Commission approves Mission Bay Block 4 East design and plan amendments after heated public comments
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Summary
After a detailed design presentation and extensive public comment about contractor inclusion, building height and geotechnical concerns, the commission approved seven separate resolutions to advance Mission Bay South Block 4 East, including design approvals, redevelopment plan amendments and an owner participation agreement amendment; all passed 4‑0 with one absence.
The San Francisco Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure on Nov. 18 approved seven related items to advance Mission Bay South Block 4 East, a two‑building affordable housing development that OCII staff said will deliver roughly 398 units across phases and set aside 80 units for families experiencing homelessness.
Staff and the development team presented design details, a unit mix and programmatic commitments. Philip Wong, OCII development specialist, said the project will provide a range of incomes (30% up to 95% of area median income), family units up to five bedrooms, about 88 vehicle parking spaces and approximately 264 secured Class 1 bicycle spaces. Design teams from YA Studio and Perry Architects described materials, street activation strategies and a taller northern tower expression intended to complement the southern building.
OCII staff described proposed plan document amendments: increase allowable affordable units by 250 for Phase 2, raise the maximum tower height to permit a 225‑foot tower in Phase 2, exempt certain street wall height restrictions, and reduce minimum tower separation in some locations. Staff said OCII initiated CEQA review in 2023 and that, based on state legislation enacted in 2024, the 100% affordable project qualifies for a CEQA exemption; staff noted other projects (e.g., an Under‑Ramp Park) remain delayed pending environmental work.
The public comment period was lengthy and divided. Multiple community members and contractor advocates praised the project’s affordable‑housing intent but said local contractors and micro‑developers have been excluded from opportunities. "If we build it, we can maintain it," said Demetrius Williams, president of the San Francisco Hyper Local Building Trades Contractors Collective, arguing for stronger local contracting commitments. Several Mission Bay residents supported affordable housing but urged caution on a 90‑foot height increase and asked for updated geotechnical and groundwater studies; Shawnee Patel said a nearby 141‑unit building generated over 1,000 service calls and raised public‑safety concerns.
OCII compliance staff Maria Picot described outreach to local small businesses and said that while some design work had been awarded to small/local firms, 70% of construction subtrades remain available for bid; she outlined planned "meet the prime" events and good‑faith efforts to break packages so small firms can compete. Commissioners pressed for continued outreach and clarified that major construction scopes have not yet gone out to bid.
After deliberation, the commission took separate roll‑call votes on items 5D through 5J covering design approvals, redevelopment plan amendments, an owner participation agreement amendment and related reports and referrals. Each item passed by a recorded vote of 4 ayes, 1 absent (Commissioner Lim). Chair Dr. Carolyn Ransom Scott said staff will continue community engagement and return for financing actions and remaining approvals in coming months.
Votes at a glance: • Item 5D — Approve amendment to design for Phase 1 (Resolution No. 28‑2025): 4 ayes, 1 absent. • Item 5E — Conditionally approve basic concept and schematic design for Phase 1 (Resolution No. 29‑2025): 4 ayes, 1 absent. • Item 5F — Approve amendment to redevelopment plan and refer to Planning Commission (Resolution No. 30‑2025): 4 ayes, 1 absent. • Item 5G — Approve report to Board of Supervisors and authorize transmittal (Resolution No. 31‑2025): 4 ayes, 1 absent. • Item 5H — Conditionally approve design amendment for Phase 2 (Resolution No. 32‑2025): 4 ayes, 1 absent. • Item 5I — Approve concept and schematic for Phase 2 (Resolution No. 303‑2025): 4 ayes, 1 absent. • Item 5J — Amend owner participation agreement in connection with Phase 2 (Resolution No. 34‑2025): 4 ayes, 1 absent.
The commission asked staff and the development team to continue geotechnical briefings and expand community contracting outreach before construction bidding begins. Staff said financing actions will return to the commission in December or January, with Phase 1 financing pursued in 2026 and a targeted start of construction in 2027.
