OCII conditionally approves 73-unit Block 56 affordable housing project at Hunters Point Shipyard

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure (OCII) on April 20, 2021 conditionally approved schematic designs and a requested density bonus for a 73-unit affordable housing development at 11 Innis Court (Block 56) in the Hunters Point Shipyard Phase 1. The commission voted 5–0 to carry the motion, attaching conditions of approval and scheduling further environmental testing before financing and construction proceed.

Elizabeth Colomelo, senior development specialist with the OCII housing division, told commissioners the project team — Mercy Housing California and the San Francisco Housing Development Corporation (SFHDC), with Van Meter Williams Pollock as architect and a Baines joint-venture general contractor — developed the schematic design after a competitive RFP and a year of predevelopment work supported by an OCII loan. Colomelo said OCII staff recommend conditional approval, noting the project is within the reuse final environmental impact report and that CEQA findings would be adopted under the program EIR. She said the development will include 73 units for families (studios through 1–5 bedroom units) plus one on-site manager’s unit.

The developers described the design as a hilltop, family-focused project with a courtyard and community room, a designated family childcare unit on the podium level, enhanced pedestrian stoop entries, and parking. Fiona Reddy, project developer with Mercy Housing California, said the development includes 46 parking spaces, seven motorcycle spaces and bicycle storage for 73 bikes, and that the team increased car parking and added motorcycle parking after neighbor feedback.

Staff emphasized compliance with OCII contracting goals: the project has exceeded OCII’s 50% Small Business Enterprise participation goal, reporting 99% SBE participation and 90% San Francisco SBE participation to date. Staff also outlined conditions of approval that require further refinement of facade materials and colors, final trash and recycling plans, stoop details along Innis Street, preservation of the existing streetscape and tree count, and an architectural mock-up for OCII design review before procurement.

OCII staff explained the requested density bonus under the redevelopment plan and design-for-development (D4D) rules that allow increases in development controls for low- and moderate-income residential projects. The developer requested modest height increases ranging from 1–3 feet along Coleman Street and up to 8 feet along Innis Court, and a request to exceed the block’s maximum residential density by 15 units (a 16% exceedance relative to the block’s earlier counts). Staff said the proposal remains within D4D limits at about 81 dwelling units per acre and conforms to the redevelopment plan’s goals.

The commission and staff also discussed additional environmental precautions. Staff said OCII and the development team will perform a scope of additional radiological soil testing in June or July, present results to the Hunters Point Shipyard Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) as an informational item in June, and expect a report from the project’s environmental consultant by September or October. Staff said they plan to return to the commission late in the year or early next year for gap financing in advance of state funding applications; construction could begin mid next year with approximate completion about two years later.

Two members of the public spoke. Tom Krupinski, a resident at 51 Innis Court, said he supported additional housing but raised two concerns: that rooftop solar panels appeared to project about "10 feet over the roof line" and that Kennedy Place is a private driveway serving 51 Innis Court and should not be used without HOA agreement. Dr. Veronica Honeycutt, chair of the Hunters Point Shipyard CAC, told the commission the CAC fully supports the project, praising its 100% affordability and the design.

OCII staff responded to the public concerns, saying the agency sent a letter to the homeowners association in early February and has been in contact with HOA representatives; staff said discussions were ongoing but they did not anticipate unresolved issues. On solar-panel height, staff said the panels are about seven feet above the roof and are not counted toward building height under applicable rules, and that their height may be adjusted during design development.

Commissioner Scott moved to conditionally approve the combined basic concept and schematic design and the density bonus request; Commissioner Brackett seconded. The secretary called a roll: Commissioners Brackett, Beiser, Scott, Vice Chair Rosales and Chair Bustos each voted yes and the motion carried 5–0. The commission approved the action under Resolution No. 12-2021.

What’s next: OCII will complete the additional radiological soil borings in June/July, report results to the Hunters Point Shipyard CAC, finalize environmental consultant reporting by September/October, and return to the commission for financing steps later in the year or early next year.