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Commission approves Hayes Point (30 Van Ness) amendments to restart stalled tower; vote 5–1
Summary
The Commission approved a special use district and authorizations to allow the 30 Van Ness (Hayes Point) developer parity with recent pipeline fee changes and to convert ~18,000 sq ft of mezzanine retail to office; vote passed 5–1 with one commissioner dissenting over loss of on‑site affordable units.
The Planning Commission voted 5–1 on Nov. 7 to recommend approval of a package of amendments and authorizations for the Hayes Point project at Market and Van Ness (30 Van Ness) intended to improve the project’s financial feasibility and restart construction.
Monica Giacomucci, Planning Department staff, explained the sponsor had paid more than $41 million in development impact fees (including about $14.4 million designated for affordable housing) when the project initially pursued site permits. Because the project later paused and more recent Board of Supervisors legislation reduced inclusionary and fee requirements for some pipeline projects, the sponsor was not eligible for the newly enacted fee relief. Staff recommended a special use district (SUD) and downtown authorization to provide parity and allow conversion of roughly 18,000 square feet of mezzanine retail to office, increasing the project’s cumulative office allocation to ~70,000 square feet and drawing from the city’s large cap allocation.
Anne Topper of the mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development and Madison Tam from Supervisor Dorsey’s office framed the proposal as a means to restart construction, preserve the sponsor’s investment and protect jobs. “Supervisor Dorsey respectfully asks for your support,” Madison Tam said, adding the sponsor’s prior payments had already been deployed toward nearby affordable housing.
Labor and neighborhood groups supported the change. Rudy Gonzales of the San Francisco Building and Construction Trades Council urged commissioners to consider the roughly 900–950 construction jobs that could return if the project restarts. Local businesses and community benefit district representatives said the built project would activate sidewalks and benefit retail.
Several commissioners voiced concern about removing on‑site inclusionary housing. Commissioner Imperial said she was saddened by eliminating on‑site affordable units and emphasized on‑site units deliver faster benefits. After deliberation and amendments clarifying conditions, the Commission approved the package 5–1, with Commissioner Imperial voting no.
Outcome and next steps: the Commission’s recommendation will go to the Board of Supervisors; staff will prepare the specific SUD language and conditions for final legislative review. The vote to approve the planning code/zoning map amendments and the downtown/office authorizations carried 5–1.
