Board approves Geary‑Masonic special‑use changes to allow 101‑unit project with off‑site affordable housing fee

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 10‑1 on April 21 to approve an ordinance amending the Geary‑Masonic Special Use District to allow a developer to build 101 housing units and pay an inclusionary housing fee in lieu of providing all below‑market‑rate units on site.

The ordinance amends the planning code to modify minimum parking requirements and ground‑floor ceiling heights in the Geary‑Masonic SUD and to permit payment of an in‑lieu inclusionary housing fee; the board also affirmed the project’s CEQA determination. Supervisor Stephanie, the ordinance’s sponsor, said the changes would unlock construction of 101 units in District 2, generate more than $4,500,000 for affordable‑housing projects citywide and create more than 250 union construction jobs.

Sponsor’s case and developer claims

Supervisor Stephanie said she and city staff reviewed developer pro formas and feasibility analyses before bringing the measure forward and credited the Office of Economic and Workforce Development with vetting the financial case. She said a construction contract and a commitment from a union pension fund lender are currently in hand and that the COVID‑19 public‑health emergency is increasing costs and tightening the window for financing. “The best chance of delivering the maximum amount of new housing in my district, including the maximum number of BMR units, is by approving the legislation today,” she said.

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