Commission approves limited waiver to allow storage in rehabilitated 1035 Howard Street; neighborhood groups object and unions cite jobs

The Planning Commission approved a resolution granting a narrow waiver of the Planning Code—s active‑use requirement for 1035 Howard Street—s upper floors so the property owner can rehabilitate the vacant, Article‑11 historic building and operate storage uses on the Second and Third Floors. The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) had already approved an exterior permit and recommended that active use be retained at the ground floor while allowing storage on upper floors to improve the project—s economic feasibility for preservation.

What was approved: The commission approved the HPC‑recommended waiver for the Second and Third Floors (waiving the first 15‑foot active‑use depth on those upper stories) while directing encouragements to the sponsor to pursue additional neighborhood‑friendly design steps (for example, greater transparency at roll‑up doors, off‑street loading where feasible and perimeter circulation on the upper floors where practicable). The applicant agreed to restore storefronts, create long‑term below‑market leases for community organizations on portions of the…