Commission finds Mission Bay Block 1 amendment consistent with General Plan; developer pledges affordable housing contribution

The Planning Commission unanimously voted to find a proposed amendment to the Mission Bay South redevelopment plan consistent with the General Plan, clearing a key step for a mixed‑use project on Block 1.

Michael Cohen of Strata Investment Group told commissioners that market studies show a 500‑room hotel is not feasible at the site and that the team instead proposes a mixed project with a 250‑room hotel, approximately 350 residential units, and roughly 25,000 square feet of retail. Cohen said the developer agreed to provide a combination of 20% in‑lieu payments and 15% on‑site affordable housing—an estimated value in excess of $18 million.

Design team representatives outlined a three‑building massing strategy that preserves view corridors and activates street frontages; planners noted the amendment would enable construction of waterfront park P3 and other public amenities. Commissioners praised the plan as a way to activate a prominent Mission Bay site and to deliver new housing and park connections; the motion to find the amendment consistent with the General Plan carried unanimously 7–0.

The developer said it plans to subdivide the block into three buildable parcels and to pursue financing that could allow concurrent construction of the hotel and residential components.