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Planning Commission approves six‑story mixed‑use redevelopment at 376 Castro Street
Summary
The San Francisco Planning Commission approved a conditional use authorization and rear‑yard modification to replace a gas station at Castro and Market with a six‑story building containing 24 residential units (three affordable), ground‑floor commercial space and a 14‑space garage; the commission required the sponsor to return with final facade details as an informational item.
The Planning Commission on Aug. 2 voted unanimously to approve a conditional use authorization and a rear‑yard modification for a six‑story, roughly 43,000‑square‑foot project at the northwest corner of Castro and Market streets that will replace an existing gas station with 24 apartments, including three on‑site affordable units, about 3,000 square feet of ground‑floor commercial space and a 14‑space underground parking garage.
"This is a request for conditional use authorization to demolish the existing gas station and construct a 6 story, 43,000 square foot mixed use building," Rick Crawford of the Planning Department told commissioners during the presentation. The department recommended approval, citing new housing, on‑site affordable units and streetscape improvements.
Project architect Mitchell Benjamin described a building with flexible retail space and a 450‑square‑foot community meeting room that the sponsor has agreed to provide to neighborhood groups. Public commenters were split: neighborhood associations and merchant groups said the sponsor had worked extensively with residents and supported the project, while some nearby residents and business owners said the modernist design was out of scale with the block and raised concerns about light, deliveries and traffic at the corner.
Commissioners discussed zoning and design context, noting the site sits in a 65‑foot height district and that the project had been through multiple neighborhood charrettes and meetings. Several commissioners emphasized facade materials and color; the commission adopted approval with a condition requiring the sponsor to return with final facade details as an informational presentation to the commission so staff and commissioners can review final materials.
The commission’s approval also included the rear‑yard modification for site‑specific topography and confirmed the zoning‑administrator would process related technical variances. The department and project team said they would continue to refine materials and coordination with neighborhood groups.
The decision was recorded as unanimous. The project’s next steps are building permit processing and the zoning administrator’s review of the rear‑yard modification.
