Special Joint Planning and Recreation & Park Commission Hearing: Downtown Park Fund and 530 Sansome Tower (July 17, 2025)

This special joint hearing of the San Francisco Planning Commission and Recreation and Park Commission on July 17, 2025, addressed two major items: approving $2,800,000 in allocations from the Downtown Park Special Fund for three park renovation projects, and considering the 530 Sansome Mixed-Use Tower and Fire Station 13 project, which includes certification of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), shadow analysis, and a suite of entitlements. Both commissions voted in favor of the park fund allocations and the shadow-related measures, and the Planning Commission separately approved most entitlements for the tower project.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Downtown Park Fund Allocation: Both commissions jointly approved a total allocation of $2,800,000 from the Downtown Park Special Fund for park renovation projects: $1,150,000 for Gene Friend Recreation Center, $1,150,000 for Portsmouth Square, and $500,000 for Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park. The planning commission voted 6–0 in favor; the recreation and park commission voted unanimously in favor.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Aaron Bray Orr/ Advocate for skateboarding: Requested that 10% of park funds be allocated to entry-level, accessible skateboarding facilities, citing that the city has well over 300 tennis courts but only 8 skateboarding facilities. He urged integration of small-wheel mobility into parks to support climate and equity goals.
• Two speakers (names not stated): Voiced support for skateboarding facilities at Sue Bierman Park, noting it is entertaining and reduces unauthorized skateboarding on staircases.
• TWA/ Legislative Aide for Supervisor Danny Sauter: Expressed support for the park fund allocations on behalf of the supervisor, noting two projects are in District 3.
• Tanyal Kuznich/ Owner of San Francisco Wine Society at 447 Battery Street (opposition to 530 Sansome project): Opposed the project, stating it would demolish the historic landmark building where her business operates, causing the loss of her livelihood. She noted that despite meetings with the project sponsor, no guarantees for relocation or financial support have been provided. She also raised concerns about emergency vehicle access on Battery Street, traffic impacts, and the precedent of reversing a landmark designation (Article 10) unanimously approved in 2022.
• Tom Murphy/ Resident of Gateway Apartments (opposition): Cited concerns about office vacancy rates (35% citywide), the destruction of a historic landmark, view impacts on neighboring buildings, and the risk of gentrification. He stated the project would create a net benefit only for a small wealthy community.
• Rhoda Schneiderman/ Resident at 550 Battery (opposition): Expressed concerns about solar glare from the tower, increased office vacancies from poaching tenants, and the blocking of views of the Transamerica Pyramid. She noted the project is "too big, too tall" and that renderings do not show the east view.
• Avi/ Representative from Chinatown Community Development Center (support): Expressed support for the project, emphasizing the $15 million in affordable housing contributions that could fund a 100% affordable senior housing development at 772 Pacific Avenue in Chinatown—the first new construction affordable housing in Chinatown in over two decades.
• Speaker (name not stated)/ Public commenter (concern): Noted that San Francisco has never intentionally demolished a landmark (except after a fire), and warned that setting this precedent would endanger other landmarks such as the rainbow flag and carnival mural. He urged commissioners to ask the mayor and supervisor how they will protect unique city treasures going forward.

Discussion Items

• Item 1: Downtown Park Fund Allocation: Planner Phoenix Alfaro (Rec & Park) presented the request. Commissioner Braun asked about prior uses of the fund; Stacy Bradley (Capital Planning) noted the last request was in 2019 for Turk and Hyde Mini Park and Willie Woo Wong Park (total $1.1 million). Commissioners expressed full support, noting that Gene Friend is under construction and should open before the 2026 school year, and that Portsmouth Square has been long discussed. Commissioner Campbell asked about skateboarding facilities; General Manager Phil Ginsburg responded that the department tracks data and has expanded skating (new spaces at Waller, UN Plaza, Sunset Dunes) and is working on a mobile program (Shred and Butter). He noted that Embarcadero and Sue Bierman are in planning and that the skate community has been consulted. Commissioner Clark Herrera confirmed that a recent community charrette included skateboarder input.
• Item 2 & 3: 530 Sansome EIR Certification and Shadow Limits: Planning staff (Ritz Sucre, Sherry George) and Rec & Park staff (Chris Towns) presented. The EIR found significant and unavoidable impacts to historic resource (demolition of 447 Battery Street, a landmark) and air quality (construction and operation). The project would add 0.01% shadow to Washington Square (fall mornings 8–11 am), 0.01% to Willie Woo Wong Playground (summer before 8 am), 2.08% to Maritime Plaza (spring after 4:30 pm), and 0.004% to Sue Bierman Park (spring after 4:30 pm). The historic preservation commission had recommended against rescinding the landmark designation. Commissioner Braun noted the shadow increases are modest except for Maritime Plaza (2.08%), but expressed comfort. Commissioner Hallasey emphasized qualitative criteria (permanent recreation spaces) and noted no children's play area at Maritime Plaza. Commissioner Anderson stressed the public good of a new fire station.
• Item 4: Entitlements for 530 Sansome Project: The project sponsor team (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill/ Related California) and city staff (Lee Lutenski/ OEWD, Jonathan Cherry/ OEWD) presented. Key benefits include a new fire station, $15 million in affordable housing contributions (with $2 million within 6 months of entitlement, first priority to 772 Pacific Avenue in Chinatown), $14 million in annual city revenue, $1 million to the Downtown Park Fund, and nearly $8 million in transportation fees. Commissioner Braun raised concerns about the small business (Tanyal Kuznich) at 447 Battery; Jim Abrams (legal counsel for sponsor) noted related has met with her multiple times and is committed to working on relocation, but that related does not own the building and her lease expires in January 2027. Commissioner Imperial expressed concern about setting a precedent for Article 10 landmark rescission and asked staff to explain; staff noted the HPC recommended against rescinding and that the landmark rescission is conditioned on project completion. Commissioner Imperial voted against the code text amendment (item 4D). Commissioner So praised the project as a signal of downtown recovery and noted the immediate affordable housing commitment.

Key Outcomes

• Item 2: Certification of EIR: Planning commission voted 5–0 to certify the final EIR.
• Item 3A: Raise Cumulative Shadow Limits (joint action): Planning commission voted 5–0; recreation and park commission voted unanimously to raise the absolute cumulative shadow limits on Washington Square, Willie Woo Wong Playground, Maritime Plaza, and set the limit for Sue Bierman Park.
• Item 3B: Recommendation on Significant Adverse Impact (recreation and park commission only): Recreation and park commission voted unanimously (by voice) that the net new shadow will not have a significant adverse impact on the use of the four parks.
• Item 4A, 4B, 4C, 4E, 4F, 4G (except 4D): Planning commission voted 5–0 to adopt CEQA findings, shadow findings, general plan amendments recommendation, development agreement approval, conditional use authorization, and large cap office allocation.
• Item 4D: Planning Code Text Amendments: Planning commission voted 4–1 (Commissioner Imperial against) to adopt a recommendation for approval of the planning code and zoning map amendments.
• Recusal: Commissioner Moore was recused from all items related to the 530 Sansome project (items 2–4) due to a retirement payment from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Commissioner Braun disclosed her employer's subconsultant relationship with SOM but stated it does not impact her impartiality.