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Planning Commission backs 645 Harrison office allocation and fee package, preserving PDR space and charging large impact fees
Summary
The Commission unanimously recommended approval of an office allocation and impact‑fee package for the 645 Harrison project after staff concluded the proposal preserves nearly 33,000 sq ft of PDR and meets area plan objectives; the project will pay significant development impact fees and an affordable‑housing fee in lieu.
Planning staff recommended approval of a large‑scale redevelopment at 645 Harrison that legalizes and consolidates office and retained PDR space while requiring substantial impact and affordable‑housing fees. Staff noted the project will retain about 32,988 square feet of PDR space on the lower floors and legalize approximately 14,520 square feet of pre‑existing office space while seeking additional office allocation for the remainder of the building.
"The project adds 250 new dwelling units to the city's housing stock," staff said when describing how the larger Eastern Neighborhoods program and associated fee package would be used, and stressed the project will pay its Eastern Neighborhoods impact fees and an affordable‑housing payment expected to help fund units elsewhere in the city.
The Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval and adopted the standard suite of conditions described in the staff report, including payment of in‑lieu affordable‑housing fees and compliance with impact‑fee obligations. Planning staff and several speakers emphasized the project’s mix of PDR retention, reuse of an existing historic resource and the substantial fee payment to support nearby public housing rebuilds and other affordable projects.
Outcome and next steps: The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded with conditions and the associated environmental and code compliance documentation. Staff said the affordable‑housing fee and Eastern Neighborhoods impact fees will be allocated by the relevant city programs and that the project sponsor will coordinate with MOHCD and the neighborhood when funds are used in the immediate area.
Vote: Unanimous recommendation for approval (recorded 5–0).
