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Planning commission presses Academy of Art University to meet EIR deadline, sets Sept. update
Summary
Following years of delays, Planning Department staff told the commission the draft EIR for Academy of Art University is targeted for publication Nov. 1, 2014; commissioners set a Sept. 4 informational hearing and warned penalties will begin accruing Nov. 2 if AAU misses the deadline.
Planning Department staff told the San Francisco Planning Commission on May 8 that the draft environmental impact report (EIR) for Academy of Art University remains incomplete but that the department is targeting publication by Nov. 1, 2014. The department said it issued notices of violation and penalties earlier and released a stay on enforcement; penalties would begin accruing on Nov. 2 for properties that do not meet the schedule.
Scott Sanchez, zoning administrator, reviewed a multiyear enforcement chronology and said staff had issued notices of violation and penalties for several Academy properties and outlined 14 conditions the university must meet to resume timely progress on the environmental review. Chelsea Fordham, environmental planner, told the commission the most difficult remaining element is the transportation impact study and that the draft EIR could be completed if AAU and its consultants respond promptly to required revisions.
Members of the public urged the commission to schedule a formal hearing and to hold AAU accountable. Sue Hester and other speakers described long-standing community concerns about conversion of housing and loss of affordable units, and asked the commission to calendar a date certain for a hearing on the draft EIR.
Commissioners debated whether to set a hearing immediately or wait for better information from staff. Commissioner Sugaya moved to place an informational and potential action hearing on the calendar for Sept. 4, the commission's first meeting after its summer break; commissioners amended the motion to allow staff flexibility if the draft is published earlier. The motion passed unanimously. Staff also confirmed that conditional-use applications tied to the EIR cannot be fully considered until the environmental review is certified; if the draft is not published and permits come forward, staff said recommendations will be to continue or to recommend denial.
The department indicated that if AAU misses the November target, penalties will accrue on over 20 properties identified in the notices and that staff will pursue enforcement through the administrative appeal process and, if necessary, referral to the City Attorney.
The commission's Sept. 4 hearing will be an early public opportunity to review EIR progress and to consider calendaring any hearings for final certification or actions on conditional-use applications tied to the EIR.
