OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Francisco Planning Commission Hearing - July 23, 2026

Planning Commission — Thursday, July 23, 2026
BodySan Francisco, California
SessionPlanning Commission
DateThursday, July 23, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:35:42

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

Okay, good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Plan Planning Commission hearing for Thursday, July 23rd, 2026.

0:14

When an item is called that you would like to submit testimony for, we ask that you line up on the screen side of the room or to your right.

0:21

Each speaker will be allowed up to three minutes.

0:23

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

0:28

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.

0:35

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.

0:41

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

0:45

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

0:49

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

0:56

At this time, I would like to take role, Commissioner President Campbell.

1:01

Here.

1:01

Commissioner Braun.

1:03

Commissioner McGarry.

1:05

And Commissioner So.

1:06

Present.

1:07

Thank you, Commissioners.

1:08

First, on your agenda is consideration of items proposed for continuance at the time of issuance and to date.

1:13

There are no items proposed for continuance.

1:15

So we can move on to your consent calendar.

1:18

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.

1:26

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.

1:38

Item one, case number 2026, 002693 CUA and 580 Hayes Street conditional use authorization.

1:45

Item two, case number 2026, hyphen 003545, CUA at 2101 Chestnut Street Conditional Use Authorization.

1:54

Excuse me.

1:56

And item three for case number 2026, IP-002920, CU8 1780 Fulton Street conditional use authorization.

2:05

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

2:16

You need to come forward.

2:18

Last call, seeing none, public comment is closed, and your consent calendar is now before you, Commissioners.

2:26

Commissioner McGarry.

2:29

Second.

2:32

Thank you, Commissioners.

2:33

On that motion to approve items 1, 2, and 3 on consent.

2:36

Commissioner McGarry.

2:37

Commissioner So.

2:39

Aye.

2:39

Commissioner Braun.

2:40

Aye.

2:40

And Commissioner President Campbell.

2:42

Aye.

2:42

So move Commissioners that motion passes unanimously 4 to 0, placing us under Commission Matters for item 4, consideration of adoption draft minutes for July 9th, 2026.

2:52

Members of the public, this is your opportunity to address the Commission on their minutes.

2:57

You need to come forward.

3:00

Seeing none.

3:03

Public comment is closed.

3:05

And your minutes are now before you, Commissioners.

3:07

Commissioner Braun.

3:08

Move to adopt the minutes.

3:11

Second.

3:12

Thank you, Commissioners.

3:13

On that motion to adopt your minutes.

3:15

Commissioner McGarry.

3:16

Commissioner So.

3:17

Aye.

3:18

Commissioner Braun.

3:18

Aye.

3:19

And Commissioner President Campbell.

3:20

Aye.

3:21

So move Commissioners.

3:22

That motion passes unanimously four to zero.

3:24

Item five, Commission comments and questions.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Comment██████████████████18%
Affordable Housing███████████████15%
Environmental Review██████████████14%
Technology And Infrastructure███████████11%
Land Use█████████9%
Community Engagement██████6%
Economic Development██████6%
Permit Process█████5%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

San Francisco Planning Commission Hearing - July 23, 2026

The San Francisco Planning Commission held a regular hearing on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at approximately 1:15 PM. The meeting covered a wide range of items including environmental review reforms, permitting technology upgrades, affordable housing policies, and two conditional use authorizations. All votes were unanimous (4-0) with four commissioners present (President Campbell, Commissioners Braun, McGarry, and So).

Consent Calendar

  • Items 1, 2, and 3 (conditional use authorizations at 580 Hayes Street, 2101 Chestnut Street, and 1780 Fulton Street) were approved unanimously on a single roll call vote.
  • Minutes from the July 9, 2026 meeting were adopted unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • General Public Comment: Ace Washington (Fillmore Corridor Ambassador) and Eris Edward (Fillmore resident) expressed strong frustration with the Fillmore Community Action Plan, alleging insufficient community engagement and historical disenfranchisement from urban renewal. They called for the process to be halted and reorganized.
  • Item 8A/8B (Shade Act & Wind Threshold): Multiple speakers opposed the Shade Act, including Terry Owning (former co-chair, Committee for Better Parks and Recreation in Chinatown), Jenny Liu, Lance Gartley (Telegraph Hill Dwellers), Apollo, Romolyn Schmaltz, and David Wu (SOMA Pilipinas). They argued the act would reduce public notice, eliminate public comment opportunities, and weaken environmental review. Whit Turner (Housing Action Coalition) spoke in support, citing the need to speed up housing production. One speaker (Bivette Brackett) also raised health and equity concerns regarding shadows.
  • Item 9 (Permit SF/OpenGov): Jerry Dratler questioned the five-year contract extension, citing unresolved issues and the need for a two-year extension. Another speaker supported the digital transformation for small businesses.
  • Item 10 (100% Affordable Housing): Annie Chung (Self-Help for the Elderly) supported the ordinance, especially for adaptive reuse of residential care facilities. Jessica Rubio (MEDA) requested targeted amendments for the Mission District to preserve ground floor activation. Alex Santiago (college student) urged retaining activation requirements for safety.
  • Item 13 (5300 Third Street - Autozone): A large number of community members opposed the project, including Aronde Sterling (Bayview Hunters Point Coordinating Council), Thomas Fisher (Bayview CAC), Justin Saw, Dr. Chad White, Evangela, Tiffany Carter, and others. They argued the site should be used for grocery, pharmacy, or community-serving uses, and that the process lacked meaningful community engagement. Supporters included a local resident (daily walker) and the property owner’s son (Nick Hill), who emphasized the need to activate the vacant site and the extensive search process.

Discussion Items

  • Items 8A & 8B: Shade Act Legislation & Wind Threshold Resolution - Staff presented detailed proposals to amend the local CEQA process: removing shadow analysis from CEQA (but retaining Prop K), reducing appeal periods from 30 to 15 days, eliminating draft EIR hearings at the Planning Commission, and adopting a nine-hour wind standard (replacing the one-hour standard). Commissioners discussed the importance of public notification and supported the HPC recommendation to evaluate notification methods. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of both the ordinance and the resolution.
  • Item 9: Permit SF Overview & OpenGov Contract Resolution - Liz Wady (Director of Permit SF) gave a comprehensive presentation on the first year of Permit SF, including digital permitting, legislative improvements (e.g., sidewalk café attestation, minor encroachment exemptions), and the need for a five-year, $33 million OpenGov contract for phase two. Commissioners praised the work and addressed concerns about the contract length and customer service. The resolution was approved unanimously.
  • Item 10: 100% Affordable Housing Planning Code Amendment - Staff presented the ordinance to remove commercial space and mid-block alley requirements for 100% affordable housing, allow interim uses, and create an adaptive reuse program for residential care facilities. Public comment included support from Self-Help for the Elderly and requests for Mission District exemptions from MEDA. Commissioners supported the legislation and noted the ongoing dialogue with the Mission community. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval.
  • Items 11A & 11B: San Francisco Shoreline Adaptation Plan - Informational presentation and resolution for a $664,000 state grant. Staff outlined the two-year planning process, community engagement, and regulatory requirements (SB 272). Public comment emphasized the need for equitable outreach and evening meetings. The commission voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.
  • Item 12: 230 Anza Street Conditional Use Authorization - Project proposed to demolish a vacant two-story building and construct an 8-story, 8-unit building (including 2 affordable units) under the Housing Choice SF program. Public comment from neighbors raised concerns about height, scale, and parking. Commissioners noted this was the first family zoning project and supported the transit-oriented development, approving the conditional use unanimously.
  • Item 13: 5300 Third Street Conditional Use Authorization - Proposal to replace a former Walgreens with an Autozone (formula retail). After extensive public comment and a continuation from July 9, the commission heard from the property owner (Raj Kal) and Autozone regional manager (Vince Vigna) about commitments to local hiring, job training partnerships, and beautification. Staff recommended conditions including indoor fluid collection, pedestrian-scaled signage, and a mural. Commissioners debated the community’s desire for a different use vs. the reality of a long-vacant site, and ultimately approved the conditional use with conditions (4-0).

Key Outcomes

  • All votes were unanimous (4-0) on every item.
  • Item 8A: Recommended approval of the Shade Act ordinance (Administrative Code amendments) to the Board of Supervisors.
  • Item 8B: Adopted a resolution establishing a nine-hour wind threshold of significance for CEQA.
  • Item 9: Adopted a resolution supporting the five-year, $33 million OpenGov contract for Permit SF phase two.
  • Item 10: Recommended approval of the 100% affordable housing code amendment to the Board of Supervisors.
  • Item 11B: Adopted a resolution to accept a $664,000 state grant for the Shoreline Adaptation Plan.
  • Item 12: Approved conditional use authorization for 230 Anza Street with conditions.
  • Item 13: Approved conditional use authorization for 5300 Third Street (Autozone) with conditions including a mural, signage restrictions, and indoor fluid collection.

Next Steps: The Shade Act and affordable housing legislation will proceed to the Board of Supervisors for hearings in September 2026. The Shoreline Adaptation Plan will begin community engagement and planning over the next two years. The OpenGov contract will be executed to continue permitting modernization.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, good afternoon and welcome to the San Francisco Plan Planning Commission hearing for Thursday, July 23rd, 2026. When an item is called that you would like to submit testimony for, 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, 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 would like to take role, Commissioner President Campbell. Here. Commissioner Braun. Commissioner McGarry. And Commissioner So. Present. 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 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 2026, 002693 CUA and 580 Hayes Street conditional use authorization. Item two, case number 2026, hyphen 003545, CUA at 2101 Chestnut Street Conditional Use Authorization. Excuse me. And item three for case number 2026, IP-002920, CU8 1780 Fulton Street conditional use authorization. Members of the public, this is your opportunity to request any of these items be pulled off of consent and considered under the regular calendar today or at a future hearing. You need to come forward. Last call, seeing none, public comment is closed, and your consent calendar is now before you, Commissioners. Commissioner McGarry. Second. Thank you, Commissioners. On that motion to approve items 1, 2, and 3 on consent. Commissioner McGarry. Commissioner So. Aye. Commissioner Braun. Aye. And Commissioner President Campbell. Aye. So move Commissioners that motion passes unanimously 4 to 0, placing us under Commission Matters for item 4, consideration of adoption draft minutes for July 9th, 2026. Members of the public, this is your opportunity to address the Commission on their minutes. You need to come forward. Seeing none. Public comment is closed. And your minutes are now before you, Commissioners. Commissioner Braun. Move to adopt the minutes. Second. Thank you, Commissioners. On that motion to adopt your minutes.

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