Planning Commission - June 2, 2016 - Agenda

Meeting Date: 
June 2, 2016 - 12:00pm
Location: 

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, June 2, 2016

12:00 p.m.

Regular Meeting

 

Commissioners:

Rodney Fong, President

Dennis Richards, Vice President

Michael Antonini, Rich Hillis, Christine Johnson, Kathrin Moore, Cindy Wu,

 

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.

 

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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.

 

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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:                      Dennis Richards

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

                                                                                                Kathrin Moore; Cindy Wu

 

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.

 

1.                   2014.1279ENX                                                                                             (C. TOWNES: (415) 575-9195)

249 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE - east side of Pennsylvania Avenue between 18th and Mariposa Streets; Lots 010, 013, and 014 in Assessor’s Block 3990- Request for a Large Project Authorization (LPA), pursuant to Planning Code Section 329, to demolish two existing one-story warehouses (collectively measuring 19,125 square feet) and  to construct a new 4-story, 40-foot tall, mixed-use building (measuring 76,070 gross square feet) with 59 dwelling units and 3,426 square feet of ground floor commercial space. The project includes 44 below-grade off-street parking spaces, 2 car share parking spaces, and 78 bicycle parking spaces.  Under the LPA, the project is seeking modification to certain Planning Code requirements, including: 1) Rear Yard (Planning Code Section 134); 2) Dwelling Unit Exposure (Planning Code Section 140); and 3) Horizontal Mass Reduction (Planning Code Section 270.1). The subject property is located within the UMU (Urban Mixed Use) 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 Section 31.04(h) of the San Francisco Administrative Code.

Preliminary Recommendation:  Approve with Conditions

(Proposed for Continuance to June 30, 2016)

 

B.         CONSENT CALENDAR

 

All matters listed hereunder constitute a Consent Calendar, are considered to be routine by the Planning Commission, and may be acted upon by a single roll call vote of the Commission.  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.             2015-014314MAP                                                                                           (A. STARR: (415) 558-6362)

1493-1497 POTRERO AVENUE HEIGHT REZONING - Initiation of Planning Code and Zoning Map Amendments to correct an error in Section Map HT08 of the Zoning Map to rezone the Height and Bulk Designation for 1493-1497 Potrero Avenue, Block 4277, Lot 16, from OS (Open Space) to 55-X, as a result of the Eastern Neighborhoods Rezoning.

Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution to Initiate, and schedule an adoption hearing on or after July 28, 2016

 

3.            2015-007396CUA                                                                                        (C. ASBAGH: (415) 575-9165)

1750 TAYLOR STREET - east side of Taylor Street, between Green and Vallejo Streets; lot 021 of Assessor’s Block 0128 (District 3) - Request for a Conditional Use Authorization, pursuant to Planning Code Section 303 and 317 to merge two dwelling units within a 72 unit building. The project would merge a 935 square foot, two-bedroom, two-bath unit (#804) with a 2,330 square foot, three-bedroom, two and a half-bath unit (#805) within the RM-2 (Residential, Mixed, Moderate Density) 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 Section 31.04(h) of the San Francisco Administrative Code.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approve with Conditions

(Continued from Regular Meeting of May 12, 2016)

NOTE: On May 12, 2016, after hearing and closing public comment, the Commission adopted a motion of intent to Disapprove and continued the item to June 2, 2016 by a vote of +4 -2 (Antonini, Hillis against; Fong absent).

 

C.         COMMISSION MATTERS

 

4.             Consideration of Adoption:

·         Draft Minutes for May 12, 2016

·         Draft Minutes for May 19, 2016

 

5.             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.

 

D.         DEPARTMENT MATTERS

 

6.             Director’s Announcements

 

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

               

E.         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.

 

F.            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.

 

8.             2006.1523PCA                                                                                   (M. BOUDREAUX: (415) 575-9140)

40/50/62/78/88 1ST STREET, 512/516/526 MISSION STREET “OCEANWIDE CENTER” -(Assessor Block 3708/Lots 003, 006, 007, 009, 010, 011, 012 and 055) (District 6) - Administrative and Planning Code Amendments, establishing the new Downtown Neighborhoods Preservation Fund; including waivers to Planning Code Sections 413 and 415; requiring the Project to satisfy its affordable housing requirements in an alternative manner, by depositing an equivalent, or greater, amount into the Fund. The associated Project proposes demolition of three buildings, construction of two new towers with occupied building heights of 850 feet (First Street Tower) and 605 feet (Mission Street Tower) and retention, or partial retention, of two existing buildings, plus street vacation. In total, the Project proposes approximately 1.08 million gross square feet of office, 265 residential units, 169-room hotel, and ground floor retail and open space uses. The Project site is located within Transit Center District and Downtown Plan Areas, and C-3-O (SD) (Downtown Office – Special Development) Zoning District and 550-S and 850-S-2 Height and Bulk Districts.  The Planning Commission will consider a resolution recommending this to the Board of Supervisors; affirming environmental findings; adopting Planning Code Section 302 findings, and findings of consistency with the General Plan and the priority policies of Planning Code Section 101.1.

                             Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt a Recommendation for Approval

 

9.             2016-001823PCA                                                                                      (D. SÁNCHEZ: (415) 575-9082)

PROHIBITING FORMULA RETAIL IN POLK STREET NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT [BOARD FILE NO. 160102] - Planning Code Amendment,  introduced by Supervisor Peskin, to prohibit formula retail in the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; and making findings including findings of public necessity, convenience, and welfare under Planning Code Section 302 and 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 with Modification

               

10.          2014.0599ENX                                                                                        (K. DURANDET: (415) 575-6816)
540 DE HARO STREET
- west side between Mariposa and 18th Streets; Lot 002 of Assessor’s Block 4008 (District 9) - Request for Large Project Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Section 329 to permit the demolition of the existing industrial building and the new construction of a 40 feet tall, 41,772 square foot building with 17 dwelling units, 16 off-street parking spaces and 17 Class I bicycle parking spaces. The project involves a dwelling unit mix consisting of (15) 2-bedroom, and (2) 1-bedroom units in the UMU (Urban Mixed Use) Zoning District, and 40-X Height and Bulk District. The proposed project is seeking a rear yard exception per Section 134 for the ground floor which has full lot coverage and permitted obstructions per Section 136.  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 March 3, 2016)

 

11a.        2014-002548CUA                                                                                         (V. FLORES: (415) 575-9173)

14-16 LAIDLEY STREET - south side of Laidley Street, at 30th Street; Lot 004 in Assessor’s Block 7538 (District 8) - Request for Conditional Use Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Section 209.1, for the retention of a second unit on a lot greater than 6,000 square feet in the RH-1 district. Pursuant to Planning Code Section 317, the project scope is tantamount to the demolition of a unit; however, by granting the Conditional Use Authorization the unit will be reestablished through its reconstruction. There are currently two units in a single building located in the front of the subject property. The project proposes two family-sized units in two distinct structures: one unit in the front of the property created by combining the existing units, and one unit in a newly constructed structure in the rear of the property. There will be a central courtyard between the two units. The subject property is located within a RH-1 (Residential – House, One 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.

Preliminary Recommendation:  Approve with Conditions

 

11b.        2014-002548VAR                                                                                          (V. FLORES: (415) 575-9173)

14-16 LAIDLEY STREET - south side of Laidley Street, at 30th Street; Lot 004 in Assessor’s Block 7538 (District 8) - Request for Variance pursuant to Planning Code Section 132. The subject property is located within a RH-1 (Residential – House, One Family) District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.

 

12.          2015-003686CUA                                                                                              (N. TRAN: (415) 575-9174)

437 HOFFMAN AVENUE - east side of Hoffman Avenue, between 24th and 25th Streets, Lot 024 in Assessor’s Block 6503 (District 8) - Request for Conditional Use Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Sections 303 and 317 (tantamount to demolition), for a project proposing to demolish an existing three-story over basement, single-family residence and construct additions to create a three-story over basement building with two dwelling units. Exterior changes such as raising the structure ~6 feet for a new garage door, front porch, entry stairs, rear terrace/deck as well as extensive interior remodeling are also proposed. The subject property is located within a RH-2 (Residential-House, Two-Family) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District. These actions constitute 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

(Continued from Regular Meeting of April 7, 2016)

 

13.          2014.1604CUA                                                                                              (B. BENDIX:  (415) 575-9114)

1848-1850 GREEN STREET - north side of Green Street between Octavia and Laguna Streets; Lot 012 in Assessor’s Block 0543 (District 2) - Request for Conditional Use Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Sections 303 and 317(d), to allow a major alteration that is tantamount to the demolition of a three-story two-family dwelling within a RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District. The proposal includes vertical and horizontal additions, renovation of the front façade, and demolition of the detached garage. The resulting four-story building will contain two dwelling units.  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

 

14.          2014-000550CUA                                                                                        (B. BENDIX:  (415) 575-9114)

2920 FRANKLIN STREET - east side of Franklin Street, between Chestnut and Lombard Streets; Lot 020 in Assessor’s Block 0498 (District 2) - Request for Conditional Use Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Sections 303 and 317(d), to allow the demolition of a two-story single-family dwelling and the new construction of a four-story two-family dwelling within a RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-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. 

Preliminary Recommendation: Approve with Conditions

 

G.            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.

 

15a.        2015-002243DRP                                                                                        (C. ASBAGH: (415) 575-9165)

1615-1633 GRANT AVENUE & 12-26 MEDAU PLACE - west side of Grant, between Filbert and Greenwich Streets, Lot 005 in Assessor’s Block 0645 (District 3) - Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application Nos. 2015.02.27.9626 & 9627 proposing alterations to the existing vacant buildings including the reconfiguration of 16 existing dwelling units (four would expand into ground-floor storage space), reconfiguration of the interior courtyard stairs, and the addition of roof-top decks and four stair penthouses within a RM-2 (Residential, Mixed, Moderate Density) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District. In addition, the Zoning Administrator will consider a Variance from the requirements for rear yard (per Section 134) and dwelling unit exposure (Section 140). 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: Take Discretionary Review and Approve with Modifications

(Continued from Regular Meeting of May 12, 2016)

 

15b.        2015-002243VAR                                                                                         (C. ASBAGH: (415) 575-9165)

1615-1633 GRANT AVENUE & 12-26 MEDAU PLACE - located on the west side of Grant between Filbert and Greenwich Streets, Lot 005 in Assessor’s Block 0645 (District 3) - Request for Variances pursuant to Planning Code Sections 134 and 140 to allow the reconfiguration of stairs and dwelling units within the interior courtyard. The project is located in a RM-2 (Residential, Mixed, Moderate Density) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.

(Continued from Regular Meeting of May 12, 2016)

 

            16a.      2015-002632DRP                                                                                            (J. SPEIRS: (415) 575-9106)

1152 POTRERO AVENUE - west side of Potrero Avenue, south of 23rd Street, north of 24th Street; Lot 011 in Assessor’s Block 4211 (District 9) - Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2015.02.24.9220, proposing the addition of two dwelling units with vertical and horizontal additions to an existing one-unit residential building within a RH-3 (Residential - House, Three-Family) Zoning District and 55-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

 

                     

16b.      2015-002632VAR-02                                                                                      (J. SPEIRS: (415) 575-9106)

1152 POTRERO AVENUE - west side of Potrero Avenue, south of 23rd Street, north of 24th Street; Lot 011 in Assessor’s Block 4211 (District 9) - Request for Variances pursuant to Planning Code Sections 132 to construct within the required front setback. The Project includes the addition of two dwelling units with vertical and horizontal additions to an existing one-unit residential building within a RH-3 (Residential - House, Three-Family) Zoning District and 55-X Height and Bulk District.

 

H.            3:30 P.M.

 

Items listed here may not be considered prior to the time indicated above. It is provided as a courtesy to limit unnecessary wait times. Generally, the Commission adheres to the order of the Agenda. Therefore, the following item(s) will be considered at or after the time indicated.

 

17a.        2013.0677CUA                                                                                                 (R. SUCRE: (415) 575-9108)

2000-2070 BRYANT STREET - located along the west side of Bryant Street at 18th Street, Lots 001, 002, and 021 in Assessor’s Block 4022 (District 9) - Request for a Conditional Use Authorization, pursuant to Planning Code Sections 303 and 317, for the demolition of three existing dwelling units. The subject property is located within the UMU (Urban Mixed-Use) Zoning District, and 68-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

(Continued from Regular Meeting of May 19, 2016)

 

17b.        2013.0677X                                                                                                       (R. SUCRE: (415) 575-9108)

2000-2070 BRYANT STREET - located along the west side of Bryant Street at 18th Street, Lots 001, 002, and 021 in Assessor’s Block 4022 (District 9) - Request for a Large Project Authorization, pursuant to Planning Code Section 329, for the demolition of the existing buildings on the project site, and the new construction of a six-story mixed-use building (measuring approximately 203,656 gross square feet; approximately 68-ft tall) with up to 199 dwelling units, approximately 7,007 square feet of ground floor retail, 3,938 square feet of ground floor PDR space, up to 84 off-street parking spaces, 128 Class 1 bicycle parking spaces, 18 Class 2 bicycle parking spaces, and private and common open spaces. Under the LPA, the project is seeking a modification to certain Planning Code requirements, including: 1) rear yard (Planning Code Section 134); 2) ground floor ceiling height for non-residential uses (Planning Code Section 145.1); 3) off-street freight loading (Planning Code Section 152.1); 4) horizontal mass reduction (Planning Code Section 270.1); and, 5) flexible units-modification of the accessory use provisions of Planning Code 803.3(b)(1)(c) (Planning Code Sections 329(d)(10)). The subject property is located within the UMU (Urban Mixed-Use) Zoning District, and 68-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approve with Conditions

(Continued from Regular Meeting of May 19, 2016)

 

I.             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

DNX (B)

15 calendar days

Board of Appeals**

Conditional Use Authorization and Planned Unit Development

CUA (C)

30 calendar days

Board of Supervisors

Building Permit Application (Discretionary Review)

DRP/DRM (D)

15 calendar days

Board of Appeals

EIR Certification

ENV (E)

30 calendar days

Board of Supervisors

Coastal Zone Permit

PUB (P)

15 calendar days

Board of Appeals

Planning Code Amendments by Application

PCA (T)

30 calendar days

Board of Supervisors

Variance (Zoning Administrator action)

VAR (V)

10 calendar days

Board of Appeals

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

LPA (X)

15 calendar days

Board of Appeals

Zoning Map Change by Application

MAP (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.