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Board affirms environmental review for 222 Second Street after neighbors cite shadow and historic concerns
Summary
The Board of Supervisors upheld the Planning Commission's certification of the final EIR for a proposed 350-foot office tower at 222 Second Street, rejecting an appeal from nearby residents who raised shadow, historic-district and neighborhood-compatibility concerns.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to affirm the Planning Commission's certification of the final environmental impact report for a proposed 26-story, 350-foot office building at 222 Second Street, concluding the EIR adequately addressed the project's environmental effects.
The decision came after residents, condominium owners and neighborhood representatives appealed the EIR on several grounds, including sunlight and shadow impacts to sidewalks and publicly accessible open spaces, potential impacts on historic resources in the surrounding conservation district, and the projects scale in a largely mixed-use neighborhood with growing residential blocks.
Appellants argued the EIR omitted a required sidewalks shadow analysis under Planning Code section 1.46 and that it failed to model pedestrian-level impacts for Second Streets protected sidewalks under the downtown plan. "This is a 350-foot building that needs a height increase for part of the site," attorney Sue Hester said on behalf of condominium owners, noting residents who live within a two-block radius and schools nearby.
Planning staff and the commission responded that the EIR included detailed analysis of shadow impacts on Proposition K parks and other publicly accessible open spaces, and that the formal sunlight-protection provisions for certain streets were to be considered through a separate planning-code exception process. The Planning Departments report concluded shading on nearby parks would be limited in duration and therefore less than significant under CEQA.
After hearing testimony from appellants and project representatives, the board voted 7-4 to affirm the certified final EIR.
Why it matters: The project site sits adjacent to the future Transbay Transit Center and within a portion of downtown that has seen substantial new residential development. The project raises recurring local issues about balancing office development against growing residential neighborhoods, sunlight access and historic-area protections.
Whats next: The boards action upheld the EIR; project approvals not before the board (planning and related entitlements) may continue through the city's planning process. Neighbors who filed the appeal may pursue further administrative or legal options as provided by CEQA and municipal procedure.
Speakers quoted: Sue Hester (appellants' attorney); Michael Jacinto (Planning staff).
