Planning Commission backs Veterans Commons conversion at 150 Otis, recommends Board approval

The San Francisco Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve a planning code text and map amendment to create a Veterans Commons Special Use District, clearing a path to convert 150 Otis Street from a seasonal shelter and storage use into 76 units of permanently affordable housing for formerly homeless veterans.

Planning staff told commissioners the project requires a text and map change to allow a residential transit-oriented district use on a parcel currently zoned for public use; staff recommended approval after the Historic Preservation Commission granted a certificate of appropriateness with conditions. Diego Sanchez of planning staff said the project includes accessibility, seismic and energy-efficiency upgrades and found no substantial evidence of significant environmental impacts, recommending adoption of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FND).

Gordon Chen of the Chinatown Community Development Center, the project sponsor, said the proposal had strong support from the mayor nd other city agencies and partners including Swords to Plowshares. Leon Winston of Swords to Plowshares described the program model and called the 76-unit conversion an important gap-filling project for aging veterans; staff and partners cited a city estimate of "over 3,000" homeless veterans and noted that existing veteran-tailored permanent supportive housing units are limited.

Architect Jim Fagler described preservation work on the landmarked 1916 structure (identiifed in staff materials as city landmark number 248), including replacement of nonhistoric windows, a new elevator tower sited at the rear, and seismic strengthening designed to be visually unobtrusive. Planning staff and the developer said the project will preserve the building—xterior while providing ground-floor services and 24/7 staffing.

Public testimony consisted largely of veterans and residents who said the model produces housing stability; the Mayor nd the mayor —hief housing staff provided written support and testified to the project's role in upcoming tax-credit applications. Commissioners asked about alternative uses and whether selling the parcel could generate more units citywide; staff and supporters said the item is a surplus-property pipeline project intended to accelerate available supportive housing in place.

After discussion, commissioners moved to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors and to find the project consistent with the general plan. The motion carried on roll call; Commissioner Sugaya was recused on related items earlier in the agenda and the recommendation will be forwarded to the Board for final action and any subsequent environmental or entitlement steps.