Commission approves 2779 Folsom conversion with conditions to protect mid‑block open space and privacy

The Planning Commission on Feb. 28 approved a conditional use authorization and a rear-yard variance for a project at 2779 Folsom Street that converts an industrial building into a four‑story mixed-use building with six three‑bedroom family-size units and a ground-floor community facility to be donated to Galleria de la Raza.

Miranda Martinez of the Planning Department summarized the project and recommended design modifications to maximize light and air, including removing top-floor roof decks and portions of the third-floor rear addition. "The department recommends approval with the conditions as the project is consistent with the general plan and planning code," Martinez said. Ryan Patterson, attorney for the project sponsor, said the developer will donate the ground-floor commercial space to Galleria de la Raza for $1 and that removing bedrooms to meet some RDAT recommendations would make the project infeasible.

Public commenters included community members who said the project will bring needed family-size housing and a permanent home for the cultural organization, while some nearby property owners raised concerns about light, privacy and the long-term protection of the donated cultural space. Eric Arguello of the Calle Vienticuatro Latino Cultural District and Annie Rivera of Galleria de la Raza both urged the commission to approve the project and noted an MOU that helps protect the cultural use.

Commission debate focused on front-setback and height/bulk code interpretations, the required rear-yard dimensional standard (staff noted the code requires 65 ft 3 in whereas the project proposed ~45 ft), accessibility requirements for multi‑story units, and whether private rooftop decks should be permitted. Commissioner Hillis moved to approve the project with conditions that keep the proposed bedrooms intact, require the project to comply with planning-code front-setback requirements, and pull the east and west roof‑deck edges back five feet to reduce visibility to neighbors; that motion passed 4–1 with Commissioner Moore dissenting.

Zoning Administrator Corey Teague indicated he would grant the variance with standard conditions and require an amendment to meet front-setback requirements where necessary. The approval includes findings noting compatibility with the Mission Area Plan, and the donation of the ground-floor space to Galleria de la Raza is memorialized in the record and the project sponsor's representations.