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Planning Commission clears Pagoda Palace SUD and conditional use to allow Central Subway TBM removal after lengthy neighborhood debate
Summary
The Planning Commission voted to approve a special use district, height reclassification and a conditional use authorization enabling the MTA to remove tunnel-boring machines at the Pagoda Palace site, marking a critical change to the Central Subway construction plan after days of technical testimony and strong public opposition.
The San Francisco Planning Commission voted to approve a package of land-use actions on Feb. 14 that will allow the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) to demolish the Pagoda Palace property and use the site temporarily as a retrieval shaft for the tunnel-boring machines (TBMs) on the Central Subway project.
The commission approved a special use district (SUD), a height reclassification to permit up to 55 feet on the site, and a conditional use authorization tied to the SUD. Staff and SFMTA officials told the commission the change moves the TBM extraction off Columbus Avenue and into private property at 1731 Powell Street to reduce disruption in Chinatown and to keep the larger Central Subway schedule on track.
Why it matters: SFMTA staff said the move reduces street closures and community disruption along Columbus Avenue and preserves the possibility of a future North Beach extension. MTA presenters warned that delays in providing a retrieval shaft would add city cost and risk to the Central Subway construction timeline.
What officials…
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