Planning Commission

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Please be advised that the notices provided below may not represent a complete list of items scheduled to be considered at a public hearing. For a complete list of items scheduled to be considered at a particular public hearing, please refer to the posted agenda.

Notice is hereby given to the general public that applications involving the properties/and or issues described below have been filed with the Planning Department for review as set forth in the City Planning Code. The Planning Commission intends to hold a PUBLIC HEARING on these items and on other matters on Thursday, September 3, 2020, beginning at 1:00 p.m. or later, in City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 400.  Please be advised that due to the COVID-19 emergency, the Planning Commission may be required to conduct this hearing remotely. Additional information may be found on the Department's website.

2020-002571CUA: 3140-3150 16th Street – north side of 16th Street between Albion and Valencia Streets, Lot 018 of Assessor's Block 3555 (District 8) - Request for a Conditional Use Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Sections 121.2, 303, and 762 to establish a Design Professional use within an existing 20,400 square-foot warehouse in the Valencia Street NCT Zoning District. The warehouse was previously used for Automotive Services. The interior of the building will be subdivided into four tenant spaces and exterior work includes new doorways, changing signage, façade maintenance, and repairs. 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). For further information, call Claire Feeney at  (415) 575-9174 or (628) 652-7313, or via email at claire.feeney@sfgov.org and ask about Case No. 2020-002571CUA.

2018-015652CUA: 1524 Powell Street – east side Powell Street between Green and Vallejo Streets, Lot 024 of Assessor's Block 0130 (District 3) - Request for a Conditional Use Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Sections 303, 722, and 780.3 for the legalization of an existing General Entertainment use (d.b.a PrestigeSF) in the basement level of an existing building within the North Beach Neighborhood Commercial District and the North Beach Special Use District. PrestigeSF is a 3,391 square-foot private social club. The project is in response to Enforcement Case #2018-015652ENF and proposes no interior alterations or expansion to existing facilities. 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). For further information, call Claire Feeney at (415) 575-9174 or (628) 652-7313, or via email at claire.feeney@sfgov.org and ask about Case No. 2018-015652CUA.

2019-021010CUA: 717 California Street – located on the south side of California Street between Grant Avenue and Stockton Street; Lot 001 in Assessor’s Block 0257 (District 3) – Request for Conditional Use Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Sections 121.4, 303, and 810 to establish a Non-Retail Professional Services Use (a subcategory of office use) at a use size in excess of 5,000 gross square feet within an existing commercial tenant space located on floors 2-4 of the subject building. The subject tenant space totals approximately 19,700 gross square feet within the three upper floors of the building and has operated as a Non-Retail Professional Service Use continuously since 2000 without benefit of Conditional Use Authorization. The Project only involves the legal establishment of use and does not propose any interior or exterior alterations. 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). For further information, call Nicholas Foster at (415) 575-9167 or email at nicholas.foster@sfgov.org and ask about Case No. 2019-021010CUA.

2019-020048CUA: 524 Howard Street – located on the north side of Howard Street between 1st and 2nd Streets; Lot 013 in Assessor’s Block 3721 (District 6) – Request for Conditional Use Authorization, pursuant to Planning Code Sections 156(f) and 303, permit a two-year extension of an existing, temporary Public Parking Lot use within the C-3-O (SD) Zoning District. The Project Site is located within the C-3-O (SD) Zoning District, the Transbay C-3 Special Use District, the Transit Center C-3-O(SD) Commercial Special Use District, and 450-S Height and Bulk District. 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). For further information, call Nicholas Foster at (415) 575-9167, or via e-mail at nicholas.foster@sfgov.org and ask about Case No. 2019-020048CUA.

2019-000494DNXCUAVAR: 555 Howard Street – located on the south side of Howard Street between 1st and 2nd Streets; Lots 086, 107, and 110 in Assessor’s Block 3736 (District 6) – 1) Request for Downtown Project Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Sections 210.2 and 309 to allow a project greater than 50,000 square feet of floor area within the C-3 Zoning District with exceptions for streetwall base (Section 132.1(c)); tower separation (Section 132.1(d)); reduction of ground-level wind currents in C-3 zoning districts (Section 148); off-street tour bus loading (Section 162); upper tower extensions (Section 263.9); and bulk controls (Section 270); 2) Request for Conditional Use Authorization to permit a hotel use (Sections 210.2 and 303(g)); 3) Request for Variance to permit relief from the strict limits of the Planning Code related to off-street loading entrances (Section 155(s)(4)(A)) and location of Class 1 bicycle parking (Section 155.1(b)(1)); and 4) Request for Height Exemption for the elevator penthouse to accommodate the elevator overrun (Section 260(b)(1)(B)). The proposed project (“Project”) includes demolition of three, existing buildings containing non-residential uses and construction of a new 35-story building reaching a roof height up to 385 feet tall (approximately 419 feet tall inclusive of elevator overrun and rooftop screening/mechanical equipment). The Project includes a total gross floor area of approximately 374,000 gross square feet (gsf) of hotel uses and approximately 7,800 gsf of privately-owned public open space (POPOS) located on the rooftop (level 36). The hotel would include 401 tourist hotel guest rooms, and several accessory hotel uses that would be open to the public, including a full-service restaurant and bar on the ground floor and a sky bar/lounge located on level 35. The hotel would include approximately 18,000 gsf of function/meeting space including pre-function and function spaces, and a range of conference room sizes to accommodate events of varying sizes. Fitness facilities for use by hotel guests, including a pool, spa, and exercise room, would be located on level 6. The Project includes 3 off-street loading spaces, 16 Class 1 and 11 Class 2 bicycle parking spaces, with no off-street parking provided.  The subject property is located within the C-3-O(SD) Zoning District and the 350-S Height and Bulk District. 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). For further information, call Nicholas Foster at (415) 575-9167 or email at nicholas.foster@sfgov.org and ask about Case No. 2019-000494DNXCUAVAR.

2011.1356PCA-02 [Board File No. TBD] – Central Soma Code Clean-Up.  Ordinance amending the Planning Code to correct typographical errors, update incorrect cross-references, and make non-substantive revisions to clarify or simplify Code language; enabling off-site usable open space to be provided at a greater distance; establishing a requirement for a POPOS Operations Strategy; clarifying lot coverage requirement for residential uses;  clarifying what sides of narrow streets in Central SoMa are subject to solar plane setback and bulk reduction sky plane requirements; clarifying the geographic area in which Central SoMa Community Facilities fee revenue can be spent; and clarifying the types of infrastructure projects that are eligible for SoMa Infrastructure fee revenue; 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 adopting findings of public necessity, convenience, and general welfare under Planning Code, Section 302. For further information, call Mathew Snyder at (415) 575-6891 or (628) 652-7460  or email at mathew.snyder@sfgov.org  and ask about Case No. 2011.1356PCA-02.

2020-000620CUA: 5140 Geary Boulevard – on north side of Geary Boulevard between 15th Avenue and 16th Avenue, Lot 049 of Assessor’s Block 1447 (District 1) – Request for a Conditional Use Authorization, pursuant to Planning Code Sections 303 and 739, to install a new Macro Wireless Telecommunications Services Facility at rooftop consisting of installation of twelve (12) panel antennas as part of the AT&T Mobility Telecommunications Network. Antennas will be screened within four (4) FRP boxes, and ancillary equipment will be proposed at ground level within a proposed chain link fence enclosure. The subject property is located within the NCD (Geary Boulevard Neighborhood Commercial District), and the 40-X Height and Bulk Districts. 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). For further information, call Ashley Lindsay at (415) 575-9178, or via email at Ashley.Lindsay@sfgov.org and ask about Case No. Case No. 2020-000620CUA.

It is strongly recommended that persons submit their comments in writing in advance of the hearing. Written comments may be submitted via email directly to the case planner.

Persons who are unable to attend the scheduled Commission hearing may submit written comments regarding these cases to the individuals listed for each case above via email or at the Planning Department, 49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94103. Comments received by 9:30 a.m. on the day of the hearing will be made as part of the official record and will be brought to the attention of the Commission.

Pursuant to Government Code § 65009, if you challenge, in court, the approval of a conditional use, 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 Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing.

Corey A. Teague
Zoning Administrator

08/12/2020