Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The San Francisco Planning Commission approved the transit-oriented residential development ordinance implementing SB 79, adopting an alternative plan that exempts the city from default state height and density requirements. The commission also approved the modified 1 Oak project at 1500-1540 Market Street, a 541-unit residential tower with a 400-foot height, by a 5-1 vote. Two discretionary review cases involving residential additions and a firewall construction were resolved with the commission not taking DR on the first and taking DR with modifications on the second.
Key Decisions (5)
SB 79 Transit-Oriented Residential Development Implementation
Adopted recommendation for approval of planning code amendment implementing SB 79, including permanent exclusion of three industrial employment hubs (South of Market/Mission, Bayshore/Central Waterfront, Bayview), temporary exemption of low-resource census tracts south of 16th Street and Mission Bay until 2032, and adoption of citywide alternative plan demonstrating housing capacity exceeds SB 79 requirements by over 100,000 units.
1 Oak Project at 1500-1540 Market Street
Approved downtown project authorization for Emerald Fund's modified residential development containing 541 dwelling units (increase of 81 units from 2022 approval), 400-foot tower with 139-foot podium, 135 parking spaces, and zoning map amendment to increase podium height limit from 120 to 140 feet. Project includes $20.7 million affordable housing fee contribution.
Discretionary Review at 2620 20th Street
Commission did not take discretionary review of permit for rear horizontal addition and deck to three-story single family building. DR requester Kevin Chin raised concerns about geology, privacy, and massing. Staff found addition modest and code-compliant.
Discretionary Review at 2460 Francisco Street - Firewall Construction
Commission took discretionary review and approved with modifications a permit to construct one-hour rated firewall at existing deck in light well. DR requester Steve Grossman of 2454 Francisco Street raised concerns about privacy and safety from adjacent deck used for cooking.
Continuance of 77 Broad Street Discretionary Review
Discretionary review case 2023-9469 at 77 Broad Street continued to April 16, 2026.
Zoning Changes (2)
1500-1540 Market Street (five contiguous lots)
Emerald Fund via Supervisor Matt Dorsey ordinance
Citywide - parcels within half mile of qualifying transit stops
Mayor Daniel Lurie (Board File 260132)
Development Activity (3)
1 Oak
541 dwelling units in 41-story tower (400 feet) over 14-story podium (139 feet), approximately 508,000 square feet, 135 parking spaces, 3 car share spaces, 210 class 1 and 27 class 2 bicycle parking spaces. Tower over podium design with public plaza on Oak Street.
2620 20th Street Addition
Rear horizontal addition and deck to existing three-story single family building
2460 Francisco Street Firewall
Construction of one-hour rated firewall at existing second floor exterior deck within light well, with privacy screen to six feet above deck level
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
Washington Capital Management representative noted 100% increase in permit volume for door, window, and fire sprinkler permits since OpenGov launch, with 35% submitted after hours, suggesting pent-up demand when processes are simplified.
Commercial Demand
Project sponsor removed ground floor retail from 1 Oak citing difficulty filling retail spaces, noting Emerald Fund's 150 Venice property still has empty retail and that retail rent is not a profit driver.
Sentiment
Planning Director noted commission hearings are 'looking lighter and lighter' with no items currently on April 2 advance calendar, suggesting reduced development activity pipeline.
Infrastructure
City launched development impact fee calculator on website, moving from Excel spreadsheets to automated system for both staff and project sponsors to calculate project cash responsibilities.
Housing Demand
RHNA progress memo indicates San Francisco is not meeting market rate housing goals and slightly underperforming on very low and low income goals, with significant progress needed to catch up in the current cycle.