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Planning commission initiates Central SoMa general-plan amendment to ease commercial requirements
Summary
The commission voted unanimously to initiate general-plan amendments and schedule hearings on or after Oct. 9 to remove or relax commercial development requirements in Central SoMa and the Transit Center District, a move aimed at allowing more housing downtown and aligning with Mayor Breed’s downtown recovery package.
The San Francisco Planning Commission unanimously voted Sept. 19 to initiate general-plan amendments that would reduce or remove commercial (nonresidential) development mandates in Central SoMa and the Transit Center District. Staff said the change would allow increased residential development on large downtown parcels and support a mayoral ordinance aimed at downtown economic recovery and meeting housing goals.
Aaron Starr of the Planning Department told the commission the proposed amendments would convert two plan provisions that currently require a high share of nonresidential uses into guidance that encourages, but does not require, commercial uses. Policy text cited includes Central SoMa Policy 3.1.0.1 (large parcels should contain 50% nonresidential uses) and an analogous Transit Center District policy that prioritizes job growth in core sites; the amendments would make those policies less prescriptive.
Commissioners asked staff to provide briefings and stakeholder outreach materials ahead of the Oct. 17 hearings so newer commissioners and community stakeholders understand the changes, their history, and impacts on impact fees and plan implementation. Commissioner Imperial, while supporting initiation, urged targeted outreach to communities and stakeholders who participated in the original Central SoMa process.
The motion to initiate the general-plan amendments and set a public hearing on or after Oct. 9 passed unanimously 7–0.
Next steps: Staff will prepare the case report and outreach materials, post public notices, and return to the commission for a public hearing on or after Oct. 9 (staff identified Oct. 17 as a likely hearing date).
