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Planning Commission delays decisions on two SoMa SRO conversions to March 20
Summary
After public comment and discussion about single-room occupancy (SRO) tenants, the San Francisco Planning Commission voted 5–2 to continue consideration of conditional-use and variance requests for 54 Fourth Street and 509 Minna Street to March 20 to allow further staff review and site visits.
The San Francisco Planning Commission on Feb. 27 voted 5–2 to continue two linked items involving proposed conversions in the South of Market neighborhood, moving the hearings for 54 Fourth Street and 509 Minna Street to March 20.
The continuance came after one resident asked for additional time and several commissioners said they wanted more opportunity to visit SRO (single-room occupancy) rooms and review tenant histories before acting. Commissioners Campbell and McGarry voted no.
The items before the commission are conditional‑use and variance requests to allow conversions that affect rooms traditionally used as residential SRO units and, in the sponsors’ proposal, tourist hotel rooms. Sue Hester, who identified herself during public comment as a neighborhood stakeholder, urged the commission to continue the items for at least a month so the department and neighbors could consider the changes and staff could provide a full report in advance.
Commissioner Imperial said staff may need time to verify whether units are occupied and the tenancy histories for the buildings; Commissioner Williams and Commissioner Moore both supported more time to review the issue and to visit rooms. Planning staff told the commission that they have already done tenant‑history reviews and site visits and that information will be included in the staff report. Still, a majority of commissioners said further consideration would be useful and moved to continue the items to March 20 so members could review the packet, perform site visits and ensure neighbors had time to weigh in.
The motion to continue items 1A and 1B to March 20 was made, seconded and passed by a 5–2 vote, with Commissioners Campbell and McGarry in the minority. The remainder of the consent calendar items were continued as proposed.
Why it matters: The two addresses are in the South of Market (SoMa) area, a neighborhood with a long history of SRO housing and community plans intended to preserve services and housing options for lower‑income residents. Commissioners said the conversion of traditionally residential rooms to tourist hotel rooms raises questions about tenant displacement, vacancy verification and the local policy history associated with SoMa.
What the record shows: Planning staff said they will include tenant history and occupancy verification in the staff report. The commission explicitly requested that materials arrive in the packet with sufficient lead time for commissioners to review before the March 20 hearing.
Next steps: The commission will take the items up again at its March 20 meeting. Staff indicated it will prepare a revised staff report and supporting materials, including documented site visits and tenant‑history information, for that hearing.
