San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting: March 14, 2024

At its regular meeting on March 14, 2024, the San Francisco Planning Commission addressed a consent calendar of continuances, adopted minutes, heard a major informational presentation on the Waterfront Resilience Program, and ruled on a discretionary review and variance request for a residential project at 1336 Shotwell Street. The meeting also included land acknowledgement, commission comments, department matters, and general public comment.

Consent Calendar

• The Commission unanimously voted to continue five items: Item 1 (4000 21st Street - conditional use) to April 11, 2024; Item 2 (320 Frederick Street - discretionary review) to April 11, 2024; Item 3 (58 Buena Vista Terrace - conditional use) to April 11, 2024; Item 4 (426 Fillmore Street, Unit C - discretionary review) to May 2, 2024; and Item 5 (900 Kearny Street Special Use District - planning code amendment) indefinitely.
• The Commission adopted the draft minutes for February 29, 2024, as amended to include a public commenter's request, with a unanimous vote of 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment: Georgia Shutish discussed the importance of demolition calculations (demo calcs) in the context of a project at 4000 21st Street, arguing that extreme remodels create market instability. She urged the Commission to uphold Section 317 of the Planning Code. Nitsu Hash requested a future presentation on changes to the planning process due to state mandates and RHNA, emphasizing that the Commission's scope of work is being reduced.
• Waterfront Resilience Program: During the informational item, public commenters raised concerns about contamination at Hunters Point (Georgia Shutish) and the need for a presentation on sea level rise impacts on the western side of the city (Nitsu Hash).
• 1336 Shotwell Street DR: The DR requester (neighbor) argued that the project sponsor had not followed the Commission's direction to move the stair off the property line and presented an alternative internal stair option. The project sponsor (architect Mason Kirby) explained that the stair location is necessary given the geometry and that reducing the deck to 125 square feet addressed the variance concern. Additional public comment from Georgia Shutish questioned whether the project triggered Section 317 demo calcs.

Discussion Items

• Waterfront Resilience Program Informational Presentation (Item 11): Adam Barrett from the Port of San Francisco presented the draft San Francisco Waterfront Coastal Flood Study, a collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The study covers 7.5 miles of the eastern waterfront and proposes a $13.5 billion plan to elevate shorelines, floodproof piers, and improve drainage to protect against up to 3.5 feet of sea level rise by 2140. The draft plan is in a 60-day public comment period ending March 29, 2024. Commissioners praised the presentation and raised questions about federal funding feasibility, cost escalation, design flexibility, local share, phasing priorities, equity considerations, contamination remediation, and coordination with other city projects. Commissioner Moore emphasized the need to maintain waterfront connections and view corridors. Commissioner Braun noted the importance of a "build once" strategy. Commissioner Williams asked about local community benefits and racial equity. The item was informational only; no vote was taken.
• Commission Comments: The Commission discussed supporting a Board of Supervisors resolution (24-2) urging the state to restore cuts to affordable housing programs. All commissioners expressed support, and the Commission agreed to agendize an endorsement item for the next meeting. The Commission also welcomed new Commissioner Williams.
• Department Matters: Director's announcements welcomed Commissioner Williams. The legislative affairs manager reported on recent Board of Supervisors actions, including passage of the ADU controls ordinance and the OOPS ordinance. The Zoning Administrator reported that the Board of Appeals denied rehearing requests for the Great Highway Pilot Program, finalizing the coastal permit approval.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Continuances and Minutes: All continuances and the minutes adoption were approved unanimously (6-0).
• Endorsement of Affordable Housing Resolution: The Commission agreed to place an item on the next agenda to formally endorse Board of Supervisors Resolution 24-2, urging the state to protect affordable housing funding.
• Discretionary Review and Variance at 1336 Shotwell Street: The Commission voted unanimously (6-0) to take discretionary review and approve the project as amended in plans dated March 11, 2024. The approved design reduces the roof deck to 125 square feet, eliminates the rear yard expansion, and retains the stair location on the property line. The Commission also closed the public hearing on the variance and granted it pursuant to the revised plans. The motion included a recommendation for neighborly communication regarding noise.