Planning Commission approves taller heights for Potrero HOPE SF Block B to deliver more affordable units earlier

The Planning Commission on June 11 approved amendments to the Potrero HOPE SF design standards to raise height limits on Block B, a parcel within the larger HOPE SF redevelopment.

Bridge Housing, the master developer, told the commission that Potrero Hill's steep grades, serpentine rock and site preparation costs make early phases expensive. Marie DeBoer, vice president of development for Bridge Housing, said increasing permitted height and limited density on Block B will lower per-unit costs, allow the sponsor to deliver more replacement and affordable units earlier, and improve project feasibility. "The increase in density helps keep the cost per unit down," she said.

Architects described a design that concentrates additional mass away from primary street walls and locates most taller elements within interior courtyard or lower-grade parts of the block, with the objective of maintaining pedestrian scale at the street edge and providing new open space and a childcare facility on the block. The Block B change does not alter other design requirements such as modulation, active frontages and materials.

Public testimony reflected support for the goal of delivering affordable housing early, and several speakers urged strong community oversight and good programming for new courtyard spaces; a few neighbors raised concerns about perceived crowding and the transition from townhouse to apartment living. Bridge Housing said the amended approach increases the number of units on Block B from the originally planned 120 units to roughly 157 and retains the project's community benefits, including a mini-park and a 6,000'square'foot childcare facility.

Staff recommended approval of the draft design standard amendments and the commission voted to approve the change; the motion passed unanimously.