OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Francisco Planning Commission Regular Meeting - October 17, 2024

Planning Commission — Thursday, October 17, 2024
BodySan Francisco, California
SessionPlanning Commission
DateThursday, October 17, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
⇩ GET FROM SOURCE

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

Okay.

0:08

Good afternoon.

0:09

And welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission hearing for Thursday, October 17, 2024.

0:16

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.

0:22

Each speaker will be allowed up to three minutes.

0:25

And when you have thirty seconds remaining, you will hear a chime indicating your time is almost up.

0:29

When your allotted time is reached, I will announce that your time is up and take the next person cue to speak.

0:34

Please speak clearly and slowly, and if you care to state your name for the record.

0:44

Also I ask that we silence any mobile devices that may sound off during these proceedings.

0:48

And at this time, I would like to take roll.

0:50

Commission President.

0:51

So Vice President Moore.

0:54

Here.

0:58

Commissioner Braun?

0:59

Here.

1:00

Commissioner Campbell.

1:01

Here.

1:01

Commissioner McGarry.

1:02

Present.

1:03

And Commissioner Williams.

1:04

Here.

1:05

We expect Commissioner Imperial to be absent today.

1:08

First, on your agenda, Commissioners is consideration of items proposed for continuance.

1:12

Items 1A and B for case numbers 2024, hyphen 007906 GPA, PCA, and MAP for the Central Soma and Transit District Commercial Development Requirements, General Plan Amendment, Planning Code, and Zoning Map Amendments are proposed for continuance.

1:25

So October 24th, 2024.

1:28

I have no other items proposed for continuance, so we should take public comment.

1:32

Members of the public, this is your opportunity to address the Commission on this item.

1:38

Only on the matter of continuance.

1:44

Okay.

1:44

Seeing none, public comment is closed.

1:47

And your continuance calendar is now before you, Commissioners.

1:56

Do I hear a motion?

1:58

Move to continue as proposed.

2:01

Second.

2:02

Thank you, Commissioners.

2:03

On that motion to continue.

2:04

Items 1A and B.

2:06

Commissioner Campbell.

2:07

Aye.

2:07

Commissioner McGarry.

2:08

Aye.

2:08

Commissioner Williams?

2:10

Aye.

2:10

Commissioner Braun.

2:11

Aye.

2:11

Commissioner Moore.

2:12

Aye.

2:12

And Commissioner President So?

2:14

Aye.

2:14

So move, Commissioners.

2:15

That motion passes unanimously 6 to 0, placing us under your consent calendar.

2:20

All matters listed here under constituted consent calendar are considered to be routine by the planning commission and may be acted upon by single roll call vote.

2:28

There will be no 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.

2:38

Item 2, case number 2024, hyphen 004178 C U8 5214 Diamond Heights Boulevard, Conditional Use Authorization.

2:45

And item three, case number 2023, hyphen 010718, C UA 1337 Mission Street, conditional use authorization.

2:54

Members of the public, this is your opportunity to request that either of these two items be pulled off of consent.

3:03

Good afternoon, uh Commissioners.

3:06

Mark Gleason, I am uh here speaking on behalf of Teamsters uh joint council 7 about item three, which is 1337 mission.

3:15

Uh we are asking for a continuance, and we're doing that based on the legislation that carves out cannabis parcel delivery from the rest of the legislature.

3:25

You need to just request that it be pulled off of consent.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing██████████████████████22%
Land Use██████████████14%
Procedural████████████12%
Public Comment████████████12%
Public Engagement███████7%
Building Inspection████4%
Public Education████4%
Permit Process███3%
Parks and Recreation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

San Francisco Planning Commission Regular Meeting - October 17, 2024

The San Francisco Planning Commission met on Thursday, October 17, 2024, starting at 12:00 p.m. and concluding after 7:30 p.m. The agenda included 17 items, covering consent calendar approvals, conditional use authorizations, planning code amendments, informational presentations, and discretionary reviews. The Commission approved several projects and continued controversial items to future dates.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 2 (5214 Diamond Heights Blvd): Approved with conditions unanimously (6-0) for a change of use from a Laundromat to a Formula Retail Gym (Club Pilates).
  • Item 3 (1337 Mission Street): Pulled from consent due to a request from Teamsters Joint Council 7 seeking a continuance; continued to October 24, 2024 unanimously (6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • General Public Comment: Speaker criticized Planning Department’s implementation of Section 317 regarding soundness and demolition calculations, urging a public hearing to adjust values. Another speaker requested city consideration of purchasing a parking lot at Cosmo Place for public green space in Lower Nob Hill.
  • Item 8 (BMR Price and Income Limits): Supervisor Melgar and MOHCD staff explained the ordinance to address discrepancies in older BMR units. Public comment included support from the Jansook family (affected homeowners), opposition from Tenant Union representatives urging strict limits, and concerns from the Council of Community Housing Organizations about preserving affordability.
  • Item 9 (Unauthorized Dwelling Units): Supervisor Melgar presented the ordinance. Architects and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) expressed concerns about liability and standard of care, requesting a continuance. Tenant advocates and community members supported the ordinance as written.
  • Item 11 (777 Sutter Street): Multiple residents from Lower Nob Hill opposed the 26-story project, citing out-of-scale height, loss of light, and incompatibility with the historic district. The Building Trades Council supported the project for its labor protections and affordable units.
  • Item 12 (3333 California Street): Supporters included the Jewish Community Center, neighbors, and labor representatives who highlighted the need for housing and the EIFD financing mechanism. The Laurel Heights Improvement Association raised concerns about open space depictions in the amended development agreement.
  • Item 14 (229-233 Whitney Street): Neighbors testified against the project, citing loss of light and privacy from new construction, and alleged bad faith negotiations and illegal demolition of three rent-controlled units.
  • Item 15 (1310 Junipero Serra Blvd): St. Thomas More School parents, faculty, and community members opposed the maintenance facility’s proximity (20 feet) to the preschool, citing health, safety, and noise concerns. SEIU supported the project for improved working conditions.
  • Item 16 (5114-5116 3rd Street): Supporters from the Bayview community praised the owner’s commitment to revitalization and the project’s enhancement of family housing.
  • Item 17 (1329 Bay Street): Neighbors raised concerns about property line windows and loss of light, but did not assert exceptional circumstances.

Discussion Items

  • Item 1a/1b (Central Soma Commercial Development): Continued to October 24, 2024.
  • Item 8 (BMR Price and Income Limits): After debate on AMI increases and delegation of authority, the Commission approved with modifications including a 10-unit trigger for report-back and delegation to staff. Vote: 5-1 (Moore opposed).
  • Item 9 (Unauthorized Dwelling Units): Approved with modifications recommended by staff, including use of DBI’s ECC program, 10-year UDU definition, and significant misrepresentation standard. Vote: 6-0.
  • Item 10 (915 Bryant Street): Informational presentation for a 10-unit SB 423 project. No action taken.
  • Item 11 (777 Sutter Street): Informational presentation for a 36-unit SB 423 project with 25% affordable units. Commissioners expressed concerns about height and design but acknowledged state streamlining.
  • Item 12 (3333 California Street): Approved modifications to the development agreement, including an EIFD, reduced affordable senior units (125 units), and fee reductions. Vote: 6-0.
  • Item 13 (700 Innes Avenue - India Basin): Approved amendments to Design Standards and Guidelines to allow small lot homes (150 units) in the flats, accelerating infrastructure and affordable housing. Vote: 6-0.
  • Item 14 (229-233 Whitney Street): Motion of intent to disapprove and continue to October 24, 2024, with direction to address neighbor concerns on light, privacy, and setbacks. Vote: 6-0.
  • Item 15 (1310 Junipero Serra Blvd): Continued to January 9, 2025, to explore alternative locations or greater setbacks, with direction to include school stakeholders. Vote: 6-0.
  • Item 16 (5114-5116 3rd Street): Approved conditional use authorization and variance to legalize a replacement accessory building after unauthorized demolition. Note: Zoning Administrator will issue a separate variance decision. Vote: 4-2 (Moore and So opposed).
  • Item 17 (1329 Bay Street): Did not take discretionary review and approved the building permit for a fourth-story addition with property line windows. Vote: 6-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 2: Approved with conditions.
  • Item 3: Continued to October 24, 2024.
  • Item 8: Approved with modifications (5-1).
  • Item 9: Approved with modifications (6-0).
  • Item 12: Approved (6-0).
  • Item 13: Approved (6-0).
  • Item 14: Motion of intent to disapprove, continued to October 24, 2024.
  • Item 15: Continued to January 9, 2025.
  • Item 16: Approved (4-2); variance under advisement.
  • Item 17: Did not take discretionary review; project approved.
  • General: All continuances and motions passed unanimously unless noted.

Meeting Transcript

Okay. Good afternoon. And welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission hearing for Thursday, October 17, 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 thirty 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 cue to speak. Please speak clearly and slowly, and if you care to state your name for the record. 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. Commission President. So Vice President Moore. Here. Commissioner Braun? Here. Commissioner Campbell. Here. Commissioner McGarry. Present. And Commissioner Williams. Here. We expect Commissioner Imperial to be absent today. First, on your agenda, Commissioners is consideration of items proposed for continuance. Items 1A and B for case numbers 2024, hyphen 007906 GPA, PCA, and MAP for the Central Soma and Transit District Commercial Development Requirements, General Plan Amendment, Planning Code, and Zoning Map Amendments are proposed for continuance. So October 24th, 2024. I have no other items proposed for continuance, so we should take public comment. Members of the public, this is your opportunity to address the Commission on this item. Only on the matter of continuance. Okay. Seeing none, public comment is closed. And your continuance calendar is now before you, Commissioners. Do I hear a motion? Move to continue as proposed. Second. Thank you, Commissioners. On that motion to continue. Items 1A and B. Commissioner Campbell. Aye. Commissioner McGarry. Aye. Commissioner Williams? Aye. Commissioner Braun. Aye. Commissioner Moore. Aye. And Commissioner President So? Aye. So move, Commissioners.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com