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Commission approves reverting Potrero site to 40-foot height after gardeners warn of shadowing threat
Summary
Planning staff recommended—and the commission approved—changing the height and bulk designation at 1493 Potrero Avenue to 40 feet (rather than 55), following public testimony from community gardeners who said a higher limit would cast winter shadow across Pedro del Sol garden and threaten an adjoining artist colony.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve staff’s recommendation to set the height and bulk designation for 1493 Potrero Avenue at 40 feet, rejecting a proposed 55-foot designation after neighbors described the risk to a long-standing community garden and adjacent artist colony.
Aaron Starr of Planning Department staff said the property had been rezoned in the Eastern Neighborhoods process and that a prior change to an open-space designation appeared to be a mistake; staff recommended returning the site to a 40-foot designation because of its proximity to the adjacent community garden and park.
Several gardeners and longtime residents described the Pedro del Sol community garden as one of the city’s oldest continuously farmed spaces and said a taller building would cast additional winter shadow that could make the garden unviable. "Without the sun, we cannot grow plants," said a 20-year garden member, urging the commission to protect the site.
The property owner’s representative told the commission the owner supports the department’s 40-foot recommendation and that an existing two-story structure already casts some shadow; any future project would be subject to required shadow analysis under section 295. Planning staff confirmed they received letters from Recreation and Parks and community members and had added an updated shadow analysis to the materials.
Commissioners moved to approve the staff recommendation with modifications to minimize impacts to the garden; the motion passed 5–0.
What’s next: The zoning amendment decision will govern future development review for the parcel; any specific future project would require standard shadow, design and permitting review.
