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SFPUC approves water supply assessment for proposed Battery/Sansom development; fire station inclusion raises ordinance questions
Summary
The commission approved the legally required water supply assessment for the proposed developments at 447 Battery Street and 530 Sansom Street, while staff and counsel noted unique ordinance and project‑scope issues because the proposal includes a standalone city fire station.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission approved a project‑level water supply assessment required under state law for the proposed developments at 447 Battery Street and 530 Sansom Street.
Assistant General Manager Steve Ritchie said the water supply assessment is a CEQA‑related step: it provides the planning department with the agency's assessment of whether the proposed project would cause a water supply shortfall. Ritchie said the assessment evaluates the project in the context of regional supply uncertainties (Bay‑Delta regulatory actions) and the city's planning and obligations but does not constitute project approval.
Commissioners discussed a complication: because the revised project proposes a standalone city fire station on one parcel and a separate mixed‑use tower on the other, staff and city attorneys are reviewing how the city's ordinances (including recycled‑water requirements) apply. Project counsel Nick Roosevelt clarified that the proposal now consists of two distinct buildings: a fire station at 447 Battery and a separate tower at 530 Sansom with hotel and office uses, which affects how certain ordinance provisions apply. Commissioners and public commenters urged joint discussion with the Planning Department on broader issues of development, jobs/housing balance and how supply assessments interact with city planning priorities.
Public commenter Peter Dreckmeier of Tuolumne River Trust urged the commission to pause and coordinate with the planning commission on broader concerns including jobs/housing balance, noting earlier project variants included residential options. Commissioner Arce noted an earlier draft discussed residential variants and said more housing downtown would be beneficial.
The commission approved the water supply assessment by roll call vote (President Stacy, Vice President Arce, Commissioner Jamdar and Commissioner Laverone voting aye). Staff said the planning department will consider the assessment as part of its CEQA review.
Ending: Commissioners requested continued coordination with the Planning Department on ordinance interpretation and on integrating water supply information into land‑use decisions.
