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Whole Foods CUA at City Center Mall continued a month amid labor objections
Summary
After strong neighborhood support and unified labor opposition, the Planning Commission continued Whole Foods’ conditional‑use authorization one month to allow additional labor outreach and negotiation; vote to continue was 4–3.
The commission continued consideration of a conditional‑use authorization for a proposed Whole Foods Market at City Center Mall (the former Best Buy space at 2675 Geary) to the June 25 hearing, in order to provide time for discussions between the applicant and organized labor. The motion to continue, made by Commissioner Imperial, was seconded and passed 4–3.
Staff described the proposal as a tenant improvement for roughly 54,000 square feet of vacant mall space to accommodate a grocery store, a full‑service restaurant and a coffee bar, with dedicated loading and a large parking lot. Mark Loper, representing Whole Foods, emphasized job creation (roughly 200 store jobs) and unionized construction hiring in past local projects. He described store COVID‑safety measures and recruitment of local staff.
Labor organizations including UFCW Local 5, the San Francisco Labor Council and other retail unions testified in opposition unless Whole Foods commits to enforceable labor peace and protections for retail workers. Union speakers urged the commission to require binding labor conditions as part of approval; several residents and neighborhood associations supported the grocery as a neighborhood amenity and a source of local jobs and shopping for seniors.
Given the sharp split between local residents’ support and union opposition focused on labor‑standards and worker protection issues, several commissioners urged additional discussions. Commissioner Imperial moved to continue the CUA to June 25 to allow outreach and negotiation with labor representatives; the motion passed 4–3 (Commissioners Diamond, Fung and President Koppel voting no).
The continuance preserves the project on the calendar but delays a final entitlement decision so the applicant and unions can pursue an agreement or present additional documentation to the Commission.
