Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning Code Amendment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission backs tailored Planning Code change to allow Clifton Hotel terrace infill with modifications
Summary
The Commission recommended approval of a narrow Planning Code amendment to permit up to 1,500 sq. ft. infill of an interior terrace at the Clifton Hotel, with staff-suggested modifications including removing criterion 2, restricting the change to the assessor’s block containing the hotel, and a two-year time limit; vote was unanimous 5–0.
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission on Nov. 16 recommended approval—with modifications—of a narrowly tailored Planning Code amendment proposed to allow the Clifton Hotel to enclose and infill an existing interior terrace.
Aaron Starr of the Planning Department summarized the ordinance sponsored by Supervisor Peskin: the amendment would permit buildings designated as significant under Article 11 that are non‑complying with height, floor‑area ratio or bulk standards to infill an existing terrace of up to 1,500 square feet, subject to a major alteration permit and HPC review. Staff proposed three changes: (1) amend the language in criterion 2 so it reads that work “will not alter, remove, or obscure any character‑defining features” rather than the broader CEQA‑style “adverse impact” language; (2) limit the proposed change to the assessor’s block containing the Clifton Hotel (Assessor’s Block 0316); and (3) place a two‑year time limit on the code change.
Dan Gershwin, counsel for the Cliff/Clifton Hotel, said the hotel generally agreed with staff recommendations and suggested deleting criterion 2 entirely as redundant because review standards already exist under Article 11 and Section 11.11.6. Planning staff concurred that criterion 2’s CEQA‑like phrasing could be removed.
A motion was made to approve the ordinance with the staff modifications and to eliminate criterion 2; Commissioners Zhang, Johns, Pearlman, Hyland and President Wolfram voted yes, and the motion passed unanimously, 5–0. The action forwards the Planning Department’s recommended, narrowly tailored legislative change with the stated limits and a two‑year sunset provision.
What it means
If the Board of Supervisors enacts the change, the Clifton Hotel would still be required to return to the Historic Preservation Commission for a major alteration permit to evaluate how the terrace infill affects character‑defining features. Staff emphasized the ordinance is specific to the Clifton Hotel context and the assessor’s block cited in the report.
(Reporting note: Legal references and section numbers are drawn from the meeting transcript; the transcript cites "Article 11" and "section 11.11.6".)
