Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Coastal Permit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board adopts findings and approves coastal‑zone permit revisions for Irish Cultural Center
Summary
The board voted 3‑0 to adopt findings that the proposed United Irish Cultural Centre expansion at 2740 Fifth Ave conforms to the amended Local Coastal Program and to authorize a revised coastal‑zone permit, after extensive testimony about LCP consistency, design, traffic and geotechnical concerns.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals voted Oct. 9 to adopt revised findings and authorize a coastal‑zone permit for the proposed United Irish Cultural Centre at 2740 Fifth Avenue, concluding the project conforms to the city's amended Local Coastal Program (LCP) and associated Special Use District (SUD).
Appellant SPEAK argued the six‑story project — including community facilities, restaurant/bar, event space and below‑grade levels — is inconsistent with the Western Shoreline Area Plan’s objectives on materials, scale and serving the local community. The appellant said the Coastal Commission had not reviewed the permit and raised geotechnical concerns, including groundwater 21 feet below grade and potential impacts to adjacent housing.
Project representatives and planning staff countered that the City and the California Coastal Commission had coordinated a limited LCP amendment to create an Irish Center SUD intended to accommodate this proposal and that the Coastal Commission certified that amendment in July. Counsel for the permit holder said the Coastal Commission’s certification found the SUD “conforms with and is adequate to carry out the provisions of the local coastal program land use plan.” Project counsel also cited unanimous approvals from Rec & Park, the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors, and a CEQA analysis certified by Planning.
Planning zoning administrator Corey Teague told the board the project underwent multi‑agency review, that the SUD changes were narrowly tailored to floor‑area, rear‑yard and bulk exceptions, and that Planning recommends adopting the updated findings of consistency. Commissioners probed traffic, emergency access and precedent; Planning said traffic impacts were analyzed and that a Transportation Demand Management plan will be finalized during building permit review.
Outcome: The board voted 3‑0 to grant the permit as revised and adopt the planning department’s findings of consistency with the amended LCP, with a clerical correction to the findings’ recordation date. The board’s action implements the amended LCP provisions specific to the Irish Center SUD and allows the project to proceed under those terms.
Next steps: The permit holder proceeds to final design and building permitting; transportation and other mitigation measures will be finalized through subsequent permit and construction reviews.
