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Tenth & Market project draws continued scrutiny over wind studies, parking and notice; Board schedules consolidated review
Summary
Appellants challenged Planning Commission approvals for a 719‑unit downtown project, citing wind tunnel and notice concerns; the Board of Appeals voted to continue consolidated exception/variance review to Aug. 29 to allow fuller briefing and combined consideration.
Opponents of a proposed 719‑unit project at Market and Tenth Streets told the Board of Appeals they were shortchanged on notice and on environmental review of wind impacts and parking, while project backers and city planners said an extensive addendum and digital wind modeling supported the Commission’s exceptions.
“125 of 719 units have insufficient dwelling‑unit exposure,” attorney Sue Hester told the board, urging closer scrutiny of wind, open‑space and parking exceptions; she said the department relied on an addendum rather than a full supplemental environmental review. Hester also warned the project’s extra parking could encourage vehicle trips in a high‑transit corridor.
Planning and project staff defended the Commission’s findings, saying 3‑09 exceptions are an established mechanism for downtown projects. Planner Craig Nikitas and project representatives said the digital wind modeling showed the proposed design would reduce ground‑level wind in key pedestrian areas and that parking above the basic cap would be used for long‑term storage with controlled access.
After extended questioning about methodology and cumulative effects from several commissioners, the Board agreed to continue the exceptions briefing and to hear the related variance and environmental issues together on August 29 so the record can be fully developed.
