Commission approves major‑phase amendments for Candlestick Point, advancing housing and adopting VMT standard

The commission approved three linked resolutions (resolutions 25‑2019, 26‑2019 and 27‑2019) that amend the Candlestick Point/Hunters Point Shipyard major‑phase plan, adopt CEQA findings (Addendum 6) and revise the design‑for‑development and infrastructure and transportation plans.

Staff told the commission the amendments shift some nonresidential regional retail to office and housing in the Candlestick Point center, advance a portion of market‑rate and inclusionary units from later subphases into CP‑02, and adjust the phasing schedule and related public‑benefit timing. Sally Orth, deputy director, told commissioners the BMR (Below‑Market‑Rate) commitments in the DDA are unchanged and that the project at full buildout will exceed 10,000 units with more than 3,300 BMR units overall; staff said Major Phase 1 will increase by over 400 units to nearly 3,000 units and achieve roughly 39% affordability within that phase.

The commission also adopted an updated transportation significance threshold that relies on vehicle‑miles‑traveled (VMT) in alignment with state and city planning guidelines; staff said the agency will continue level‑of‑service analysis for comparative purposes. Environmental staff presented Addendum 6, which concluded the amendments would not cause new significant environmental impacts.

In describing land‑use changes, staff said the plan reduces some neighborhood and regional retail square footage within CP Center (staff cited a reduction in the proposal from about 35,000 to 23,000 square feet of regional retail) while retaining community facility allocations (7.5% of retail) and preserving specific community lots, including retention of a childcare playground in the Alice Griffith neighborhood (AG‑8). The D4D amendments also include constrained height exceptions consistent with citywide standards and remove a previously shown tower site within CP Center.

Public comment at the meeting overwhelmingly supported the amendments. Linda Fadike Richardson told commissioners the project has delivered substantial community benefits and cited “over $53,000,000 provided for community benefits” (public comment, SEG 709–769). Local residents, community‑based organizations and labor representatives — including the Building and Construction Trades Council — urged approval and emphasized local hiring, job training and the urgency of moving housing forward amid rising construction costs.

After public comment, a number of commissioners expressed support and noted community outreach and CAC review (the CAC vote on Oct. 7 was reported as 6‑1). Commissioner Scott moved to take items 5B, 5C and 5D together and approve the associated resolutions (motion at SEG 1440–1443). The motion was seconded by a commissioner whose name was not specified in the audible record at SEG 1444. Roll call recorded four affirmative votes (Commissioner Brackett, Commissioner Scott, Vice Chair Rosales and Chair Bustos) and the three resolutions were approved 4‑0.

Next steps noted by staff include coordination with city departments (PUC, Public Works, MTA) on street and infrastructure permits, formation of working groups to monitor implementation and developer performance in the coming months, and continued community outreach and reporting on the Certificate of Preference program.

Quote highlights from the meeting include:

"The BMR housing plan within the DDA is not changing," Sally Orth, deputy director.

"Over $53,000,000 provided for community benefits," Linda Fadike Richardson, public commenter.

"We rely on our staff for all that, but we also rely on the community to tell us," Vice Chair Rosales, reflecting on community engagement.

The commission’s formal actions are recorded in the meeting minutes; the resolutions and technical amendments will require subsequent permitting and interagency coordination before construction and vertical development can begin.