Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use School 99 Rhode Island topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee backs ordinance change to allow new pre‑K–5 school at 99 Rhode Island Street
Summary
The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted to recommend an ordinance amending the planning code so parcel APN 3912 Lot 2 (99 Rhode Island Street) may exceed cumulative use size limits in the PDR‑1 Design District, clearing the way for HEBA Academy to open a pre‑K through fifth‑grade school pending full Board review.
The Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to forward an ordinance to the full Board that would amend the planning code to allow assessor’s parcel block number 3912, lot 2 (99 Rhode Island Street) to exceed cumulative use size requirements in the Production, Distribution and Repair (PDR‑1) Design District.
Supervisor Matt Dorsey, who presented the item, said the change is intended to enable a new educational use at 99 Rhode Island rather than to benefit a single property owner. He told the committee the Showplace Square neighborhood has evolved from light industrial uses into a mixed‑use area with restaurants, businesses and institutions and that “the need for schools and other community servicing uses is greater than ever.”
The Planning Department’s legislative affairs staffer Audrey Merlone told the committee the Planning Commission heard the item on Jan. 9 and voted to approve the ordinance as drafted. Public commenters included Jackson Nepbier, who testified on behalf of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce in support of the amendment, and Celia Schuman, owner of the adjacent Showplace East (111 Rhode Island Street), who said a school occupying the long‑vacant building would be a “logical next step” for the neighborhood.
Committee chair Supervisor Mirna Melgar moved to send the ordinance to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation; the motion passed on a voice vote recorded as two ayes, with Supervisor Cheyenne Chen excused.
If adopted by the full Board, the ordinance would affirm the Planning Department’s CEQA determination and make findings under Planning Code section 302 and consistency findings with the General Plan and Planning Code section 101.1, per the language provided to the committee. The file identifies the parcel and address as 3912 Lot 2 / 99 Rhode Island Street and states the change would allow an educational institution to locate there by exceeding cumulative use size limits in the PDR‑1 Design District.
The committee record shows outreach by the prospective operator and neighborhood engagement; the sponsor’s presentation states the buyer is an educational institution called HEBA Academy, which plans a pre‑K through fifth‑grade school. Planning staff and the sponsor described ongoing community outreach as part of the project’s preparation.
The committee action forwards the ordinance to the Board of Supervisors; the item is expected to appear on the Board agenda of Feb. 4, 2025 unless otherwise stated.
