Planning Commission OKs Whole Foods at Trinity Plaza, asks for neighborhood hiring commitments and a one‑year memo on hiring

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a conditional use authorization for a Whole Foods Market at 1169 Market Street (Trinity Plaza) on Dec. 20, 2018, after hearing community testimony on jobs, supplier opportunities and local hiring commitments.

Staff presented the application and reported outreach and letters of support from multiple community organizations. Whole Foods representatives described plans for a full‑service grocery occupying roughly 63,000 square feet across basement and ground‑floor space, and said the store would create approximately 200 jobs with an emphasis on San Francisco residents and partnerships to feature local producers. Whole Foods executives also highlighted prior philanthropic and supplier‑development programs the company operates.

Community groups including SOMA Pilipinas, Jobs with Justice and Asian Inc. asked for stronger, written commitments on direct hiring, hiring pathways for disadvantaged residents and procurement of local producers and Filipino businesses. Several groups requested an MOU or memoranda of understanding to make hiring and supplier commitments enforceable.

Commissioners approved the conditional use authorization and added two staff directions: (1) direct OEWD to negotiate a robust First Source hiring agreement with a focus on neighborhood hiring (SoMa and Tenderloin) and (2) require a memo back to the commission one year after store opening reporting on hiring outcomes and compliance with any agreed terms. The motion passed unanimously.