OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Francisco Planning Commission Hearing - March 13, 2025

Planning Commission — Thursday, March 13, 2025
BodySan Francisco, California
SessionPlanning Commission
DateThursday, March 13, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
⇩ GET FROM SOURCE

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

Okay, good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission regular hearing for Thursday, March 13th, 2025.

0:14

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.

0:20

Each speaker will be allowed up to three minutes.

0:23

And when you have 30 seconds remaining, you will hear a chime indicating your time is almost up.

0:28

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

0:34

There is a very convenient timer on the podium where you can see how much time you have left and watch your tick time tick down.

0:42

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

0:45

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

0:49

And finally, I will remind members of the public that the Commission does not tolerate any disruption or outbursts of any kind.

0:56

I would like to take roll at this time.

0:57

Commission President So.

1:00

Present.

1:00

Commission Vice President Moore.

1:03

Commissioner Braun.

1:04

Here.

1:04

Commissioner Campbell.

1:06

Commissioner Imperial.

1:07

Commissioner McGarry.

1:09

And Commissioner Williams.

1:10

Here.

1:10

Thank you, Commissioners.

1:11

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

1:15

Item one, case number 2025, 000426, PCA and MAP for the Alexandria Theater Special Use District, Planning Code and Zoning Map Amendments is proposed for continuance to April 3rd, 2025.

1:29

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

1:33

Members of the public, this is your opportunity to address the Commission on their continuance calendar.

1:42

Hi, Commissioners.

1:43

Good morning.

1:44

Good afternoon.

1:44

Angeliniu, staff with Supervisor Chan's office.

1:47

Thank you for considering continuance.

1:49

We are respectfully asking for it to be continued until April 3rd to allow us time to finalize the language and to work with your team.

1:55

I'm looking forward to seeing you guys again in April.

1:58

Thank you.

1:59

Thank you.

2:00

Last call for public comment on their continuance calendar.

2:06

Seeing none, public comment is closed, and your continuance calendar is now before you, Commissioners.

2:11

Commissioner Brown.

2:14

Move to continue as proposed.

2:17

Second.

2:18

Thank you, Commissioners.

2:19

On that motion to continue item one to April 3rd.

2:21

Commissioner Campbell.

2:22

Aye.

2:22

Commissioner McGarry.

2:23

Aye.

2:24

Commissioner Williams.

2:25

Aye.

2:25

Commissioner Braun.

2:26

Aye.

2:27

Commissioner Imperial.

2:28

Aye.

2:28

Commissioner Moore.

2:29

Aye.

2:29

And Commissioner President So.

2:31

Aye.

2:31

So move, Commissioners.

2:32

That motion passes unanimously 7 to 0, placing us under your consent calendar.

2:37

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

2:45

There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Commission of the public or staff so request.

2:51

In which event the matter shall be removed from the consent calendar and considered as a separate item at this or a future hearing.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing███████████████████████████████31%
Procedural██████████████████████████26%
Public Comment███████7%
Land Use██████6%
Transportation██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Community Engagement██████6%
Housing Crisis Act████4%
Economic Development███3%
Summary of Proceedings

San Francisco Planning Commission Hearing - March 13, 2025

The San Francisco Planning Commission held a regular hearing on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at approximately 2:15 PM. Commission President So presided. The meeting covered continuances, consent calendar items, commission matters, department updates, and general public comment. Key actions included approving a temporary parking lot for Yellow Cab and major modifications for the Balboa Reservoir affordable housing project.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 2 (3225 Fillmore Street): Conditional use authorization approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Item 4 (30 Van Ness Avenue): Modification to inclusionary housing condition approved (6-0) after Commissioner Campbell recused due to employer involvement.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Georgia Shudish (District 2): Criticized planning staff's interpretation of the flat policy, citing examples of interior demolitions and unit configurations that she argued violate the policy's intent. Provided a letter with suggestions for codification.
  • Masako Takahashi (Japan Town property owner): Urged the Commission to stop the redesign of Osaka Way (Buchanan Mall), which she said would destroy the artwork of world-famous artist Ruth Asawa. Requested restoration and renaming to Ruth Asawa Way. Noted the site is eligible for historic monument status.
  • Claire Mills (District 2): Called on San Francisco to negotiate with HCD to adjust RHNA allocations based on updated state population projections (2,683 new residents by 2030 vs. 82,069 required units). Argued that 55,000 units already in the pipeline are sufficient, and that other cities are pushing back against inflated mandates.
  • Mark Mulouf (Teamsters Local 665, on Item 3): Requested the item be pulled from consent. Stated opposition to any future conversion of the private parking lot to fleet charging without a separate conditional use process.

Discussion Items

  • Item 1 (Alexandria Theater Special Use District): Continued to April 3, 2025, to finalize language. Unanimous vote (7-0).
  • Item 3 (531 Bayshore Boulevard et al.): Temporary private parking lot for Yellow Cab for up to 8 years. Staff recommended approval, noting the site has 150 spaces and the fleet has shrunk from 600 to 300 cabs. Project sponsor clarified that fleet charging and parcel delivery are separate uses not requested. Commissioner Braun moved to approve, citing no visible issues. Approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Item 5 (11 Frida Kahlo Way – Balboa Reservoir Block A): Major modifications to four design standards for a 159-unit, 100% affordable housing building (6 stories, 78 parking spaces, 30 public). Modifications: courtyard opening height reduced from 18 ft to 16 ft (width increased to 24.5 ft), ground floor height reduced from 15 ft to 14 ft on Lee Avenue, recess depth reduced from 8 ft to 7.5 ft for three ground-floor units, and off-street loading replaced with on-street loading. Staff and project sponsor (Bridge Housing, architects YA Studio) supported the changes, noting they enable tax credit applications and preserve unit count. Public comment raised concerns about emergency water supply for the 3,000+ new residents. Vice President Moore praised the project's complexity and community engagement. Commissioner Imperial moved to approve, seconded. Approved unanimously (7-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Item 1 continued to April 3, 2025 (7-0).
  • Consent items 2 and 4 approved (7-0 and 6-0 respectively).
  • Item 3 approved (7-0), allowing Yellow Cab to operate the private parking lot for up to 8 years.
  • Item 5 approved (7-0), granting major modifications to design standards for Balboa Reservoir Block A, enabling construction of 159 affordable units starting in early 2026.
  • Commissioner Campbell recused from Item 4.
  • Minutes for February 27, 2025, adopted with correction (7-0).
  • General public comment included requests for planning staff to follow up on Osaka Way redesign and RHNA negotiations.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission regular hearing for Thursday, March 13th, 2025. 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 30 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 cute to speak. There is a very convenient timer on the podium where you can see how much time you have left and watch your tick time tick down. Please speak clearly and slowly and if you care to state your name for the record. I ask that we silence any mobile devices that may sound off during these proceedings. And finally, I will remind members of the public that the Commission does not tolerate any disruption or outbursts of any kind. I would like to take roll at this time. Commission President So. Present. Commission Vice President Moore. Commissioner Braun. Here. Commissioner Campbell. Commissioner Imperial. Commissioner McGarry. And Commissioner Williams. Here. Thank you, Commissioners. First, on your agenda is consideration of items proposed for continuance. Item one, case number 2025, 000426, PCA and MAP for the Alexandria Theater Special Use District, Planning Code and Zoning Map Amendments is proposed for continuance to April 3rd, 2025. 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 their continuance calendar. Hi, Commissioners. Good morning. Good afternoon. Angeliniu, staff with Supervisor Chan's office. Thank you for considering continuance. We are respectfully asking for it to be continued until April 3rd to allow us time to finalize the language and to work with your team. I'm looking forward to seeing you guys again in April. Thank you. Thank you. Last call for public comment on their continuance calendar. Seeing none, public comment is closed, and your continuance calendar is now before you, Commissioners. Commissioner Brown. Move to continue as proposed. Second. Thank you, Commissioners. On that motion to continue item one to April 3rd. Commissioner Campbell. Aye. Commissioner McGarry. Aye. Commissioner Williams. Aye. Commissioner Braun. Aye. Commissioner Imperial.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com