Board upholds Planning Department—s categorical exemption for 115 Telegraph Hill but approves conditional use with added construction conditions

The Board of Supervisors on Nov. 18 considered two consolidated appeals of a Planning Commission decision on a proposed three‑unit development at 115 Telegraph Hill Boulevard: whether the Planning Commission—s categorical exemption from CEQA was proper, and whether the commission—s conditional use authorization (CU) to allow three new units and three parking spaces should be upheld.

After more than two hours of public testimony from neighbors, geotechnical consultants and project representatives, the board first voted to affirm the Planning Commission—s certification of a categorical exemption from environmental review (CEQA). The vote to affirm the categorical exemption recorded 7 ayes and 3 noes. President Chu said he believed that the record did not present substantial evidence of a fair argument that the project would cause significant environmental effects.

Appellants and many neighbors argued the site—s steep slope, the depth of proposed excavation for an underground garage, potential impacts to slope…