Planning and Recreation & Park commissions certify EIR and approve entitlements for 530 Sansom project, raise shadow limits

The San Francisco Planning Commission and Recreation and Park Commission on Thursday moved forward on the 530 Sansom mixed‑use tower and replacement Fire Station 13 project, certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR), approving multiple related entitlements and recommendations, and agreeing to raise absolute cumulative shadow limits (ACLs) for four downtown parks.

Planning Department staff said the Final EIR analyzed demolition of four existing structures on the project site and construction of two components: a separate four‑story replacement fire station on the 447 Battery Street parcel and a 41‑story mixed‑use tower on the remaining parcels. Sherry George, environmental review coordinator for the Planning Department, summarized the EIR findings and said implementation would cause significant and unavoidable impacts to historic resources and air quality even after mitigation; staff recommended certification of the Final EIR and noted that if the commission approved the project it would also need to adopt a statement of overriding considerations under CEQA.

Tita Bell, legislative aide to Supervisor Danny Sauter, told the commissions the supervisor sees the proposal as “the most significant new project in the Northern Financial District in decades” and highlighted public benefits staff and sponsor briefed commissioners on, including a new, seismically upgraded Fire Station 13; nearly $15,000,000 in affordable housing payments intended to support 100% affordable senior housing in…