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Draft EIR for 10 South Venice draws preservation concerns over Fillmore West; public review ends Dec. 11
Summary
The Planning Commission received the draft EIR for 10 South Venice, a proposed transit‑hub redevelopment with up to 984 units and alternatives that would retain the Fillmore West ballroom. Staff identified three significant unavoidable impacts (historic resources, circulation, wind); public commenters urged stronger preservation and more robust historical analysis. The public review period closes Dec. 11.
Planning Department staff presented the draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the 10 South Venice Avenue project on Dec. 6, describing a large mixed‑use redevelopment at the Market/Venice intersection that could include up to 984 residential units and substantial ground‑floor retail.
Rachel Schutt, environmental review coordinator, told commissioners the draft EIR (published Oct. 17) identifies three significant and unavoidable impacts even with proposed mitigation: demolition of an individual historic resource associated with the Fillmore West music venue, cumulative transportation and circulation impacts during construction, and potential wind hazards combined with nearby projects. Staff noted a public hearing was held before the Historic Preservation Commission, which found the draft EIR adequate and recommended certain mitigation and an expanded historical study.
Project counsel Jim Abrams and the sponsor team described two project variants (a two‑tower podium option and a single, taller tower variant), and said the sponsor had reduced parking to 0.25 spaces per unit after publication. Schutt reminded the public the EIR comment period remains open until Dec. 11 and an informational presentation is scheduled for Jan. 17, 2019.
Public comment focused heavily on preservation. Speakers asked for a more substantial historical narrative and for preservation alternatives that retain the Fillmore West ballroom and commit to a citywide study of 1960s counterculture sites. "We are losing too much of our cultural history in San Francisco," said one speaker arguing the draft EIR’s historic‑resource discussion was too brief. Supporters of the project also spoke, saying that the development would add housing, activate the transit hub, and could incorporate cultural programming.
Commissioners asked staff to strengthen the EIR's historic background material and to provide more context on pedestrian circulation and cumulative effects given other projects at the hub. The hearing closed for public testimony and the commission did not take a certification vote; staff will receive written comments through Dec. 11 and prepare a response‑to‑comments for the final EIR and future certification hearings.
