San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting - January 23, 2025

The San Francisco Planning Commission met on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 8:15 PM UTC. The meeting included continuations, consent calendar approvals, a discussion on a previously approved project at 4100 3rd Street, general public comment, informational presentations on the department budget, aging and disability housing plan, and office conversion inventory, followed by two regular calendar items: a resolution for active use waiver at 1035 Howard Street and a conditional use authorization for a tantamount demolition at 28-30 Day Street. All votes were unanimous (6-0) where taken.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4 & 5: Approved unanimously. Item 4 (2900 Alemany Boulevard) established a 33,000 sq ft gym (Touchstone Climbing). Item 5 (1210 9th Avenue) established a formula retail use (Mixt).

Public Comments & Testimony

• 4100 3rd Street Discussion: Multiple community members spoke against the previously approved conversion of group housing to social services, citing inaccurate statements in the application and lack of community engagement. Bayview residents expressed need for active retail and protection of the African American cultural district. Supporters from Friends of the Children emphasized the program's benefits for underserved youth.
• General Public Comment: Georgia Shudish presented photographic evidence of flats policy violations and argued for codification. A second speaker presented a theory on time and fusion.
• Budget Presentation: Over a dozen speakers, including representatives from the American Indian Cultural District, Tenderloin community organizations, and Mission Housing, urged the commission to approve the equity budget, emphasizing its role in supporting marginalized communities and downtown recovery.
• Aging and Disability Housing Plan: Ocean Coast from Senior and Disability Action spoke in support of funding an implementation coordinator and dedicated elevator maintenance funds.
• 1035 Howard Street: Approximately 20 speakers opposed the waiver, citing concerns about self-storage use, insufficient community benefit, and adverse impacts on the Soma Pilipinas Cultural District. Union representatives and project supporters highlighted job creation, historic preservation, and long-term community space agreements.
• 28-30 Day Street: Five neighbors and a resident read letters of strong support, praising the project sponsor's community engagement and the design improvements.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 – 4100 3rd Street: Commissioners revisited a previously approved housing removal CU. Discussion centered on community engagement gaps, the importance of early coordination with the supervisor's office, and internal process improvements. No action taken.
• Item 12 – FY2025-2027 Budget & Work Program: Chief Financial Officer Deborah Landis presented a $1.4 million general fund reduction, offset by new federal grants ($7M from HUD, $3M from EPA, etc.). The budget prioritizes equity, maintaining core services, and adjusting to declining permit volume. Commissioners supported the approach and requested mid-year tracking.
• Item 13 – Aging and Disability Affordable Housing Implementation Plan: Senior Planner Melina Leon Ferrera outlined six objectives and 49 actions to address housing needs for older adults and adults with disabilities. Key priorities include funding a coordinator, piloting assisted living facilities, and elevator maintenance. Commissioners commended the interagency collaboration.
• Item 14 – Office Conversion and Demolition Inventory: Zoning Administrator Corey Teague presented the final inventory, identifying 2.3 million sq ft of office conversions/demolitions since 1986, credited under Proposition C. The inventory boosted the large cap from 100,000 to over 2 million sq ft.

Key Outcomes

• Item 16 – 1035 Howard Street (Active Use Waiver): Approved unanimously with a resolution to waive active use requirements on upper floors only, consistent with HPC recommendations. Added non-binding encouragements for transparent roll-up doors (if compatible with Mills Act), off-street loading where feasible, and a perimeter corridor on upper floors to improve visibility. The ground floor must be fully code-compliant; staff will continue to refine the plans.
• Item 15 – 28-30 Day Street (Tantamount Demolition CU): Approved unanimously with conditions. The project preserves two existing rent-controlled flats and adds a new fully accessible unit, resulting in a net gain of one unit. The sponsor received extensive neighbor support and made voluntary setbacks to protect views.

All motions passed 6-0.