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April 24, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO

PLANNING COMMISSION

Notice of Meeting

&

Calendar

Commission Chambers - Room 400

City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

Thursday, April 24, 2008

1:30 PM

Regular Meeting

President: Christina R. Olague

Commissioners: Michael J. Antonini; M. Sue Lee; William L. Lee; Kathrin Moore;

Hisashi Sugaya

Commission Secretary: Linda D. Avery

Commission Calendars are available on the Internet at http://www.sfgov.org/planning
or as a recorded message at (415) 558-6422.

View the meeting online at: http://www.sfgov.org/site/sfgtv_index.asp

Or

View the broadcast live, Thursdays on Cable Channel 78.

And

The re-broadcast on Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Cable Channel 26

THE AGENDA PACKET IS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT
1650 MISSION STREET, 4TH FLOOR RECEPTION

Commission Meeting Procedures

Material submitted by the public for Commission review prior to a scheduled hearing should be received by the Planning Department reception counter at 1650 Mission Street, 4th floor, no later than 5:00 PM the Wednesday (eight days) prior to the scheduled public hearing. Persons unable to attend a hearing may submit written comments regarding a calendared item to: Planning Commission, 1650 Mission Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94103-2414. Comments received by 11:00 AM on the day of the hearing will be made part of the official record and will be brought to the attention of the Planning Commission at the public hearing. Otherwise, submit material related to a calendared item at the scheduled hearing for distribution. For complete distribution to all Commissioners, necessary staff and case/docket/correspondence files, submit an original plus 10 copies. When sending e-mail correspondence to Commissioners, please copy the Commission Secretary at: linda.avery@sfgov.org

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.

Commission action on conditional-uses and reclassification may be appealed to the Board of Supervisors within 30 days. Call (415) 554-5184 for more information. Commission actions after Discretionary Review may be appealed to the Board of Appeals within 15 days of action by the Central Permit Bureau. Call (415) 575-6880 for more information. Zoning Administrator action on a variance application may be appealed to the Board of Appeals within 10 days of issuance of the written decision.

The Commission has instituted a policy that, in most cases, they will not call an item for consideration after 10:00 PM. If an item is scheduled but not called or introduced prior to 10:00 PM, the Commission may continue the matter to the next available hearing. Items listed on this calendar will not be heard before the stated time.

Cell Phone and/or Sound-Producing Electronic Devices Usage at Hearings

Effective January 21, 2001, the Board of Supervisors amended the Sunshine Ordinance by adding the following provision: The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic devices (67A.1 Prohibiting the use of cell phones, pagers and similar sound-producing electronic devices at and during public meetings).

For more information related to Planning Commission matters, please call Linda D. Avery, Commission Secretary, at (415) 558-6407.

San FranciscoLobbyist Ordinance

Attention: Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action my 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 Ethics Commission at 30 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 3900, San Francisco, CA 94102; telephone (415) 581-2300; fax (415) 581-2317; and web site http//www.sfgov.org/ethics.

Accessible Meeting Policy

Hearings are held at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 400, fourth floor, San Francisco, CA. The closest accessible BART station is the Civic Center station located at the intersection of Market, Hyde and Grove Streets. Accessible curbside parking has been designated at points along McAllister Street. Accessible MUNI lines serving City Hall are the 9 San Bruno and 71 Haight/Noriega and the F Line. Accessible MUNI Metro lines are the J, K, L, M, and N. For more information regarding MUNI accessible services, call (415) 923-6142. Requests for American sign language interpreters, sound enhancement systems and/or language translators will be available upon request by contacting Lulu Hwang at (415) 558-6318 at least 48 hours prior to a hearing. A sound enhancement system will be available upon request at the meetings. Please contact Services for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired at 557-5533 (TDD) or 557-5534 (Voice) at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Late requests will be honored if possible. A person who is deaf or hearing impaired may gain meeting information prior to the meeting by calling 557-4433 (TDD) or 557-4434 (Voice). In addition, the California Relay Service can be used by individuals with hearing and speech impairments by calling 1-800-735-2929 (TDD) or 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). Minutes of the meetings are available in alternative formats. If you require the use of a reader during the meeting, please contact the Library for the Blind and Print Handicapped at 292-2022 at least 48 hours in advance of need. Accessible seating for persons with disabilities (including those using wheelchairs) will be available at meetings. Individuals with severe allergies, environmental illnesses, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities should call our accessibility hotline at (415) 554-8925 to discuss meeting accessibility. In order to assist the City's efforts to accommodate such people, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical-based products. Please help the City to accommodate these individuals.

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.

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 Adele Destro, Interim Administrator, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 409, by phone at (415) 554-7724, by fax at (415) 554-7854 or by 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.sfgov.org/bdsupvrs/sunshine..

COMMUNICATIONS

Note: Each item on the Consent or Regular calendar may include the following documents:

1) Planning Department Case Executive Summary

2) Planning Department Case Report

3) Draft Motion or Resolution with Findings and/or Conditions

4) Public Correspondence

These items will be available for review at the Planning Department, 1650 Mission St., 4th floor reception.

1:30 PM _________

ROLL CALL:

President: Christina R. Olague

Commissioners: Michael J. Antonini; M. Sue Lee; William L. Lee;

Kathrin Moore; Hisashi Sugaya

  • 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. 2007.1233C (A. Ben-Pazi: (415) 575-9077)

805 Columbus Avenue - south-west side between Lombard and Greenwich Streets, Lot 047 in Assessor's Block 0074 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization to establish a real estate office, larger than the principally permitted maximum of 1,999 square feet, on the first floor of a mixed use building within the North Beach Neighborhood Commercial District, pursuant to Sections 722.53 and 722.21 of the Planning Code. The commercial space measures approximately 2,760 square feet and has never been occupied. No physical expansion of the existing building is proposed. This site is within the North Beach Neighborhood Commercial District, and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

preliminary Recommendation: Pending

(Continued from Regular Meeting of March 20, 2008)

(Proposed for Continuance to May 22, 2008)

2. 2008.0095T (T. Sullivan-Lenane: (415) 558-6257)

Amendments to the Planning Code by adding Section 226.5: Alcohol Reduction and Safer Neighborhoods Act - Permitted Locations on New Liquor Stores and their Conditions of Operation. Ordinance introduced by Supervisor Sandoval amending the San Francisco Planning Code by adding Section 226.5 to impose a distance requirement of 500 feet or more between new off-sale liquor stores and existing liquor stores, elementary and secondary schools, public libraries, and recreation centers throughout San Francisco and establishing conditions for operation of liquor stores.

Preliminary Recommendation: Pending

(Proposed for Continuance to May 22, 2008)

3. 2007.1267X (A. BEN-PAZI: (415) 575-9077)

631 FOLSOM STREET - south-east side between 2nd and Hawthorne Streets, Lot 090 in Assessor's Block 3750 - Request for an exemption pursuant to section 309 to add 52 off-street parking spaces to the previously approved 64 off-street parking spaces in a mixed-use building currently under construction. The building is to have 114 dwelling units, each containing at least two bedrooms and at least 1000 square feet. Under this proposal there will be a total of 116 off-street parking spaces, 108 of which will be stored and accessed by mechanical stackers. 2 of the spaces will be dedicated to car-share vehicles. No physical expansion of the approved building is proposed. This site is within the C-3-S Zoning District, and a 200-S Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Disapproval

(Continued from Regular Meeting of March 27, 2008)

(Proposed for Continuance to May 1, 2008)

4. 2005.1066E (D. LEWIS: (415) 575-9095)

2800 SLOAT BOULEVARD - north side of Sloat, between 46th and 47th Avenues, Lot 001 in Assessor's Block 2515 - Appeal of Preliminary Mitigated Negative Declaration for a project proposing the demolition of three existing commercial buildings and a 34-space parking lot, and the construction of three new mixed-use, five-story, 60-foot-tall buildings totaling approximately 120,000 gross square feet (gsf). The project would include 56 dwelling units, approximately 23,000 gsf of ground-floor commercial uses, and 93 off-street parking spaces. The three existing commercial buildings on the project site proposed for demolition include a retail shop (Aqua Surf Shop), restaurant/café (John's Ocean Beach Café), and a motel (Robert's Motel). The project site is within the NC-2 (Small-Scale Neighborhood Commercial) zoning district and a 100-A height and bulk district.

Preliminary Recommendation: Uphold Preliminary Mitigated Negative Declaration

(Continued from Regular Meeting of April 10, 2008)

(Proposed for Continuance to May 22, 2008)

5a. 2007.1163C (A. LIGHT: (415) 558-6254)

140 Ellis Street - between Cyril Magnin and Powell Street, Lot 023 in Assessor's Block 326 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization to convert 65 of the existing 77 residential hotel rooms into tourist hotel rooms within the six-story mixed use structure. This change of use would increase the number of tourist rooms from the existing 66 rooms to a total of 131 tourist hotel rooms with 12 residential hotel rooms still remaining within the building. The project does not propose any modifications to the building exterior or interior and consists of the change of use only. As required under the San Francisco Administrative Code, the 65 residential hotel rooms at the project site (to be converted to tourist hotel rooms) will be replaced at 317 Leavenworth Street. (A companion variance case for 317 Leavenworth (Case No. 2007.1164V) will be considered by the Zoning Administrator concurrently with this case.) The project site is located in a C-3-G (Downtown General Commercial) Zoning District and an 80-130-F Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions

(Continued from Regular Meeting of March 13, 2008)

(Proposed for Continuance to June 5, 2008)

5b. 2007.1164V (A. LIGHT: (415) 558-6254)

317 Leavenworth Street - northwest corner with Eddy Street; Lot 005 in Assessor's Block 0334 - Request for Residential Open Space and Off-Street Parking Variances. The proposal is to convert the existing 65 tourist hotel room into 65 residential hotel rooms in conjunction with a reverse conversion at 140 Ellis Street. The existing building occupies the lot almost entirely, and none of the proposed residential hotel rooms would be provided with any private or common open space, nor would any off-street parking spaces be provided. The project site is located in an RC-4 (Residential-Commercial, Combined, High Density) Zoning District and an 80-T Height and Bulk District.

(Continued from Regular Meeting of March 13, 2008)

(Proposed for Continuance to June 5, 2008)

6. 2007.1355T (T. SULLIVAN-LENANE: (415) 558-6257)

Ordinance amending the San Francisco Planning Code by adding Section 785 to establish the Mission/Bernal Formula Retail Restricted Use Subdistrict and to amend Section 703.3 to prohibit formula retail uses in the Mission/Bernal Formula Retail Restricted Use Subdistrict [Board File No. 07-1561]. Ordinance introduced by Supervisor Ammiano amending the San Francisco Planning Code by adding Section 785 to establish the Mission/Bernal Formula Retail Restricted Use Subdistrict; amending Section 703.3 to prohibit formula retail uses in the Mission/Bernal Formula Retail Restricted Use Subdistrict; amending Sectional Maps SU 07 and SU 11 of the Zoning Map of the City and County of San Francisco to establish the boundaries of the Mission/Bernal Formula Retail Restricted Use Subdistrict; adopting finding, including environmental findings and findings of consistency with the priority policies of Planning Code Section 101.1 and the General Plan.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Modifications

(Continued from Regular Meeting of March 27, 2007)

(Proposed for Continuance to June 5, 2008)

7. 2007.0945DD (R. CRAWFORD: (415) 558-6358)

787 27th Street - south side between Douglass and Diamond Streets. Assessor's Block 6588 Lot 010F - Requests for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2007.0517.1599 to construct a third-story addition to the existing two-story dwelling in an RH-1 (Residential House, One Family) District, and a 40-X Height and Bulk district.

Preliminary Recommendation: Take Discretionary Review and modify the project.

(Continued from Regular Meeting of March 20, 2008)

DISCRETIONARY REVIEW APPLICATION WITHDRAWN

B. CONSENT CALENDAR

All matters listed hereunder constitute a Consent Calendar, are considered to be routine by the Planning Commission, and will 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.

8. 2008.0024C (S. YOUNG: (415) 558-6346)

746 ARGUELLO BOULEVARD (AKA 2886 GOLDEN GATE AVENUE) - northeast corner of Arguello Boulevard and Golden Gate Avenue; Lot 021 in Assessor's Block 1142 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization under Sections 182(b)(1), 186, 303, and 710.44 of the Planning Code to convert a vacant commercial tenant space (previously a film processing store) to a small self-service restaurant (dba Kaleidoscoop, a frozen dessert café) within an RH-2 (Residential House, Two-Family) Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. The proposed small self-service restaurant, with approximately 650 square feet of floor area, will consist of a preparation/serving area, restroom, and dining area with seating for 12 to 15 persons. The proposal will involve tenant improvements to the existing commercial space. There will be no expansion to the existing building envelope.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions

C. COMMISSIONERS' QUESTIONS AND MATTERS

9. 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. DIRECTOR'S REPORT

10. Director's Announcements

11. Review of Past Week's Events at the Board of Supervisors and Board of Appeals

12. (B. Bendix: (415) 575-9089)

1250 Missouri Street - Informational presentation on the status of the project.

13. (T. Wang: (415) 558-6335)

85 St. Elmo Way - Discussion of the Conditions of Approval placed upon the expansion of the Chinese Consular Residence.

14. (S. WERTHEIM/ S. SANCHEZ: (415) 558-6612/415) 558-6326)

ACADEMYOF ART UNIVERSITY INSTITUTIONAL MASTER PLAN (IMP) UPDATE - Informational presentation on the status of the Academy of Art University IMP (2006.0737I). The IMP contains information on the nature and history of the institution, the location and use of affiliated buildings, and development plans. An updated version of the IMP is available for viewing on the Planning Department's website (from www.sfplanning.org click  Publications & Reports and then  Institutional Master Plans ). This is not a public hearing, only an informational item on the progress of the IMP. The IMP is not complete at this time.

15. (S. DOWDEE: (415) 558-6259)

2007 HOUSING INVENTORY REPORT - Announcing the publication of the 2007 Housing Inventory. This report is the 38th in the series and describes San Francisco's housing supply. Housing Inventory data accounts for new housing construction, demolitions, and alterations in a consistent format for analysis of housing production trends. Net housing unit gains are reported citywide, by zoning classification, and by planning district. Other areas covered include affordable housing, condominium conversions, and residential hotel stock. In addition, lists of major housing projects completed and approved for construction in 2007 are provided. A list of affordable housing projects in the pipeline (projects in various stages of review or pre-construction planning) is included to provide a picture of likely housing construction activity in the near future. Report is available for the public at the Planning Department and on the website.

Preliminary Recommendation: No Action required. Informational only.

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.

  1. REGULAR CALENDAR

16. 2007.1072C (S. SANCHEZ: (415) 558-6326)

1727 LOMBARD STREET - south side between Laguna and Octavia Streets, Lot 036, in Assessor's Block 0506 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization under Planning Code Sections 303 and 209.2(c) to legalize the conversion of a tourist hotel ( Star Motel ) to group housing for a post-secondary educational institution ( Academy of Art University ) in an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Hold public hearing to allow public comment and continue item to allow for additional neighborhood outreach and completion of environmental review.

(Continued from Regular Meeting of March 20, 2007)

17. 2007.1064C (M. Woods: (415) 558-6315)

1860 LOMBARD STREET - north side between Buchanan and Laguna Streets; Lot 023 (formerly Lot 011), in Assessor's Block 0494 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization to allow a  formula retail use that is also a  large fast food restaurant (dba Subway) pursuant to Sections 303(c), 303(i), 703.4 and 712.43 of the Planning Code, in an NC-3 (Moderate-Scale Neighborhood Commercial) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions

4:30 P.M.

18. 2007.1467DD (M. SMITH: (415) 558-6322)

1671 11TH AVENUE- west side between Moraga and Lawton Streets, Lot 012 in Assessor's Block 1932- Requests for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2006.03.24.7492 proposing to construct a one-story, full-floor, vertical addition and alter the front façade of a two-family dwelling in a 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

(Continued from Regular Meeting of March 27, 2008)

19. 2007.1268D (C. JAROSLAWSKY (415) 558-6348)

2332 MORAGA STREET - between 29th and 30th Avenues; Lot 012F in Assessor's Block 1914 - Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2007.06.14.3942 - proposing to construct an approximately 18-foot deep two-story horizontal addition at the rear of a one-story over garage, single-family dwelling in an RH-1 (Residential, House, One-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the project.

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

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

Adjournment:

Last updated: 11/17/2009 10:00:00 PM