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Planning Commission approves Mathnasium tutoring center on Judah despite neighborhood traffic concerns
Summary
The commission approved a conditional use authorization for a Mathnasium franchise at 2255 Judah Street with conditions requiring traffic measures (apply for a white curb loading zone, designate a curbside coordinator, and provide pickup/drop-off guidelines) after neighborhood opposition over parking and congestion.
The Planning Commission approved a conditional use authorization Jan. 30 to allow a Mathnasium tutoring franchise to occupy a vacant ground-floor storefront at 2255 Judah St., in the Outer Sunset neighborhood, subject to traffic and operational conditions.
Planning staff's analysis found the proposed formula retail instructional use fit within the NC-1 neighborhood cluster; the applicant performed a 300-foot survey and identified one existing formula tutoring center (Kumon) nearby. Neighbors opposed the project, submitting petitions citing overconcentration, traffic and curbside congestion during after-school pickup, and competitive impacts to independent tutors.
In response, the project sponsor agreed to three conditions recommended by the commission: (1) apply to SFMTA for a white loading curb in front of the site; (2) employ a curbside traffic coordinator during peak pick-up/drop-off times; and (3) provide and distribute pickup/drop-off guidelines to guardians at enrollment. Commissioners noted the applicant had conducted outreach and proposed these measures to reduce potential traffic impacts. The motion to approve passed unanimously among commissioners present, with staff making a minor correction to factual statements about nearby existing tutoring centers.
Neighbors and small tutoring operators urged the commission to deny the permit, citing a 125-signature petition; commissioners balanced neighborhood parking concerns with the sponsor's proffered operational conditions when voting to approve.
