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Commission advances interim conditional‑use protections for Bernal Heights south slope amid safety concerns
Summary
The Planning Commission backed staff recommendations to reinstate conditional‑use/discretionary review for new construction in the Bernal South Slope (Bridal South Slope), citing landslide and liquefaction risk and cumulative neighborhood impacts; the measure passed with conditions and staff will refine criteria requiring early agency coordination.
The Planning Commission on Nov. 6 voted to advance an interim conditional‑use requirement for new development on the Bernal South Slope, a response to rising development interest on steep, seismically sensitive parcels.
Supervisor David Amiano’s office presented historical context and a staff‑draft ordinance that would require conditional‑use review for targeted hillside lots and introduce nine specific findings (including coordination with DBI, the Fire Department, and Public Works) to evaluate slope stability, emergency access, and neighborhood circulation. Planning staff recommended tightening some CEQA‑style language and asked that applicants bring letters of intent or preliminary approvals from other agencies so the commission and staff have technical confirmation of buildability.
Residents and neighborhood groups spoke at length, describing narrow streets, view corridors, a 20‑year‑old community garden and Alameda public‑housing at the base of the slope; they urged mandatory, enforceable criteria to avoid piecemeal development that could degrade safety, access, and open space. The department proposed requiring applicant verification from DBI, Fire and Public Works on emergency access and utilities as part of any conditional‑use filing.
The commission approved the staff recommendation (motion passed 5–2), with several commissioners calling for a subsequent comprehensive planning study to address cumulative impacts and for staff to explore funding or volunteer‑assisted planning assistance.
Next steps: staff will return with final code language clarifying findings and with a short memo about public‑space ownership (children’s garden, Alemany Farm) and who holds jurisdiction for those parcels.
Votes: The motion passed 5–2 (Commissioners Antonini and Seguaya voted no).
