San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting - May 8, 2025
San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting - May 8, 2025
The San Francisco Planning Commission held a regular hearing on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 8:15 PM. The meeting began with continuances, consent calendar approvals, a land acknowledgement, director's announcements, and general public comment, followed by two regular calendar items. All votes were unanimous (7-0).
Consent Calendar
- Items 3 (Interim Housing in Hotels and Motels - planning and building code amendments) and 4 (1222 Harrison Street - conditional use authorization) were approved unanimously without discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jerry Dratler raised concerns about the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) public integrity review, alleging that two critical recommendations (control reports to identify red flag activities and increased penalty fees) have not been implemented despite a false report claiming all eight were implemented. He urged the commission to be aware of systemic issues at DBI.
- Georgia Shootish discussed two properties in Noe Valley (Elizabeth Street and Clipper Street), arguing that livable houses are being demolished through manipulated demo calculations. She urged adjusting demo calcs in priority equity geographies.
Discussion Items
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Item 11: 788 Arkansas Street – Request for Conditional Use Authorization to demolish an existing two-story single-family residence and construct a four-story single-family home with a 486 sq. ft. studio ADU. Following prior commission direction, the project sponsor added an ADU. Staff recommended approval. Public comment was none. Commissioners praised the addition of the ADU and approved the project with conditions. Vote: 7-0.
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Item 12: 1153 Guerrero Street – Discretionary Review (DR) request and Variance for replacement of a rear porch and stair. The DR requester, Paul Orr (adjacent property owner), argued that the existing enclosed stair is hazardous, was illegally enclosed, and should be replaced with an open stair as previously shown in alternative drawings. He presented photos of debris and structural issues. Public comment included neighbors citing security concerns and fire risks. The project sponsor's architect, Kyle Brunel, stated the proposal rebuilds the stair in kind with fire-rated walls to current code, and that the enclosure has existed since at least 1919. Staff recommended not taking DR and approving the variance. After deliberation, the commission voted not to take DR and approved the project as proposed, with the zoning administrator granting the variance with standard conditions. Vote: 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Continuances granted: Items 1a/1b (70 Hancock Street) to June 5, 2025; Item 2 (935 Geary Street) to June 12, 2025; Items 9 and 10 (Racial and Social Equity Action Plan and Community Investments Toolkit) to a future date. Vote: 7-0.
- Consent calendar (Items 3 and 4) approved. Vote: 7-0.
- 788 Arkansas Street approved with conditions. Vote: 7-0.
- 1153 Guerrero Street: DR not taken, variance granted. Vote: 7-0.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission regular hearing for Thursday, May 8th, 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 up, 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. Commission President So. Present. Commission Vice President Moore. Here. Commissioner Braun. Here. Commissioner Imperial. Here. Commissioner McGarry. And Commissioner Williams. Here. Thank you, Commissioners. We do expect Commissioner Campbell to join us shortly. First, on your agenda, Commissioners is consideration of items proposed for continuance. Items 1A and B for case numbers 2024, hyphen 000 343, C UA and VAR. Conditional use authorization and variants are proposed for continuance to June 5th, 2025. Item 2, case number 2023, hyphen 011606 C UA 935 Gary Street. Conditional use authorization is proposed for continuance to June 12th. Further, Commissioners, your short agenda just got a lot shorter. Under the regular calendar, staff is requesting continuances of both items 9 and 10 for case numbers 2020, hyphen 009640 OTH, and 2024, hyphen 00818 OTH for the Racial and Social Equity Action Plan and Community Investments Toolkit and Priority Equity Geographies. With that, we should open up public comment on your continuance calendar. Members of the public, this is your opportunity to address the Commission on their continuance calendar only on the matter of continuance. Again, you need to come forward. Seeing none, public comment is closed, and your continuance calendar is now before you, Commissioners. Commissioner Imperial. Move to continue items as proposed. Second. Thank you, Commissioners. On that motion to continue all items as proposed. Commissioner Campbell. Aye. Commissioner McGarry. Aye. Commissioner Williams. Aye. Commissioner Braun. Aye. Commissioner Imperial. Aye. Commissioner Moore.
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