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Commission delays Parcel F general-plan initiation after Chinatown groups raise shadow concerns
Summary
Commissioners continued initiation of a general plan amendment for the Parcel F (542–550 Howard St.) mixed-use tower after extensive public testimony about shadow impacts to Chinatown parks and playgrounds. The Commission set a new initiation date for Dec. 5 to allow further review.
The Planning Commission on Oct. 17 agreed to continue initiation of a general-plan amendment for the proposed Parcel F mixed-use tower, scheduling the matter for further review on Dec. 5 after intense public testimony on shadow impacts to Chinatown parks.
Nick Foster, planning staff, described the project as an initiation request for a mixed-use building at 542–550 Howard (Parcel F) that would include a tower roughly 61 stories tall, about 750–800 feet with 165 dwelling units, 189 hotel rooms and approximately 274,000 square feet of office. Foster said staff recommended adopting the draft resolution to initiate the general plan amendment to allow fuller consideration at a later hearing.
Community speakers from Chinatown and park groups said the project threatens sunlight on Willy Woo Woo playground and a newly redesigned Chinese playground. Phil Chin of the Committee for Better Parks and Recreation in Chinatown said the “project will fall on an area of the park that is designed for use of active exercise ... by seniors” and urged the commission not to approve the project until redesign eliminates playground shadow. Gordon Chien and other Chinatown representatives asked the commission to insist on no net increase of usable shadow on the playground.
Sponsor counsel CJ Higley and the project team presented renderings and described public benefits including a pedestrian passage and a sky bridge providing public access to Salesforce Park. Commissioners discussed procedural questions about the prior Rec and Park decisions and the city’s shadow budget established in earlier planning documents.
After hearing public concerns and staff explanations that the project currently fits within the adopted shadow budget but acknowledging community opposition, the commission voted to continue initiation to Dec. 5 so the sponsor and staff could respond to design and shadow concerns and provide additional materials. The vote to continue was unanimous.
Commissioners emphasized that public testimony should be repeated when the project returns for a full merits hearing and that shadow, park access and community mitigation measures would remain central concerns.
