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Committee backs planning-code change to allow school at 99 Rhode Island Street
Summary
The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted to forward an ordinance that would let 99 Rhode Island Street exceed cumulative use-size limits in a production, distribution, and repair district so a K–5 school can occupy the site; the measure was recommended to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.
The Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted on Jan. 27 to recommend 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 Production, Distribution, and Repair (PDR) District 1 design district so that both personal service and school uses may exceed existing size limits. The committee also affirmed the Planning Department’s CEQA determination and the findings required under Planning Code Section 302 and Planning Code Section 101.1.
Supervisor Dorsey, the item’s sponsor, said the committee was being asked to consider a change to the use-size policy rather than the identity of any specific owner or operator. Dorsey described the Showplace Square neighborhood as having evolved from primarily design- and PDR-focused uses to a mixed-use district and said there is a growing need for schools as housing and family-oriented uses increase. Audrey Marloney, planning department legislative staff, told the committee that the Planning Commission heard the item on Jan. 9 and voted to approve it as drafted.
Presentations to the committee identified the intended occupant as Heba Academy, which plans to open a pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade elementary school at 99 Rhode Island Street. Dorsey said Heba Academy and his office led community outreach and that property owners and neighbors had expressed support. Jackson, speaking for the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, said schools “play a vital role” in strengthening neighborhoods and urged support. Celia Schuman, representing the ownership of Showplace East at 111 Rhode Island Street and a neighboring property owner, also spoke in support and described a multi‑decade shift of the area toward mixed uses and housing.
Chair Mirna Melgar moved that the committee forward the ordinance to the full Board with a positive recommendation; the motion was seconded and passed with two ayes. The clerk recorded Supervisor Melgar and Supervisor Mahmood voting aye and noted Supervisor Cheyenne Chen was excused. Items acted on by the committee are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda of Feb. 4, 2025 unless otherwise stated.
The committee’s action amends the planning-code limits applicable to the parcel; it does not itself approve any building permit, school licensing, or tenant-specific approvals. The Planning Department’s CEQA determination and the Planning Commission’s prior approval will accompany further consideration by the full Board.
