Board advances Western SoMa area plan despite objections over offices, nightlife and Academy of Art grandfathering

San Francisco ' The Board of Supervisors voted 10‑1 on March 12 to pass on first reading a package of ordinances and resolutions that integrate the Western South of Market (Western SoMa) area plan into the city's planning rules, zoning map and monitoring program.

Why it matters: Western SoMa has been under development for nearly a decade. The package seeks to steer growth in a part of the city facing heavy development pressure by encouraging mixed uses, protecting production, distribution and repair (PDR) and arts activities in designated areas (a new "Sally" zone), and setting inclusionary requirements and impact fees intended to support affordable housing and neighborhood stability.

What the board approved: Items 19 through 22 that came to the board as a package included a general plan amendment adding the Western SoMa area plan, changes to the Planning Code to implement the plan's goals, revisions to zoning map sheets affecting use districts and height/bulk districts within the plan area, and administrative code changes to fold Western SoMa into the Eastern Neighborhoods monitoring program. After…