San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting – April 17, 2025
San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting – April 17, 2025
The San Francisco Planning Commission convened on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 10:00 AM for a full-day hearing that lasted into the evening. The agenda included consideration of planning code amendments, two draft Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), an informational presentation on small business strategies, and a discretionary review request. Commissioners voted on several items, including a controversial amendment to allow health service uses in the Mixed-Use Office (MUO) district and a discretionary review of a rear stair project at 1150 Gilman Street.
Consent Calendar
- Adoption of Draft Minutes for April 3, 2025: The Commission unanimously (6-0) adopted the minutes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 6 (Health Service Uses in MUO): No public speakers commented.
- Item 7 (PG&E Power Asset Acquisition Draft EIR): Three public speakers commented. Byron Coppin (Grid Science AI) urged full city control of energy infrastructure. James Lansing (resident) asked about costs and rate impacts. Jim Warshell (resident) strongly supported the separation from PG&E, citing poor service and delays.
- Item 8 (447 Battery/530 Sansome Draft EIR): Multiple speakers commented. A dental practice owner (Jahwachu) expressed concern about construction disruptions to his business. James Lansing objected to the building height and office vacancy. Several union representatives (Sprinkler Fitters, Plumbers, Electricians, Plasters, Building Trades) spoke in support of the project and deemed the draft EIR adequate. Rudy Gonzalez (Building and Construction Trades Council) praised the developer for mitigating shadow and wind impacts.
- Item 9 (Small Business Strategies): Over 20 public speakers testified, mostly in favor of stronger protections for small businesses. Speakers included small business owners (Jesse Alawalia, Sean Kim, Vanessa Lawitzo, Richard Weld), community advocates (Monica Morse, Courtney Damkroger, Steven Torres), and representatives from Neighborhoods United, Race and Equity in All Planning Coalition, and Housing Action Coalition. Common themes: fear of displacement due to upzoning, need for relocation assistance, tenant consent to demolition, and preservation of neighborhood character. A few speakers (e.g., Maina Young, Joseph Smooke) urged caution about overregulation and emphasized the importance of property owner rights.
- Item 10 (1150 Gilman Street DR): Maggie Yan (DR requester) and her son-in-law Matthew spoke against the proposed external staircase, citing privacy, safety, and encroachment concerns. Project sponsor Patrick Mora proposed a taller privacy wall as a compromise.
Discussion Items
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Item 6 – Health Service Uses in the Mixed-Use Office District (Planning Code Amendments): Staff presented a proposal to exempt health service uses (including reproductive health clinics) from retail size limits and retail ratio requirements in the MUO district. The Commission debated the scope. Commissioner Imperial expressed concern about broad applicability, especially the Mission Street corridor west of 7th Street. Commissioner Williams opposed the broadness. Commissioner Campbell supported full flexibility. After a motion to approve with staff modifications failed 3-3, a second motion passed 5-1 to adopt the recommendation with staff modifications and to examine potentially removing the MUO area west of 7th Street from the changes. Commissioner Williams voted against.
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Item 7 – PG&E Power Asset Acquisition Project Draft EIR: Staff presented an overview of the draft EIR for the city’s proposed purchase of PG&E’s electrical transmission and distribution assets. The project would involve construction at the San Francisco–San Mateo County border. The draft EIR found significant unavoidable noise and air quality impacts. Four alternatives were analyzed, including a no-project alternative. Public comment period ends May 19, 2025. Commissioners expressed support for the city’s independence from PG&E and noted the complexity of the technical analysis. No formal action was taken; the hearing was for public comment only.
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Item 8 – 447 Battery/530 Sansome Draft EIR: Staff and the project sponsor (Skidmore, Owings and Merrill) presented the mixed-use development (office, hotel, fire station, public realm improvements). The draft EIR found significant unavoidable impacts on historic resources (demolition of 447 Battery Street) and air quality. Four mitigation measures were identified. The Historic Preservation Commission concurred with the findings but requested clarifications and expressed opposition to de-listing the landmark. Commissioners raised concerns about the project description, shadow impacts on parks, and the lack of a prior informational hearing. The comment period ends April 28, 2025. The Commission did not vote; the hearing was for comment only.
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Item 9 – Expanding Housing Choice Small Business Strategies (Informational Presentation): Small Business Forward (Justin Dolazal and Yolanda Porrata) and Planning Department staff (Lisa Chen, Sarah Richardson) presented data on small business vulnerability. Key statistics: 94,000 small businesses in San Francisco, employing 360,000 people; 5,600 registered businesses in rezoning areas; an estimated 53 businesses per year at risk of displacement. Staff proposed draft recommendations including early notification, relocation payments modeled on AB 2011, micro-retail requirements, and a new zoning district. Public comment highlighted the need for stronger protections. Commissioners praised the dialogue and emphasized the importance of connecting small business protection with housing goals. No formal action was taken.
Key Outcomes
- Item 6: Motion to adopt recommendation for approval with staff modifications and a study of removing the MUO west of 7th Street passed 5-1 (Commissioner Williams dissenting).
- Item 10: Motion to take discretionary review and approve the project with a taller privacy wall passed 6-0.
- Items 7 and 8: No votes; public comment periods remain open.
- Item 9: Informational; no vote. The Commission expects continued engagement with stakeholders and refinement of protection policies.
Other Actions: The Commission agreed to move the 2588 Mission Street hearing from May 1 to May 15, 2025, to avoid conflict with International Workers' Day.
Next Steps: The Commission will hold a joint hearing with the Health Commission on May 15, 2025. Draft EIR comment deadlines: April 28 (447 Battery) and May 19 (PG&E). Staff will continue developing small business protection ordinances in consultation with the City Attorney's office.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission hearing for Thursday, April 17th, 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 would like to take roll Commission Chair Moore. Here, Commissioner Braun here. Commissioner Campbell. Here. Commissioner Imperial. Commissioner McGarry. And Commissioner Williams. Here. We expect Commission President so to be out today. Commissioners, first on your agenda is consideration of items proposed for continuance at the time of issuance and still to this moment. We have no items proposed for continuance. We can move on to Commission matters for item one, the land acknowledgement. Commission Secretary Owen was the request for continuance on 258. For what? It's not on the calendar today. We already continued it to the first. So it's not on. Okay. Commissioner. Oh, okay. I see what you say. Director Hill is clarified. We will bring it up in commission comment. But it may be good. It may be good to understand what Commission continue because we move along that all time. We should have that up under Commission matters. Under Commission comments and questions. Right now we are on item one for the land acknowledgement. Thank you. I'll read the land acknowledgement. The Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramatushalone, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula. As the indigenous stewards of this land and in accordance with their traditions, the Ramatushaloni have never seated, lost, nor forgotten their responsibilities as the caretakers of this place, as well as for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory. As guests, we recognize that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland. We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the ancestors, elders, and relatives of the Ramatushalani community, and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples. Thank you for that, Commissioner. Item two, consideration of adoption draft minutes for April 3rd, 2025. Members of the public, this is your opportunity to address the Commission on their minutes. Again, you need to come forward. Seeing none. Public comment is closed, and your minutes are now before you, Commissioners. Commissioner Brown, move to adopt the minutes. Second. On that motion to adopt your minutes.
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