Board of Appeals upholds Planning Commission and zoning administrator decisions on 530 Sansom, clearing way for Related’s mixed‑use tower and replacement Fire S

The San Francisco Board of Appeals denied multiple appeals of the planning approvals for a proposed mixed‑use tower at 530 Sansom Street on Oct. 20, upholding both the Planning Commission’s downtown project authorization under Planning Code §309 and the zoning administrator’s variances. The decisions clear the way for Related California’s two development options — a 19‑story commercial/hotel variant and a 21‑story residential variant — and a new four‑story Fire Station No. 13 as part of a public‑private project.

Appellants Willard Properties (including 447 Battery) and WILAD Properties argued the Planning Commission and zoning administrator erred by granting broad exceptions and variances driven by the project sponsor’s design choices and by failing to make the specific findings required by code. They told the board they received inadequate neighborhood notification and said the project’s…