Planning Commission adds March 31 hearing, unanimously approves multiple continuances

The San Francisco Planning Commission voted unanimously Feb. 4 to add a fifth meeting on March 31 to its 2016 hearing calendar and to continue several items to later dates to help manage a growing volume of planning applications.

Commission President Fong and staff told commissioners that applications had ballooned through April and that without adding a date the commission could be forced to sit until midnight to finish business. Commissioner Antonini moved to reinstate March 31; the motion passed 6–0. Staff also recommended, and the Commission approved, continuances for identified matters (including the matter at 100 Sickles Avenue and several discretionary review items) to dates in February and March that were announced on the dais.

Public commenters told the commission they had not received timely or complete notices about some affected hearings. Joelle Keneally, president of the Outer Mission Merchants and Residents Association, said notices for the 100 Sickles item did not include a Tagalog translation and that the Spanish version mischaracterized the nature of the project, potentially confusing residents.

Chair Fong and staff acknowledged the notice problems and said the continuance did not legally require re‑mailing notices but that staff would seek to ensure translations and re‑notice where appropriate. Commissioners discussed starting hearings earlier on some days but generally favored keeping a noon start while shortening the mid‑day break to improve efficiency.

Outcome: motion to add March 31 and to continue specified items passed unanimously 6–0. The Commission directed staff to follow up on translation and re‑notice issues raised during public comment.