Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Neighborhood Commercial topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves Outer Sunset named‑commercial districts and alters rules for trade shops
Summary
The Planning Commission approved creation of three named Outer Sunset neighborhood commercial districts and changed trade‑shop rules to allow production in rear two‑thirds with a one‑third active retail frontage, along with staff clarifications and conditions.
The Planning Commission voted to approve legislation establishing three named neighborhood commercial districts in the Outer Sunset and to amend the city planning code’s trade‑shop definition to permit more light manufacturing and artisan production in neighborhood commercial zones.
Katie Tang of Supervisor Carmen Chu’s office told commissioners the ordinance would create named commercial districts along Taraval, Irving/Judah and Noriega and allow a five‑foot ground‑floor height bonus for active storefronts. The measure also flips the existing 1/3 retail to 2/3 trade‑shop ratio (allowing production in the rear two‑thirds if a front one‑third remains active retail) and replaces horsepower limits with performance standards for mechanical equipment.
Aaron from Planning staff recommended technical edits: exclude NC1 parcels where existing controls suffice, clarify conditional‑use tables, create a separate catering use to address truck and non‑retail loading issues, and remove a numeric limit on mechanical equipment in favor of performance standards. Planning Director Ram said loading triggers are size‑based and on‑street loading is common for NC districts.
Public comment included merchants and neighborhood groups. Supporters said naming helps preserve character and can spur revitalization; others urged temporary “sundown” reviews to track unintended consequences like truck traffic, noise or storage use. The commission adopted the staff modifications and voted unanimously to approve the ordinance with the recommended clarifications.
