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Board clears Mission Bay hotel plan change, allowing conversion of suites to guest rooms
Summary
The Board approved an amendment to the Mission Bay South redevelopment plan to permit an increase in permitted hotel rooms on Block 1 from 250 to 300 after the owner proposed dividing suites into additional standard rooms; the action passed unanimously.
The Board of Supervisors on Sept. 22 approved a redevelopment‑plan amendment for the Mission Bay South project area allowing the under‑construction Soma Hotel to increase the number of permitted rooms on Block 1 from 250 to 300 by converting a portion of larger suites into standard guest rooms. The item passed unanimously on first reading.
OCII (Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure) staff presented project background and said the conversion involves interior reconfiguration only — moving interior partitions and adding doors — and will not change the building’s exterior or overall square footage. The hotel developer described changing market demand in the hospitality sector and proposed the internal conversion to respond to lower suite demand.
Why it matters: Mission Bay is a major redevelopment area for the city with a mix of housing, commercial space, UCSF medical uses and civic amenities. The approved amendment allows the developer to respond to market conditions without exterior changes or additional environmental impacts, according to agency staff. Labor leaders testified in support of the amendment, saying the project provides current union construction jobs and local hiring opportunities.
Key details - The project under construction is a hotel with an original program of 250 rooms (213 standard rooms and 37 suites). The amendment permits a rounded total of 300 rooms after converting some suites to separate rooms; nine suites remain. - OCII and the Planning Commission reviewed the amendment; approvals from the OCII Commission, Planning Commission and subsequent Oversight Board review were noted as part of the approvals pathway. The California Department of Finance will also review documents tied to the redevelopment plan. - Carpenters Local 22 provided public comment in support, telling the board the project has provided and continues to provide union construction work and local hiring.
Vote and action - Motion: Approve redevelopment plan amendment (Mission Bay South, Block 1) to increase permitted room count and make conforming changes to plan language. - Outcome: Ordinance approved on first reading by unanimous roll call (11–0).
Speakers (attributed in this article) - Gretchen Heckman — Development specialist, Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure (OCII) - Don Hookett — Field representative, Carpenters Local 22 (public commenter)
Authorities - Mission Bay South redevelopment plan (OCII oversight) - California Department of Finance review (noted as part of approvals)
Ending Board approval allows the hotel developer to convert interior suites into additional guest rooms without exterior changes; OCII and other review bodies will complete remaining approvals and the Oversight Board will consider related owner participation agreement amendments.
