Board upholds DPW approval of 28-unit Habitat for Humanity project at 1 Capitol Avenue; neighbor appeal denied

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Wednesday upheld the Department of Public Works's approval of a tentative map for a 28-unit Habitat for Humanity project at 1 Capitol Avenue, rejecting an appeal from a nearby resident who said she had an informal agreement to use an 8-foot area behind her backyard for a personal garden.

The appellant, Linda Lam, told the board she and her 83-year-old father had used the narrow area since May 2011 after a prior developer had promised access. "I'm being told to move off of the property and remove all of his plants," Lam said during the hearing, asking the board for compassion and help preserving the garden area that her father uses.

Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco and city planning staff told the board the subdivision and entitlements were previously approved, that ownership had changed and that Habitat had worked with city departments and neighborhood residents during due diligence. Meredith Schempp, representing Habitat, said the organization had met multiple times with neighbors and offered to explore options, including providing planters or other accommodations for the appellant. "Habitat Greater San Francisco is very proud to continue our work in San Francisco and to be moving forward with this development of 28 homes for working families. We respectfully request that you deny this appeal," Schempp said.

Planning Department staff and the Planning Commission told supervisors the tentative map is consistent with the general plan and with prior rezoning and findings. City surveyor Bruce Storrs explained the application timeline and that the map was circulated to city agencies and received approvals prior to the appeal.

Supervisor John Avalos, whose district includes the site, said Habitat's acquisition and commitment to provide fully affordable homeownership units addressed city priorities and that the development fills a long-standing need in the southern part of the city.

After the hearing, Supervisor Avalos moved to approve DPW's decision and the tentative map; Supervisor David Chiu seconded. The board adopted the motion by roll call, 11 ayes to 0 nos, and the tentative map was approved. Supervisor Avalos also moved to table related items 29 and 30 (motions to disapprove or prepare findings) while approving item 28; that motion was included in the board action. The board directed the parties to continue working on neighbor concerns; Habitat voiced willingness to keep negotiating solutions for the appellant's garden.

Why it matters: The approval clears a path for a 28-unit, three-story townhome project that Habitat described as 100 percent affordable ownership housing targeted to households earning 50–80 percent of area median income, with 1 parking space per unit and green building goals. Neighbors raised privacy and grade/retaining-wall concerns tied to site topography and drainage; Habitat said retaining walls and landscaping will be used to preserve privacy and manage drainage.

Next steps: Habitat will work with city staff on the conditions attached to the tentative approval. Supervisors asked staff and the developer to keep negotiating with the neighbor about practical accommodations for her father's gardening access.