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Planning Commission recommends rezoning to let St. Boniface sell air‑rights for landmark restoration
Summary
The commission recommended approval of a rezoning and general‑plan amendment so St. Boniface (landmark) can participate in downtown TDRs to fund urgent preservation work, including a cited $2 million stained‑glass restoration. The Historic Preservation Commission had unanimously recommended approval.
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a rezoning and companion general‑plan amendment that would allow Saint Boniface Church — city landmark number 172 in the Tenderloin — to participate in the city’s downtown transfer‑of‑development‑rights (TDR) program.
Aaron Starr of legislative staff summarized the ordinance and said the change would permit the church to sell unused floor area to eligible downtown properties so the parish can fund preservation and rehabilitation work. Supervisor Kim, who introduced the ordinance, and parish representatives emphasized the building’s community role: Father Tommy King described ongoing social services, the Gubbio Project sheltering program and a school program (DeMirillac Academy), and the project team said stained‑glass restoration is estimated at roughly $2 million.
The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed and unanimously recommended approval. Planning staff said the rezoning would not produce discontinuous zoning, would not increase the site’s intrinsic development potential in a way that harms neighbors, and would require a preservation, rehabilitation and maintenance plan if a TDR sale occurs. The Planning Commission voted 5–0 to forward a recommendation of approval to the Board of Supervisors.
