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Planning Commission approves mixed‑use Wanderharrow project with PDR and community benefits
Summary
Commission approved a mixed‑use redevelopment (referred to in the hearing as Wanderharrow/1 Taharo) in Showplace Square/Potrero Hill that includes roughly 43,000 square feet of PDR, office allocation, streetscape improvements, and below‑market space for nonprofit 'Human Made'; vote passed unanimously with added conditions including a community liaison.
The Planning Commission on June 14 approved a mixed‑use project on Berry and Deharo (presented in the hearing packet under an address referenced as 1 Taharo / Wanderharrow) that aims to preserve and add production, distribution and repair (PDR) space while providing office and streetscape improvements.
Doug Vu of the Planning Department summarized the proposal as an office allocation and conditional use authorization that would authorize approximately 86,301 square feet of office and about 43,318 square feet of future PDR uses, along with new sidewalks, street trees, lighting, and publicly accessible open space. The department recommended approval contingent on the renewal of planning code section 2.2103.c and with conditions to secure community engagement during construction.
John Nicolai, a fourth‑generation owner of the site, and project manager John Fisher of SKS Partners emphasized reuse of an underutilized industrial parcel and the project's mix of office and PDR space. Architect Evan Jacob described an approach that places durable concrete at the ground floor for makers and a mass‑timber structure for office floors.
"We are dedicating a quarter of our space to Human Made at a below‑market rate," the sponsor team said, highlighting a long‑term commitment to a nonprofit workforce‑training tenant. Ryan Spurlock of Human Made, one of the project's proposed nonprofit beneficiaries, and representatives from SFMADE and the California College of the Arts spoke in support during public comment, noting workforce development and maker‑space benefits.
Neighbors raised typical concerns — shadowing of a small nearby park, loading‑dock impacts and noise — and asked for robust monitoring during construction. The project team described adjustments (e.g., intersection reconfiguration, open space enhancements) and agreed to a strengthened community liaison condition. Planning staff read an amended condition requiring the community liaison to issue public meeting notices on dust and stormwater plans prior to excavation and to provide ongoing updates and complaint handling.
Commissioners applauded the project's design, the PDR business plan reviewed by the Mayor's Office of Economic and Workforce Development, and the inclusion of long‑term affordable maker space. With the amended conditions in the record, the commission voted unanimously 7–0 to approve the conditional use authorization and office allocation.
