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Planning Commission presses continuance for multiple development items amid school safety concerns
Summary
The commission agreed June 6 to continue several agenda items — including a proposal near Lycée Français — so project sponsors can address outreach and pedestrian-safety concerns. School officials and parents urged denial of a late continuance so community members can participate when classes resume.
The San Francisco Planning Commission voted June 6 to continue a set of contested items so project sponsors can address outstanding issues and allow more time for community engagement. Commissioners unanimously agreed to postpone items 1 and 19 and later voted 4–3 to continue the variance for 1900 Nineteenth Avenue to Sept. 26 after heated public comment.
Why it matters: Neighbors and school representatives told the commission that a last-minute request for a delay would keep the Lyceé Français community from participating during the summer break and would prevent meaningful negotiation on pedestrian-safety and land-use concerns. Project representatives said they need time to evaluate and propose targeted pedestrian-safety measures.
What speakers said: Andrew Junius, representing Landmark Realty Group and CVS, asked commissioners for an early-August continuance “to address pedestrian safety” and allow additional meetings with the adjacent school and neighbors. Susan Grama Hawley, counsel for the Lycée Français, urged the commission to deny the continuance, saying the school only recently learned details and needs time to consult parents and its board. Benjamin William, chief administrative officer of the school, said the school’s limited summer staffing would prevent meaningful input if the hearing were delayed into summer months. Parent Lisa Seitz told the commission many families return to France for the summer and would be unable to participate.
Commission action: Commissioner Antonini moved to continue items 1 and 19; the motion passed unanimously. Later, after debate about whether to hear item 9A (the Nineteenth Avenue variance) now or later, Commissioner Wu moved to continue that item to Sept. 26; the motion passed 4–3 with Commissioners Borden, Moore and Segarra opposed.
Next steps: The continuances mean staff and project sponsors are expected to pursue the additional outreach and to return with revised proposals or mitigation measures on the new dates. The items’ continuance does not indicate approval of any underlying project.
Representative quote: “It’s about pedestrian safety. We want the opportunity to reach out and have additional meetings with the school across the street,” said Andrew Junius, speaking for the project sponsor.
