San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting - March 20, 2025

The San Francisco Planning Commission met on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 1:15 PM (actual start time) to consider a consent calendar, several conditional use authorizations, a housing element rezoning notice, preservation design standards, and a hotel-to-residential conversion. The meeting lasted approximately 5 hours and included public testimony on multiple items.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1 & 2 (935 Geary Street & 77 Broad Street): Continuances to April 3, 2025 and May 22, 2025 respectively, approved unanimously (7-0).
• Items 3 & 4 (3001 Mission Street & 2852-2862 Diamond Street): Conditional Use Authorizations for AT&T wireless facilities approved on consent (7-0).
• Item 5 (3301 Lyon Street): Initially on consent but pulled off for separate consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment: George Shutish urged adjustment of demolition calculations (Section 317) to better protect existing housing. Bridget Maley (Neighborhoods United) requested a report on Native American consultations from streamlined housing projects.
• Item 5 (3301 Lyon Street): No public comment.
• Item 11 (Housing Element Rezoning Notice): Over 20 speakers. Supporters (e.g., George Shutish, Rami Tan, Lori Brooke, Stan Hayes, Richard Carrillo, Monica Morse, Courtney Damkroger, Aaron Donnelly, Brigitte Maley) emphasized the need for transparency, noting that many residents are unaware of the upzoning. Opponents (e.g., Charlie Natoli, Michael Cressati, Serena Calhoun, Andrew Fisher) argued that the cost ($184,000–$200,000) is excessive, that the city has already done extensive outreach, and that the mailer would cause unnecessary alarm.
• Item 12 (Preservation Design Standards): Several speakers including George Shutish, Rami Tan, Steve Schumacher, Serena Calhoun (AIA SF), Michael Cressanti (AIA SF), Jane Natoli (YIMBY Action), Brianna Moralis (Housing Action Coalition), Robert Woodley, Stan Hayes (Telegraph Hill Dwellers), Courtney Damkroger (Neighborhoods United SF), and Brigitte Maley (Neighborhoods United SF) expressed support for the standards, while some urged inclusion of Category B buildings and new construction standards for historic districts.
• Items 13a & 13b (54 4th Street & 509 Minna Street): Over 20 speakers, including Destiny Pletch, Lucena Francisco, Luis, David Wu (SOMA Filipinas), Cynthia Gomez (Unite Here Local 2), Anne Lim (SomCAN), Avi (SF Anti-Displacement Coalition), and Sanja Kabande (SomCAN) opposed the conversion, citing loss of affordable housing, inadequate replacement, and lack of comparable units. The nearby property owner spoke in favor of the program at 509 Minna but expressed mixed feelings. One resident supported the project for downtown revitalization.

Discussion Items

• Item 5 (3301 Lyon Street – AT&T Wireless Facility): Staff (Mary Woods) explained the 10-year effort to site a faux eucalyptus tree at the Palace of Fine Arts. Commissioner Williams expressed concern about lack of community notification. Staff clarified that 500-foot radius notification was done. The commission voted 6-1 to approve, with Commissioner Williams dissenting due to community engagement concerns.
• Item 11 (Notice for Housing Element Rezoning – Planning Code Amendment): Supervisor Chan introduced the ordinance. Staff (Veronica Flores) presented the costs and recommended modifications, including limiting mailers to parcels with proposed height/density increases and removing prescriptive language. Commissioners debated costs (2.4% of general fund support) and effectiveness. The commission voted 5-2 to recommend approval with staff modifications, with Commissioners Campbell and McGarry dissenting.
• Item 12 (Preservation Design Standards): Staff (Rebecca Salgado and Rich Sucre) presented the standards for Category A properties. Commissioners praised the collaborative process with AIA SF. The commission voted 7-0 to adopt the standards, with a plan to report back in six months.
• Items 13a & 13b (54 4th Street – Conditional Use Authorization & 509 Minna Street – Variance): Staff (Vincent Page) recommended approval. Project sponsor (John Kevlin) argued the conversion would create a cohesive tourist hotel downtown and legalize supportive housing at 509 Minna with a nonprofit operator in perpetuity. Commissioners Imperial, Williams, Moore, and Braun raised concerns about comparability of units, protection of rent control, and the physical/institutional nature of 509 Minna. Commissioner Campbell and McGarry saw the project as a net gain for housing (72 SRO units in perpetuity). The commission voted 5-2 to deny the conditional use authorization (13a), finding units not comparable and no necessity for hotel use. The variance (13b) was taken under advisement by the Zoning Administrator.

Key Outcomes

• Items 1-4: Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Item 5 (3301 Lyon Street): Approved 6-1 (Commissioner Williams dissenting).
• Item 11 (Housing Element Rezoning Notice): Recommendation of approval with staff modifications approved 5-2 (Commissioners Campbell and McGarry dissenting).
• Item 12 (Preservation Design Standards): Adopted 7-0.
• Item 13a (54 4th Street Conditional Use Authorization): Denied 5-2 (Commissioners Campbell and McGarry dissenting).
• Item 13b (509 Minna Street Variance): Taken under advisement by Zoning Administrator.