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Planning staff details Maher hazardous‑materials review and DPH coordination for infill projects
Summary
Planning staff and Department of Public Health explained how San Francisco applies the Maher ordinance and Cortese list in CEQA reviews: projects that disturb soil or are on contaminated‑site lists are referred to DPH, which must confirm remediation before DBI issues building permits.
City planners and public‑health staff told the Planning Commission how hazardous‑materials concerns are handled in environmental review and why many infill projects are referred to the Department of Public Health (DPH).
Tanya Schaner of the Planning Department’s Environmental Planning Division said the Maher program requires coordination between Planning, DPH and DBI for projects involving excavation or potential exposure to contamination. “Maher requires coordination between DPH and building department,” she said, explaining that DPH may require sampling, mitigation plans or deed restrictions and that DBI cannot issue building permits for projects subject to Maher until DPH confirms remediation.
How it works: Planning screens projects against a living “Maher map” and the state Cortese list (GeoTracker and other databases). Projects involving at least 50 cubic yards of soil disturbance or any potential release are typically referred to DPH. Where DPH requires remediation, it oversees investigation and confirms the site is cleaned to state public‑health levels before DBI will allow construction to proceed.
Why it matters: The department told commissioners that because San Francisco is densely built and many infill projects sit on former industrial sites or Bay fill, this coordination is routine. Lisa Gibson, environmental review officer, clarified that recent state guidance treats closed GeoTracker sites as subject to Cortese list restrictions, so Planning will not issue categorical CEQA exemptions for such sites and must coordinate with DPH as part of environmental findings.
Public questions and follow‑up: Several public callers asked how to file complaints about hazardous work in occupied buildings; Planning and DPH staff advised callers to contact DPH and, for building inspections, DBI. Staff said project referrals, phase 1 assessments and DPH work plans are documented in environmental determinations and responses to comments in EIRs or initial studies.
