San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting - April 10, 2025
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San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting - April 10, 2025
The San Francisco Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025, beginning at 12:15 PM and concluding after 7:00 PM. The agenda included continuances, consent items, a land acknowledgement, commission comments on economic uncertainty, and three regular calendar items: a zoning amendment for entertainment uses in Western SoMa, a request to increase private event closures at a privately-owned public open space (POPOS), and an informational presentation on the city's Housing Element rezoning program. The meeting drew substantial public attendance, with over 100 speakers on the final item.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1-5 (Continuances): The Commission unanimously voted to continue several items as proposed: Item 1 (447 Battery/530 Sansome EIR) to April 17, 2025; Item 2 (788 Arkansas Street) withdrawn; Item 4 (2588 Mission Street DR and Density Bonus) to May 1, 2025; Item 5 (1533 Sloat Boulevard Planet Fitness) to May 22, 2025.
- Items 6-7 (Consent Calendar): Item 6 (524 Howard Street – temporary parking lot extension) and Item 7 (3065 16th Street – escape room) were approved unanimously (7-0) without discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- General Public Comment: Several speakers addressed neighborhood character, tourism, parking shortages, vacant units (a speaker cited 13.3% vacancy), and concerns about the Planning Department's approach. One speaker urged preserving ethnic diversity and criticized cookie-cutter development. Another speaker argued that San Francisco has a safety and affordability crisis, not a housing supply crisis.
- On Item 13 (Entertainment in SoMa): No public comment was offered.
- On Item 14 (1 Sansome Street): Speakers largely supported the request, including nearby business owners, the Hotel Council of San Francisco, a tenant in the building (who noted the space was key to attracting Databricks for a 150,000 sq ft lease), and a representative from Supervisor Sauter's office. Two speakers expressed caution about privatization of public space, one suggesting a sunset clause.
- On Item 15 (Housing Element Rezoning): Over 100 speakers provided testimony, split roughly evenly. Supporters (including members of D9 Neighbors for Housing, SF YIMBY, and Grow the Richmond) emphasized the need to build more housing to address affordability, retain families, and support transit and small businesses. Many requested including Bernal Heights in the upzoning. Opponents (including the Race and Equity in All Planning Coalition, Senior and Disability Action, and others) argued the plan would lead to gentrification, displacement of rent-controlled housing and small businesses, and would not produce truly affordable units. They called for stronger tenant protections, dedicated affordable housing funding, and community-led planning. Several speakers questioned the state-mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) numbers, citing a 13.3% vacancy rate and population decline.
Discussion Items
- Item 13 – Entertainment Uses in Western SoMa (Planning Code Amendment): Presented by Supervisor Dorsey's office and Planning staff. The ordinance would eliminate the 200-foot buffer for nighttime entertainment uses in the Western SoMa Special Use District (SUD) and principally permit entertainment at 655 Folsom Street. Staff explained that the buffer has been whittled away by carve-outs and is confusing. The change is supported by the Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District, SoMa West Community Benefit District, and Yerba Buena Partnership. The Commission discussed the modest impact and retained protections (entertainment commission permits, good neighbor policy). Commissioners expressed support, noting it simplifies the code and reflects the neighborhood's identity. The Commission voted unanimously (7-0) to recommend approval.
- Item 14 – 1 Sansome Street (POPOS Closure Increase): The applicant requested to increase full weekday closures from 12 to 36 per year for private events, with no change to partial closures. Staff confirmed that in 2024 the applicant exceeded the allowed full closures by 5 days (17 vs 12) due to recordkeeping errors, but the applicant has since implemented monthly reporting. The Commission discussed the importance of maintaining the public character of the POPOS, but many recognized the benefit of activating downtown. Commissioner Moore noted that different POPOS have different uses. The Commission approved the request with conditions, including monthly reports to the Zoning Administrator (amending the existing 6-month reporting requirement). Vote: 7-0.
- Item 15 – Expanding Housing Choice (Housing Element Rezoning Program): Planning staff presented an updated draft zoning map and proposed local program to meet the city's RHNA of 82,000 new homes (shortfall of ~36,000 units after accounting for pipeline). Key changes include form-based zoning (density decontrol) in residential areas off main corridors (40-foot height limit, no state density bonus allowed), transitional buffer areas up to 50 feet, mid-rise buildings (65-85 feet) on transit/commercial corridors, and high-rise zones (140+ feet) at major transit hubs. The local program is designed as an alternative to the state density bonus, offering a menu of waivers and concessions to incentivize use. Staff emphasized that demolition of tenant-occupied or rent-controlled housing is not the goal, and that tenant protection ordinances and small business strategies are being developed concurrently. Commission discussion focused on affordable housing funding, the need for on-site inclusionary housing, refining height transitions (avoiding “shark fins”), and including Bernal Heights. Commissioner Moore suggested using GIS and 3D simulation tools for better visualization. Commissioner Williams stressed that the plan is state-mandated and that affordable housing must be prioritized. No vote was taken (informational).
Key Outcomes
- Item 13: Approved recommendation to Board of Supervisors (7-0).
- Item 14: Approved mandatory discretionary review with modified conditions (monthly reporting) (7-0).
- Item 15: Informational; no vote. The Commission directed staff to continue refining the map, especially considering feedback on specific neighborhoods (e.g., Bernal Heights, Jordan Park, North Beach), and to return with additional hearings on tenant protections (April 17) and small business strategies.
- Commission Comments: The Commission tasked staff with providing an analysis of federal economic uncertainty (tariffs, housing financing) and its impact on San Francisco. The Commission also noted the importance of meeting the January 2026 state deadline to avoid the builder's remedy.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission hearing for Thursday, April 10th, 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 cued to speak. There is a very convenient timer on the podium where you can see how much time you have left and watch your 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. At this time, I'd like to take roll. Commissioner President So. Present. Commission Vice President Moore. Here. Commissioner Braun. Here. Commissioner Campbell. Here. Commissioner Imperial. Here. Commissioner McGarry. And Commissioner Williams. Here. Thank you, Commissioners. First, on your agenda is consideration of items proposed for continuance. Item one, case number 2024, hyphen 007066 ENV. At 447 Battery and 530 Sansom Street's draft environmental impact report is proposed for continuance to April 17th 2025. Item two, case number 2024, hyphen 002087 CU8788 Arkansas Street at the time of issuance was proposed to April 17th. It is now being proposed to be continued to May 8th. But has since been withdrawn. Items 4A and B for case numbers 2018 hyphen 013877 DRP hyphen 05 and CRV at 2588 Mission Street. Discretionary review and adoption of findings was proposed to be continued to April 17th and is now being proposed for continuance to May first, 2025. Item 5, case number 2024, 004122, CU8 1533 Slope Boulevard, conditional use authorization is proposed for continuance to May 15, 2025. Members of the public, this is your opportunity to address the Commission on their continuance calendar only on the matter of continuance. And I apologize, excuse me. It is now being proposed for continuance to May 22nd, 2025. So again, members of the public, if you care to address the Commission on their continuance calendar, now is your opportunity to do so. You need to come forward. Seeing none, public comment is closed. And your continuance calendar is now before you, Commissioners. Commissioner Williams. Thank you. On the uh 2588 Mission Street, um, are all the Commissioners going to be present on May first? Yes. That's the reason we are proposing the continuance from 17th to the first. Just wanted to uh to make sure that that's the same. Yeah, I personally like to be present there. So that's a very important one. Yeah. Thank you for asking.
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