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Planning commission approves adaptive reuse of 799 Van Ness to self‑storage; director grants active‑use waiver

San Francisco Planning Commission · February 12, 2026

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Summary

The commission approved a conditional use authorization to convert the long‑vacant historic auto‑row building at 799 Van Ness into a StorageStar self‑storage facility after Historic Preservation Commission recommended an active‑use waiver; the planning director granted the waiver and the motion passed unanimously.

Planning staff presented a conditional use authorization for the adaptive reuse of 799 Van Ness Avenue, an eight‑year vacant historic structure in the Van Ness/Auto Row corridor. The applicant, StorageStar, proposed interior renovation for self‑storage with exterior rehabilitation consistent with Secretary of Interior standards and a staffed lobby at the main entrance.

Staff noted the Historic Preservation Commission had advised permitting an active‑use waiver for the first two stories to enable preservation and economic feasibility. The sponsor said the use is light touch, reversible and will invest in facade restoration, new lighting, mural art and security measures; StorageStar representatives committed to security patrols, on‑site staffing during business hours and partnerships with the Tenderloin Merchants Association. The sponsor also said it would pursue union labor for construction.

Public comment was split: neighborhood and business groups (Tenderloin merchants, building trades, some unions and property owners) supported the reuse as a pragmatic way to revitalize the corridor and preserve the building; several nearby residents opposed non‑active uses and asked that ground‑floor activation be preserved if feasible. Commissioners discussed active‑use waiver tradeoffs and staff recommended the director consider the HPC advice. After deliberation the commission voted to approve the conditional use authorization; the Planning Director granted the active‑use waiver as drafted by staff. The motion passed unanimously 7–0.