San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting - February 13, 2025

The San Francisco Planning Commission met on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 20:15 UTC (12:15 PM local time). The meeting covered a range of items including the FY2025-2027 departmental budget, a proposed ordinance to allow condominium conversion of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), a conditional use authorization for a maintenance building at the San Francisco Golf Club, and a conditional use authorization for a fleet charging facility. The Commission voted on all items, with some passing unanimously and others dividing the board.

Consent Calendar

• Item 3 (2024-009797CUA): Conditional Use Authorization to classify one dwelling unit at 2999 California Street #603 as an Intermediate Length Occupancy (ILO) unit. Approved unanimously.
• Item 4 (2015-002658CUA-02): Conditional Use Authorization to extend a restaurant use at 2937 24th Street for three years. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment: Georgia Shutish submitted a memorandum on the timeline of Section 317 (residential demolition) and urged the Commission to adjust demolition calcs to preserve housing in Priority Equity Geographies. Another speaker requested that the mayor's executive directive on permitting reform be distributed to the public.
• Item 10 (ADU Condo Conversion): Public comment included:
  • Eileen Bogan (Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods) urged a continuance to May 1, 2025, citing procedural issues.
  • Brianna Morales (Housing Action Coalition) strongly supported the ordinance as a tool for homeownership and housing production.
  • Mitchell Omerberg (Affordable Housing Alliance / SF Tenants Union) opposed, warning of lost rent-controlled units and potential tenant displacement.
• Item 11 (Golf Club Maintenance Building): Over 20 speakers, mostly parents and staff from St. Thomas More School, opposed the project, citing health and safety risks from construction dust, noise, potential chemical exposure, and fire hazards. Several speakers noted that the school's preschool and kindergarten children are especially vulnerable. The school principal, David Greenball, questioned why the club did not seriously explore alternative sites on its 163-acre property. A representative from the golf club's union (SEIU USWW) supported the project as a needed improvement for worker facilities. The club's project sponsor and architect presented revisions (increased setback, reduced height, elimination of chemical storage).
• Item 12 (Fleet Charging): Two letters were received: one in support from Teamsters Local 665, one in opposition from Potrero Boosters and Dogpatch Neighborhood Associations. No public speakers appeared in person.

Discussion Items

• Item 9: FY2025-2027 Department Budget and Work Program
  • Thomas DeSanto (Director of Administration) presented a high-level summary, noting that revenue from entitlements and permits has declined 14% and 16% in the last two years. The proposed budget reduces fee revenue by $2 million, absorbs a $1 million CPI increase, and eliminates 6 vacant positions (following 17 and 20 eliminations in prior years). Total staff positions have dropped from ~250 to 200. The department relies on the $7 million Pro-Housing Grant from HUD. Commissioner Moore cautioned about potential grant cancellations due to federal actions. Commissioner Williams expressed concern about future layoffs. The Commission voted unanimously to adopt the budget.
• Item 10: Condominium Conversion of Accessory Dwelling Units (Planning Code Amendments)
  • Staff presented a detailed explanation of ADU types (local, state, hybrid programs) and rent control implications. The proposed ordinance (Supervisor Engardio) would allow certain new ADUs to become condominiums. Staff recommended modifications to limit eligibility to detached ADUs built through the state program on single-family homes or existing condominiums (4 units or less) and to new construction. This would avoid the loss of rent-controlled units and prevent tenant displacement. Supervisor Engardio spoke in support, emphasizing ADUs as a way to create generational wealth and housing options. Commissioner Williams voted against, citing concerns about affordability and the city's housing element requirements. The motion to approve with staff modifications passed 5-1.
• Item 11: 1310 Junipero Serra Boulevard – San Francisco Golf Club Maintenance Building
  • This was a second hearing after a continuance from October 2024. The project sponsor made revisions: increased setback from 20 to 40 feet from the north property line, reduced building height from 25 to 23 feet, reduced footprint from 20,060 to 19,100 sq. ft., and reoriented the building so administrative offices are closer to the school. No chemical or fertilizer storage, no fuel filling, and no vehicle washing will occur on site. The club also offered to donate 1,800 sq. ft. of land to double the school's preschool playground. Commissioner McGarry, after a site visit, expressed concerns about fire egress, electrical transformers, and an encroaching building, but supported the project with conditions. Commissioner Williams moved to deny, citing inadequate environmental review and safety concerns; the motion failed 2-4. Commissioner Braun then moved to approve with conditions, including a review of fire safety egress at the fence line and directing staff to work with the Department of Public Health on additional dust mitigation measures during construction. The motion passed 4-2 (Commissioners Williams and Moore dissenting). The construction will be scheduled to minimize disruption during school hours, and a temporary dust barrier (12-16 ft high) will be considered.
• Item 12: 1111 Pennsylvania Avenue – Fleet Charging Use
  • The project proposes 52 charging spaces and 6 on-site queuing spaces, replacing two surface lots now used for self-storage. One of two curb cuts on Pennsylvania Avenue will be eliminated. The project sponsor noted that the site is ideal due to its proximity to I-280 and will improve the site with landscaping, fencing, and security. The Teamsters and Electrical Workers unions expressed support after reaching agreements. Commissioner Moore asked about the lack of an identified operator; staff noted that permits often take years and an operator is likely to be secured before construction. The Commission approved the project unanimously with a condition requiring the queuing management plan to be updated once an operator is finalized. Commissioner So requested that the lighting plan be submitted to the Commission for informational review.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 & 2: Continuances approved unanimously (6-0).
• Item 3 & 4: Consent Calendar approved unanimously (6-0).
• Item 9: FY2025-2027 Budget and Work Program adopted unanimously (6-0).
• Item 10: ADU Condominium Conversion approved with staff modifications (5-1; Commissioner Williams dissenting).
• Item 11: San Francisco Golf Club Maintenance Building approved with conditions (4-2; Commissioners Williams and Moore dissenting). The motion to deny failed 2-4. Conditions include: review of fire safety egress at the fence line, and staff to work with DPH on additional dust mitigation measures.
• Item 12: Fleet Charging at 1111 Pennsylvania Avenue approved with conditions (6-0).