San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting – January 9, 2025

The San Francisco Planning Commission held its first meeting of 2025 on January 9, 2025, spanning a full agenda of continuances, consent items, informational presentations, conditional use authorizations, and a discretionary review. Key actions included approving a planning code amendment for a new school at 99 Rhode Island Street (6–1), receiving an update on the SF Railyards planning program, reviewing two housing projects on steep slopes in Bernal Heights, authorizing a social service facility for Friends of the Children SF Bay Area (7–0), and deciding not to take discretionary review on a fire-rated wall dispute (5–2).

Consent Calendar

• Item 5 – 331 West Portal Avenue: Conditional Use Authorization for a personal service, formula retail use (The Coder School) was approved unanimously (7–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Continuance Calendar: Several speakers (Linda Shaw, Joe Duncan, Alejandra Leonard, Olga Galvez, Marcia Lee) from St. Thomas Moore community supported continuances of items related to 1310 Junipero Serra Boulevard, asking for alternative location proposals. All continuances were granted unanimously.
• General Public Comment: Georgia Schutish raised concerns about the demo calcs loophole at 1647 Sanchez Street, urging adjustments to preserve sound housing and codify the flat policy.
• Item 11 – 99 Rhode Island Street: Jackson Nutbyer (SF Chamber of Commerce) and Celia Schumann (Show Place East) spoke in support of the planning code amendment to allow a new school.
• Item 13 – SF Railyards: Brianna Morales (Housing Action Coalition) expressed excitement about the planning progress and transit-oriented development.
• Items 14/15 – 134 Porter & 113 Roscoe Streets: Georgia Schutish questioned geotechnical review under SB 423; a Bernal Heights resident raised concerns about the lack of community notice and loss of affordable housing character.
• Item 17 – 1932-1934 Jefferson Street: DR requester Ottorino Passian argued the proposed fire wall solution was worse than the existing condition; project owner Jeff Dreammer and wife Vivian rebutted, noting the neighbor had signed off on the original plans and that the fire wall was the only feasible remedy.

Discussion Items

• Item 1–4 (Continuances): All four items were continued to later dates (January 23, February 6, February 13, 2025) by unanimous vote.
• Item 11 – 99 Rhode Island Street Planning Code Amendment: Staff explained that the ordinance would allow personal service and school uses to exceed size limits at the 60,000 sq ft building, currently vacant. The HEBA Academy plans a pre-K–5 school. Commissioner Moore supported, noting the positive neighborhood transformation; Commissioner Williams voted against, citing insufficient information. Motion passed 6–1.
• Item 13 – SF Railyards Planning Program: Staff presented a concept plan for public realm improvements around the 20-acre site, addressing connectivity, green spaces, and pedestrian safety. The presentation covered five parallel projects: the Portal (DTX), Pennsylvania Avenue Extension, Caltrain’s Preliminary Business Case, the Railyards Neighborhood Planning Effort, and Prologis's development plans. Commissioners praised the interagency coordination and stressed the need for early public realm investments and climate resilience. No action was taken.
• Items 14 & 15 – 134 Porter Street & 113 Roscoe Street Housing Projects: Informational presentation for projects totaling 26 units on steep slopes (up to 60%). Commissioner Moore raised concerns about construction phasing, open space, and accessibility for families. Commissioner Williams questioned the lack of neighborhood notice under SB 423; staff noted a new dashboard and alert system but acknowledged that direct notification is not required. No action was taken.
• Item 16 – 4100 3rd Street Social Service Facility: The project would convert an existing mixed-use building (former restaurant and group housing) into a 6,000 sq ft social service facility for Friends of the Children SF Bay Area, a mentoring program serving children in Bayview. The nonprofit has served 120 children with 83% high school graduation/GED rates and 93% avoiding juvenile justice. Staff recommended approval with conditions. Commissioner Braun expressed concern about losing eight group housing units but ultimately supported the trade-off. Motion passed unanimously (7–0).
• Item 17 – 1932-1934 Jefferson Street Discretionary Review: The DR requested review of a permit to build a one-hour fire-rated wall on a roof deck and stair landing to comply with an NOV. Staff recommended not taking DR, finding no exceptional circumstances. The DR requester argued the wall would block light and privacy; the project owner stated the wall was necessary and that the neighbor had approved the original positioning. After debate, a motion to not take DR and approve the project passed 5–2, with Commissioners Williams and Braun dissenting.

Key Outcomes

• Continuances: Items 1–4 continued to Jan 23, Feb 6, and Feb 13, 2025 (unanimous).
• Consent Calendar: Item 5 approved 7–0.
• Item 11: Planning code amendment for 99 Rhode Island Street recommended for approval (6–1).
• Item 12: Preservation Design Standards continued (no date specified).
• Item 16: Conditional use authorization for 4100 3rd Street approved with conditions (7–0).
• Item 17: Discretionary Review not taken; project approved (5–2).
• Commission Matters: December 5 and December 12, 2024 minutes adopted (7–0).
• Subcommittee Disbanded: The subcommittee for 2588 Mission Street was officially disbanded; a community hearing will be held at City Hall on February 6, 2025 at 5 PM with translation and overflow room.