Planning Commission - August 6, 2015 - Agenda

Meeting Date: 
August 6, 2015 (All day)
Untitled 1

SAN FRANCISCO

PLANNING COMMISSION

 

 

Notice of Hearing

&

Agenda

 

Commission Chambers, Room 400

City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

San Francisco, CA 94102-4689

 

 

Thursday, August 6, 2015

12:00 p.m.

Regular Meeting

 

Commissioners:

Rodney Fong, President

Cindy Wu, Vice President

Michael Antonini, Rich Hillis, Christine Johnson, Kathrin Moore, Dennis Richards

 

Commission Secretary:

Jonas P. Ionin

 

 

Hearing Materials are available at:

Website: http://www.sfplanning.org

Planning Department, 1650 Mission Street, 4th Floor, Suite 400

Planning Information Center, 1660 Mission Street, 1st Floor

Voice recorded Agenda only: (415) 558-6422

 

Commission Hearing Broadcasts:

Live stream: http://www.sfgovtv.org

Live, Thursdays at 12:00 p.m., Cable Channel 78

Re-broadcast, Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Cable Channel 26

 

Disability and language accommodations available upon request to:

 commissions.secretary@sfgov.org or (415) 558-6309 at least 48 hours in advance.

 

Know Your Rights Under the Sunshine Ordinance

Government's duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public.  Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people's business.  This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people's review.

 

Members of the public are not required to provide personal identifying information when they communicate with the Commission or the Department. All written or oral communications, including submitted personal contact information, may be made available to the public for inspection and copying upon request and may appear on the Department’s website or in other public documents.

 

For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance (Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code) or to report a violation of the ordinance, contact the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 409; phone (415) 554-7724; fax (415) 554-7854; or e-mail at sotf@sfgov.org.

 

Copies of the Sunshine Ordinance can be obtained from the Clerk of the Sunshine Task Force, the San Francisco Library and on the City’s website at www.sfbos.org/sunshine.

 

San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance

Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance [SF Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code Section 21.00-2.160] to register and report lobbying activity.  For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the San Francisco Ethics Commission at 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 220, San Francisco, CA 94102; phone (415) 252-3100; fax (415) 252-3112; and online http://www.sfgov.org/ethics.

 

Accessible Meeting Information

Commission hearings are held in Room 400 at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place in San Francisco. City Hall is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and is accessible to persons using wheelchairs and other assistive mobility devices. Ramps are available at the Grove, Van Ness and McAllister entrances. A wheelchair lift is available at the Polk Street entrance.

 

Transit: The nearest accessible BART station is Civic Center. Accessible MUNI Metro lines are the F, J, K, L, M, N, T (exit at Civic Center or Van Ness stations). MUNI bus routes also serving the area are the 5, 6, 9, 19, 21, 47, 49, 71, and 71L. For more information regarding MUNI accessible services, call (415) 701-4485 or call 311.

 

Parking: Accessible parking is available at the Civic Center Underground Parking Garage (McAllister and Polk), and at the Performing Arts Parking Garage (Grove and Franklin). Accessible curbside parking spaces are located all around City Hall.

 

Disability Accommodations: To request assistive listening devices, real time captioning, sign language interpreters, readers, large print agendas or other accommodations, please contact the Commission Secretary at (415) 558-6309, or commissions.secretary@sfgov.org at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing to help ensure availability.

 

Language Assistance: To request an interpreter for a specific item during the hearing, please contact the Commission Secretary at (415) 558-6309, or commissions.secretary@sfgov.org at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

 

Allergies: In order to assist the City in accommodating persons with severe allergies, environmental illness, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities, please refrain from wearing scented products (e.g. perfume and scented lotions) to Commission hearings.

 

SPANISH:

Agenda para la Comisión de Planificación. Si desea asistir a la audiencia, y quisiera obtener información en Español o solicitar un aparato para asistencia auditiva, llame al 415-558-6309. Por favor llame por lo menos 48 horas de anticipación a la audiencia.

 

CHINESE:

規劃委員會議程。聽證會上如需要語言協助或要求輔助設備,請致電415-558-6309。請在聽證會舉行之前的至少48個小時提出要求。

 

TAGALOG:

Adyenda ng Komisyon ng Pagpaplano. Para sa tulong sa lengguwahe o para humiling ng Pantulong na Kagamitan para sa Pagdinig (headset), mangyari lamang na tumawag sa 415-558-6309. Mangyaring tumawag nang maaga  (kung maaari ay 48 oras) bago sa araw ng Pagdinig.

 

RUSSIAN:

Повестка дня Комиссии по планированию. За помощью переводчика или за вспомогательным слуховым устройством на время слушаний обращайтесь по номеру 415-558-6309. Запросы должны делаться минимум за 48 часов до начала слушания.


ROLL CALL:                                                                         

                                            President:                                Rodney Fong

                                            Vice-President:                      Cindy Wu

                                            Commissioners:                    Michael J. Antonini; Rich Hillis; Christine Johnson

                                                                                                Kathrin Moore; Dennis Richards

 

A.            CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS PROPOSED FOR CONTINUANCE

 

The Commission will consider a request for continuance to a later date.  The Commission may choose to continue the item to the date proposed below, to continue the item to another date, or to hear the item on this calendar.

 

B.         COMMISSION MATTERS

 

1.             Consideration of Adoption:

·         Draft Minutes for July 16, 2015

 

2.             Commission Comments/Questions

·         Inquiries/Announcements.  Without discussion, at this time Commissioners may make announcements or inquiries of staff regarding various matters of interest to the Commissioner(s).

·         Future Meetings/Agendas.  At this time, the Commission may discuss and take action to set the date of a Special Meeting and/or determine those items that could be placed on the agenda of the next meeting and other future meetings of the Planning Commission.

               

C.         DEPARTMENT MATTERS

 

3.             Director’s Announcements

 

4.             Review of Past Events at the Board of Supervisors, Board of Appeals and Historic Preservation Commission

               

D.         GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT – 15 MINUTES

 

At this time, members of the public may address the Commission on items of interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission except agenda items.  With respect to agenda items, your opportunity to address the Commission will be afforded when the item is reached in the meeting.  Each member of the public may address the Commission for up to three minutes.

 

E.            REGULAR CALENDAR 

 

The Commission Hearing Procedures provide for presentations by staff; followed by the project sponsor team; followed by public comment for and against the proposal.  Please be advised that the project sponsor team includes: the sponsor(s) or their designee, lawyers, architects, engineers, expediters, and/or other advisors.

 

 

5.                                                                                                                                            (L. CHEN: (415) 575-9124)

TRANSPORTATION SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM - Informational Presentation regarding the Transportation Sustainability Program - The Transportation Sustainability Program is an interagency effort to ensure that the City can upgrade and expand its transportation system to accommodate new residents and jobs. Components of the program include: (1) updates to transportation impact analysis metrics to better align the environmental review process with City policies; (2) increased on-site transportation strategies that encourage sustainable travel; and, (3) the Transportation Sustainability Fee (TSF), a development impact fee that would raise revenues for transit and safer streets.

Preliminary Recommendation: None - Informational

 

6a.        2014.1370W                                                                                                  (J. SWITZKY: (415) 575-6815)

PARKMERCED PHASE 1 DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW - Informational Presentation - Pursuant to the project’s Development Agreement, the Planning Director approved the Phase 1 Application on Jun 3, 2015, finding it consistent with the Development Agreement and related Plan documents. Phase 1 is comprised of four Subphases (A through D), and includes in total approximately 1,668 housing units, 3,500 square feet of retail, and Community Improvements and CEQA Mitigation Measures associated with planned residential development. Applications have been submitted for design review of community improvements for Subphases 1A and 1B for the Planning Department to assess conformance with the Parkmerced Design Standards and Guidelines and other Plan documents. This an informational item to provide an overview of Phase 1.

Preliminary Recommendation: None - Informational

 

6b.         2014.1370W                                                                             (N. TRAN OR V. FLORES: (415) 575-9174)

PARK MERCED PHASE 1A AND 1B PROJECT DESIGN OVERVIEW - Informational Presentation - Pursuant to Planning Code Section 249.64, proposed development in the Parkmerced Special Use District shall be presented to the Planning Commission in accordance with the Project’s Development Agreement. Proposed buildings greater than 65 feet in height, new construction of more than 25,000 gsf and a project with more than 150 linear feet or more of contiguous street frontage shall be presented to the Planning Commission for its review and comment prior to decision by the Planning Director. The following projects meet one or more of the criteria above: (1) 300 Arballo Dr; (2) 99 Vidal Dr; (3) 455 Serrano Dr & 850 Gonzalez Dr; (4) 1188-1198 Junipero Serra Blvd; and (5) 21 & 25 Chumasero Dr.

Preliminary Recommendation: None - Informational

 

7.             2015-006717PCA                                                                                            (A. STARR: (415) 558-6362)

ELIMINATE THE RENTAL INCENTIVE FROM THE EASTERN NEIGHBORHOOD URBAN MIXED USE DISTRICTS [BOARD FILE NO. 150496] - Planning Code Amendment to eliminate the Rental Incentive from the Eastern Neighborhood Urban Mixed Use Districts that permits project sponsors to lower their Inclusionary Affordable Housing requirements and applicable Eastern Neighborhood Public Benefit Fee by agreeing to maintain the units in their market rate development as rental units for 30 years; and affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act, and making findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1.

Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt a Recommendation for Approval

 

 

8a.          2013.0792E                                                                                                   (C. THOMAS: (415) 575-9036)

400 BAY STREET - northwest corner of Bay and Mason Street; Lot 030 of Assessor’s Block 0030 - Appeal of Preliminary Negative Declaration for the demolition of an existing, vacant building (formerly a bar) and construction of a four-story, approximately 15,000-square-foot, 40-foot-tall hotel occupying the approximately 3,300-square-foot project site. The proposed project would include 13 rooms, meeting facilities and outdoor decks on the second floor and roof. The project site is in a C-2 (Community Business) Use District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Uphold the PND

(Continued from Regular Meeting of July 9, 2015)

 

8b.          2013.0792CU                                                                                                (N. FOSTER: (415) 575-9167)                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

400 BAY STREET - north side of the street between Mason Street and Taylor Street; Lot 003 in Assessor’s Block 0030 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization, pursuant to Planning Code Sections 240.2(b) and 303, to establish a Hotel within a C-2 (Community Business) District and 40-X Height and Bulk District. This action constitutes the Approval Action for the project for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to San Francisco Administrative Code Section 31.04(h).

Preliminary recommendation: Approve with Conditions

(Continued from Regular Meeting of June 25, 2015)

 

9.             2015-000988CWP                                                                                         (C. FLORES: (415) 558-6473)

PROPOSED COMMISSION-SPONSORED INTERIM CONTROLS RELATED TO THE MISSION ACTION PLAN (MAP) 2020 - Pursuant to Planning Code Section 306.7(e), on July 9, 2015 the Planning Commission initiated Interim Controls in the Mission District. The interim controls are intended to make explicit the Commissions expectation for a dialogue about affordability; allow time for analysis of affordable housing needs; assess sites for affordable housing production; and stem the loss of existing income protected units while maintaining production, distribution, and repair (PDR) capacity in PDR zoned lands and preserving vital community resources. The proposed controls would require a Conditional Use authorization for certain projects which result in any of the following: 1) the loss of more than one rent-controlled dwelling unit; or 2) the production of five or more dwelling units; or 3) demolition or conversion of certain assembly, recreation, arts and entertainment or institutional uses. The area proposed for interim controls is generally defined by the following boundaries: 13th and Division Streets to Mission Street, to Cesar Chavez Street, to Potrero Avenue, and back to 13th and Division Streets—except that the Mission Street boundary would include any parcel with a property line on either side of Mission Street. The interim controls would be proposed for a period of six months. At this hearing the Commission may amend and adopt the interim controls and/or adopt an interim policy.  

Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt Interim Policy and Continue Interim Controls

 

10.          2011.0409PCA                                                                                                      (K. GUY: (415) 558-6163)

925 MISSION STREET – (“5M Project”) Multiple properties generally bounded by Mission Street to the north, Fifth Street to the east, and Howard Street to the south (Assessor Block 3725/Lots: 005, 006, 008, 009, 012, 042, 043, 044, 045, 046, 047, 076, 077, 086, 089, 090, 091, 093, 097, 098; air rights parcels 094, 099, and 100).

 

a.       Informational Presentation of the 5M Project, which proposes to demolish surface parking lots and four existing buildings, retain three existing buildings, and construct three new towers on the project site, with occupied building heights ranging from approximately 200 feet to 450 feet. The project includes approximately 821,300 square feet of residential uses (approximately 690 units), 807,600 square feet of office uses, and 68,700 square feet of other active ground floor uses (a mix of retail establishments, recreational and arts facilities, restaurants, workshops, and educational uses). The project would also include vehicular parking, bicycle parking, and loading facilities, private- and publicly-accessible open space, and streetscape and public-realm improvements. Topics to be discussed will include how the project relates to the context of the surrounding neighborhood.

Preliminary Recommendation: None - Informational

 

b.    Consideration of a Resolution of Intent to Initiate General Plan Amendments to various General Plan Maps and Figures (including the Downtown Plan, South of Market Area Plan, and Urban Design Element) in association the “5M” Project. The 5M Project proposes to demolish surface parking lots and four existing buildings, retain three existing buildings, and construct three new towers on the project site, with occupied building heights ranging from approximately 200 feet to 450 feet. The project includes approximately 821,300 square feet of residential uses (approximately 690 units), 807,600 square feet of office uses, and 68,700 square feet of other active ground floor uses (a mix of retail establishments, recreational and arts facilities, restaurants, workshops, and educational uses). The project would also include vehicular parking, bicycle parking, and loading facilities, private- and publicly-accessible open space, and streetscape and public-realm improvements.

          Preliminary recommendation: Adopt Resolution Initiating Amendments

 

11.          2015-005689DNX                                                                                         (L. YEGAZU: (415) 575-9076)

855 STEVENSON STREET - east side of 10th Street between Market and Jessie Streets; Lot 055 in Assessor’s Block 3508 - Request for Downtown Project Authorization, pursuant to Planning Code Section 309 for the construction of a new sky-bridge connecting two existing buildings at 1355 Market Street (Lot 001, Block 3508) and 875 Stevenson Street (Lot 039, Block 3508). Specifically, the common areas on the 9th floors of each building will be connected with visual access provided form the 10th floor of the 875 Stevenson Street building. The proposed sky-bridge will be setback approximately 146-feet from 10th Street, will span the approximately 38-feet distance between the two buildings and will be approximately 101-feet above grade. The project site is located within a C-3-G (Downtown General Commercial) Zoning District and 150-S, 120-X & 200-S Height and Bulk Districts. One of the buildings, 1355 Market Street, is listed as Category I (Significant) Building within Article 11 of the Planning Code. On July 15, 2015, the Historic Preservation Commission reviewed a Permit to Alter for Case No. 2015-005689PTA. This action constitutes the Approval Action for the project for purposes of CEQA, pursuant to Section 31.04(h) of the San Francisco Administrative Code.

Preliminary recommendation: Approve with Conditions

 

12a.        2014.0567BC                                                                                                  (B. BENDIX: (415) 575-9114)

2101 MISSION STREETsoutheast corner of the Mission and 17th Street intersection, Lot 091 in Assessor’s Block 3575 – Request for Office Development Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Sections 320 and 321, for 48,660 gross square feet of office use from the Office Development Annual Limit. The subject property is located in the Mission Neighborhood Commercial Transit (NCT) Zoning District and 65-X Height and Bulk District. This action constitutes the Approval Action for the project for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to Section 31.04(h) of the San Francisco Administrative Code.

Preliminary recommendation: Approve with Conditions

 

12b.        2014.0567BC                                                                                                  (B. BENDIX: (415) 575-9114)

2101 MISSION STREETsoutheast corner of the Mission and 17th Street intersection, Lot 091 in Assessor’s Block 3575 – Request for Conditional Use Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Sections 121.2, 303, 320, 321, 736.65 and 736.70 to (1) establish a 25,601 gross square-foot administrative service use (d.b.a. PlanGrid), (2) establish a 8,311 gross square-foot administrative service use (d.b.a. Crowd Flower); (3) establish a 14,748 gross square-foot administrative service use (tenant to be determined); (4) establish a 6,266 gross square-foot trade shop (repair) use (d.b.a. Orion); and, (5) expand an existing trade shop (artisan craft) use from 10,000 gross square feet up to 25,215 gross square feet. The subject property is located in the Mission Neighborhood Commercial Transit (NCT) Zoning District and 65-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary recommendation: Approve with Conditions

 

13.          2014.0954C                                                                                                       (R. SUCRE: (415) 575-9108)

1314 Fitzgerald Avenue and 1409 Egbert Avenue - located on a rectangular lot bounded by Egbert Avenue, Jennings Street and Fitzgerald Avenue, Assessor’s Block 4912, Lots 001, 002, and 016 - Request for Planned Unit Development (PUD) - Conditional Use Authorization, pursuant to Planning Code Sections 121.9, 303 and 304, to subdivide large lots within a PDR District, demolish six industrial buildings (approximately 27,170 square feet), and construct two new, 30-ft-tall, industrial buildings (collectively measuring 28,200 square feet). The proposed project would retain an existing industrial building (1324 Fitzgerald Street) and the mixed-use buildings with ground floor retail and approximately five dwelling units (1401 Egbert Avenue/2814-2822 Jennings Street; 2824-2836 Jennings Street; and, 1300-1306 Fitzgerald Avenue). Under the PUD, the project is seeking a modification to the off-street parking requirements, as required in Planning Code Section 151. The subject property is located within the PDR-1-B (Production, Distribution and Repair-Light Industrial Buffer) and PDR-2 (Core Production, Distribution and Repair-Bayview) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District. This action constitutes the Approval Action for the project for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to San Francisco Administrative Code Section 31.04(h).

Preliminary Recommendation: Approve with Conditions

 

14.        2014-000040CUA                                                                                               (A. KIRBY 415.575.9133)

1126 IRVING STREET - north side of Irving Street between Funston and 12th Avenues; Lot 021 in Assessor’s Block 1738 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization, pursuant to Planning Code Sections 303, 317 and 730.37, to allow the demolition of a two-story-over-garage, two-unit building and the construction of a four-story, three-unit building with ground-floor commercial space. The property is within the Inner Sunset NCD (Neighborhood Commercial District) and 40-X Height and Bulk District. This action constitutes the Approval Action for the project for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to Section 31.04(h) of the San Francisco Administrative Code.      

Preliminary Recommendation: Approve with Conditions

 

F.            DISCRETIONARY REVIEW CALENDAR 

 

The Commission Discretionary Review Hearing Procedures provide for presentations by staff; followed by the DR requestor team; followed by public comment opposed to the project; followed by the project sponsor team; followed by public comment in support of the project.  Please be advised that the DR requestor and project sponsor teams include: the DR requestor and sponsor or their designee, lawyers, architects, engineers, expediters, and/or other advisors.

 

15.          2014-000817DRP                                                                                           (L. AJELLO: (415) 575-9142)

26 ROSSI AVENUE - east side between Anza Street and Lone Mountain Terrace; Lot 015 in Assessor’s Block 1134 - Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2014.0521.6353 proposing to construct a three-story addition at the rear of a three-story single-family dwelling. The project is located within a RH-2 (Residential House, Two-Family) District and 40-X Height and Bulk District. This action constitutes the Approval Action for the project for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to Section 31.04(h) of the San Francisco Administrative Code.

Staff Analysis: Abbreviated Discretionary Review

Preliminary Recommendation: Do Not Take Discretionary Review and Approve

 

16.          2015-000685DRP                                                                                       (C. TOWNES: (415) 575-9195)

548 RHODE ISLAND STREET - west side between 18th and Mariposa Streets; Lot 001H in Assessor’s Block 4009 - Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2015.01.16.5908 proposing a one-story vertical third floor addition, a two-story horizontal rear addition and interior/exterior alterations to an existing single family residence within a RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District. This action constitutes the Approval Action for the project for purposes of CEQA, pursuant to Section 31.04(h) of the San Francisco Administrative Code.

Staff Analysis: Abbreviated Discretionary Review 

Preliminary Recommendation: Do Not Take Discretionary Review and Approve

 

17.          2014-002235DRM                                                                                        (N. FOSTER: (415) 575-9167)               

214 CALIFORNIA STREET - north side of California Street between Front and Battery Streets; Lot 007 in Assessor’s Block 0237 - Request for Mandatory Discretionary Review of an application to allow for a Medical Cannabis Dispensary (MCD) to operate at the subject property. The Project Sponsor seeks to develop up to twelve (12) office suites on the second floor of an existing two-story building for multiple medical cannabis businesses (collectives). Each of the suites will serve as the principal place of business for each collective, and activities may include: administration; product development; product packaging; quality control; storage; and compliance inspections by the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH). The proposed MCD would not be open to the public at the project site, nor would any of the collectives offer on-site distribution (sales) of medical cannabis. All distribution would be delivery-only (off-site distribution). Only employees registered with SFDPH will be at the subject property on a day-to-day basis. Edible medical cannabis products would be prepared on-site; however, no cannabis plants would be cultivated on-site. Additionally, no on-site medication of medical cannabis (e.g. smoking, vaporizing, and consumption of medical cannabis edibles) would be permitted. This action constitutes the Approval Action for the project for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to San Francisco Administrative Code Section 31.04(h).

Preliminary Recommendation: Take Discretionary Review and Approve with Conditions

 

G.            PUBLIC COMMENT

 

At this time, members of the public may address the Commission on items of interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission except agenda items.  With respect to agenda items, your opportunity to address the Commission will be afforded when the item is reached in the meeting with one exception.  When the agenda item has already been reviewed in a public hearing at which members of the public were allowed to testify and the Commission has closed the public hearing, your opportunity to address the Commission must be exercised during the Public Comment portion of the Calendar.  Each member of the public may address the Commission for up to three minutes.

 

The Brown Act forbids a commission from taking action or discussing any item not appearing on the posted agenda, including those items raised at public comment.  In response to public comment, the commission is limited to:

 

(1)  responding to statements made or questions posed by members of the public; or

(2)  requesting staff to report back on a matter at a subsequent meeting; or

(3)  directing staff to place the item on a future agenda.  (Government Code Section 54954.2(a))

 

Adjournment


 

Hearing Procedures

The Planning Commission holds public hearings regularly, on most Thursdays. The full hearing schedule for the calendar year and the Commission Rules & Regulations may be found online at: www.sfplanning.org.

 

Public Comments: Persons attending a hearing may comment on any scheduled item.

v  When speaking before the Commission in City Hall, Room 400, please note the timer indicating how much time remains.  Speakers will hear two alarms.  The first soft sound indicates the speaker has 30 seconds remaining.  The second louder sound indicates that the speaker’s opportunity to address the Commission has ended.

 

Sound-Producing Devices Prohibited: The ringing of and use of mobile phones and other sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a mobile phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic devices (67A.1 Sunshine Ordinance: Prohibiting the use of cell phones, pagers and similar sound-producing electronic devices at and during public meetings).

 

For most cases (CU’s, PUD’s, 309’s, etc…) that are considered by the Planning Commission, after being introduced by the Commission Secretary, shall be considered by the Commission in the following order:

 

  1. A thorough description of the issue(s) by the Director or a member of the staff.

  2. A presentation of the proposal by the Project Sponsor(s) team (includes sponsor or their designee, lawyers, architects, engineers, expediters, and/or other advisors) would be for a period not to exceed 10 minutes, unless a written request for extension not to exceed a total presentation time of 15 minutes is received at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing, through the Commission Secretary, and granted by the President or Chair.

  3. A presentation of opposition to the proposal by organized opposition for a period not to exceed 10 minutes (or a period equal to that provided to the project sponsor team) with a minimum of three (3) speakers.  The intent of the 10 min block of time provided to organized opposition is to reduce the number of overall speakers who are part of the organized opposition.  The requestor should advise the group that the Commission would expect the organized presentation to represent their testimony, if granted.  Organized opposition will be recognized only upon written application at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing, through the Commission Secretary, the President or Chair.  Such application should identify the organization(s) and speakers.

  4. Public testimony from proponents of the proposal:  An individual may speak for a period not to exceed three (3) minutes.

  5. Public testimony from opponents of the proposal:  An individual may speak for a period not to exceed three (3) minutes.

  6. Director’s preliminary recommendation must be prepared in writing.

  7. Action by the Commission on the matter before it.

  8. In public hearings on Draft Environmental Impact Reports, all speakers will be limited to a period not to exceed three (3) minutes.

9.        The President (or Acting Chair) may impose time limits on appearances by members of the public and may otherwise exercise his or her discretion on procedures for the conduct of public hearings.

10.     Public comment portion of the hearing shall be closed and deliberation amongst the Commissioners shall be opened by the Chair;

11.     A motion to approve; approve with conditions; approve with amendments and/or modifications; disapprove; or continue to another hearing date, if seconded, shall be voted on by the Commission.

 

Every Official Act taken by the Commission must be adopted by a majority vote of all members of the Commission, a minimum of four (4) votes.  A failed motion results in the disapproval of the requested action, unless a subsequent motion is adopted. Any Procedural Matter, such as a continuance, may be adopted by a majority vote of members present, as long as the members present constitute a quorum (four (4) members of the Commission).

 

For Discretionary Review cases that are considered by the Planning Commission, after being introduced by the Commission Secretary, shall be considered by the Commission in the following order:

 

1.        A thorough description of the issue by the Director or a member of the staff.

2.        A presentation by the DR Requestor(s) team (includes Requestor(s) or their designee, lawyers, architects, engineers, expediters, and/or other advisors) would be for a period not to exceed five (5) minutes for each requestor.

3.        Testimony by members of the public in support of the DR would be up to three (3) minutes each.

4.        A presentation by the Project Sponsor(s) team (includes Sponsor(s) or their designee, lawyers, architects, engineers, expediters, and/or other advisors) would be for a period up to five (5) minutes, but could be extended for a period not to exceed 10 minutes if there are multiple DR requestors.

5.        Testimony by members of the public in support of the project would be up to three (3) minutes each.

  1. DR requestor(s) or their designees are given two (2) minutes for rebuttal.

7.        Project sponsor(s) or their designees are given two (2) minutes for rebuttal.

8.        The President (or Acting Chair) may impose time limits on appearances by members of the public and may otherwise exercise his or her discretion on procedures for the conduct of public hearings.

 

The Commission must Take DR in order to disapprove or modify a building permit application that is before them under Discretionary Review.  A failed motion to Take DR results in a Project that is approved as proposed.

 

Hearing Materials

Advance Submissions: To allow Commissioners the opportunity to review material in advance of a hearing, materials must be received by the Planning Department eight (8) days prior to the scheduled public hearing.  All submission packages must be delivered to1650 Mission Street, Suite 400, by 5:00 p.m. and should include fifteen (15) hardcopies and a .pdf copy must be provided to the staff planner. Correspondence submitted to the Planning Commission after eight days in advance of a hearing must be received by the Commission Secretary no later than the close of business the day before a hearing for it to become a part of the public record for any public hearing.

 

Correspondence submitted to the Planning Commission on the same day, must be submitted at the hearing directly to the Planning Commission Secretary. Please provide ten (10) copies for distribution. Correspondence submitted in any other fashion on the same day may not become a part of the public record until the following hearing.

 

Correspondence sent directly to all members of the Commission, must include a copy to the Commission Secretary (commissions.secretary@sfgov.org) for it to become a part of the public record.

 

These submittal rules and deadlines shall be strictly enforced and no exceptions shall be made without a vote of the Commission.

 

Persons unable to attend a hearing may submit written comments regarding a scheduled item to: Planning Commission, 1650 Mission Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA  94103-2414.  Written comments received by the close of the business day prior to the hearing will be brought to the attention of the Planning Commission and made part of the official record. 

 

Appeals

The following is a summary of appeal rights associated with the various actions that may be taken at a Planning Commission hearing.

 

Case Type

Case Suffix

Appeal Period*

Appeal Body

Office Allocation

B

15 calendar days

Board of Appeals**

Conditional Use Authorization and Planned Unit Development

C

30 calendar days

Board of Supervisors

Building Permit Application (Discretionary Review)

D

15 calendar days

Board of Appeals

EIR Certification

E

30 calendar days

Board of Supervisors

Coastal Zone Permit

P

15 calendar days

Board of Appeals

Planning Code Amendments by Application

T

30 calendar days

Board of Supervisors

Variance (Zoning Administrator action)

V

10 calendar days

Board of Appeals

Permit Review in C-3 Districts, Downtown Residential Districts and Large Project Authorization in Eastern Neighborhoods

X

15 calendar days

Board of Appeals

Zoning Map Change by Application

Z

30 calendar days

Board of Supervisors

 

* Appeals of Planning Commission decisions on Building Permit Applications (Discretionary Review) must be made within 15 days of the date the building permit is issued/denied by the Department of Building Inspection (not from the date of the Planning Commission hearing).  Appeals of Zoning Administrator decisions on Variances must be made within 10 days from the issuance of the decision letter.

 

**An appeal of a Certificate of Appropriateness or Permit to Alter/Demolish may be made to the Board of Supervisors if the project requires Board of Supervisors approval or if the project is associated with a Conditional Use Authorization appeal.  An appeal of an Office Allocation may be made to the Board of Supervisors if the project requires a Conditional Use Authorization.

 

For more information regarding the Board of Appeals process, please contact the Board of Appeals at (415) 575-6880.  For more information regarding the Board of Supervisors process, please contact the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors at (415) 554-5184 or board.of.supervisors@sfgov.org.

 

Challenges

Pursuant to Government Code Section 65009, if you challenge, in court, (1) the adoption or amendment of a general plan, (2) the adoption or amendment of a zoning ordinance, (3) the adoption or amendment of any regulation attached to a specific plan, (4) the adoption, amendment or modification of a development agreement, or (5) the approval of a variance, conditional-use authorization, or any permit, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission, at, or prior to, the public hearing.

 

CEQA Appeal Rights under Chapter 31 of the San Francisco Administrative Code

If the Commission’s action on a project constitutes the Approval Action for that project (as defined in S.F. Administrative Code Chapter 31, as amended, Board of Supervisors Ordinance Number 161-13), then the CEQA determination prepared in support of that Approval Action is thereafter subject to appeal within the time frame specified in S.F. Administrative Code Section 31.16.  This appeal is separate from and in addition to an appeal of an action on a project.  Typically, an appeal must be filed within 30 calendar days of the Approval Action for a project that has received an exemption or negative declaration pursuant to CEQA.  For information on filing an appeal under Chapter 31, contact the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244, San Francisco, CA 94102, or call (415) 554-5184.  If the Department’s Environmental Review Officer has deemed a project to be exempt from further environmental review, an exemption determination has been prepared and can be obtained on-line at http://www.sf-planning.org/index.aspx?page=3447. Under CEQA, in a later court challenge, a litigant may be limited to raising only those issues previously raised at a hearing on the project or in written correspondence delivered to the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Planning Department or other City board, commission or department at, or prior to, such hearing, or as part of the appeal hearing process on the CEQA decision.

 

Protest of Fee or Exaction

You may protest any fee or exaction subject to Government Code Section 66000 imposed as a condition of approval in accordance with Government Code Section 66020.  The protest must satisfy the requirements of Government Code Section 66020(a) and must be filed within 90 days of the date of the first approval or conditional approval of the development referencing the challenged fee or exaction.  For purposes of Government Code Section 66020, the date of imposition of the fee shall be the date of the earliest discretionary approval by the City of the subject development.  

 

The Planning Commission’s approval or conditional approval of the development subject to the challenged fee or exaction as expressed in its Motion, Resolution, or Discretionary Review Action or the Zoning Administrator’s Variance Decision Letter will serve as Notice that the 90-day protest period under Government Code Section 66020 has begun.