San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting - May 22, 2025

The San Francisco Planning Commission met on May 22, 2025, to consider continuances, approve consent calendar items, hold a public hearing on the SFO Recommended Airport Development Plan (RADP) Draft Environmental Impact Report, and receive an informational presentation on a proposed housing development at 2125 Powell Street. The meeting began with a land acknowledgement and approval of minutes from May 8, 2025.

Continuance Calendar

• Item 1 (2258 Market Street) – Conditional Use Authorization for a formula retail use (Stretch Lab) was continued to June 5, 2025.
• Item 2 (77 Broad Street) – Discretionary Review for a two-story addition was continued indefinitely.
• Items 14 and 15a–e (San Francisco Gateway Project) – Certification of Final EIR, adoption of findings, and related actions were continued to June 5, 2025, at the request of the supervisor's office. Public comment: Mark Gleason (Teamsters Joint Council 7) expressed appreciation for the continuance and thanked Supervisor Walton.

Consent Calendar

• Item 3 (621 Sansome Street) – Conditional Use Authorization for a five-year extension of a temporary public parking lot.
• Item 4 (1533 Sloat Boulevard) – Conditional Use Authorization to establish a Planet Fitness (11,842 sq ft) gym with 24-hour operation.
• Item 5 (534-536 Pacific Avenue) – Conditional Use Authorization to establish an office use on the ground floor.
• Item 6 (750 Gonzalez Drive) – Conditional Use Authorization for a new T-Mobile macro wireless telecommunications facility. All items were approved unanimously (5-0).

Commission Matters

• Land Acknowledgement – Commissioner Braun recited the acknowledgement of the Ramaytush Ohlone as original inhabitants.
• Minutes – Draft minutes for May 8, 2025, were approved unanimously (5-0).

Department Matters

• Director’s Announcements – None.
• Review of Past Events – Aaron Starr reported on the Board of Supervisors' land use committee hearing regarding Supervisor Dorsey’s ordinance on health service uses in the MUO district, and on two appeals for the project at 1310 Higuera Serra Boulevard (San Francisco Golf Course). The appeals were resolved with amendments, and the project was approved by the Board with additional conditions.

General Public Comment

• Georgia Shutish – Commented on the demolition calculation thresholds for major alterations, arguing that the current warning letter system is insufficient to protect sound existing housing, especially in priority equity geographies. She requested the Commission adjust the demolition calculations under Section 317.
• Dave Rhodi (San Francisco policy director for Al Gore's Climate Reality Project) – Expressed frustration that the Gateway Project (Items 14/15) was continued after many people had gathered to speak on it.

Regular Calendar – Item 12: SFO Recommended Airport Development Plan (RADP) Draft EIR

Staff presented the draft EIR for the RADP, which includes projects such as Boarding Area H, a central hub multimodal facility, and an aircraft maintenance hangar. The draft EIR identifies significant and unavoidable operational air quality impacts. Alternatives analyzed include a no-project alternative, a reduced development alternative, and a boarding area H-only alternative. The public hearing was held to receive comments on the adequacy of the draft EIR. Written comments are accepted until June 2, 2025.

Public Comments:

• Liz Lopez – Stated that the expansion will induce passenger demand, increase noise and chemical pollution, and negatively impact residents. She urged the Commission not to accept the EIR as is.
• Unnamed Speaker – Criticized the DEIR for using outdated standards and failing to reflect modern impacts. Noted that SFO’s noise impacts extend to Palo Alto and Santa Cruz, and that better data analysis is available.
• Leo Martin (Bayview Hunters Point, Mothers/Fathers Committee) – Opposed the project, citing existing pollution burdens and high cancer rates in Bayview. He argued that the project would worsen environmental health injustices.

Commissioner Comments:

• Commissioner Braun acknowledged the significant and unavoidable air quality impacts and looked forward to reviewing responses.
• Commissioner Imperial noted the tribal resources mitigation and requested updated traffic data (from 2019/2025) in the final EIR.
• Commissioner Moore asked about international standards for noise and emissions, and suggested cumulative impacts from other projects in the area should be considered.

Regular Calendar – Item 13: 2125 Powell Street Informational Presentation (SB 423)

John Goldman (Goldman Architects) presented a proposal for three large family units (four-bedroom) over a commercial space, replacing an existing fencing club. The project includes a garage, a rear yard, and roof decks. The design respects the neighborhood context. Commissioners praised the project for its detail, context sensitivity, and provision of family housing in North Beach. No public comment was offered.

Key Outcomes

• Continuances (Items 1, 2, 14, 15a–e) – Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Consent Calendar (Items 3–6) – Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Minutes – Approved unanimously (5-0).
• SFO RADP Draft EIR – Public hearing held; no decision made. Written comments due June 2, 2025; responses to comments expected in fall 2025, followed by certification hearing.
• 2125 Powell Street – Informational presentation concluded; no action taken.