- San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting Briefing: November 21, 2024
San Francisco Planning Commission Meeting Briefing: November 21, 2024
Housing at 5172 Mission Street: Displacement Meets Development
Project Overview
The Commission reviewed a proposal to demolish a two-story commercial building and replace it with a nine-unit residential structure. Architect-owner Daniel Perez described the project as modest, transit-oriented housing, with small units ranging from 480 to 700 square feet. Commissioners praised the effort to bring housing to the Excelsior, an area with high demand for affordable options.
Concerns Over Small Business Displacement
Much of the discussion focused on the Botanica store currently occupying the site, a family-run business operating for years. Commissioners, particularly Williams and Campbell, expressed concern about the lack of a robust plan to assist the displaced business. Perez promised to provide relocation help and pointed to the project’s long timeline (18-24 months) as allowing ample notice for the Botanica to find a new location.
Takeaway
The Commission acknowledged the project’s benefits but highlighted a need for broader policies to address small business displacement in similar developments.
986 South Van Ness Avenue: Affordable Housing Changes Amid Financial Pressures
Proposed Modifications
The owner of this 15-unit residential project requested permission to pay an in-lieu fee rather than provide two below-market-rate (BMR) units onsite, citing market challenges and financial strain.
Community and Commission Response
Commissioners discussed the potential for a nonprofit to purchase and convert the property to 100% affordable housing. United to Save the Mission, a neighborhood group, had been in discussions with the owner to explore this option. Commissioner Brown voiced optimism but stressed that the in-lieu fee would still provide critical funding for affordable housing if a sale to a nonprofit did not materialize.
Approval and Implications
The Commission unanimously approved the request, emphasizing that either outcome—a nonprofit purchase or the in-lieu fee—would benefit the city’s affordable housing goals.
Cannabis Cultivation at 1126 Shafter Avenue: Community Impact vs. Economic Growth
Details of the Proposal
A proposal to legalize a mezzanine and establish cannabis cultivation in a vacant industrial space sparked mixed reactions. The applicant, an equity program participant, emphasized their intent to revitalize the site with indoor-only cultivation.
Community Opposition
Five public comments opposed the project, pointing to an overconcentration of cannabis businesses in the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood and the perceived adverse effects on vulnerable populations.
Outcome
Commissioners approved the project with conditions, citing compliance with zoning laws and its alignment with industrial land use. They acknowledged the community’s concerns but emphasized the applicant’s equity status and the potential economic benefits.
Other Topics
- SB 423 Housing Projects: Commissioners discussed how the state’s ministerial approval process could accelerate housing but raised concerns about its impact on small businesses.
- Preservation of Historic Contexts: The Historic Preservation Commission presented design standards related to large apartment buildings built between 1900 and 1978, which will be reviewed in a future session.
- Office Conversions: An informational item on downtown office-to-residential conversions was continued to January due to calculation errors in the report.
SFGov Watch 
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