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Planning commission approves two housing projects, including on-site below-market units for 600 S. Van Ness
Summary
The commission approved a 44-unit project at 901 Tennessee Street and a 27-unit mixed-use project at 600 South Van Ness with conditions; the Van Ness project was amended during the hearing to provide on-site ownership below-market-rate units and façade refinements.
The San Francisco Planning Commission approved two housing projects during its May 21 meeting, advancing both developments with conditions.
At 901 Tennessee Street in the Dogpatch, the commission approved a large project authorization for demolition of an existing one-story warehouse and construction of a new four-story residential building with 44 units, 33 off-street parking spaces and substantial bicycle parking. Project architect Mike Pittler described courtyard design changes, and staff added a condition requiring the sponsor to continue refining courtyard elevations and landscaping. The commission approved the project 7-0.
At 600 South Van Ness in the Mission, the commission approved a mixed-use 27-unit project (with ground-floor retail and 17 off-street parking spaces) after the sponsor agreed during the hearing to provide the required affordability on-site rather than pay the in-lieu fee. The department had proposed standard conditions for on-site ownership below-market-rate (BMR) units; the sponsor agreed to provide 14.4% on-site ownership BMR units (two 2-bedroom and two 1-bedroom units) and to work with staff on South Van Ness facade refinements. Commissioners discussed neighborhood displacement concerns and policy tools but ultimately voted 7-0 to approve with the amended conditions.
What the approvals mean: Both projects were found consistent with applicable planning code and area plans by department staff and were approved with conditions including design refinements and affordability commitments for the Van Ness project. The Van Ness approval specifically moved the project from an in-lieu approach to on-site below-market-rate ownership units after community outreach and commission direction.
Votes at a glance: - 901 Tennessee Street (large project authorization): approved 7-0; conditions include continued work on courtyard design and final approvals by Planning Department prior to building permit. - 600 South Van Ness (large project authorization): approved 7-0; conditions include on-site ownership BMR units at the Eastern Neighborhoods required rate, continued design work on the South Van Ness facade, First Source hiring compliance, and standard development impact fees.
Next steps: Sponsors will finalize design details with staff and proceed to the building-permit phase subject to the conditions adopted by the commission.
