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Planning Commission approves revised Pacific Avenue housing project after months of contentious review
Summary
After months of hearings, the Planning Commission approved a revised redevelopment of the former warehouse at 1469 Pacific Avenue with modifications to rear‑yard treatment, rooftop penthouses and side setbacks following intense neighborhood opposition over bulk, privacy and compliance with a recent 45% rear‑yard standard.
The Planning Commission on July 14 approved a revised warehouse‑to‑residential redevelopment at 1469 Pacific Avenue after a series of hearings, contested neighborhood testimony and repeated redesigns by the sponsor.
The project — initially presented in February and revised in May and July — proposed converting a 12,270‑sq‑ft warehouse into a mixed‑use building with nine residential units (six family‑sized) and activated ground‑floor commercial frontage. Neighbors and the Doctor requester said prior versions “double‑dipped” planning rules to maximize both non‑compliant and new development massing and urged denial or substantial redesign to meet the Pacific Avenue neighborhood’s 45% rear‑yard standard.
The sponsor revised the design repeatedly, removing massing from the front façade, adding mid‑block open space at grade and reintroducing smaller rear cottages; staff and the Department’s urban design advisory team recommended approval of the modified design, saying it improved light, air, and pedestrian frontage while adding nine units to the housing stock.
Commission debate focused on whether the trades in massing produced a fair compromise. Commissioners discussed options including eliminating the rear cottages, moving units into the main building, and reducing rooftop penthouses. After extensive negotiation and a late motion to approve as modified, the Commission approved the project unanimously, attaching conditions including elimination of rear cottages, a requirement that Third and Fourth floors comply with a 45% rear‑yard setback, a limited first‑ and second‑floor pop‑out for parking with side setbacks, removal or reduction of full rooftop penthouses (to avoid elevator/stair penthouses), and limiting perimeter fencing to six feet. The motion also directed staff and sponsor to refine rooftop deck details and landscaping so the rear yard remains primarily grade and green space.
Next steps: sponsor will finalize construction plans consistent with the conditions; staff will record conditions and monitor compliance during building permit review.
