Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Development Project topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves SoMa hotel and co‑living project with community conditions
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously approved an 8‑story, 50‑room tourist hotel with nine group‑housing rooms and ground‑floor restaurant at 744 Harrison St., with conditions that significant design changes return to the commission; the project team and neighborhood groups highlighted community benefits, job commitments and streetscape improvements.
The Planning Commission voted to approve a mixed‑use 8‑story project at 744 Harrison Street that includes a 50‑room tourist hotel, nine group‑housing rooms, ground‑floor commercial space and streetscape improvements.
Esmeralda Martinez of Planning Department staff explained that the project requires conditional use authorization and a large project authorization because it exceeds 25,000 square feet in an Eastern Neighborhoods mixed‑use district. The sponsor team described the project as neighborhood‑scaled, noted outreach to local groups (including SOMA Pilipinas, Alice Street Community Gardens and Local 2), and said the proposal includes mitigation for a modest annual shadow increase and improvements to the community garden.
Community supporters and labor (Unite Here Local 2) lauded the sponsor’s early commitment to a neutrality/union hiring agreement and neighborhood benefit agreements. The project includes a small public open space, bulb‑outs, new high‑visibility crosswalks and bicycle parking. Commissioners discussed operator risk for a small hotel and added a condition that significant design changes return to the commission; the motion to approve with that condition passed unanimously.
Representative quote: "This is a true opportunity site, and the hotel works very well for this location close to the Moscone Center," counsel Tom Tunney said on behalf of the owners.
Ending: The approval is conditioned on returning to the commission for significant design changes; implementation details such as operator selection and final design will be addressed in subsequent permit stages.
