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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

San Francisco Planning Commission Hearing Summary - October 2, 2025

Planning Commission — Thursday, October 2, 2025

BodySan Francisco, California

SessionPlanning Commission

DateThursday, October 2, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 5:14:29

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:20

Okay, good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission hearing for Thursday, October 2nd, 2025.

0:27

When we reach the item you're interested in speaking to, we ask that you line up on the screen side of the room or to your right.

0:33

Each speaker will be allowed up to three minutes.

0:36

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

0:40

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

0:46

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.

0:52

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

0:56

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

1:00

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

1:07

At this time, I'd like to take roll.

1:09

Commissioner President So.

1:10

Present.

1:11

Commission Vice President Moore.

1:13

Commissioner Braun.

1:14

Here.

1:14

Commissioner Campbell.

1:15

Here.

1:16

Commissioner Imperial.

1:18

Commissioner McGarry and Commissioner Williams.

1:20

Here.

1:21

Thank you, Commissioners.

1:21

First, on your agenda is consideration of items proposed for continuance.

1:25

Item one, case number 2025, hyphen 006246 PCA definitions, family dwelling unit, planning code amendments is proposed for continuance to November 6th, 2025.

1:38

We have no other items proposed for continuance.

1:40

So members of the public, this is your opportunity to address the commission on their continuance calendar only on the matter of continuance.

1:48

You need to come forward.

1:51

Seeing none, public comment is closed, and your continuance calendar is now before you, Commissioners.

2:01

Commissioner Imperial.

2:03

Move to continue item one as proposed.

2:06

Second.

2:08

Thank you, Commissioners.

2:09

On that motion to continue items.

2:12

Item one as proposed.

2:13

Commissioner Campbell.

2:14

Aye.

2:15

Commissioner McGarry.

2:16

Commissioner Williams.

2:17

Aye.

2:17

Commissioner Braun.

2:18

Aye.

2:18

Commissioner Imperial.

2:20

Aye.

2:20

Commissioner Moore.

2:21

Aye.

2:21

And Commissioner President So.

2:23

Present.

2:25

I mean, sorry, I.

2:26

So move Commissioners that motion passes unanimously seven to zero, placing us on your consent calendar.

2:32

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.

2:40

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.

2:52

Item two, case number 2025, hyphen 004896, CUA 2031, Irving Street Conditional Use Authorization.

3:00

Item 3, case number 2025, hyphen 005967, CU8 1475 25th Street, conditional use authorization.

3:09

Item 4, case number 2025, hyphen 005662, CU8 2999, California Street, unit number 302, conditional use authorization.

3:30

Members of the public, this is your opportunity to request that any of these consent calendar items be pulled off of consent and heard under the regular calendar today or a future hearing.

3:41

You need to come forward.

3:44

Seeing none, public comment is closed, and your consent calendar is now before you, Commissioners.

3:50

Commissioner Imperio.

3:52

Move to approve all items.

3:55

Number two, three, four, and five.

3:57

Second.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Land Use█████████████████████████████████████████████55%

Procedural██████████12%

Economic Development█████████11%

Public Comment███████9%

Community Engagement███████8%

Historic Preservation██2%

Cannabis Regulation██2%

Affordable Housing█1%

Summary of Proceedings

San Francisco Planning Commission Hearing - October 2, 2025

The San Francisco Planning Commission convened on October 2, 2025, to address a packed agenda including routine approvals, public testimony, and deliberations on several conditional use authorizations and design standards amendments. Key discussions focused on projects involving cannabis retail conversion, event spaces in landmark buildings, outdoor entertainment hours, and formula retail in the Mission district.

Consent Calendar

Item 1 (planning code amendments) was continued to November 6, 2025.
Items 2-5 (conditional use authorizations for various street addresses) were approved unanimously via a single roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

Georgia Schudish expressed concerns about the commodification of housing and advocated for adjusting demolition calculations to protect affordable housing in priority equity neighborhoods.
Robert Blager (son of former Planning Director Lou Blager) thanked the commission for honoring his father's legacy and acknowledged the work of public servants.
Dustin Go (representing STASI) spoke in support of converting a medical cannabis dispensary to retail use, emphasizing compliance, community benefits, and job preservation.
Judy Lee, Annie Chong, and Kit Fong (representing Self-Help for the Elderly and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce) opposed the event space at 906 Broadway, citing noise, parking, and quality-of-life concerns for senior residents, and requested a hard stop at 10 p.m. and a one-year conditional use permit.
Juanita Moore and Bobby Friday (drag performers) supported 620 Jones, highlighting its role in LGBTQ+ community and cultural vitality.
David Hutton (General Manager of Hotel Adagio) opposed 620 Jones' extended hours due to noise disturbances affecting guests and revenue.
Tracy Sylvester, Carlos Alorsano, and other local business owners opposed the formula retail gym at 1034 Valencia Street, arguing it would undermine the independent character of the corridor and harm small businesses.
Sandy Wang and Kenneth Wang opposed the project at 2 Dunsmuir Street, claiming it damaged a retaining wall and posed public safety risks.

Discussion Items

Item 11 (Cannabis Retail Conversion): Staff and the project sponsor presented a narrowly tailored ordinance to allow a single longstanding medical cannabis dispensary to convert to retail use. Commissioners discussed the oversight in prior legislation and supported approval as a cleanup fix.
Item 12 (Design Guidelines Amendments): Staff proposed updates to citywide design standards for small projects, including modulation, light wells, and fenestration. Commissioners debated specifics like roof deck setbacks and fenestration percentages, ultimately supporting the amendments with minor adjustments.
Item 13 (906 Broadway Event Space): The project sponsor sought to convert a landmark church into an event space with reduced hours. Commissioners engaged in extensive dialogue with neighbors, emphasizing the need for mediation and good neighbor policies, and added conditions for a one-year review.
Item 14 (620 Jones Outdoor Entertainment Hours): The project sponsor requested extended hours for outdoor entertainment. Commissioners weighed concerns about noise impacts on residents and hotels against the venue's economic viability and norms for similar establishments, leading to a decision to lift hour restrictions but require a one-year compliance report.
Item 15 (1034 Valencia Street Formula Retail): The project sponsor proposed a Club Pilates gym. Commissioners heard strong opposition from local merchants advocating for the preservation of the independent corridor, leading to a denial based on concentration and compatibility findings.
Item 16 (2 Dunsmuir Street Legalization): The DR requester raised issues about a retaining wall, but staff and commissioners deemed it a civil matter outside planning purview, focusing instead on legalizing the existing addition.

Key Outcomes

Item 11: Approved unanimously with a recommendation for approval.
Item 12: Approved unanimously with adopted amendments.
Item 13: Approved unanimously with conditions including operating hours (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and a requirement for a one-year compliance memo and informational hearing.
Item 14: Approved with a 5-2 vote (Commissioners Braun and So dissenting) to remove hour restrictions and add a one-year review, with the entertainment commission to mediate operational issues.
Item 15: Denied with a 6-1 vote (Commissioner Campbell dissenting) citing increased formula retail concentration and incompatibility with the independent corridor character.
Item 16: Approved unanimously, with the acting zoning administrator taking the variance under advisement and deferring retaining wall concerns to the Department of Building Inspection.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission hearing for Thursday, October 2nd, 2025. When we reach the item you're 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 roll. Commissioner President So. Present. Commission Vice President Moore. Commissioner Braun. Here. Commissioner Campbell. Here. Commissioner Imperial. Commissioner McGarry and Commissioner Williams. Here. Thank you, Commissioners. First, on your agenda is consideration of items proposed for continuance. Item one, case number 2025, hyphen 006246 PCA definitions, family dwelling unit, planning code amendments is proposed for continuance to November 6th, 2025. We have no other items proposed for continuance. So members of the public, this is your opportunity to address the commission on their continuance calendar only on the matter of continuance. 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 item one as proposed. Second. Thank you, Commissioners. On that motion to continue items. Item one as proposed. Commissioner Campbell. Aye. Commissioner McGarry. Commissioner Williams. Aye. Commissioner Braun. Aye. Commissioner Imperial. Aye. Commissioner Moore. Aye. And Commissioner President So. Present. I mean, sorry, I. So move Commissioners that motion passes unanimously seven to zero, placing us on 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.

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