To view graphic version of this page, refresh this page (F5)

Skip to page body

December 11, 2008

December 11, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO

PLANNING COMMISSION

Notice of Meeting

&

Calendar

Commission Chambers - Room 400

City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

Thursday, December 11, 2008

1:30 PM

Regular Meeting

President: Christina R. Olague

Vice-President: Ron Miguel

Commissioners: Michael J. Antonini; Gwyneth Borden; 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

Vice-President: Ron Miguel

Commissioners: Michael J. Antonini; Gwyneth Borden; 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. 2008.0940C (M. WOODS: (415) 558-6315)

2250 VALLEJO STREET - north side between Fillmore and Webster Streets; Lot 009, in Assessor's Block 0557 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization pursuant to Sections 303(c) and 317 of the Planning Code to allow the merger of eleven dwelling units into two dwelling units in a three-story over basement residential building, within an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions, including Modifications to Retain More than Two Dwelling Units

(Proposed for Continuance to December 18, 2008)

2. 2008.1179Z (E. Watty: (415) 558-6620)

2400 IRVING STREET - northwest corner of 25th Avenue, Lot 053 in Assessor's Block 1725 - An Ordinance to amend Map Sheets ZN05 and SU05 the Planning Code in order to reclassify the northern half of the Subject Property from RH-2 (Residential House, Two-Family) to NC-2 (Neighborhood Commercial, Small-Scale), pursuant to Planning Code Section 302. The proposed Ordinance is before the Commission so that it may recommend adoption, rejection, or adoption with modifications to the Board of Supervisors, and adopt findings, including environmental findings and findings of consistency with the General Plan and the Priority Policies of Planning Code Section 101.1.

Preliminary Recommendation: Recommend adoption to the Board of Supervisors.

(Proposed for Continuance to January 8, 2009)

3a. 2006.0826CV (K. GUY: (415) 558-6163)

1946 Polk Street (AKA 1591 Pacific Avenue) - southeast corner at Pacific Avenue, Lot 024 of Assessor's Block 0596 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization to allow development on a lot exceeding 10,000 square feet, to reduce parking requirements, and to grant an exception to bulk requirements. The proposed project is to demolish an existing 1.5-story retail building and surface parking lot and construct a new 5-story mixed-use building containing approximately 39 dwelling units, approximately 38 parking spaces, and approximately 2,300 square feet of ground-floor retail space. The project site is located within the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District, and a 65-A Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions

(Continued from the Regular Meeting of November 13, 2008)

(Proposed for Continuance to January 15, 2009)

3b. 2006.0826CV (K. GUY: (415) 558-6163)

1946 Polk Street (AKA 1591 Pacific Avenue) - southeast corner at Pacific Avenue, Lot 024 of Assessor's Block 0596 - Request for a Modification of Rear Yard Requirements within a Neighborhood Commercial District. The proposed project is to demolish an existing 1.5-story retail building and surface parking lot and construct a new 5-story mixed-use building containing approximately 39 dwelling units, approximately 38 parking spaces, and approximately 2,300 square feet of ground-floor retail space. The project site is located within the Polk Street Neighborhood Commercial District, and a 65-A Height and Bulk District. The Zoning Administrator will consider the request for modification of rear yard requirements concurrently with the Planning Commission's consideration of the conditional use authorization at this same hearing.

(Continued from the Regular Meeting of January 15, 2008)

(Proposed for Continuance to January 15, 2009)

4a. 2007.0308CV (B. BENDIX: (415) 575-9089)

3545-3547 20th Street- south side between Lexington and San Carlos Streets; Lot 082 in Assessor's Block 3609, in an NC-1 (Neighborhood Commercial Cluster) Zoning District with a 50-X Height and Bulk designation. Project site will be rezoned as Valencia NCT (Neighborhood Commercial Transit) Zoning District through adoption of the Eastern Neighborhoods Area Plan. Pursuant to Planning Code Sections 135 and 305, the project requests approval of an Open Space Variance to not provide direct access to the dwellings' common open space. This request will be heard and considered by the Zoning Administrator.

(Continued from Regular Meeting of December 4, 2008)

(Proposed for Continuance to January 22, 2009)

4b. 2007.0308CV (B. BENDIX: (415) 575-9089)

3545-3547 20th Street - south side between Lexington and San Carlos Streets; Lot 082 in Assessor's Block 3609, in an NC-1 (Neighborhood Commercial Cluster) Zoning District with a 50-X Height and Bulk designation. Project site will be rezoned as Valencia NCT (Neighborhood Commercial Transit) Zoning District through adoption of the Eastern Neighborhoods Area Plan. Pursuant to Planning Code Sections 135 and 305, the project requests approval of an Open Space Variance to not provide direct access to the dwellings' common open space. This request will be heard and considered by the Zoning Administrator.

(Continued from Regular Meeting of December 4, 2008)

(Proposed for Continuance to January 22, 2009)

5a. 2007.0921D (A. Starr: 415-558-6362)

673-675 44th AVENUE - west side between Balboa and Anza Streets; Lot 012 in Assessor's Block 1587 - Mandatory Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2007.09.20.3151 (demolition); proposing to demolish the existing two-story, two-family dwelling, subdivide the lot and construct two, four-story, two-family buildings 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 Project

(Continued from Regular Meeting of November 13, 2008)

(Proposed for Continuance to January 22, 2009)

5b. 2008.1155D (A. Starr: 415-558-6362)

673-675 44th AVENUE - west side between Balboa and Anza Streets; Lot 012 in Assessor's Block 1587 - Mandatory Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2007.09.20.3152 (new construction); proposing to demolish the existing two-story, two-family dwelling, subdivide the lot and construct two, four-story, two-family buildings 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 Project.

(Continued from Regular Meeting of November 13, 2008)

(Proposed for Continuance to January 22, 2009)

5c. 2008.1156D (A. Starr: 415-558-6362)

673-675 44th AVENUE - west side between Balboa and Anza Streets; Lot 012 in Assessor's Block 1587 - Mandatory Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2007.09.20.3157 (new construction); proposing to demolish the existing two-story, two-family dwelling, subdivide the lot and construct two, four-story, two-family buildings 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 Project

(Continued from Regular Meeting of November 13, 2008)

(Proposed for Continuance to January 22, 2009)

5d. 2007.0921DD (A. Starr: 415-558-6362)

673-675 44th AVENUE - west side between Balboa and Anza Streets; Lot 012 in Assessor's Block 1587- Request for Discretionary Review of Demolition Permit Application No. 2007.09.20.3151; proposing to demolish the existing two-story, two-unit building 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

(Continued from Regular Meeting of November 13, 2008)

(Proposed for Continuance to January 22, 2009)

5e. 2008.1213D (A. Starr: 415-558-6362)

673-675 44th AVENUE - west side between Balboa and Anza Streets; Lot 012 in Assessor's Block 1587 - Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application Nos. 2007.09.20.3152 and 2007.09.20.3157; proposing to construct two new, four-story, two-unit buildings 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

(Continued from Regular Meeting of November 13, 2008)

(Proposed for Continuance to January 22, 2009)

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.

6a. 2007.1337XH (A. HEITTER: (415) 558-6602)

134-140 NEW MONTGOMERY STREET - west side between Minna and Natoma Street, Lot 008 of Assessor's Block 3722 - Request for Determination of Compliance and the Granting of Exceptions to the requirements for "Freight Loading" and "Rear yard" pursuant to Planning Code Section 309 (the Downtown Plan) associated with the proposal to convert and rehabilitate an existing office building to 118 residential units with approximately 8,700 square feet of ground floor commercial uses and approximately 24 off-street parking spaces. The project site is located within the C-3-O (Downtown Office) Zoning District and the 150-S Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions

6b. 2007.1337XH (A. HEITTER: (415) 558-6602)

134-140 NEW MONTGOMERY STREET - west side between Minna and Natoma Street, Lot 008 of Assessor's Block 3722 - Request for Permit to Alter for the construction of a one-story glazed canopy at the rear façade, partial demolition of a 1951 addition at the 27th floor, a one-story vertical addition at the 27th floor, limited alterations to the ground floor fenestration, and replacement windows associated with the proposal to convert and rehabilitate an office building to 118 residential units with approximately 8,700 square feet of ground floor commercial uses and approximately 24 off-street parking spaces. The project site is designated a Category I (Significant) Building under Article 11 within the New Montgomery-Second Street Conservation District, and is located within the C-3-O (Downtown Office) Zoning District and the 150-S Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions

D. COMMISSIONERS' QUESTIONS AND MATTERS

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.

E. DIRECTOR'S REPORT

7. Director's Announcements

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

F. 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.

G. REGULAR CALENDAR

9. (J. SWITZKY: ($15) 575-6815)

Ground Floor Residential Design Guidelines - Resolution to Adopt the Draft Ground Floor Residential Design Guidelines as required by Planning Code Sections 144, 145.1 and 827.Sections 144, 145.1, and 827 of the Planning Code (as amended through the pending Eastern Neighborhoods Code package) require that in RTO, NCT, DTR, and Eastern Neighborhoods Mixed Use (MUO, MUG, MUR, UMU, and SPD) districts all off-street parking located above grade must be set back from all street frontages and lined with  active uses. These Sections state if residential uses are proposed in new construction to satisfy the requirement for  active uses that their design be consistent with the  Ground Floor Residential Design Guidelines as adopted and periodically amended by the Planning Commission. The guidelines in this document supplement the existing design policies and principles in the General Plan and the requirements and standards in the relevant Planning Code sections.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval

10. (E. FORBES: (415) 558-6417)

DISCRETIONARY REVIEW REFORM - Hearing for the Commission to consider staff recommendations for modification to the discretionary review process. This is an action plan item.

Preliminary Recommendation: No Action Required

11a. 2008.0868dDV (G. cabreros: (415) 558-6169)

2734 baker street - east side of street between Filbert and Union Streets, Assessor's Block 0947; Lot 051 - Requests for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2006.05.24.2394 to construct a one-story-over-crawl-space rear addition 14 feet beyond the rear wall of the existing three-story, two-unit building within an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Do not Take Discretionary Review and approve

(Continued from Regular Meeting of November 13, 2008)

11b. 2006.1485V (G. CABREROS: (415) 558-6169)

2734 Baker Street - east side between Filbert and Union Streets, Lot 051 in Assessor's Block 0947 - Request for a rear yard variance pursuant to Planning Code Section 134 proposing to construct a one-story-over-basement rear addition to an existing three-story, two-unit building in an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two Family) Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

(Continued from Regular Meeting of November 13, 2008)

12. 2006.1409D (R. CRAWFORD: (415) 558-6358)

2200-2210 Market Street - northwestern corner of Market and 15th Streets Lot 001, of Assessor's Block 3560 - Mandatory Discretionary Review of a project exceeding 50 feet in height within the Market-Octavia Neighborhood Plan area. The proposal is to demolish the existing full service restaurant building (Thai House restaurant) and construct a mixed use building with underground parking, ground floor commercial uses and 22 residential units in the Upper Market Neighborhood Commercial, Transit Oriented District and 50X and 40X Height and Bulk Districts.

Preliminary Recommendation: Take Discretionary Review and Approve the Permit with Conditions

G. PUBLIC COMMENT

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

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

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

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

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

Adjournment:

Last updated: 11/17/2009 10:00:02 PM