Entertainment Commission backs 33 Norfolk residential project with 20-foot sound-wall condition

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission on March 20 recommended that the Planning Department consider a residential project at 33 Norfolk Street only after the developer agreed to strengthened noise‑mitigation conditions, including a rear sound wall roughly 18–20 feet high.

The commission voted unanimously to forward the project to planning with the added conditions after staff and the project team presented updated acoustical testing and design measures. Hano Pajaloma, the project representative for International Land Group, said the development began design in 2013 and was later revised from an earlier smaller unit count to 19 smaller units to meet planning guidance.

“[We] reached out to the POE neighbors several times,” Pajaloma said, describing outreach by email and a plan to use sound‑rated windows on the Norfolk façade. Architect Toby Levy said the team revised plans and included a two‑story concrete sound wall and a green wall to increase massing between the building and adjacent venues. Acoustical consultant Jordan Roberts said recent measurements, including recordings taken over St. Patrick’s Day, support a recommendation for window ratings of about 35 along Norfolk and 37 on the rear facades to meet the project’s noise targets.

Commissioners pressed the sponsor on details such as whether an air gap would separate the sound wall from the building to avoid vibrational transfer, the proposed wall’s height and materials, and the need for a lighting plan for the alley and lower frontage where residential entries will be located. Levy said the wall will be self‑supporting (a U‑wall), include a cavity for insulation and meet the energy and fire‑rating requirements now expected in new construction.

Commissioner Thomas asked the project team to ensure that disclosures to future residents are clear and noted the long history of conflicts on Eleventh Street between places of entertainment and neighbors. Several commissioners said they prefer office uses in the area, but acknowledged that zoning allows residential development and focused on conditions to reduce future complaints.

The commission also approved amended noise‑attenuation verbiage for Chapter 1.16 residential projects that incorporates the discussion’s changes. The Planning Department will receive the commission’s recommendation and the project will proceed through the normal planning review process.

The commission’s action was limited to a recommendation to planning; no final planning approval was granted at the hearing.