Commission approves adaptive reuse at 2155 Webster Street, converting Dugoni dental school to 76 homes

The Planning Commission approved a plan unit development to convert the former Dugoni School of Dentistry at 2155 Webster Street into residential use, yielding 66 units in the existing building and 10 new townhouses. Staff described the adaptive reuse as an opportunity to replace an institutional use with housing that better matches the surrounding residential neighborhood and reduce trip generation from the site.

TrueMark Urban presented design work that lightens the façade, introduces townhouses facing Sacramento and Clay Streets, improves Goldberg Lane as a pedestrian connection, creates central south‑facing common open space and enhances landscaping. The project will include on‑site parking, EV and car‑share spaces, abundant bike parking, and an in‑lieu payment for affordability; TrueMark said the firm expects to provide over 90 units of affordable housing across its portfolio and agreed to apprenticeship and local hiring commitments, including participation in the SOMA Pathways program.

Community and labor support was strong at the hearing. Pacific Heights Residents Association, several unions (Carpenters, Plumbers, Sheet Metal), and community workforce partners spoke in favor, highlighting job creation, apprenticeships and the project’s adaptive reuse merits. Housing advocates also supported the project as consistent with the Eastern Neighborhoods Plan and as an important addition to for‑sale housing options.

The commission praised the project's approach to reuse, pedestrian activation, and on‑site open space; motions to approve with conditions carried unanimously.