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Board committee advances rooftop expansion for Hearse Building hotel at 5 Third Street
Summary
Committee forwarded an amendment to allow modest rooftop floor area on the 13-story Hearse Building at 5 Third Street, citing historic-preservation review; public commenters urged engineering checks for rooftop loads while labor groups said the project includes worker protections and union access.
The committee sent an amended ordinance to the full Board of Supervisors that would allow new floor area or building volume on the rooftop of a nonconforming Article 11 structure at 5 Third Street — the Hearse Building — provided the rooftop has an existing parapet at least 17 feet high along the primary frontage.
"This is a site specific piece of legislation," Chair Supervisor Aaron Peskin said after planning staff described a project to rehabilitate the 13-story building, convert office floors to a hotel and preserve about 11,000 square feet of retail at the basement and ground floors. Planning staff noted the Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission recommended approval.
A public commenter urged an engineering assessment of rooftop load limits, warning that "you put in the lower level section of the building at risk for collapse" if roofs are not structurally tested. Labor and community groups supported the project for job protections: Cynthia Gomez of UnitedHealthcare Local 2 said the developer "signed agreements that will ensure that whatever workers are employed at this hotel... will have a fair process to join a union." Connie Ford of Good Jobs for All said the group supports the project and noted opportunities for disadvantaged communities.
Deputy City Attorney John Givner said some code text had sunset and staff drafted amendments to restore language; Supervisor Peskin asked for a short-title correction to reference 5 Third Street and the assessor's parcel if necessary. Supervisor Matt Haney moved to adopt the amendments and send the item as amended to the full board; the committee advanced the ordinance without objection.
The committee did not hold a roll-call vote; action was taken by unanimous consent in committee and will proceed to the full board.
