifications to the relocation process. Public commenters from CCHO, Soma Filipinas, and others expressed concerns about eliminating public art, citing equity and cultural value, and requested more time to find dedicated funding sources. After discussion, the commission voted 5-1 (Commissioner Imperial dissenting) to approve with modifications 1, 3, 4, and 5, and a finding encouraging further communication between departments and stakeholders.
Regular Calendar: Item 15 – Fleet Charging Locations and Parcel Delivery Service Planning Code Amendment
Supervisor Chan presented an ordinance to amend the definition of fleet charging to prohibit parcel delivery service as an accessory use, clarifying that only charging is allowed. Planning staff recommended modifications to allow separate approval for parcel delivery uses. Public commenters from the Teamsters Union supported the amendment, requesting additional language to prohibit maintenance and data download activities. The commission voted unanimously (7-0) to approve with staff recommendations, noting support for further clarity.
Regular Calendar: Item 16 – 248 Valley Street Conditional Use Authorization
The project proposed tantamount demolition of a single-family dwelling and construction of a four-story, two-unit building with a fourth-floor setback. The site is a large 38-foot-wide lot in Noe Valley. Public commenters raised concerns about scale, privacy, and light, and asked for more time to work with the developer. The project sponsor argued the design respects context with setbacks and light wells. The commission found the project consistent with residential design guidelines and voted unanimously (7-0) to approve.
Regular Calendar: Item 17 – 56 Conrad Street Conditional Use Authorization
The project proposed a vertical and horizontal addition to an existing single-family home in Glen Park, resulting in a unit over 3,000 square feet. The lot is steep, and the design includes a third-floor setback. Public comment was minimal. The commission noted the project fits the neighborhood context and voted unanimously (7-0) to approve.
Key Outcomes
- Continuances: Approved 7-0, with one date change.
- Consent Calendar: Approved 7-0.
- Remote Public Comment: Continued to December 7, 2023, 7-0.
- Item 14 (Public Art Waiver): Approved 5-1 with modifications and a finding.
- Item 15 (Fleet Charging): Approved 7-0 with staff recommendations.
- Item 16 (248 Valley St): Approved 7-0.
- Item 17 (56 Conrad St): Approved 7-0.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission. Regular hearing for Thursday, November 16th, 2023. To enable public participation, SFGov TV is broadcasting and streaming this hearing live. And 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 cued 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 to submit their testimony, you need to call 415-655-0001 and enter access code 2660-273-7326 and press pound twice. To comment, you must enter star three to raise your hand. And 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. When you hear that you are unmuted, that is your indication to begin speaking. For those of you joining via WebEx, you may log in via the link found on today's agenda and enter password CPC 2023 and use the raised hand icon to raise your hand. Best practices are to call from a quiet location and please mute the volume on your television or computer. For those attending in person, we ask that you line up on the screen side of the room or to your right. Please speak clearly and slowly and state your name for the record if you care to. Finally, I'll ask that we all silence any mobile devices that may sound off during these proceedings. And at this time, I'll take call roll. Uh Commission 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, for joining us at this early morning start. So early, wow, 10 o'clock. First, on your agenda is consideration of items proposed for continuance. Item one, case number 2020, hyphen 007806 C Way. At 1314 Page Street, conditional use authorization is proposed for continuance to January 4th, 2024. Item two, case number 2022, hyphen 001394 C UA. At 1526 Powell Street, conditional use authorization is proposed for condition continuance to January 4th, 2024. Item 3, case number 2023, hyphen 002996, CU8 807 through 809 Vermont Street. Conditional use authorization is proposed for continuance to January 25th 2024. Further, Commissioners, under your continue consent calendar. Item 8, case number 2023, hyphen 004973 CU8 1701 Fillmore Street. A conditional use authorization had posting issues and needs to be continued to January 18th, 2024. So we should take public comment. Members of the public, this is your opportunity to adjust the commission on any of these items being proposed for continuance. Only on the matter of continuance. First off, wishing an early thanksgiving to you and your families, whether you're traveling, staying local, or hosting. Uh to the subject matter for 1314 page. Um while the department is looking for January 4th for the continuance day, we're requesting February first because the applicant is in the ballet.
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