Board upholds appeal in part, orders more review of Whole Foods environmental analysis for Geary Boulevard site

The Board of Supervisors on Nov. 17 found the planning department’s reliance on a “common sense” exemption from environmental review inadequate for the proposed Whole Foods project at 2675 Geary Boulevard, and directed further study of toxic-air and health-risk issues raised during a multi-hour public hearing.

Supervisor Stephanie moved to uphold the appeal on the narrow question of whether the common-sense exemption applies; Supervisor Fewer seconded the motion. The board voted unanimously to adopt motions that approve and file related committee items (items 34 and 35) while tabling the exemption/affirmation (item 33) for additional analysis.

The site is an existing vacant 49,780-square-foot retail space at City Center, previously occupied by a large-format electronics retailer. Whole Foods Market proposed to occupy the space, build out an approximately 35,000-square-foot sales floor with the remaining area used for back-of-house operations, and operate with on-site loading docks and an adjacent parking lot. City planning staff told the board they had estimated the grocery would generate…