Board hears hours-long appeal of 480 Potrero Ave. project; continues matter to Oct. 22

The Board of Supervisors held an extended public hearing on appeals of a planning department final mitigated negative declaration (MND) for a proposed six-story, mixed-use building at 480 Potrero Avenue. After more than three hours of testimony from appellants, project sponsors, the planning department and members of the public, Supervisor Malia Cohen asked for additional time to review parking-related questions and moved to continue the matter. The board granted a two‑week continuance and set the item for the 3 p.m. special order on October 22.

What was appealed: Two appellants and numerous neighbors argued the planning department’s MND was inadequate on multiple grounds:

- Baseline and parking: Appellants said the department used an incorrect baseline by treating the site as vacant during environmental review, rather than as an actively used parking lot. They asked for a full environmental impact report (EIR) and said the loss or relocation of 50–60 parked cars had not been analyzed.

- Hazardous materials and soils: Appellants pointed to on‑site contaminated soils and naturally occurring serpentinite containing asbestos. They argued soil testing and mitigation plans were insufficiently developed before the MND was certified and that nearby…