Board affirms planning department’s CEQA exemption for 611 Buena Vista West after lengthy hearing

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday affirmed the Planning Department’s determination that a proposed third-floor addition at 611 Buena Vista West is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), upholding the department’s ruling by a 10-0 roll-call vote. The decision follows a full public hearing in which neighbors, the project sponsor and city staff presented competing evidence and legal arguments.

The dispute centered on whether the modest vertical addition would create "unusual circumstances" or potentially significant environmental effects — the threshold that requires an initial study or full environmental review under CEQA. Susan Brand Hawley, appellants’ counsel, argued the project should not be treated as categorically exempt because of potential impacts on historic properties and public views. "When you really look at the project at issue here...it's the project that's before you today," Brand Hawley said, urging an initial study to evaluate effects on views, light and historic context.

The Planning Department countered that the…