Commission backs planning code changes to speed downtown office-to-housing conversions

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously April 19 to recommend approval of a planning code amendment intended to promote commercial-to-residential conversions and downtown revitalization by streamlining historic-preservation review processes.

Planning staff Lily Langlois said the ordinance (board file no. 230371, introduced April 4 by Mayor Breed and Supervisor Peskin) proposes amendments to Articles 10 and 11 of the Planning Code and related building-code changes. Langlois outlined four focus areas for downtown recovery: assessing the future of office space, identifying candidates and incentives for residential conversion, activating public life and retail, and targeted work in Union Square. The staff presentation noted partnerships and studies (KPMG, Gensler, Spur, OEWD, ULI) and said some qualifying scopes of work in downtown C3 districts would be eligible for administrative review by Planning Department preservation staff under standards and forthcoming design guidelines.

Commissioners asked about public notice and appeals. Staff said the delegation agreement will include an appeals process that allows interested parties to escalate staff-level determinations back to the Historic Preservation Commission. Commissioners voiced support for streamlining and adaptive reuse, citing climate benefits and preservation. Commissioner Foley said he was "in wholehearted support" of the changes. Commissioner Johns moved to adopt the recommendation; the motion passed 6 to 0.

Staff will transmit the commission's recommendation and the draft resolution to the Planning Commission (staff said they will present additional materials at the Planning Commission hearing on May 4) and continue stakeholder outreach and technical analysis to refine qualifying scopes and appeals procedures.