San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting Summary - August 1, 2024
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San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting Summary - August 1, 2024
The San Francisco Planning Commission held a regular hearing on Thursday, August 1, 2024, chaired by President Sue Diamond. The meeting included continuances, consent calendar approvals, a farewell to outgoing President Diamond, and three regular calendar items: an expansion of the Central Neighborhoods Large Residence Special Use District (SUD), a proposal to ban laboratory uses in the Urban Mixed Use (UMU) zoning district, and a conditional use authorization for removal of an unauthorized dwelling unit. The meeting lasted approximately three hours and saw public testimony on all major items.
Consent Calendar
- Items 5–8 were approved unanimously (7-0). These included conditional use authorizations for 901 Bush Street #502, 2300 Polk Street, 737 Irving Street, and the 2024 Code Corrections Ordinance (Planning Code and Building Code amendments).
- No public comment requested removal of any item.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Georgia Schutish (general public comment) presented concerns about alterations that are effectively demolitions (e.g., 7,000–9,700 sq ft homes) lacking proper demolition calculations, and urged tightening of demo calc rules.
- Eileen Boken (Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods) thanked Commissioner Diamond for her service and welcomed Commissioner McGarry.
- Cynthia Gomez (UNITE HERE Local 2) opposed the Bay Hotel (8th Street) operator's attempt to count 56 rooms at $3,200/month as affordable housing, alleging illegal conversion and lack of enforcement.
- On Item 14 (Central Neighborhoods SUD expansion):
- Ellen Friedman (Cole Valley resident, 35 years) supported the ordinance but opposed the 4,000 sq ft allowance, citing monster home impacts on affordability. She suggested a special fee on homes over 3,000 sq ft.
- Mark Jensen (Stanyan Street resident) supported the expansion for preserving neighborhood character.
- Gary Peterson (Stanyan Street) supported the SUD expansion, noting the importance of tasteful remodeling.
- On Item 15 (Laboratory uses in UMU):
- Dozens of speakers, including scientists, biotech executives, and community advocates, urged disapproval of the ban. They cited the need for in-person lab work, job creation (25,000 jobs, $8 billion economic output), and the city's competitive advantage.
- Helen Chen (molecular biologist, CEO of Elixia) emphasized innovation and walkability benefits.
- Veronica Schauba (senior scientist) highlighted collaboration with UCSF and 24/7 access.
- Kathleen Molnar (PhD scientist, 12-year resident) praised the mixed-use vitality of Dog Patch.
- Dennis Williams Jr. (community leader) opposed the ban, arguing it would harm equity and job opportunities for District 10.
- Mary Ludlam (biotech founder) stressed that labs are long-term, in-person businesses that anchor neighborhoods.
- Christy Sherrilla (Biocom California) noted the life science sector supports 25,000 jobs and $8 billion in economic output.
- Nicole Kimes (founder, Shulte Therapeutics) highlighted the role of startup biotech in innovation.
- No public comment was heard in favor of the ban.
Discussion Items
Item 14: Central Neighborhoods Large Residence SUD Expansion (Planning Code and Zoning Map Amendments)
- Staff (Audrey Merlone) and Supervisor Mandelman's aide (Calvin Ho) presented the ordinance to expand the SUD to include Cole Valley and delete the Corona Heights SUD, applying a 3,000 sq ft hard cap per unit (effective January 1, 2025, per SB 423). Staff recommended approval with three modifications: (1) exclude accessory garage space from gross floor area; (2) allow one unit up to 4,000 sq ft if an additional unit of at least 800 sq ft is added; (3) exclude shared spaces in multi-unit buildings from unit size calculations.
- Commissioners debated modification 2. President Diamond, Commissioner Braun, and Commissioner McGarry supported it as an incentive for density. Commissioner Imperial, Vice President Moore, Commissioner Williams, and Commissioner So opposed it, arguing it undermines the spirit of the cap. Commissioner Imperial suggested capping the maximum at 3,000 sq ft instead.
- A motion to approve with modifications 1 and 3 only (not 2) passed 4-3 (Commissioners Braun, Williams, Imperial, Moore in favor; McGarry, So, Diamond against).
- Commissioner Diamond noted she would have introduced a motion with all three modifications if the first motion failed.
Item 15: Laboratory Uses in Urban Mixed Use (UMU) Zoning District (Planning Code Amendments)
- Staff (Veronica Flores) presented the ordinance sponsored by Supervisor Walton, which would ban laboratory uses in the UMU district and add
Meeting Transcript
Okay, good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission hearing for Thursday, August 1st, 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 cute 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 disruption or outbursts of any kind. Also, I ask that we silence any mobile devices that may sound off during these proceedings. And at this time, I would like to take roll. Commissioner President Diamond. Here. Commissioner Braun. Here. Commissioner Imperial. Here. Commissioner So? Here. Commissioner Williams. Here. And welcome, Commissioner McGarry. Thank you, first 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 authorization and variants are proposed for continuance to September 19th, 2024. Item 2. Case number 2024, hyphen 001579 CUA 200 CAP Street, conditional use authorization is proposed for continuance to September 19, 2024. Item 3, case number 2023, hyphen 007010 CUA. At 1310, Jinnipuro Serra Boulevard, conditional use authorization is proposed for continuance to October 17th, 2024. And item 4, case number 2015, hyphen 006356 CUA hyphen 02. At 336, Pierce Street conditional use authorization is proposed for an indefinite continuance. Members of the public, this is your opportunity to address the commission on any of these matters proposed for continuance. Only on the matter of continuance. You need to come forward. Seeing none, public comment is closed, and then your continuance calendar is now before you, Commissioners. Commissioner Imperial. Move to continue all items. That's proposed. Second. Thank you, Commissioners. On that motion to continue items as proposed. Commissioner McGarry. Aye. Commissioner Soye. Commissioner Williams. Aye. Commissioner Braun. Aye. Commissioner Imperial. Aye. Commissioner Moore. Aye. And Commissioner President Diamond.
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