SAN FRANCISCO
PLANNING COMMISSION
Notice of Meeting
&
Calendar
Commission Chambers - Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Thursday, May 24, 2012
10:00 AM
Regular Meeting
President: Rodney Fong
Vice-President: Cindy Wu
Commissioners: Michael J. Antonini; Gwyneth Borden; Ron Miguel;
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.
Case reports and relevant materials are linked to the items on calendar at the above web site.
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 9:30 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.
Policy on Commissioner’s requests for hearings: There must be consensus of the Commission (four commissioners) or direction from the President/Chair to schedule a hearing that otherwise would not be scheduled.
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 Francisco Lobbyist 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.
10:00 AM _________
ROLL CALL:
President: Rodney Fong
Vice-President: Cindy Wu
Commissioners: Michael J. Antonini; Gwyneth Borden; Ron Miguel;
Kathrin Moore; Hisashi Sugaya
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. 2011.0939D (M. WOODS: (415) 558-6315)
1450 POST STREET - north side between Octavia and Gough Streets; Lots 053, 055 and 057 in Assessor’s Block 0688 - Mandatory Discretionary Review, pursuant to Planning Code Section 317, of Building Permit Application No. 2011.08.10.2189 and 2011.08.10.2191, proposing to convert the building’s authorized use from 93 units to 92 units within the RM-4 (Residential, Mixed, High Density) District and 50-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the application
(Proposed for Continuance to June 14, 2012)
B. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS WHERE THE PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN CLOSED
At this time, members of the public who wish to address the Commission on agenda items that have already been reviewed in a public hearing at which members of the public were allowed to testify and the public hearing has been closed, must do so at this time. Each member of the public may address the Commission for up to three minutes.
C. REGULAR CALENDAR
2. 2012.0706X (J. RAHAIM: (415) 558-6411)
101 First Street ("Transit Tower") - Informational Presentation - The project sponsor for the proposed project at 101 1st Street ("the Transit Tower") will provide an informational update to the Planning Commission regarding various aspects of the proposed project. The project includes a 1,070'-tall tower at the southeast corner of Mission and First Streets, consisting of approximately 1,350,000 gross square feet of office space, as well as retail and below-grade parking.
Preliminary Recommendation: Informational Only -- No Action
3. 2007.0558E and 2008.0789E (S. JONES: (415) 575-9034)
Transit Center District Plan and Transit Tower - blocks generally bounded by Market, Steuart, and Folsom Streets, and a line east of Third Street. Certification of Final Environmental Impact Report. The Transit Center District Plan proposes new policies and controls for land use; building height and design; street network; historic preservation; and sustainability. The Plan would permit approximately six buildings with heights ranging from 700-1,000 feet. Associated Planning Code and Zoning Map amendments to implement the Plan are also proposed. The EIR analyzes at a project level the Transit Tower, a proposed 61-story, 1,070-foot-tall (including sculptural element) building with about 1.3 million square feet (sf) of office space, about 16,500 sf of retail, and subgrade loading and parking for about 300 vehicles (480 valet spaces). The Transit Tower project site is located at 425 Mission Street (a.k.a. 101 First Street) (Block 3720, Lot 009 (formerly Lot 001)), on the south side of Mission Street between First and Fremont Streets, immediately north of the new Transit Center currently under construction.
NOTE: The public hearing on the Draft EIR is closed. The public comment period for the Draft EIR ended on November 28, 2012. The Planning Commission does not conduct public review of Final EIRs. Public comments on the certification may be presented to the Planning Commission during the Public Comment portion of the Commission calendar.
4. 2007.0558EMTZU (J. SWITZKY: (415) 575-6815)
TRANSIT CENTER DISTRICT PLAN – Adoption Actions - The Planning Department is seeking to adopt and implement the Transit Center District Plan (“the Plan”). The result of a multi-year public and cooperative interagency planning process that began in 2007, the Plan is a comprehensive vision for shaping growth on the southern side of the Downtown to respond to and support the construction of the new Transbay Transit Center project, including the Downtown Rail Extension. In addition to laying out policy recommendations to accommodate additional transit-oriented growth, sculpt the downtown skyline, improve streets and open spaces, and expand protection of historic resources, the Plan would result in the potential to generate over $575 million for public infrastructure, particularly the Downtown Rail Extension project. The planning process was initiated in 2007. Public workshops were held throughout 2007-2009 and a Draft Plan for Public Review was published in November 2009. In April 2012 the Planning Department published a Draft Plan Addendum. Adoption of the Plan will consist of the following actions below.
4a. 2007.0558EMTZU (J. SWITZKY: (415) 575-6815)
TRANSIT CENTER DISTRICT PLAN – Adoption of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Findings – Consideration of a Motion making CEQA Findings for actions in connection with the Transit Center District Plan. The CEQA Findings include a statement of overriding considerations; reasons for rejection of alternatives to the proposed Plan; and a mitigation monitoring program associated with the approval of the Transit Center District Plan.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
4b. 2007.0558EMTZU (J. SWITZKY: (415) 575-6815)
TRANSIT CENTER DISTRICT PLAN - General Plan Amendments - Consideration of a Resolution amending the San Francisco General Plan pursuant to San Francisco Charter Section 4.105, Planning Code § 340(c) and § 306.3, including adding a new Transit Center District Sub-Area Plan to the Downtown Plan, and making related amendments to the Commerce and Industry Element, Recreation and Open Space Element, Urban Design Element, Transportation Element and revisions to the Land Use Index of the General Plan. This Resolution also includes General Plan consistency findings, Section 101.1 priority policy findings and environmental findings.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
4c. 2007.0558EMTZU (J. SWITZKY: (415) 575-6815)
TRANSIT CENTER DISTRICT PLAN - Planning Code Text Amendments - Consideration of a Resolution amending the San Francisco Planning Code. Planning Code text amendments would revise controls including but not limited to those for land use, height and bulk, density, open space, parking, and impact fees; and make related amendments to the Planning Code necessary to implement the General Plan as proposed to be amended pursuant to the Transit Center District Plan. Code sections to be amended include § Sections 102.5, 102.9, 102.11, 123, 132.1, 136, 138, 151.1, 152.1, 155, 155.4, 156, 163, 201, 210.3, 215-226, 248, 260, 270, 272, 303, 309, 412.1, 427, 1103.1, and Appendices A, C, D and F of Article 11, and the addition of several new sections to Article 4. The Resolution also would recommendation to the Historic Preservation Committee that it support the amendments to Article 11 and various appendices in relations to the New Montgomery-Second Street Conservation District
This Resolution also includes General Plan consistency findings, Section 101.1 priority policy findings, and environmental findings.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
4d. 2007.0558MTZU (P. LAVALLEY: (415) 575-9084)
Boundary Change to the New Montgomery-Second Street Conservation District - Request for Review and Comment on the Historic Preservation Commission recommendation to expand the New Montgomery-Second Street Conservation District to include twenty-six (26) additional properties, primarily along Mission, Natoma, and Howard Streets. The Commission’s comments shall be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors and should address (i) the consistency of the proposed boundary change with the policies embodied in the General Plan and the priority policies of Section 101.1; (ii) identify any amendments to the General Plan necessary to facilitate adoption of the proposed boundary change; and, (iii) evaluate whether the proposed boundary change would conflict with the Sustainable Communities Strategy for the Bay Area. A requested expansion of the existing New Montgomery-Second Conservation District is recommended by the Planning Department in the Draft Transit Center District Plan and is supported by the Area Plan survey findings. The existing New Montgomery-Second Street Conservation District is designated pursuant to Appendix F of Article 11 of the Planning Code.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
4e. 2007.0558EMTZU (J. SWITZKY: (415) 575-6815)
TRANSIT CENTER DISTRICT PLAN - Zoning Map Amendments - Consideration of a Resolution amending the Zoning Map of the San Francisco Planning Code, pursuant to Planning Code § 302(c) and § 306.3. These include amendments to Sheets ZN01, HT01, SU01, and PD01 affecting all or part of the following Assessor’s Blocks: 3706-3722 and 3735-3741. This Resolution also includes General Plan consistency findings, Section 101.1 priority policy findings, and environmental findings.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
4f. 2007.0558EMTZU (J. SWITZKY: (415) 575-6815)
TRANSIT CENTER DISTRICT PLAN - Administrative Code Amendments - Consideration of a Resolution to recommend amendments to the Administrative Code necessary to implement the Transit Center District Plan - These include amendments to Chapters 10E and 36 to incorporate the Transit Center District Plan into the monitoring and interagency framework regarding implementation of adopted area plans.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
4g. 2007.0558EMTZU (J. SWITZKY: (415) 575-6815)
TRANSIT CENTER DISTRICT PLAN - Program Implementation Document -Consideration of a Resolution to recommend approval of a Program Implementation Document - The Document provides an inventory of public improvements and a recommended funding program to implement these improvements. This document would guides the Board of Supervisors and Interagency Plan Implementation Committee in expending Plan-related revenues.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
5. 2012.0556X (M. Snyder: (415) 575-6891)
401 HARRISON STREET (AKA ONE RINCON HILL – PHASE 2) - southeast corner of Harrison Street and First Street, Lots 022 in Assessor’ Block 3765 - Request under Planning Code Sections 309.1, 825, and 827 for the authorization of a change in previously approved conditions of approval to extend the performance period for one year for the second phase of a previously approved project that consists of a 450-foot tall building (exclusive of mechanical penthouse) with up to 299 dwelling units, and 19 off-street parking spaces. The first phase, which consists of a 550-foot tall building (exclusive of mechanical penthouse) and a podium building featuring townhouse units, parking and rooftop open space, has been completed. The second phase would be constructed on the vacant eastern most portion of the site. The property is within the RH DTR (Rincon Hill Downtown Residential Mixed Use) District with a 45/450-R Height and Bulk Designation.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions.
D. COMMISSIONERS’ QUESTIONS AND MATTERS
6. 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, Board of Appeals, and Historic Preservation Commission.
F. 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
