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Commission approves two Central SoMa office buildings at 474 Bryant and 77 Stillman with PDR replacement and minor shadow impacts
Summary
The Planning Commission approved large‑project authorizations and office development allocations for two seven‑story office buildings in Central SoMa that replace PDR space and add office square footage; staff found shadow impacts on South Park minimal and the projects provide PDR replacement and public benefit commitments.
The San Francisco Planning Commission unanimously approved authorizations on April 29 to build two seven‑story mixed‑use buildings at 474 Bryant Street and 77 Stillman Street, clearing the way for roughly 100,000 square feet of new office space and about 17,132 square feet of replacement production, distribution and repair (PDR) space.
Senior planning staff described the two projects as "on balance consistent with the Central SoMa area plan and objectives and policies of the general plan," noting the sites would replace 75% of displaced PDR with modern PDR space and would draw from the existing small office allocation pool. Staff said the projects together represent approximately 13.7% of the currently available small allocation pool and that new shadows cast on South Park would be "an insignificant amount of new net shadow" (on average a net increase of roughly 9 minutes when present, concentrated in limited summer evening periods).
Project sponsor representatives framed the proposal as an outcome of the Central SoMa rezoning. "The project before you today is the exact culmination of the Central Soma plan process," said John Kevlin, counsel for the sponsor, and highlighted commitments including impact fees, community facilities district taxation and outreach to SoMa Pilipinas; sponsor teams said they will sign an MOU directing art fees to a neighborhood gateway project.
Commissioners asked about PDR replacement ratios, office‑allocation impacts and the shadow analysis. Senior staff noted approximately 728,338 gross square feet remained in the small allocation pool as of December 2020 and that the two projects would remove roughly 13.7% of that pool if approved.
Commissioner Samu moved to approve the shadow findings, large project authorizations and office development authorizations for both properties; the motion carried 7–0. The approvals include standard conditions and findings required under the planning code; the approvals do not authorize immediate construction until final permits and any required building permits are issued.
Next steps: sponsor teams will advance design-level permitting and satisfy standard conditions of approval, including PDR replacement and payment of applicable fees and community benefit commitments.
