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Planning Commission finds shadow from 811 Valencia project de minimis, approves findings 5–2
Summary
The commission adopted Recreation & Park’s recommendation that a proposed 6‑story, 18‑unit building on Valencia would have a minimal shadow effect on Mission Playground and approved the department’s findings 5–2 despite two commissioners opposing any shadow allocation to parks.
The Planning Commission voted July 30 to adopt a finding that the proposed project at 811 Valencia Street would not have a significant shadow impact on Mission Playground, a conclusion drawn from a staff shadow analysis that quantified the net new shadow as a small fraction of current levels.
Kimberly Duranday of the Planning Department told commissioners the project proposes demolition of an existing one‑story structure and construction of a six‑story, 55‑foot tall mixed‑use building with 18 dwelling units and two very‑low‑income on‑site units. The department’s analysis estimated 12.17 annual square foot‑hours of net new shadow on Mission Playground — a change Duranday characterized as negligible and limited to a maximum of about 18 minutes on a small corner of the playground.
Project counsel John Kevlin said the building would provide small, naturally affordable SRO units, noting two below‑market units would rent at $900 per month. He told the commission the sponsor had received neighborhood support letters and that changes to remove a roof deck and reduce rooftop equipment had already been made to minimize impacts.
Public testimony was split. Supporters said the infill project would add affordable units close to transit and parks; opponents raised timing and notice concerns and urged greater protection of open space. Commissioner Moore said he generally will not support shadow allocation over parks but acknowledged small projects present a practical dilemma; he voted no. Commissioner Imperial also voted no, citing cumulative shadow concerns in a park‑poor neighborhood. The motion passed 5–2.
The commission’s action was to adopt the Recreation & Park Commission’s recommendation and the planning department’s findings that the incremental shadow was minimal and did not rise to the level of ‘‘significant or adverse’’ under Planning Code criteria. The decision allows the project to proceed to the next steps of permit review.
