Planning Commission moves to initiate Rincon Hill Streetscape Plan, schedules adoption hearing

The San Francisco Planning Commission voted to initiate the Rincon Hill Streetscape Plan, advancing a detailed streetscape design that staff said will guide sidewalk, landscaping and pedestrian-safety work in Rincon Hill and parts of the Transbay area. Staff told commissioners the abbreviated plan presents a vision for wider "living" sidewalks on Spear and Beale, larger bulb-outs, shared alley treatments for Guy Place and Lansing Street, and parking-protected bike lanes on Folsom Street.

Staff urban designer Paul Chassen said the plan formalizes a long-standing policy intended to secure public realm improvements paired with private development. "We can then recapture some of that value and pump it back into the landscape to create the amenities for making a residential neighborhood," Chassen said, describing streetscape features and a pipeline of projects. Staff reported roughly $27,000,000 in past and projected impact-fee revenues dedicated to the area and noted that future allocations have included Harrison Street and Guy Place Park.

Why it matters: The plan establishes the city's expectations for sidewalk widths, tree palettes, furniture and corner bulb-outs that the department will use when negotiating with developers and programming capital funds. Commissioners and the public focused on how the plan treats Guy Place, a small shared-street segment that neighbors say was promised as part of the 45 Lansing project but now faces funding constraints.

During public comment Adam Tartakovsky, representing Crescent Heights (the 45 Lansing developer), said his team supports implementation and has worked closely with staff and neighbors. Staff acknowledged letters both in support of the plan and a handful objecting that Guy Place may be delayed; Chassen said Harrison Street was prioritized by the community in earlier outreach and that Guy Place remains in the plan but may be built later if funding requires sequencing. He told commissioners that additional community outreach is planned for April and May and that construction of Guy Place, if funded, would likely occur after the park is complete—staff estimated about 2017 for park completion.

The Commission approved a motion to initiate the plan and schedule an adoption hearing; commissioners recorded a unanimous 4–0 vote to move the item forward. The initiation directs staff to prepare implementing code amendments and schedule the noticed hearing so the public can take part in the formal adoption process.