OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Francisco Planning Commission Hearing - July 17, 2025

Planning Commission — Thursday, July 17, 2025
BodySan Francisco, California
SessionPlanning Commission
DateThursday, July 17, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

Okay, good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission regular hearing for Thursday, July 17th, 2025.

0:15

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.

0:22

Each speaker will be allowed up to three minutes.

0:24

And when you have 30 seconds remaining, you will hear a chime indicating your time is almost up.

0:29

When your allotted time is reached, I will announce that your time is up and take the next person cued to speak.

0:34

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.

0:40

Please speak clearly and slowly, and if you care to state your name for the record.

0:44

I ask that we silence any mobile devices that may sound off during these proceedings.

0:48

And finally, I will remind members of the public that the Commission does not tolerate any disruption or outbursts of any kind.

0:55

At this time, I'd like to take role, Commissioner President Seo.

0:58

Present.

0:59

Commission Vice President Moore.

1:01

Commissioner Braun.

1:02

Here.

1:02

Commissioner Campbell.

1:03

Commissioner Imperial.

1:05

Commissioner McGarry.

1:07

And Commissioner Williams.

1:08

Here.

1:08

Thank you, Commissioners.

1:09

First, on your agenda is consideration of items proposed for continuance at the time of issuance and currently there are no items proposed for continuance.

1:18

So we can move on to your consent calendar.

1:19

All matters listed here under constituted consent calendar are considered to be routine by the planning commission and may be acted upon by a single roll call vote.

1:27

There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the commission, the public or staff so requests, in which event the matter shall be removed from the consent calendar and considered as a separate item at this or a future hearing.

1:39

Item one, case number 2025, hyphen 00469 CWP, the San Francisco Coastal Resilience Plan for your consideration to adopt a resolution.

1:50

Item two, case number 2025, hyphen 00476, PCA surcharges for appeals to the Board of Supervisors, Planning and Excuse me, administrative code amendments.

2:02

Members of the public, this is your opportunity to address the Commission and request that either of these two items be pulled off of consent.

2:08

I believe Ms.

2:08

Boken, you're requesting item one be pulled off of consent.

2:11

Yes.

2:12

Very good.

2:12

We will hear that under the regular calendar.

2:15

Any other item the only other item number two.

2:20

Is there any member of the public requesting that that be pulled off of consent?

2:24

Final call.

2:28

General public comment.

2:30

No, sir.

2:30

This is not for general public comment.

2:34

With that, public comments closed, and item two remains on your consent calendar, Commissioners.

2:40

Commission O'Bron.

2:42

Move to approve item two.

2:43

Second.

2:45

Thank you, Commissioners.

2:46

On that motion to approve or excuse me, adopt a recommendation for approval for item two on consent.

2:52

Commissioner Campbell.

2:53

Aye.

2:53

Commissioner McGarry.

2:54

Commissioner Williams.

2:55

Aye.

2:56

Commissioner Braun.

2:56

Aye.

2:57

Commissioner Imperial.

2:58

Aye.

2:58

Commissioner Moore.

2:59

Aye.

2:59

And Commissioner President So.

3:01

Aye.

3:01

So move Commissioners.

3:02

That motion passes unanimously seven to zero.

3:05

Commission matters.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing███████████████████████████████31%
Land Use██████████████████18%
Small Business Support███████████11%
Public Comment███████████11%
Community Engagement██████6%
Public Engagement██████6%
Procedural████4%
Climate Adaptation███3%
Engineering And Infrastructure██2%
Summary of Proceedings

San Francisco Planning Commission Hearing - July 17, 2025

The San Francisco Planning Commission met on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 9:15 AM to consider a wide range of items including consent calendar approvals, a grant resolution for coastal resilience, a use size limit amendment, a formula retail conditional use authorization, and a major informational presentation and initiation of general plan amendments for the Family Zoning Plan. The meeting included extensive public comment on the upzoning plan, with speakers expressing both strong support and opposition.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 2 (Surcharges for Appeals to the Board of Supervisors) was approved unanimously (7-0). Item 1 (San Francisco Coastal Resilience Plan) was pulled from consent and heard under the regular calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Numerous speakers addressed the commission on the Family Zoning Plan (Items 9A/9B). Many speakers opposed the plan, arguing it would lead to displacement of tenants and small businesses, increase demolition of rent-controlled housing, and fail to produce deeply affordable housing. Speakers from Rep SF, Small Business Forward, and other coalitions urged rejection, calling it a "demolition plan" and a "giveaway to developers."
  • Other speakers supported the plan, noting it is a necessary step to address the housing crisis, create opportunities for families, and meet state housing element requirements. Supporters included representatives from YIMBY, the Housing Action Coalition, and the affordable housing developer Related California.
  • Several speakers raised concerns about infrastructure, the timeline for public notification, and the lack of specific protections for small businesses and legacy businesses. One speaker requested a Suit against the state for inflated RHNA numbers.

Discussion Items

  • Item 1: San Francisco Coastal Resilience Plan - The Commission unanimously passed a resolution (7-0) to allow staff to apply for a $600,000 California Coastal Commission grant for sea level rise planning. Staff clarified the grant would fund planning, not land use changes, and would help San Francisco compete for future state funding.
  • Item 7: Use Size Limits - Supervisor Melgar's office presented an ordinance to eliminate hard caps on non-residential use sizes in several neighborhood commercial districts (NCDs) and regional commercial districts, while retaining conditional use authorization for spaces over 2,000 square feet. The Commission debated the proposal, with some commissioners supporting it as needed flexibility for small businesses, and others (Commissioners Williams and Moore) voting against, citing concerns from merchant associations and the need for more community input. The motion to approve passed 5-2.
  • Item 8: 2675 Geary Boulevard - T&T Supermarket - The Commission unanimously (7-0) approved a conditional use authorization for a 49,730-square-foot formula retail grocery store (T&T Supermarket) in a long-vacated Best Buy space. The project was praised for bringing a unique Asian grocery experience and filling a vacant space.
  • Items 9A/9B: Family Zoning Plan - The Commission received an informational presentation on the Family Zoning Plan, which includes a rezoning to meet state housing element requirements. Staff presented updates on affordable housing site analysis, infrastructure planning, and the initiation of general plan amendments. Key discussion points included the need for dedicated affordable housing funding, concerns about displacement, and the timeline for public notification. The Commission voted 5-2 to initiate the general plan amendments, scheduling a public hearing on or after September 11, 2025.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 2 (Consent Calendar): Approved 7-0.
  • Item 1 (Coastal Resilience Grant): Resolution adopted 7-0.
  • Item 7 (Use Size Limits): Motion to recommend approval passed 5-2 (Commissioners Williams and Moore dissenting). The motion included a recommendation that Supervisor Melgar's office engage with affected merchant associations.
  • Item 8 (2675 Geary Boulevard): Conditional use authorization approved 7-0.
  • Items 9A/9B (Family Zoning Plan): Motion to initiate general plan amendments and schedule a hearing passed 5-2 (Commissioners Williams and Moore dissenting). The hearing is set for on or after September 11, 2025.
  • Staff committed to continuing engagement with community stakeholders and providing additional briefings on infrastructure and area plans.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission regular hearing for Thursday, July 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'd like to take role, Commissioner President Seo. Present. Commission Vice President Moore. Commissioner Braun. Here. Commissioner Campbell. Commissioner Imperial. Commissioner McGarry. And Commissioner Williams. Here. Thank you, Commissioners. First, on your agenda is consideration of items proposed for continuance at the time of issuance and currently there are no items proposed for continuance. So we can move on to your consent calendar. All matters listed here under constituted consent calendar are considered to be routine by the planning commission and may be acted upon by a single roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the commission, the public or staff so requests, in which event the matter shall be removed from the consent calendar and considered as a separate item at this or a future hearing. Item one, case number 2025, hyphen 00469 CWP, the San Francisco Coastal Resilience Plan for your consideration to adopt a resolution. Item two, case number 2025, hyphen 00476, PCA surcharges for appeals to the Board of Supervisors, Planning and Excuse me, administrative code amendments. Members of the public, this is your opportunity to address the Commission and request that either of these two items be pulled off of consent. I believe Ms. Boken, you're requesting item one be pulled off of consent. Yes. Very good. We will hear that under the regular calendar. Any other item the only other item number two. Is there any member of the public requesting that that be pulled off of consent? Final call. General public comment. No, sir. This is not for general public comment. With that, public comments closed, and item two remains on your consent calendar, Commissioners. Commission O'Bron. Move to approve item two. Second. Thank you, Commissioners. On that motion to approve or excuse me, adopt a recommendation for approval for item two on consent. Commissioner Campbell. Aye. Commissioner McGarry. Commissioner Williams. Aye. Commissioner Braun.

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