Commission approves major alteration at 45 Bronte Street after Bernal Heights SUD review

The Planning Commission voted unanimously on June 13 to approve a conditional use authorization for 45 Bronte Street, where a dilapidated one‑story structure will be expanded into a three‑story, three‑bedroom family dwelling approximately 2,503 square feet in size. The project was heard as a "tandem out to demolition" under Planning Code §3.17 and Bernal Heights Special Use District (SUD) rules. Staff and the zoning administrator explained that because a rear wall remains, the work qualifies as a major alteration rather than an outright demolition prohibited by the SUD.

Project architect Mimi Lee described design revisions made in response to neighborhood review, including reducing overall height, removing a third‑floor front deck and parapet, and increasing landscaping to reduce perceived bulk. Neighbors raised concerns about local scale, loss of naturally occurring affordable housing and adjacency impacts; public commenters urged preserving smaller units in the SUD, while others supported improved family‑sized housing and design revisions.

Staff and commissioners reviewed the numeric demolition/alteration calculations and clarified that Bernal Heights' demolition prohibition applies to complete demolition permits; "tantamount to demolition" calculations under §3.17 can result in an alteration permit if sufficient fabric is retained. The motion to approve with conditions passed 7–0.

Next steps: Conditions of approval will be finalized in the decision letter and the project sponsor will proceed to building permit stage subject to those conditions.