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Commission unanimously backs PDR zoning tweaks and pilot to preserve local manufacturing
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously approved staff‑recommended modifications to a package of PDR code changes and a three‑year pilot to enable new multi‑tenant manufacturing space; SFMADE and several local manufacturers testified in favor while advocates urged caps on office conversions and stronger transit/parking mitigations.
The Planning Commission on March 13 unanimously recommended approval of a package of amendments to Production/Distribution/Repair (PDR) zoning intended to preserve manufacturing jobs and allow limited new construction for industrial uses in the city.
Staff and supervisors’ offices framed the changes as modest, evidence‑based adjustments to accessory use definitions, ancillary size caps, and a new three‑year pilot that would allow targeted new PDR construction on vacant or underused sites. The package includes requirements for a PDR business plan for new projects, annual reporting on tenanting, and a pilot review after three years.
SFMADE and a number of manufacturers — including Heath Ceramics, Timbuktu and Ohio Design — testified about the jobs and career pathways PDR companies provide and urged approval to keep such businesses in San Francisco. Community groups and neighborhood advocates supported the preservation goal but asked for safeguards against office conversion and for transit and parking impact mitigation. Staff incorporated many modifications after stakeholder engagement, including a pilot approach and clarified accessory use controls.
The commission voted 7–0 to approve the modified ordinance, with conditions intended to monitor outcomes and ensure new PDR construction meets tenanting and affordability goals.
Why it matters: San Francisco is losing affordable industrial space, and the changes aim to protect local manufacturing jobs and incubator models while testing whether new construction can be used to house growing PDR firms.
Next steps: The measure will go to the Board of Supervisors for final action; the pilot will be monitored and staff will report back after three years.
