Planning Commission - January 14, 2016 - Agenda

Meeting Date: 
January 14, 2016 (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, January 14, 2016

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.

 

1.             2015-011144PCA                                                                                  (K. HADDADAN: (415) 575-9068)

REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON  ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS IN DISTRICT 8 [BOARD FILE NO. 150365 & 150810] - Planning Code Amendment to allow the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) (also known as Secondary or In-Law Units) within the boundaries of Board of Supervisors District 8, and prohibit a subdivision that would allow an ADU to be separately sold or financed; amending the Administrative Code to correct section references; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1; and directing the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to send a copy of this Ordinance to the California Department of Housing and Community Development after adoption& Ordinance  amending the San Francisco Planning Code to allow the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs, also known as Secondary or In-Law Units) within the boundaries of Board of Supervisors District 8, prohibit approval of an application for construction of an ADU in any building where a tenant has been evicted under the Ellis Act within ten years prior to filing the application, and prohibit an ADU from being used for short-term rental;  amending the Administrative Code to correct sections references; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings of consistency with the General Plan  and the eight priority policies of Planning Code Section 101.1.

            (Continued from Regular Meeting of October 22, 2015)

                WITHDRAWN

 

2.             2015-011130PCA                                                                                  (K. HADDADAN: (415) 575-9068)

                REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON  ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS IN DISTRICT 3 [BOARD FILE NO. 150585 & 150811] - Planning Code Amendment to allow the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) (also known as Secondary or In-Law Units) within the boundaries of Board of Supervisors District 3, and prohibit a subdivision that would allow an ADU to be separately sold or financed; amending the Administrative Code to correct section references; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1; and directing the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to send a copy of this Ordinance to the California Department of Housing and Community Development after adoption and Ordinance amending the Planning Code to allow the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs, also known as Secondary or In-Law Units) within the boundaries of Board of Supervisors District 3, prohibit approval of an application for construction of an ADU in any building where a tenant has been evicted under the Ellis Act within ten years prior to filing the application, and prohibit an ADU from being used for short-term rental; amending the Administrative Code to correct section references; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1; and directing the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to send a copy of this Ordinance to the California Department of Housing and Community Development after adoption.

                                (Continued from Regular Meeting of October 22, 2015)

WITHDRAWN

 

B.         COMMISSION MATTERS

 

3.             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.

 

                4.           Commission Rules & Regulations - Suspension

 

                5.           Election of Officers

 

C.         DEPARTMENT MATTERS

 

6.             Director’s Announcements

 

7.             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.

 

 

 

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

50 1ST STREET/78 1ST STREET/88 1ST STREET/526 MISSION STREET - Informational presentation - (Assessor Block 3708/Lots 003, 006, 007, 009, 010, 011, 012 and 055) - The project proposes demolition of surface parking lot and three buildings, construction of two new towers with occupied building heights of 850 feet (50 1st Street) and 605 feet (526 Mission Street) and retention, or partial retention, of two existing buildings. In total, the project proposes 2.1 million gross square feet of office, residential, hotel, and retail 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.

Preliminary Recommendation: None - Informational

 

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 Commission’s 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 or Large Project authorization for certain projects which result in any of the following: 1) the loss of one or more rent-controlled dwelling units; or 2) is a project with more than 25,000 square feet of non-residential use; or 3) is a project with more than 25 residential Units. 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 nine months. At this hearing the Commission may amend and adopt the interim controls.

Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt with Modifications

(Continued from Regular Meeting of November 19, 2015)

 

10.          2016-000003GPA                                                                                  (K. HADDADAN: (415) 575-9068)

DOWNTOWN AREA PLAN MAP 5 RELATED TO TRANSBAY REDEVELOPMENT PLAN BLOCK 1General Plan Amendment - Initiation, Map 5 of the Downtown Area Plan to include a note stating that the proposed height and bulk districts on assessor's block 5 3740, lots 027, 029, 030, 031, and 032 (Transbay block 1) and Assessor's block 3739, lot 004 within the Transbay Redevelopment Project Area shall be consistent with those provided in the Transbay Redevelopment Plan Development Controls; and making findings, including findings under the California Environmental Quality Act, and  findings of consistency with the general plan and the eight priority policies of Planning Code Section 1 01.1.

Preliminary Recommendation - Initiate

 

11.          2013.0784X                                                                                                              (D. VU: (415) 575-9120)

2177 3RD STREET -  east side between 18th and 19th Streets – Lots 003 & 003B in Assessor’s Block 4045 - Request for Large Project Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Section 329, including rear yard, exposure and horizontal mass reduction exceptions for the proposed demolition of two existing buildings and new construction of two seven-story, 68-foot tall buildings totaling 135,577 sq. ft., consisting of approximately 3,298 sq. ft. of commercial space at the ground floor, up to 109 dwelling units at all levels, and 9,519 sq. ft. of open space at the ground and roof levels. The proposed project also includes 89 residential and 2 commercial automobile, and 102 Class 1 bicycle parking spaces at two basement levels accessed from 19th Street.  The subject property is located within the UMU (Urban Mixed Use) District with a 68-X Height and Bulk Designation. 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

 

12.          2015-006317CUA                                                                                          (V. FLORES: (415) 575-9173)

518 CASTRO STREET - west side of Castro Street, between 18th and 19th Streets; Lot 002 in Assessor’s Block 2695 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Sections 303, 703.3, and 703.4 to relocate an existing formula retail pharmacy (d.b.a. Aids Health Foundation Pharmacy) from its present location at 4071 18th Street to the project site at 518 Castro Street. The project also includes interior tenant improvements and minor alterations to the existing awning. The project is located within the Castro Street Neighborhood Commercial District and a 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

 

13a.        2012.1445CV                                                                                                  (N. FOSTER: (415) 575-9167)

824 HYDE STREET - east side of Hyde Street, between Bush and Sutter Streets, Lot 017 in Assessor’s Block 0280 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Section 253 and 303 to permit a building exceeding 50 feet within a RC Zoning District. The Project site is located within the RC-4 (Residential-Commercial, High Density) Zoning District and 80-A Height and Bulk District. The project proposes to construct a five story (over basement) building with 15 dwelling units on a vacant lot. The resulting height of the building would exceed 50 feet in height. Even though the underlying Bulk and Height District (80-A) would allow for a taller structure, the Code requires approval by the Planning Commission according to the procedures for conditional use approval in Section 303 of this Code. 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

 

13b.        2012.1445CV                                                                                                  (N. FOSTER: (415) 575-9167)

824 HYDE STREET - east side of Hyde Street, between Bush and Sutter Streets, Lot 017 in Assessor’s Block 0280 - Request for Variance pursuant to Planning Code Sections 136 and 145.1 to allow for permitted obstructions (bay windows) and relief from the Code regarding required active street frontages for residential developments. A Planning Commission approval at the public hearing would constitute the Approval Action for the project for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to San Francisco Administrative Code Section 31.04(h).

 

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.

 

14a.        2014-001639DRP                                                                                         (N. FOSTER: (415) 575-9167)

160 BERNARD STREET - north side of Bernard Street, between Jones and Leavenworth Streets, Lot 036 in Assessor’s Block 0156 - Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2014.08.13.3730 proposing to demolish an existing one-story-over-basement, one-car garage structure and construct a new four-story-over-basement, two-unit residential building within the RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) Zoning District and a 65-A Height and Bulk District. The proposed 40-foot tall building would contain a two-car garage (stacked parking), and the existing curb cut would be relocated to provide access to the new garage. 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: Full Discretionary Review

Preliminary Recommendation: Do Not Take Discretionary Review and Approve

 

14b.        2014-001646DRP                                                                                         (N. FOSTER: (415) 575-9167)

162-164 BERNARD STREET - north side of Bernard Street, between Jones and Leavenworth Streets, Lot 037 in Assessor’s Block 0156 - Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2014.08.11.3471 proposing a two-story vertical and horizontal addition to an existing one-story-over-basement, two-unit residential structure, resulting in a three-story-over-basement, two-unit residential building within the RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) Zoning District and a 65-A Height and Bulk District. The proposed 40-foot tall building would contain a two-car garage (stacked parking), and a new curb cut would be created to provide access to the new garage. 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: Full Discretionary Review

Preliminary Recommendation: Do Not Take Discretionary Review and Approve

 

15.          2015-004434DRP                                                                                              (N. TRAN: (415) 575-9174)

3790-3792 21ST STREET - northeast corner of 21st and Noe Streets; Lot 026A in Assessor’s Block 3604 - Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2015.04.10.3305, proposing a third story addition with roof deck, lightwell infill, basement excavation and exterior changes on the existing two-family dwelling which is located 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

 

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.