Planning Commission actions: continuances, waivers, CUs and discretionary decisions (March 27, 2014)

At its March 27 meeting the San Francisco Planning Commission handled a broad slate of calendar items and formal actions. Highlights and final outcomes are summarized below.

Key votes and outcomes

- Continuances (items 1, 2, 3A/B, 11, 14, 16): The commission approved a set of continuances for several agenda items (including the Raintree/2051 Third Street item) and placed those matters on the consent calendar. (Motion passed unanimously; SEG 295–344.)

- Consent calendar approvals: Routine consent items, including conditional use authorization for 2288 Broadway, were adopted by unanimous roll call. (SEG 353–377.)

- Transit Effectiveness Project final EIR: Commissioners certified the final EIR for the Transit Effectiveness Project by a 6–1 vote; the vote concerns CEQA adequacy only and does not approve project implementation. Commissioner Antonini voted no. (SEG 1948–1966.)

- Small Business Month awning and lighting fee waiver: The commission recommended the Board of Supervisors adopt a fee-waiver ordinance for permits issued in May for awning replacements and pedestrian lighting (and recommended making the waiver permanent with modifications). The motion passed unanimously 7–0. (SEG 1968–2176.)

- Medical Cannabis Dispensary report: The commission adopted the Planning Department report with modifications (adding findings for Director approvals, favoring some buffer changes while deferring zoning expansion study, encouraging second-floor MCDs and conditional‑use tools to address clustering) and forwarded it to the Board of Supervisors. Motion passed 6–1 (Commissioner Antonini opposed). Staff will produce buffer-only maps and coordinate with the Health Commission and school district. (SEG 2179–4346.)

- Lucky Money (4871–4873 Mission) conditional use authorization: Following staff presentation, sponsor testimony, and a short public record, the commission approved a conditional use authorization allowing Lucky Money to legalize an existing fringe financial services operation at the site with conditions. The motion passed 4–2 (Moore and President Wu opposed). Staff noted state preemption issues around regulating lending practices and advised consultation before drafting conditions that restrict specific lending products. (SEG 5340–5740.)

- 18 Vicksburg Street (discretionary review): Neighbors objected to massing, privacy impacts and an elevator shaft; sponsor argued accessibility needs. The commission found sufficient basis to take Doctor and required a reduction of the third‑floor rear deck depth to 10 feet to reduce privacy/massing impacts (motion passed 5–2). (SEG 5750–6464.)

- 439 Alvarado Street (mandatory discretionary review — demolition & new construction): Staff recommended approval and the commission approved demolition and the proposed new single‑family dwelling unanimously 7–0. (SEG 6507–6653.)

- 372 Sussex Street (discretionary review): After neighbor concerns about massing, privacy and added external stairs and decks, the commission took Doctor and required the sponsor to eliminate the east-facing bedroom deck and exterior rear stair in favor of an internalized roof access (circular stair or internal stair/penthouse), with the motion passing 6–1. (SEG 6660–7470.)

What happens next

Most approved actions will be implemented by applicants with standard planning and building permit processes (including further design review and building‑code checks by DBI). The medical cannabis report and the Small Business Month fee-waiver recommendation proceed to the Board of Supervisors for policy or ordinance action. Several matters were continued for further hearings per the calendar noted by staff.