Planning Commission certifies revised housing‑element EIR and adopts 2009 housing element with narrow amendment

The San Francisco Planning Commission on April 24 certified a revised final environmental impact report (EIR) for the city’s 2004 and 2009 housing elements and voted to adopt the 2009 housing element as the city’s general plan housing element, with a narrow amendment deleting the word “Japantown” from Policy 1.2.

Staff said the EIR had been revised to comply with a San Francisco Superior Court order that required additional analysis of alternatives and that the revised alternatives had been circulated for public review. Steven Smith of the planning department’s Environmental Planning section said the revised alternatives did not change the EIR’s overall conclusions but clarified and substantiated the alternatives analysis required by the court.

Monica Mohan, citywide planning staff, recommended adoption of the 2009 housing element and related CEQA findings, saying the document reflects extensive outreach and preserves the city’s eligibility for state housing and community development funds. “Adopting the 2009 housing element confirms our continued dedication towards meeting California’s objectives toward housing and community development,” Mohan said.

Public commenters were sharply divided. Neighborhood groups and residents urged changes to protect single‑family RH1 and RH2 areas, called the alternatives analysis “conclusory,” and urged limiting area planning to identified neighborhoods. SPUR deputy director Sarah Kurlinski urged the commission to adopt the element largely as written, noting long negotiations to reach the current language. In contrast, other speakers warned of legal risk and urged the commission to reconsider the approach to alternatives.

Commissioners debated separating certification of the EIR from adopting the plan. Commissioner Hillis moved to certify the final EIR; the motion passed unanimously. Later Hillis moved to rescind the earlier action and adopt CEQA findings and the general‑plan amendment that adopts the 2009 housing element with the deletion of “Japantown” from Policy 1.2. That motion passed 5–1, with Commissioner Antonini voting against the amendment.

The commission’s action completes the local review steps required under CEQA and the city charter; the housing element adoption will next go to the Board of Supervisors per the city’s process. Commissioners and many public speakers emphasized that adoption of the housing element is a high‑level policy action that does not itself change zoning but will guide future community and area planning efforts and legislative proposals.

What’s next: staff said the department will continue related planning work including a 2013 housing inventory and a May informational item on the mayor’s executive directive on housing.