Board affirms EIR and approves conditional use for Booker T. Washington project; special-use district passes first reading

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on June 21 affirmed the final environmental impact report (EIR) for the Booker T. Washington Community Center redevelopment at 800 Presidio Avenue, approved a conditional-use authorization for the project with added conditions, and passed the related Presidio-Sutter Special Use District ordinance on first reading.

The project would replace the existing community center, build a new gym and supportive community facilities, and create up to 50 residential units of which a portion are set aside as affordable housing and supportive units for transition-age youth. Opponents in the immediate neighborhood argued the scale, height and parking plan would harm neighborhood character and light; supporters, including youth-service agencies, Affordable Homes developers and the city’s youth commission, said the project will provide needed services and housing for vulnerable young people.

Supporters said the project combines a rebuilt community center with affordable housing and on-site supportive services for transitional-age youth. Julian Davis, chair of the Booker T. Washington board, told the board the center has served the neighborhood “for nearly a hundred years” and that the housing-plus-services approach aims to keep youth in San Francisco rather than displaced to other counties.

Appellant Steve Williams, representing neighbors organized as Neighbors for Fair Planning, told supervisors the EIR and the public process were…