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Planning Commission delays Potrero Hill large-project hearing, asks staff for interim design controls
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously continued the large-project authorization for 1395 Second Street / 790 Pennsylvania Avenue to Dec. 3 and the Civic Center Public Realm presentation to Jan. 28, 2016, while asking staff and the supervisor to pursue interim design controls and community review.
The San Francisco Planning Commission on Nov. 12 voted unanimously to continue its review of a large-project authorization in Potrero Hill and to seek interim design controls before proceeding.
Commissioners approved a motion to continue Item 10 — the large-project authorization for 1395 Second Street / 790 Pennsylvania Avenue — to Dec. 3, 2015, and to continue Item 8, the Civic Center Public Realm Plan informational presentation, to Jan. 28, 2016. Commissioner Richards made the motion; it was seconded and passed on a 6-0 vote.
Neighborhood groups and commissioners urged the pause while staff and the supervisor finalize interim controls intended to guide design in eastern neighborhoods. A public commenter identifying with the Patrol Boosters Neighborhood Association said the community supports a continuance but insisted that any continuance be paired with ‘‘teeth’’ in interim controls and, where appropriate, a conditional-use standard: "We need to make sure that it's serious." The commenter added that design issues remain unresolved after prior continuances and that community concerns had not been adequately addressed in interim discussions.
Steve Vettel, representing the project sponsor for 1395 Second Street / 790 Pennsylvania Avenue, told the commission the sponsor prefers a one-week continuance and believes it could be ready quickly; he acknowledged the supervisor has sought more time. "We do think we'll be ready to go in 3 weeks. We think we're ready to go in 1 week," Vettel said.
Commissioners and staff debated timing. Commissioner Antonini said he spoke with Supervisor Cohen and leaned toward a one-week continuance but could accept longer if needed; staff and other commissioners said producing new drawings or a full staff report in one week would be difficult. Commissioner Wu said Dec. 3 appeared more realistic for staff to circulate interim-controls analysis.
The commission's motion ties the schedule for the Potrero Hill item to ongoing interim-control work by staff and the supervisor’s office. The continuance was recorded as passing unanimously, 6 to 0.
Next steps: the item was continued to the Dec. 3 commission meeting; staff indicated a multi-week period would allow sufficient time to analyze interim controls and any new materials provided by the project sponsor.
