San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting - July 18, 2024
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San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting - July 18, 2024
The San Francisco Planning Commission convened on Thursday, July 18, 2024, with President Diamond presiding. The meeting included continuances, consent calendar approval, commissioner matters, department matters, and three regular calendar items. All votes were unanimous, with Commissioner Williams recusing herself for the third item. The commission approved a special sign district, a union headquarters, and a residential legalization, while also forwarding comments to the Board of Supervisors.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1a and 1b, for properties at 3901 Noriega Street and the southwest corner of 46th Avenue, were continued to August 1, 2024, by a 5-0 vote.
- Consent calendar items 2-9 were approved unanimously 5-0, including large project authorizations, conditional use authorizations, and a code amendment update for 2222 Broadway Street.
Public Comments & Testimony
- General Public Comment: A speaker (name not given) addressed the commission regarding the 363 Jersey Street case, criticizing enforcement of approved permits and highlighting a pattern of alterations not matching approvals. The speaker urged the commission to adjust demolition controls, codify flat policies, improve front-end enforcement, and reduce interior wall removal allowances. The speaker also mentioned SB 423 and the need to close loopholes.
- Item 15 (555 9th Street): No public comments were made.
- Item 16 (3433 3rd Street): Union members present stood in support of the project. Albert Sannibal, a long-time Local 22 member, spoke about the union's lack of a permanent hall and requested approval.
- Item 17 (3756 22nd Street): No public comments were made.
Discussion Items
- Item 15: Establishing the 555 9th Street Special Sign District – An ordinance sponsored by Supervisor Dorsey would create a special sign district for the shopping center at 555 9th Street, allowing signs similar to those in C3 districts, with exceptions for additional wall signs and video signs at pedestrian entrances (subject to size, height, and content restrictions). Staff recommended approval. Commissioner Moore expressed concerns about the shopping center's pedestrian engagement and asked for broader context discussions. Commissioner Braun noted the balance between automobile-oriented signage and pedestrian improvements. Commissioner Sew proposed a condition that illuminated signs turn off when businesses close, but the project sponsor could not commit immediately. The commission approved a motion (6-0) to adopt a recommendation for approval, with comments conveyed to the Board of Supervisors.
- Item 16: 3433 3rd Street – Carpenters Local 22 Headquarters – A conditional use authorization for a planned unit development: a two-story office building (8,800 sq ft office, 7,400 sq ft assembly hall, totaling ~16,200 sq ft) with 30 parking spaces and bike parking. The project involves a modification to front setback and landscaping requirements due to the corner site's acute angle (58 degrees) and sea level rise considerations. Staff received six support letters and noted corrections to conditions. Commissioner Williams recused herself due to a conflict as a union member. The project was approved unanimously 5-0.
- Item 17: 3756 22nd Street – Legalization of Excess Excavation – A conditional use authorization to legalize excess excavation from 2017, increasing gross floor area from 3,405 to 3,965 square feet, including an elevator, den, media room, and bathroom. The work was discovered in 2023 via a DBI audit linked to corrupt former employees. The current owners (Kim and Paul Albright) purchased the property in 2022 and were unaware of the violation. The project sponsor and attorney argued for approval, noting the owners' clean hands and the fairness issue. Commission discussion highlighted the need for a legislative solution to protect innocent buyers. The project was approved unanimously 6-0.
Key Outcomes
- Items 1a and 1b continued to August 1, 2024 (5-0).
- Consent calendar items 2-9 approved (5-0).
- Minutes for June 13 and June 20, 2024, adopted (5-0).
- Recommendation for approval of the 555 9th Street Special Sign District adopted (6-0), with comments to be sent to the Board of Supervisors.
- Conditional use authorization for 3433 3rd Street approved (5-0, with Commissioner Williams recused).
- Conditional use authorization for 3756 22nd Street approved (6-0).
- The commission emphasized the need for a legislative fix for innocent owners affected by enforcement cases stemming from corrupt former DBI employees.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission hearing for Thursday, July 18th, 2024. When we reach the item you are 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. At this time, I'll ask that we silence any mobile devices that may sound off during these proceedings. And I will take roll. Commissioner President Diamond. Here. Commission Vice President Moore. Commissioner Braun. Here. Commissioner Imperial. Here. Commissioner Williams. Here. And we expect Commissioner Sew to be a little late. First, on your commission on your agenda, Commissioners is consideration of items proposed for continuance, items 1A and B for case numbers 2023, hyphen 003652, C UA and VAR. For the property at 3901 Noriega Street, conditional use and variants are proposed for continuance to August 1st, 2024. Members of the public, this is your opportunity to address the Commission on the item proposed to be continued only on the matter of continuance. You need to come forward. Seeing none, public comment is closed, and your continuance calendar is before you, Commissioners. Commissioner Imperial. Move to continue items as proposed. Second. Thank you, Commissioners. On that motion to continue item 1A to August 1st. Commissioner Williams. Aye. Commissioner Braun. Aye. Commissioner Imperial. Aye. Commissioner Moore. Aye. And Commissioner President Diamond. Aye. So move Commissioners. That motion passes unanimously 5 to 0. Zoning Administrator would say. I will continue item 1B to August 1st. Thank you. 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 sub separate discussion of these items 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. Items 2A and B for case numbers 2020, hyphen 005610 ENX hyphen 02 and VAR, hyphen 02 for the property at 490 Brandon Street. Large project authorization and variants. Item 3, case number 2024, hyphen 002153, C UA at 1241 Stockton Street, conditional use authorization. Item 4, case number 2024, hyphen 004182, CUA at 240 Lombard Street.
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