OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Francisco Planning Commission Regular Meeting - February 8, 2024

Planning Commission — Thursday, February 8, 2024
BodySan Francisco, California
SessionPlanning Commission
DateThursday, February 8, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

And welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission regular hearing for Thursday, February 8th, 2024.

0:09

When we reach the item you're interested in speaking to, we ask that you line up on the screen side of the room or to your right.

0:16

Each speaker will be allowed up to three minutes.

0:19

And when you have 30 seconds remaining, you will hear a chime indicating your time is almost up.

0:23

When your allotted time is reached, I will announce that your time is up and take the next person cued to speak.

0:28

Please speak clearly and slowly.

0:30

And if you care to state your name for the record, I will remind members of the public that the commission does not tolerate any disruptions, clapping, or cheering.

0:39

Finally, I'll ask that we silence any mobile devices that may sound off during these proceedings.

0:45

And at this time, I'll take roll, Commission President Diamond.

0:49

Commission Vice President Moore.

0:52

Here Commissioner Braun.

0:55

Here.

0:55

Commissioner Imperial.

0:57

Here.

0:57

Commissioner Koppel.

0:58

Here.

0:58

And Commissioner Ruiz.

1:00

Here.

1:00

Thank you, Commissioners.

1:04

I'll remind members of the public to silence your mobile devices.

1:10

Commissioners, at the time of issuance, there were no items proposed for continuance.

1:14

There are still no items proposed for continuance.

1:17

But I am pleased to inform you that under your discretionary review calendar item 12, case number 2023.

1:28

The discretionary review has been withdrawn.

1:33

Commissioners that will place this under your consent calendar.

1:36

All matters listed here under constituted consent calendar are considered to be routine by the planning commission and may be acted upon by a single roll call vote.

1:44

There will be no separate discussion of this item unless a member of the commission, the public or staff so requests in which event the matter shall be removed from the consent calendar and considered as a separate item at this or a future hearing.

1:55

Item one, case number 2023, hyphen 006191 C way at 157 Ladely Street.

2:02

Conditional use authorization.

2:15

You need to come forward.

2:17

Seeing none, public comment on your consent calendar is closed.

2:23

And it is now before you, Commissioners.

2:30

Commissioner Ruiz.

2:32

Move to approve item one on consent.

2:34

Second.

2:35

Thank you, Commissioners.

2:36

On that motion to approve your consent calendar.

2:39

Commissioner Braun.

2:40

Aye.

2:40

Commissioner Ruiz.

2:41

Aye.

2:41

Commissioner Imperial.

2:42

Aye.

2:43

Commissioner Coppel.

2:44

Aye.

2:44

Commissioner Moore.

2:45

Aye.

2:45

And Commissioner President Diamond.

2:46

Aye.

2:47

So move Commissioners that motion passes unanimously six to zero.

2:52

And we'll place us under commission matters for an item two, the land acknowledgement.

2:57

The commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramatish Alone, who are their original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula.

3:06

As the indigenous stewards of this land and in accordance with their traditions, the Raminsu Shaloni have never ceded, lost, nor forgotten their responsibilities as the caretakers of this place, as well as for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory.

3:21

As guests, we recognize that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland.

3:26

We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the ancestors, elders, and relatives of the Ramita Shaloni community and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples.

3:37

Thank you.

3:37

Item three, consideration of adoption draft minutes for January 25th, 2024.

3:42

Members of the public, this is your opportunity to address the commission on their minutes.

3:45

Again, you need to come forward.

3:47

Seeing no one coming forward.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Comment███████████████15%
Land Use██████████████14%
Discretionary Review█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Cannabis Regulation████████8%
Parcel Delivery████████8%
Legislation████████8%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Public Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

San Francisco Planning Commission Regular Meeting - February 8, 2024

The San Francisco Planning Commission held a regular meeting on February 8, 2024, to consider several items including zoning amendments, a department budget, development projects, and discretionary reviews. The commission approved all items, often with modifications, and heard extensive public testimony on tobacco paraphernalia and parcel delivery regulations.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 1b (157 Laidley Street): Conditional use authorization for a horizontal rear addition. Approved unanimously (6-0) without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • General Public Comment: Georgia Shutish discussed concerns about roof decks and key lots at 2515 Folsom. Tomorovich (Livable City) urged the commission to develop a land use element, arguing current density controls lack coherent public purpose.
  • Item 7 (Tobacco Paraphernalia): Multiple speakers from the Tenderloin community, including Cheyenne White, Greg Johnson, Pratibha Techni, Kate Robinson (Tenderloin CBD), and Chris Schulman (Lower Polk CBD), strongly supported an outright ban on tobacco paraphernalia establishments, citing safety, public health, and the need to eliminate illicit activities. A petition with 81 signatures was submitted.
  • Item 8 (Parcel Delivery): Union representatives (Teamsters Local 2785, 350, 853, 665, Joint Council 7), Kim Cavalone (SF Labor Council), Jacob Klein (Sierra Club), and residents (Will Roscoe, Yoshisato, Celia Schumann) urged approval of Supervisor Chan’s legislation without staff modifications, citing neighborhood impacts, environmental justice, and worker protections. One cannabis industry comment expressed concern about black market impacts.
  • Item 10 (5425 Mission Street): Ileana opposed the project due to overcrowding, parking, and shadow impacts.
  • Item 13 (72 Harper Street): DR requesters David Garavioli, Brian O’Neill (attorney for Krishna Ramamurthi), Mike Lee, and Amy Bricker presented concerns about light, privacy, and scale, proposing a flat roof design to mitigate impacts.

Discussion Items

Tobacco Paraphernalia Establishments in North of Market SUD (Item 7)

Staff recommended making tobacco paraphernalia establishments not permitted (rather than conditional use), extending controls to the lower Polk NCD, and adding a quarter-mile boundary. The commission heard strong community support for an outright ban. Commissioners supported the staff recommendations and added recommendations to examine limiting hours and shortening the abandonment period from 18 months. The ordinance was approved with modifications (6-0).

Parcel Delivery Service Planning Code Amendments (Item 8)

Supervisor Chan’s legislation would require conditional use authorization for parcel delivery services citywide and prohibit them as accessory uses. Staff recommended modifications to eliminate additional criteria, exempt uses under 5,000 sq ft, exclude cannabis delivery from accessory prohibitions, add technical corrections, and incorporate a temporary 60-day exemption. After extensive debate and public testimony—including strong union and community support for stricter controls—the commission voted to approve the legislation as introduced without staff modifications, but with recommendations for the supervisor to work with staff on: removing off-site signage and idling requirements, changing electrification from a condition to a criteria for smaller uses, creating a simplified CUA process for small businesses, and conducting a citywide economic analysis. Motion passed 6-0.

FY2024-2026 Proposed Department Budget (Item 9)

Staff presented a budget that reduces fees by $3 million, eliminates 12 vacant positions, and aligns with the mayor’s reduction instructions. Jerry Dratler questioned FTE levels and cost recovery. The commission adopted the budget (6-0).

5425 Mission Street – HOME-SF Project (Item 10)

A proposal to demolish a two-story commercial building and construct a 29-unit mixed-use building with 23% on-site affordable units. Staff recommended approval with conditions. One public commenter opposed citing parking, shadows, and construction impacts. The commission approved with staff amendments (6-0).

1571 Shrader Street – Removal of Unauthorized Dwelling Unit (Item 11)

Conditional use authorization to remove an unlawfully converted storage unit. Staff found legalization not financially feasible ($430,000 cost vs. $50,000 value increase) and no evidence of tenant eviction. No public comment. Approved with conditions (6-0).

72 Harper Street – Discretionary Review (Item 13)

Discretionary review of a permit to add a rear addition and ADU. DR requesters argued the peaked roof would cause exceptional shadow and privacy impacts; they proposed a flat roof. Staff recommended not taking DR, noting code compliance and typical impacts. The project sponsor emphasized design compatibility and minimal shading increase. The commission voted not to take DR, noting the project was not exceptional, and acknowledged a private offer to obscure glazing. Motion passed 6-0.

Key Outcomes

  • All items were approved on 6-0 votes.
  • Item 7: Approved with modifications (ban; expansion to lower Polk NCD; quarter-mile boundary; recommendations to study hours and shorter abandonment).
  • Item 8: Approved without staff modifications, but with multiple recommendations for further refinement (idling signage, electrification criteria, simplified CUA for small businesses, citywide economic analysis).
  • Item 9: Budget adopted.
  • Item 10: HOME-SF project approved with staff amendments.
  • Item 11: UDU removal approved.
  • Item 13: Discretionary review denied; project approved as proposed.

Meeting Transcript

And welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission regular hearing for Thursday, February 8th, 2024. When we reach the item you're interested in speaking to, we ask that you line up on the screen side of the room or to your right. 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. Please speak clearly and slowly. And if you care to state your name for the record, I will remind members of the public that the commission does not tolerate any disruptions, clapping, or cheering. Finally, I'll ask that we silence any mobile devices that may sound off during these proceedings. And at this time, I'll take roll, Commission President Diamond. Commission Vice President Moore. Here Commissioner Braun. Here. Commissioner Imperial. Here. Commissioner Koppel. Here. And Commissioner Ruiz. Here. Thank you, Commissioners. I'll remind members of the public to silence your mobile devices. Commissioners, at the time of issuance, there were no items proposed for continuance. There are still no items proposed for continuance. But I am pleased to inform you that under your discretionary review calendar item 12, case number 2023. The discretionary review has been withdrawn. Commissioners that will place this under your consent calendar. All matters listed here under constituted consent calendar are considered to be routine by the planning commission and may be acted upon by a single roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of this item unless a member of the commission, the public or staff so requests in which event the matter shall be removed from the consent calendar and considered as a separate item at this or a future hearing. Item one, case number 2023, hyphen 006191 C way at 157 Ladely Street. Conditional use authorization. You need to come forward. Seeing none, public comment on your consent calendar is closed. And it is now before you, Commissioners. Commissioner Ruiz. Move to approve item one on consent. Second. Thank you, Commissioners. On that motion to approve your consent calendar. Commissioner Braun. Aye. Commissioner Ruiz. Aye. Commissioner Imperial. Aye. Commissioner Coppel. Aye. Commissioner Moore. Aye. And Commissioner President Diamond. Aye. So move Commissioners that motion passes unanimously six to zero.

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