Committee advances planning‑code tweaks to expand mid‑block alley controls and rooftop screening flexibility

The Land Use and Transportation Committee on June 7 advanced an ordinance amending San Francisco’s planning code to expand where mid‑block alley controls apply and to give planners more flexibility in rooftop screening and enclosure rules.

The Planning Department’s Tina Chang told the committee the changes would extend the existing mid‑block alley requirement — including the 60 percent ‘open to sky’ standard — to additional zoning districts (including specified extensions to Folsom Street and Regional Commercial areas) and make clear that the controls apply where projects have significant alley as well as street frontages. Chang said the rooftop screening changes would allow taller screens (up to 20 feet) across more of roof area, but only after design review and Planning Commission approval.

The proposal is intended to break up long block frontages to improve pedestrian character and allow mechanical equipment to be screened in ways that better fit a building’s overall design, Chang said. She noted the rooftop flexibility is not categorical and remains subject to the city’s design‑review processes.

After the presentation the chair opened public comment, and no members of the public spoke on the item. Chair Malia Cohen moved to forward the ordinance with a positive recommendation to the full Board; the committee recorded the motion as passing unanimously. The committee did not provide individual roll‑call tallies in the transcript.

The ordinance will next go to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration.