Thu, May 28, 2026·San Francisco, California·Planning Commission

San Francisco Planning Commission Hearing on Inclusionary Housing and Impact Fees - May 28, 2026

Discussion Breakdown

Affordable Housing89%
Land Use3%
Procedural2%
Public Comment2%
Land Acknowledgement1%
Community Engagement1%
Finance And Debt1%
Budget and Finance1%

Summary

San Francisco Planning Commission Hearing on Inclusionary Housing Program and Impact Fee Reductions - May 28, 2026

The San Francisco Planning Commission held an informational hearing on proposed updates to the Inclusionary Affordable Housing Program and development impact fees. The meeting began with unanimous approval of the consent calendar and general public comment on a separate demolition-permit issue. The main agenda item featured presentations from city staff, the Controller's Office, the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development, and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, followed by public testimony and commissioner discussion.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 1 and 2 (conditional use authorizations at 1569 Slope Boulevard and 2243 Mission Street) were approved unanimously (6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • General Public Comment (before main item): A speaker (Ms. Shootish) discussed a project at 248 Valley Street, arguing that a demolition permit should have been required because the work was “tantamount to demolition.” She expressed concern about permit confusion and lack of community liaison.
  • Main Item – Proposed Inclusionary Housing and Impact Fee Changes: Most speakers expressed strong support for the amendments, citing the need to restart housing construction and pair fee reductions with a strengthened housing trust fund.
    • Jugal Patel (District 8 resident) shared personal experience with housing insecurity and argued that current requirements block both market-rate and affordable housing.
    • Nicholas Lowe (District 2) stated that his generation is unable to stay in San Francisco due to high housing costs and urged support for the proposed reductions.
    • Alex Zerbel (District 5) said friends are leaving the city to raise families and that the combination of reduced inclusionary rates and a larger trust fund is essential.
    • Graham (Dubos Triangle, District 8) identified as a fourth-generation San Franciscan and supported the changes to incentivize construction.
    • Graham Griffin (District 2) noted that the average one-bedroom rents are $4,000/month and called the situation untenable.
    • Jules Lendry (District 5) argued that the city should not tax new construction but rather things it wants less of.
    • Lori Drossi (SPUR) noted that the Controller’s feasibility study showed every rental prototype is infeasible even with zero inclusionary requirements, and that the TAC recommendations are a sensible step.
    • Wood Turner (Housing Action Coalition) supported the legislation, saying it gets projects moving again and that the companion charter amendment to double the housing trust fund ensures affordable production.

Discussion Items

  • Staff Presentation: Ada Tan (Planning), Sheila Nicolopoulos (MOHCD), Ted Egan (Controller's Office), and Jacob Bintliff (OEWD) presented proposed changes:
    • Reduce on-site inclusionary rate from 15% (interim) to 5% if the Board places a housing trust fund charter amendment on the November ballot; otherwise 10%.
    • Increase the applicability threshold from 10 units to 25 units.
    • Reduce the in-lieu fee from 20.5% to 10% and off-site rate to 10%.
    • Reduce non-inclusionary development impact fees by 67%.
    • Simplify AMI tiers (80/20 split for rental: 4% at 50% AMI, 1% at 80% AMI; ownership: 4% at 80% AMI, 1% at 100% AMI).
    • Eliminate additional affordable housing fees in specific areas and expand land dedication citywide.
    • Provide administrative delegation for certain compliance requests.
  • Ted Egan (Controller’s Office): Presented the 2026 TAC feasibility analysis, showing residual land values negative for all apartment prototypes and all but one condominium prototype even with zero inclusionary requirements. He stated that the maximum supportable inclusionary requirement is currently zero. The TAC unanimously recommended the above reductions.
  • Jacob Bintliff (OEWD): Explained that the proposed ballot measure would increase the Affordable Housing Trust Fund from ~$50 million/year to $125 million/year using 20% of growth in property tax revenue, generating an estimated $3 billion over 30 years. He emphasized that the package shifts the funding burden from individual projects to the broader tax base.
  • Commissioner Remarks and Questions:
    • Commissioner Braun thanked staff and noted the feasibility findings are not surprising, given rising construction costs and financing costs across the region. He supported the 5% rate tied to the ballot measure and expressed a desire to revisit rates when conditions improve.
    • Commissioner McGarry supported the changes, emphasized the construction recession, and highlighted local hire benefits.
    • Vice President Moore asked about guarantees that voters will approve the trust fund, the wisdom of a gradual vs. immediate reduction, and the rationale for the 25-unit threshold. Staff explained that the trigger is placement on the ballot, not passage, and that a gradual reduction risks a gap when temporary rates expire Nov 1. The 25-unit threshold aligns with family zoning and economies of scale.
    • Commissioner Williams expressed concerns about loss of inclusionary housing in lower-income neighborhoods, the impact on the Housing Element’s 57% affordability goal, and the effect of reduced impact fees on city services. Staff responded that inclusionary production has been negligible, the housing trust fund will support affordable goals, and that fee reductions are meant to stimulate development revenue.
    • Commissioner So supported the pragmatic course correction, emphasizing the need to see construction cranes again, and asked about the management and eligibility of the housing trust fund (MOCHD administers it for affordable housing developers).
    • Commissioner Campbell echoed appreciation for the data-driven approach and questioned whether the proposed reductions go far enough given that even 100% market-rate projects are infeasible in most scenarios.

Key Outcomes

  • This was an informational hearing; no vote was taken on the proposed ordinance.
  • The commission will hold an action hearing on June 18, 2026, to consider adoption of the planning code amendments and delegation authority.
  • The legislation is on a parallel track with a charter amendment to expand the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, expected to be placed on the November 2026 ballot by the Board of Supervisors.
  • The general sentiment among commissioners was support for the proposed reductions as a necessary response to current market conditions, paired with a robust public funding source for affordable housing.
  • Commissioner Williams requested that the city continue to explore alternative funding approaches and ensure that the loss of inclusionary units does not disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Planning Commission hearing for Thursday, May 28th, 2026. 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 that your time is almost up. When your allotted time is reached, there is a second chime, and 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 Campbell. Commission Vice President Moore. Commissioner Braun. Commissioner McGarry. And Commissioner So. Present. And Commissioner Williams. Thank you, Commissioners. First, on your agenda is consideration of items proposed for continuance at the time of issuance and to date. There are no items reposed for continuance. 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 2026, 001024 CUA at 1569 Slope Boulevard, conditional use authorization, and item two, case number 2026, IP 002998 C UA at 2243 Mission Street, conditional use authorization. Members of the public, this is your opportunity to request that either of these two consent calendar items be pulled off and heard under the regular calendar today or at a future hearing date. You need to come forward. Seeing none, public comment is closed, and your consent calendar is now before you, Commissioners. Vice President Moore. Move to approve. Second. Thank you, Commissioners. On that motion to approve items on consent. Commissioner McGarry. Commissioner So. Aye. Commissioner Williams. Commissioner Braun. Aye. Commissioner Moore. And Commissioner President Campbell. Aye. So move Commissioners that motion passes unanimously six to zero, placing us under commission matters for item three, the land acknowledgement. The commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramatish Alone, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula. As the indigenous stewards of this land and in accordance with their traditions, the Ramatishalone have never ceded, lost nor forgotten their responsibilities as the caretakers of this place, as well as for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory. As guests, we recognize that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland. We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the ancestors, elders and relatives of the Ramatish Alone community and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples. Thank you. Item four commission comments and questions. Thank you. No.