Planning Commission approves Crunch Fitness on Union Street with conditions to preserve neighborhood character

The San Francisco Planning Commission on Feb. 1 approved a conditional-use permit for a Crunch Fitness health club proposed for a Union Street retail building, adding conditions the commission said would help preserve the street’s neighborhood character. The action followed public testimony from merchants, residents and the applicant and a detailed discussion among commissioners.

Merchants and local business representatives told the commission they backed Crunch’s plan, saying the company would invest in a long-vacant building and drive foot traffic. "This will not create a parking problem," said Joel Yodowitz, representing Crunch. "Crunch wants its customers to be able to walk to its locations; it wants to be a good neighbor." Local merchant Michael Williams presented results of a January survey of 164 Union Street business owners that he said showed strong support for the proposal.

Opponents raised concerns about proximity to other Crunch locations and the potential for displacement of small independent fitness studios. Commissioner Christina Olague and others pressed Crunch’s representatives about average lease terms and whether the company would remain in the neighborhood long-term; Crunch’s real estate director, Jim Somoza, said the company typically takes 10-year leases and in this case planned to buy the property.

Commissioner Mike Antonini moved to approve the application with modified findings and conditions. The approved conditions require the project sponsor to retain and maintain the building’s historic front facade and to beautify the wall facing the adjacent park (for example, with a mural or recladding), both incorporated as conditions of approval. Commissioners also asked that the record include a finding that the project should seek to be "symbiotic" with neighborhood studios, expressed as a finding rather than an enforceable operating constraint after staff and legal counsel cautioned about enforceability.

The commission discussed, but did not require, that the applicant close any existing Crunch locations. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized the project’s design commitments and the fact the company said it would invest $2 million–$3 million in interior improvements.

The commission recorded a unanimous vote to approve the conditional use with the stated modifications. The decision concludes the public hearing on item 11 for the proposal and places the conditions in the permit findings. The project sponsor and staff will return with any required ministerial paperwork and permit applications.