San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting Summary (May 2, 2024)

The San Francisco Planning Commission met on May 2, 2024, to address a full agenda. Commissioners unanimously approved continuances, a consent calendar, a local coastal program amendment for a cultural center special use district, and two discretionary review items. The meeting featured extensive public comment on a proposed cannabis micro-business in the Bayview and a discussion on property billing practices.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4 (14 Portola Drive CUA), 5 (1300 Columbus Avenue CUA), and 6 (900 Kearny Street Special Use District PCA) were approved unanimously (6-0) as routine matters.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment: Georgia Shutish from SPEAC urged the codification of the flat policy, noting high real estate prices in San Francisco.
• General Public Comment (Time Accounting Billing): An 87-year-old resident of 749 27th Street protested being charged for time spent on the phone and in meetings resulting from complaints by a neighbor. Planning staff stated they would investigate the matter. Commissioners expressed interest in reviewing the billing policy for potential abuse.
• Item 11 (Wawona & 45th Avenue Cultural Center SUD): Eileen Boken of SPEAC urged the commission to continue or oppose the item, claiming the project could set a precedent for the coast.
• Item 13 (2330 Lane Street): Over a dozen members of the public, largely Chinese-speaking seniors from adjacent affordable housing complexes (1740 and 1780 Bancroft Avenue), spoke in opposition to the project. They cited concerns over crime, safety, health impacts, and cultural stigma relating to cannabis. A representative from Betterhousing Policies.org requested alternatives, such as removing the manufacturing and retail components, limiting hours, and requiring the project sponsor to contribute to a neighborhood watch.

Discussion Items

• Continuances (Items 1, 2, 3): Items were unanimously continued. Item 1 (135 Kissling Street rezoning) was moved to May 23, 2024. Items 2a/2b (1153 Guerrero Street) and Item 3 (58 Buena Vista Terrace) were moved to June 20, 2024.
• Commission Matters: Commissioners commented on a trial court ruling regarding SB9. Deputy City Attorney Austin Yang noted the ruling has no precedential effect on San Francisco. Commissioner Diamond requested a downtown recovery update, which Director Rich Hillis agreed to schedule. Commissioner Imperial read the land acknowledgement.
• Regular Calendar, Item 11 (Wawona Street and 45th Avenue Cultural Center SUD): Staff presented an ordinance to amend the Local Coastal Program (LCP) and Planning Code for the United Irish Cultural Center site. The amendments, requested by Coastal Commission staff, clarify the existing 100-foot height limit and define Principally Permitted Uses (PPUs) to limit coastal development appeals for code-compliant projects. The commission approved the ordinance unanimously (6-0).
• Discretionary Review, Item 12 (426 Fillmore Street, Unit C): The DR requester, Lauren Simon, argued the roof deck was unpermitted, caused leaks, and created a fire safety hazard by covering a hatch. The project sponsor stated the deck had existed since 2004 and was an exclusive use granted in the condominium map. Staff recommended not taking DR. The commission concurred, finding the dispute to be a civil matter, and voted unanimously (6-0) to not take DR and approve the permit.
• Discretionary Review, Item 13 (2330 Lane Street): Project sponsor Mubasher Chowdhury, a local equity applicant, proposed a 2,500 sq ft micro-business for cannabis cultivation, retail, and a consumption lounge. The Bayview project was opposed by the community group Betterhousing Policies.org. Staff recommended approval, noting the uses are permitted in the M1 district.
  • Positions: Community members expressed strong opposition, citing crime fears, health impacts, and oversaturation of cannabis in Bayview. The sponsor countered that the project is highly regulated, provides a safe consumption space, and benefits his own neighborhood. He cited cultural stigma as a key barrier to community acceptance.
  • Outcome: After a lengthy debate over the retail component's suitability off a main commercial corridor and the project's security plan, the commission voted 6-0 to not take DR and approve the project. The motion included a specific finding encouraging the project sponsor to engage in continued dialogue with the Bayview Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All agenda items were approved unanimously (6-0).
• Approvals: The consent calendar was approved. The Wawona Street SUD and Local Coastal Program amendment was approved. The DR for 2330 Lane Street was not taken, allowing the cannabis project to proceed.
• Directives & Next Steps: Item 11 will head to the Board of Supervisors and then the California Coastal Commission for certification. Staff will investigate the time accounting billing issue raised during public comment. The commission requested a downtown recovery update from staff.