Commission approves rezoning on Nineteenth Avenue but keeps nine‑foot setback unless SFMTA bulb‑out exists

The Planning Commission voted to approve a zoning map amendment that would rezone five parcels on the west side of Nineteenth Avenue from RH1/RH2 to RM2, facilitating participation in the HOME‑SF affordable‑housing program and enabling greater housing development in the Sunset. Planning staff recommended retaining a 9‑foot legislative setback to preserve pedestrian safety along the busy corridor and to protect existing single‑family homes immediately south of the site.

Menaka Mohan, legislative aide to Supervisor Katie Tang, told commissioners the property owner wants to use HOME‑SF to build housing and intends to retain a long‑standing neighborhood flower shop as part of the ground‑floor commercial frontage. Sponsor representative Michael Pasquan described the underused corner and constraints posed by a proposed MTA sidewalk "bulb‑out." He said retaining the setback would force the building line back where existing MTA proposals call for a wider sidewalk and bulb‑out.

Planning staff and commissioners agreed to a compromise: the rezoning to RM2 was approved, but the commission directed that if the planned bulb‑out proceeds (in coordination with Caltrans/SFMTA) then the 9‑foot setback would not be required in that portion of the corridor; if no bulb‑out is approved the setback will be retained. Commissioner Richards and others asked staff to confirm the bulb‑out’s status with Caltrans before full implementation. The motion passed unanimously 6–0.