Planning Commission Approves Parcel O (455 Fell) as 100% Affordable Family Housing
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Summary
Commission approved a 108‑unit, 100% affordable family housing project at Parcel O (455 Fell) with a community garden, a corner grocer retail space, family daycare units and a publicly accessible mid‑block passage. Approval was unanimous, 6–0.
The commission approved a proposal to develop Parcel O (455 Fell Street) in Hayes Valley as a 100% affordable housing development.
Planning staff summarized the proposal as a two‑building project with 108 affordable dwelling units, an on‑site childcare program (two units), a 1,200‑square‑foot corner retail space intended for a neighborhood grocer, and a publicly accessible mid‑block passage and courtyard. The project provides 49 family‑sized units (two or more bedrooms), 118 bicycle parking spaces and no vehicular parking.
Tim Dunn of Mercy Housing described the project as the result of a city RFP and years of neighborhood collaboration; Mercy and SFHDC emphasized the project—s suitability for state cap‑and‑trade and low‑income housing tax credit finance and the need to meet an imminent NOFA deadline. The sponsor pledged on‑site supportive services and programming with neighborhood partners including Community Grows.
Supporters included the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association and local housing advocacy groups; opponents raised parking and traffic concerns, which staff noted are consistent with the RTO district—s expectation of limited or no parking. Commissioners praised the expedited, coordinated approach for 100% affordable projects and commended the combination of family units, daycare and grocery retail.
The commission approved the conditional‑use authorization and related findings 6–0.
What—s next: Sponsor expects to proceed with state and federal financing rounds and start construction after entitlements are finalized; staff noted priority processing to meet funding windows.
