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Commission hears HOPE SF Sunnydale and Potrero master‑plan briefings and DA preview
Summary
Planning staff and HOPE SF officials presented informational briefings on the Sunnydale and Potrero master plans, previewing upcoming general plan amendments, development agreements and a phased implementation designed to rehouse existing residents and create mixed‑income neighborhoods.
The San Francisco Planning Commission received informational presentations on Oct. 13 on the HOPE SF Sunnydale and Potrero master plans, including an overview of planned general‑plan amendments, special‑use districts, design standards and forthcoming development agreements intended to implement multi‑phase redevelopment.
Theo Miller, director of HOPE SF in the mayor’s office, described HOPE SF as a large public‑housing transformation initiative that aims to replace aging public housing with mixed‑income neighborhoods while rehousing existing residents. Miller said the program covers four HOPE SF sites with roughly 5,000 residents (about 2,200 households) and that public‑private investments to date total nearly $600 million. He said the initiative’s goal is to avoid mass displacement and to deliver new housing, parks, utilities and community services through long‑term, phased agreements.
Planning Department staffer Matt Snyder reviewed prior EIR certifications for Sunnydale and Potrero (certified in 2015), explained that the commission will consider general‑plan amendments, map amendments, special‑use districts and site‑specific design standards in coming hearings, and described a hybrid vertical/horizontal design‑review approach that ties building‑level review to street and infrastructure phasing. Staff said the city will require ongoing outreach by project sponsors and that DPW will coordinate street design while planning reviews building and park design standards.
Lee Letinsky of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development said the development agreement (DA) is a critical implementation tool that will spell out phasing, relocation protections, and the timing of public benefits in exchange for vested development rights. Letinsky noted the city will play an active role, provide capital funding and work with mission‑driven developers including Bridging/Bridal Housing and Mercy Housing & Related Companies. Staff said the DA and related master entitlements will return to the commission on Nov. 17 and that the board of supervisors will be asked to consider approvals in early 2017.
Commissioners expressed broad support for the goals of HOPE SF while pressing staff to ensure explicit phasing and upfront infrastructure commitments—transit, street connections, parks and schools—so that amenities do not lag housing delivery. Commissioners also asked about resident engagement and land‑ownership arrangements; staff said the San Francisco Housing Authority remains the current landowner, affordable parcels would retain housing authority underlying ownership and be ground‑leased to developers, and proceeds from market‑rate parcel sales would help fund the project.
The informational presentations did not include formal actions; staff said the commission will see the full master‑entitlements package and development agreements at upcoming hearings.
