Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing‑units topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Commission approves dwelling‑unit merger at 650 Second Street
Summary
The Planning Commission approved Case 2011.0497D to legalize a previously combined live/work residence at 650 Second Street after staff found the proposal meets planning code requirements. Neighbors and advocacy groups raised broader concerns about live/work disclosures and inclusionary requirements; staff and the City Attorney will report back with additional information in December.
The San Francisco Planning Commission unanimously approved a proposal to legalize a 2,950‑square‑foot, owner‑occupied unit at 650 Second Street that staff said has been used as a single live/work residence since the building’s 1996 conversion from a warehouse.
Planning staff described the file and permit history and recommended approval, saying the project complies with applicable planning code standards and consistency with the General Plan. Ben Fuquay of the Planning Department told commissioners the permit record shows the interior remodel is permitted and that the merger brings the unit into conformance with current use.
Project sponsors Bruce and Naomi Mann testified they purchased the unit in 2009 believing it was a single residence, furnished by sales ads, a single escrow and a single title insurance policy. Bruce Mann said they completed permitted interior improvements and received sign‑offs from utilities, then were surprised by a notice of violation. Naomi Mann said they have used the space as a live/work unit and believe they are compliant with live/work filing requirements.
Members of the public raised concerns about the broader implications of live/work conversions. Sue Hester of a Chinatown advocacy group questioned whether live/work status and the annual business‑use disclosures were provided at sale and whether the city had evidence in the case file of ongoing compliance; she argued the city has lost affordable housing when live/work spaces converted to residences were exempted from inclusionary requirements.
Commissioners pressed staff for broader policy research on live/work recordkeeping, annual filings, certificate‑of‑final‑completion practices and tax‑roll impacts. The City Attorney’s Office (Kate Stacy) said staff and the office could help assemble information and recommended returning to the commission with more detail in December. On a motion by Commissioner Antonini to approve the project as proposed, the commission voted unanimously to approve Case 2011.0497D. The motion also directed staff to return with additional information about live/work filings and interdepartmental coordination.
Next steps: staff will provide the commission with follow‑up information in December on how live/work status is documented at sale, DBI certificate‑of‑final‑completion practices, and options for improving public notice to buyers and sellers.
