Planning Commission endorses Western SoMa cleanup rezonings and CEQA addendum

The Planning Commission voted unanimously on Oct. 10 to approve two adoption resolutions to amend the zoning map and general plan boundaries for adjacent parcels in Western SoMa. Staff said the changes would extend certain downtown residential special-use districts and rezone several parcels to align zoning with surrounding districts, correcting technical mapping errors created earlier in the plan process.

Corey Teague of the Planning Department outlined the proposal to rezone parcels between Seventh and Tenth streets to mixed-use office (MUO) and C3-G where appropriate, to bring two orphaned parcels into area plans, and to correct minor map and height inconsistencies. He told commissioners an addendum to the Western SoMa FEIR addressed the limited additional work and that the city attorney requested specific language incorporating CEQA findings into the adoption resolutions.

Public comment included questions about whether parcels brought into East SoMa would be subject to Eastern Neighborhoods infrastructure impact fees; staff confirmed parcels placed into East SoMa and Market Octavia would be subject to the corresponding impact fees. Commissioners discussed SUD boundaries and environmental analysis; Commissioner Bridal moved approval with the staff‑recommended conditions and CEQA language, and the motion passed 7‑0.

The commission’s action is a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors; the matter will continue through the legislative adoption process and was accompanied by staff direction to include the requested CEQA findings in the resolution preamble.