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Planning Commission recommends approval of Visitation Valley Schlage Lock development agreement with added community protections
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended approval of amendments and a development agreement for the Visitation Valley (Schlage Lock) redevelopment project, including added timelines, notice requirements, and recorded restrictions to preserve public access to parks; votes were unanimous 7-0.
On June 5, 2014, the San Francisco Planning Commission considered a package of amendments and a development agreement (DA) for the Schlage Lock redevelopment in Visitation Valley and voted to recommend approval with staff‑recommended modifications. Supervisor David Cohen introduced the item and stressed extensive community participation over 13 years that shaped the proposal.
Key DA changes highlighted by Emily Lehi of the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development include: an explicit 60‑day timeline for phase application review from submission to planning director approval or rejection; public noticing requirements (community notice no more than 30 days into the 60‑day review period and a mandatory post‑application meeting 15 days after public notice); a commitment to record notices of special restriction on the parks and rehabilitated historic building to preserve public access; explicit references tying the Costa‑Hawkins exception to impact fee credits provided by the city; addition of Recreation and Parks to the list of agencies expected to make good‑faith reviews within 30 days; and an escalator to CLIPPER transit credit to adjust over time.
Staff (Claudia Flores) summarized zoning and code amendments and noted that the addendum to the EIR concluded changes would not result in new significant impacts or increase the severity of impacts analyzed in the certified EIR. Transportation staff described bi‑county transportation priorities that inform needed improvements in the area.
Public comment included residents and community organizations largely supportive of the DA’s community benefits (affordable housing, parks, infrastructure, TDM credits) alongside requests for continued close community involvement in design review. The Commission discussed community oversight alternatives to the former Citizens Advisory Committee; staff explained pre‑application and post‑application community meetings and a minimum of two update meetings per year during the first two years after DA effectiveness.
Action: The Commission adopted resolutions recommending approval of the DA and associated planning code and map amendments to the Board of Supervisors with the modifications outlined by staff. The motions passed unanimously, 7–0. Staff noted the DA still requires approvals by other boards and adoption by the Board of Supervisors and expected a July hearing schedule; if approved, agreements could become effective in August so construction could begin in 2015.
