San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting Summary – September 26, 2024

The San Francisco Planning Commission held a regular hearing on Thursday, September 26, 2024, to consider continuances, consent calendar items, an informational presentation on the Hazards and Climate Resilience Plan, a public hearing on a Draft Environmental Impact Report, a conditional use authorization for a residential development, and two discretionary review requests.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 (2024-007340PCA): Fee Waiver for Vicha Ratanapakdee Mosaic Stairway. The Commission unanimously approved the fee waiver for the Mosaic Stairway.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Continuance (Item 10 - Whitney Street): Laura Strazzo, attorney for the property owners, opposed a continuance to November 7th, citing the Permit Streamlining Act and Housing Accountability Act, suggesting a shorter continuance to October 10th. Georgia Schudish commented on the project's nature as an enforcement abatement.
• Item 3 (Minutes Correction): Georgia Schudish requested a correction to the September 12th minutes, stating she advised the Commission to "look at the site" regarding the Staples project, not to "look at a memo."
• General Public Comment: Georgia Schudish presented a historical timeline of Section 317 arguing demolition calculations were never adjusted. Ms. Hester requested the Commission schedule a meeting to adopt the 2025 calendar and hold a presentation on commission rules.
• Item 9 (842 California Street): Multiple neighbors spoke in opposition. Catherine Anderson expressed concern over blocking views from the University Club and impacts on light and air. Erica Frick argued the building would block iconic views from the historic cable car crossing. Bob Cohn reported a 21% decrease in his property value and cited the oversupply of luxury housing. Regina Scalaro argued the developer was abusing the state density bonus program.
• Item 11 (1657-1659 Mason Street): DR Requester Kelly Melendez argued the project was invalid due to inaccurate plans. The neighboring property owner stated she was misled and the project would box in her rear yard. An architect neighbor spoke in support, calling the site a "gaping hole" needing infill.
• Item 12 (1229 45th Avenue): DR Requester Eileen Boken (SPEAK) argued the project was not a legitimate ADU as it was larger than the primary residence. DR Requester Margot Campbell Gross stated the rear structure was uninhabitable and the new building would block light to her dining room.

Discussion Items

• Item 7 (2025 Draft Hazards and Climate Resilience Plan): The Commission received an informational presentation on the citywide action plan addressing 13 natural hazards. The plan update ensures FEMA grant eligibility and includes 74 actions across buildings, communities, and infrastructure. Commissioners discussed interagency coordination on shoreline resilience, community outreach to environmental justice communities, and the financial scope of projects like the Yosemite Slough Adaptation Plan.
• Item 8 (3400 Laguna Street - Draft EIR): Staff presented the Draft EIR for expanding the Heritage on the Marina residential care facility. The draft concluded no significant unavoidable impacts. Commissioner Moore raised concerns about the legibility of plans, the historic value of mid-century buildings slated for demolition, and the safety of the proposed parking garage entrance on Bay Street.
• Item 9 (842 California Street - Conditional Use Authorization): The Commission deliberated on replacing five dwelling units with a 33-unit project utilizing a state density bonus. Debate focused on the loss of rent-controlled units, the height and design impacting the historic Nob Hill neighborhood, the provision of five affordable ownership units, and the constraints of state housing law. The commission was split on balancing housing production versus neighborhood character.

Key Outcomes

• Item 10 (229-233 Whitney Street): Continued. The Commission voted unanimously (7-0) to continue the item to October 17, 2024, adjusting the original November 7th request to meet Permit Streamlining Act deadlines.
• Item 1 (Mosaic Stairway Fee Waiver): Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Item 3 (September 12th Minutes): Adopted unanimously (7-0) with the requested correction.
• Item 9 (842 California Street): Approved 4-3. Commissioners Campbell, McGarry, Braun, and President Seo voted in favor. Commissioners Moore, Williams, and Imperial voted against.
• Item 11 (1657-1659 Mason Street): Discretionary Review Taken and Approved with Modifications (6-1). The project must shift massing west, reduce overall height by three feet, and reduce the stair/elevator tower.
• Item 12 (1229 45th Avenue): Discretionary Review Not Taken; Project Approved (5-2). Commissioners Campbell, McGarry, Braun, Moore, and President Seo voted in favor. Commissioners Williams and Imperial voted against.