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Commission initiates Transbay Parcel F general‑plan amendment despite shadow concerns
Summary
The Planning Commission voted to initiate a general plan amendment to clear the way for a 61‑story mixed‑use tower at 542–550 Howard (Parcel F). Commissioners and community members pressed project sponsors to continue outreach on shadow impacts to nearby Chinatown parks.
The Planning Commission voted Dec. 5 to initiate consideration of a general plan amendment for Transbay Parcel F, a proposed 61‑story tower that would include residential, hotel and office uses and reach up to about 750 feet in height.
Nick Foster, planning staff, reminded commissioners that a prior transit‑center district plan had allocated shadow budgets for nearby parks and that the Parcel F proposal would add an incremental 0.1% to the allowable shadow on Willie Woo Wong Park. He said the impact would be limited in time and season and noted prior joint commission decisions that increased park shadow budgets for the district.
Several commissioners and community speakers pressed for further detail on shadow timing and minimization measures. Project counsel said the sponsor had narrowed the tower massing and that a more slender residential tower would reduce shadow relative to the earlier TCDP study. An applicant representative said outreach with Chinatown organizations had been productive and asked the commission to initiate the GPA so entitlements could be heard in January.
Commissioners voted to initiate the general plan amendment and schedule hearings on or after Jan. 9, 2020. Several commissioners asked staff and the sponsor to continue engagement with Chinatown groups and to return with clearer documentation about shadow timing and design options.
