August 02, 2001
SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Commission Chambers - Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Thursday, August 2, 2001
1:30 PM
PRESENT: Theoharis, Baltimore, Chinchilla, Joe, Lim, Salinas
ABSENT: Fay
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT THEOHARIS AT 1:45 P.M.
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Gerald G. Green – Director of Planning; Larry Badiner – Zoning Administrator; Tina Tam; Ben Fu; Dan Sider; Alison Borde; Mat Snyder; Nora Priego – Transcription Secretary; Linda D. Avery – Commission Secretary
A. ITEMS PROPOSED FOR CONTINUANCE
1a. 2001.0202CV (LI: 558-6396)
136-142 TAYLOR STREET - east side between Eddy and Turk Streets; Lot 014 in Assessor’s Block 0340: -- Request for Conditional Use authorization to reduce the off-street parking requirement for a six-unit residential building within an RC-4 (Residential-Commercial Combined, High Density) District, the North of Market Residential Special Use District, and an 80-120-T Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with conditions
(Proposed for Continuance to August 9, 2001)
ACTION: Continued as proposed
AYES: Theoharis, Baltimore, Chinchilla, Joe, Lim, Salinas
ABSENT: Fay
1b. 2001.0202CV (LI: 558-6396)
136-142 TAYLOR STREET - east side between Eddy and Turk Streets; Lot 014 in Assessor’s Block 0340: -- Rear yard, usable open space, and dwelling unit exposure variances sought. The proposal is to convert a vacant commercial building to a mixed-use building containing six dwelling units above ground-floor retail space within an RC-4 (Residential-Commercial Combined, High Density) District, the North of Market Residential Special Use District, and an 80-120-T Height and Bulk District. There will be no physical expansion of the existing building. The Planning Code requires the provision of a rear yard (Section 134), usable open space (Section 135), and dwelling unit exposure (Section 140). The project will not provide a rear yard or usable open space, and three of the dwelling units would not have the proper required exposure.
(Proposed for Continuance to August 9, 2001)
ACTION: Continued as proposed
AYES: Theoharis, Baltimore, Chinchilla, Joe, Lim, Salinas
ABSENT: Fay
2. 2000.1315C (M. SNYDER 575-6891)
52 SHERIDAN STREET - north side between 9th and 10th Streets, Lot 34 in Assessor's Block 3519 -- Request for Conditional Use authorization under Planning Code Section 816.13 to demolish an existing single family house. The project would also include the construction of a new 50-foot tall, 75-feet deep building that would contain four dwelling units and one commercial unit. The property is within an SLR (Service / Light Industrial / Residential Mixed Use) District, a 50-X Height and Bulk District, and a Mixed-Use Housing Zone (as designated in Planning Commission Resolution 14861).
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with conditions
(Proposed for Continuance to August 9, 2001)
ACTION: Continued as proposed
AYES: Theoharis, Baltimore, Chinchilla, Joe, Lim, Salinas
ABSENT: Fay
3. 2001.1190D (SANCHEZ: 558-6679)
2801-2825 CALIFORNIA STREET - southwest corner at Divisadero Street; Lot 001 in Assessor’s Block 1028 - Request for Conditional Use authorization pursuant to Section 711.83 of the Planning Code to install a total of three antennas and GPS receiver on the roof with related connection to an equipment shelter within the basement of an existing three-story, mixed-use building, as part of Sprint PCS’s wireless telecommunications network within an NC-2 (Small-Scale Neighborhood Commercial) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. As per the City & County of San Francisco’s Wireless Telecommunications Services (WTS) Facilities Siting Guidelines the proposal is a Preferred Location Preference 5 as it is a mixed-use building within a high-density district.
Preliminary Recommendation: Pending
(Continued from Regular Meeting of June 21, 2001)
(Proposed for continuance to September 20, 2001)
ACTION: Continued as proposed
AYES: Theoharis, Baltimore, Chinchilla, Joe, Lim, Salinas
ABSENT: Fay
4a. 2000.497CV (CHIN: 575-6897)
611 JONES STREET - west side of Jones Street near the northwest corner of Jones and Geary; Lot 003 in Assessor’s Block 0304 - Request for Conditional Use authorization pursuant to Sections 249.5(c)(14), 253(a) and 263.7 of the Planning Code to demolish a single-family dwelling and construct an eight-story, 103 foot tall, eight unit condominium building, in a RC-4 (Residential-Commercial Combined Districts, High Density) Zoning District, North of Market Special Use District-1 and an 80-130-T Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with conditions.
(Proposed for Continuance to August 23, 2001)
ACTION: Continued as proposed
AYES: Theoharis, Baltimore, Chinchilla, Joe, Lim, Salinas
ABSENT: Fay
4b. 2000.497CV (CHIN: 575-6897)
611 JONES STREET - west side of Jones Street near the northwest corner of Jones and Geary; Lot 003 in Assessor’s Block 0304: -- REAR YARD VARIANCE SOUGHT: The proposal is to demolish a single family dwelling and construct an eight-story, 103 foot tall, seven unit condominium building, in a RC-4 (Residential-Commercial Combined Districts, High Density) Zoning District, North of Market Residential Special Use District -1 and a 80-130-T Height and Bulk District. Section 134(a)(1) of the Planning Code requires a minimum rear yard of 21 feet 10 inches for the subject property, measured from the rear property line. The proposed building would encroach into the required rear yard by amounts varying approximately from 6 to 15 feet, thereby requiring a rear yard variance.
(Proposed for Continuance to August 23, 2001)
ACTION: Continued as proposed
AYES: Theoharis, Baltimore, Chinchilla, Joe, Lim, Salinas
ABSENT: Fay
B. COMMISSIONERS' QUESTIONS AND MATTERS
5. Commission Matters
Lim: Last month the Commission approved a housing project that has almost 200 units, and the Zoning Administrator indicated that he wanted to make sure that the housing is not for corporate housing but rather for permanent housing. Do we need to insure or make a motion that we will recored a restriction on the deed, to make sure that the housing is for permanent housing?
Theoharis: When the Sunshine Ordinance was inacted, appointed officials were required to take the Sunshine Ordinance training, do we have to do it again?
RESPONSE: If you have taken the class you don't have to take it again. However, once you have taken the class, you are required to annually submit a signed declaration that you have read the SF Sunshine Ordinance and received training.
C. DIRECTOR'S REPORT
6. Director's Announcements
Ghosh: - The Department released the 2000 Annual Housing Inventory this week. It records a production of housing at a 20% increase over 1998. It is the largest housing increase since 1991.
- Final action on the budget: The Board of Supervisors took $250,000 dollars out of our budget and gave it to the Transportation Department to do the design of Market Street.
7. Review of Past Week's Events at the Board of Supervisors and Board of Appeals
B of S.: None
B of A.: City Attorney requested that the rules be set aside regarding the amount of time allowed for asking for a rehearing. This was related to a case the Commission heard regarding a live/work project at 1696 Pennsylvania Avenue.
D. REGULAR CALENDAR
8. 2000.306C (TAM: 558-6325)
215 CHURCH STREET - east side of Church Street, between Market and 15th Streets; Lot 64 in Assessor's Block 3544. Request for Conditional Use authorization to allow a full-service restaurant (CHOW) to expand to greater than 3,000 square feet in floor area by the creation of an outdoor activity area, approximately 238 square feet in area, at the rear of the building in the Upper Market Street Neighborhood Commercial District and a 80-B Height and Bulk District, pursuant to Planning Code Sections 721.21 and 721.24. This request also includes an amendment to a previously approved Special Use authorization (81.526U) to increase the seating capacity from 40 to 68 seats, including outdoor seating, and to extend hours of operation from 11:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions
(Continued from Regular Meeting of July 19, 2001)
ACTION: Without hearing, continued to 8/23/01
AYES: Theoharis, Baltimore, Chinchilla, Joe, Lim, Salinas
ABSENT: Fay
9. 2000.1275C (TAM: 558-6325)
401 TARAVAL STREET - southwest corner of Taraval Street and 14th Avenue; Lot 1 in Assessor’s Block 2411. Request for Conditional Use authorization to install a total of three panel antennae on the building rooftop and an interior equipment shelter in the basement of an existing two-story over basement commercial office building as part of a wireless telecommunication network (Sprint PCS), pursuant to Planning Code Section 711.83, in a NC-2 (Small-Scale Neighborhood Commercial) District and a 40-X Height
and Bulk District. The site is a Location Preference 3.
Recommendation: Approval with conditions.
(Continued from Regular Meeting of July 12, 2001)
PROJECT WITHDRAWN
10. 2001.0641C (FU: (558-6613)
1275 MISSION STREET - south side, between 8th and 9th Streets, Lot 075 in Assessor’s Block 3728: Request for Conditional Use Authorization under Planning Code Section 816.21, to allow an assembly and social service use as defined by Planning Code Section 890.50(a), in a SLR (Service/Light Industrial/Residential Mixed Used) District with a 65-X Height and Bulk designation.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with conditions
SPEAKER(S):
(+) Norma Hotelin –
- Gave a brief description of the programs/services provided at Sage
(+/-) Daniel Benjamin
- Next door neighbor at 1267 Mission Street
- Not totally against the program, but would like to have a warranty that the street is going to be monitored; that there won't be people hanging out or going onto his property; if it stays the way it is, there will be no problems.
(+) Jake Kejana, Board member of SAGE
- Supports project
(+) Joe Lacara, Community Project Manager of the Hilton Hotel in San Francisco
- Supports project
(+) Maryland Robinson
- This program will be there to help a lot of people in the neighborhood
(+) Carol Chapman, representing the Department of Public Health
- Department of Public Health supports the project
(+) (name unclear), Coordinator of the First Defendant Prostitution Program in San Francisco, and also a former patient of Sage
- Urged the Commission to approve the project
(+) Autum Brass, Administrative Director at Sage
- Hope the services provided by Sage will continue in the City of San Francisco
(+) Dr. Jean Coburn
- Supports program
(-) Rodney Morrison
- Urged the Commission to reject future additions to the existing unfair concentration of such service agencies in our neighborhood
(-) Robert Cunigie
- Concerned about the amount of social services in the area
(-) Mauri Sirols, Renaissance Hotel
- We do need to look at what is going on in the South of Market
- South of Market has been dumped with social services agencies
(-) (name unclear), Artist
- Concerned about the amount of drug dealing and homelessness due to the social services in the area
- Urged the Commission to take into consideration what is happening to the South of Market
(-) Michelle Turnpin
- The area is not being given an opportunity to try to improve our own quality of life, before we have another social services organization coming in.
- Concerned about the impact of these agencies in the area
(-) Gittica Gougha
- Concerned about the amount of people who visits the neighborhood at night, and the loitering
- Instead of this proposal, we need more services to keep the area clean
(-) Tim Tilbet
- The agencies in this area need to have a regulatory commission to regulate them
(-) Peter Strites
- Do not allow another social service in the area
(-) Robert Kashin
- Opposed to the expansion of the program
(-) Ahman Jami
- Opposed the project
(-) Anthony Wolf
- Concerned about the security of the people who live in the area
ACTION: Approved as amended:
4. The hours of operation shall be restricted to 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
AYES: Theoharis, Baltimore, Chinchilla, Joe, Lim, Salinas
ABSENT: Fay
MOTION #: 16199
11. 2001.0479EC (SIDER: 558-6697)
1875 MARIN STREET and 1990 EVANS AVENUE - a generally rectangular area comprising the majority of the land on the block bounded by Marin and Napoleon Streets, Evans Avenue, and the Cal-Train Right-of-Way/Interstate 280; Lots 1 and 2 in Assessor’s Block 4347A: Request for Conditional Use authorization to allow the demolition of industrial buildings resulting in displacement under the Interim Industrial Protection Zone (IPZ) adopted by Planning Commission Motion Numbers 14861 and 14887. The project proposes the demolition of approximately 116,000 square feet of industrial space and the construction of an approximately 111,000 square foot distribution facility to be occupied by Federal Express. The existing industrial businesses on-site employ 16 people, while the proposed use will provide approximately 165 jobs. The 4.2 acre site is within an M-2 (Heavy Industrial) Zoning District and a 65-J Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions.
SPEAKER(S):
(+) Lu Blazej, representing Project Sponsor
- Gave a description of the project
(+) Chris Jolivet, Senior Manager at Federal Express on Harrison Street
- The proposed site on Evans is a huge advantage and opportunity for Federal Express to serve San Francisco
(+) Paul Eveloff
- Supports approval of the project
(+) John Lewerenz
- Supports the project
(+) Ron McMahon
- This project will have a positive impact on this part of San Francisco and will bring relieve to a badly congested area on Harrison Street
(-) Ena Aguirre
- The community has not been contacted by the project sponsor
- How can a project go this far without asking or involving the community?
(-) Mel Washington, President, Bayview Merchants Association
- Did not receive any notification regarding the project
ACTION: Approved as amended:
"The Project Sponsor shall work with community agencies and organizations with the goal of hiring neighborhood residents to fill jobs created as a result of the project. The program shall be reviewed by Planning Department staff prior to implementation."
AYES: Theoharis, Baltimore, Chinchilla, Joe, Salinas
NAYES: Lim
ABSENT: Fay
MOTION #: 16200
At Approximately 4:30 PM the Planning Commission convened into a Special Discretionary Review (DR) Hearing to hear and act on Discretionary Review matters
12. 2001.0200DDDDD (BORDEN: 558-321)
738 DUNCAN STREET - north side between Douglass and Diamond Streets, Lot 6A in Assessor’s Block 6588 –Request for Discretionary Review of a proposal, under Building Permit Application No. 2000/06/16/2894 to add an additional story to the existing building and to construct a 9’ deep x 22’ wide 2-story addition at the rear of the building in an RH-1 (House, One-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. A stair and landing are proposed in the 3’ set back at the west side of the rear addition.
Preliminary Recommendation: Take discretionary review and approve the building permit application with modifications.
SPEAKER(S):
(+) John Twichell, Planning Consultant, representing DR requestors
- Discretionary Review applicants are in support of the staff recommendations
- Project Sponsors do not have any support from any of the property owner in this particular area
- Serious issues dealing with privacy, light and air
- There is a history to this project. The same property owner with the same item came approximately 11 years ago to the Planning Commission. The Commission at that time took DR and defined what they thought was appropriate for this site.
(+) Michael Zucker, Architect
- Urged Commission to approve staff recommendations
(+) Kevin Rowney
- Very frustrated trying to dialogue with property owner
- There is no willingness to compromise
(+) Amy Bagott
- Concerned about privacy, light and air
(+) Ye Gong
- Moved to the neighborhood 2 weeks ago, she has not had adequate time to review the modifications and has not had a chance to meet the owner.
- Opposing the construction that affects the east window on her property line
(+) Don Eesley
- Opposed the construction of a big building that will impact the light on his property and the rest of the neighborhood
(-) Rahmad Zandian, Property Owner
- Gave a description about the project
(-) Desiree Zandian
- Supports project
ACTION: Take Discretionary Review and approve staff recommendations with the removal of the property line windows proposed at the east side of the vertical addition
AYES: Theoharis, Baltimore, Chinchilla, Joe, Lim, Salinas
ABSENT: Fay
13. 2001.0633DD (M.SNYDER: 575-6891)
598 MISSOURI STREET - west side between 20th and 22nd Streets, Lots 005, 006 and 007 in Assessor's Block 4100 – Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application Nos.2001-01-03-9033, 9046, 9034, 9036, 9048, 9050, 9045, 9056, 9047, 9060 and 9040, proposing to construct 11 two-unit structures (on three vacant lots between 550 and 628 Missouri Street) in an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the project as proposed
SPEAKER (S):
(+) Paul Minton, Vice President, Potrero Hill Boosters Neighborhood Association
- Concerned about the shadow impact
- One of the solutions would be reducing heights
- Concerned about rear yards.
- Would like to request the rear yard setback be increased
(+) Su Suttle Taggart, DR requestor
- Height is extremely high
- Developer should decrease the height of the buildings
(+) Dick Millett
- Happy to see the site being developed
(+) M. Joseph Schaller
- Concerned about the loss of sunlight
(neutral) Audrey Cole
- Concerned about the height of the buildings
(+) Joe Boss
- Supports Discretionary Review
(+) Ellen Kernaghan
- Supports Discretionary Review
Bob Baum, Project Architect
- Gave a description of the project
(-) Chris Camberlango
- Urged Commission not to take Discretionary Review
(-) Alice Barkley, project attorney
- Do not take Discretionary Review
ACTION: No Discretionary Review. Project approved as proposed
AYES: Theoharis, Baltimore, Chinchilla, Joe, Lim, Salinas
ABSENT: Fay
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))
SPEAKER(S):
Saran Taggart
Re: Rejection of DR on 598 Mission Street
Dick Millett
Re: Rejection of DR on 598 Mission Street
Paul Minton
Re: Rejection of DR on 598 Mission Street
Joseph Shallan
Re: Rejection of DR on 598 Mission Street
Alice Barkley
Re: Approval of project on 598 Mission Street
Adjournment: 6:50 p.m.
THE DRAFT MINUTES ARE PROPOSED FOR ADOPTION AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2001.
Last updated: 11/17/2009 10:00:12 PM
