Board of Supervisors - 2026-01-13
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved final passage of ordinances for the SF Fire Department training facility at 1236 Carroll Avenue, including street vacations and rezoning from PDR-2 to P (Public) with height increases from 4-X to 90 feet. The board denied an appeal of the CEQA emergency exemption for removal of the Vaillancourt Fountain at Embarcadero Plaza, with a 10-1 vote allowing the $4.4 million disassembly project to proceed. Mayor Lurie announced Vanderbilt University will establish a full-time academic campus in San Francisco beginning in 2027.
Key Decisions (7)
SF Fire Department Training Facility Street Vacation at 1236 Carroll Avenue
Ordinance ordering vacation of portions of Hawes and Griffith Streets and Bancroft Avenue for development of SFFD training facility. Reserves public utility and access rights, approves interdepartmental transfer from Public Works to Fire Department. Assessor's parcel blocks 4877 (lots 001-004) and 4852 (lots 002-022).
Rezoning for SFFD Training Facility at 1236 Carroll Avenue
Zoning map amendment changing assessor's parcel blocks 4877 (lots 001-004) and 4852 (lots 002-022) from PDR-2 (Production, Distribution, Repair) and P (Public) to P (Public), and height/bulk district from 4-X to 90 feet for the fire department training facility.
Family Definition and Residential Care Facilities Planning Code Amendment
Ordinance defining family as household, eliminating numeric limits on unrelated family members, classifying residential care facilities serving six or fewer persons as residential uses, and clarifying zoning administrator enforcement authority.
Appeal of CEQA Emergency Exemption for Vaillancourt Fountain Removal
Board denied appeal by Docomomo Northern California of the Planning Department's statutory emergency exemption determination for disassembly and removal of the Vaillancourt Fountain at Embarcadero Plaza. The 710-ton concrete fountain will be removed to storage at a cost of approximately $4.4 million due to documented structural failures, corrosion, and safety hazards.
Conditional Use Authorization Appeal for 825 Sansom Street EV Charging Facility
Appeal of conditional use authorization for change of use from public parking garage (96 spaces) to private fleet charging, public EV charging, and private parking at 825 Sansom Street. Continued to February 3, 2026 for ongoing negotiations between parties.
967 Mission Street Affordable Senior Housing Financing
Approved multifamily housing revenue notes totaling $41.7 million, 75-year ground lease with 124-year extension option at $15,000 annual base rent, $44.3 million loan agreement, and $10.5 million operating subsidy grant for 95-unit 100% affordable senior housing development by 967 Mission LP. Includes 40 senior operating subsidy units, 24 LOSP units for homeless seniors, and 5 units for city plus housing list referrals.
City Administrator Carmen Chu Reappointment
Confirmed mayoral reappointment of Carmen Chu as City Administrator for a five-year term.
Zoning Changes (2)
1236 Carroll Avenue - Assessor's Parcel Blocks 4877 (lots 001-004) and 4852 (lots 002-022), including Bancroft Avenue between Griffith and Haw Streets, Griffith and Haw Streets between Carroll and Armstrong Avenues
San Francisco Fire Department
1236 Carroll Avenue - Assessor's Parcel Block 4852 Lot 001
San Francisco Fire Department
Development Activity (4)
SF Fire Department Training Facility
Training facility requiring street vacations of portions of Hawes Street, Griffith Street, and Bancroft Avenue. Rezoning from PDR-2 to P (Public) with height increase from 4-X to 90 feet.
967 Mission Senior Housing
95-unit 100% affordable senior housing rental development. Includes 40 senior operating subsidy units, 24 LOSP units for homeless seniors, 5 units for city plus housing list. 75-year ground lease with $15,000 annual rent. Total financing approximately $96.5 million including $41.7M revenue notes, $44.3M loan, $10.5M operating subsidy.
Vanderbilt University San Francisco Campus
Full-time academic campus beginning 2027. Will bring students, faculty, and research activity to downtown. Includes commitment to preserve CCA archives, support alumni, and continue Wattis Institute through new CCA Institute at Vanderbilt.
Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Renovation
Major plaza renovation project in planning phase. Funding includes 2024 bond dollars, approximately $2.5 million from BXP, and approximately $10 million from Downtown Community Benefit District. Vaillancourt Fountain removal ($4.4 million) funded from project budget.
Market Signals (5)
Commercial Demand
Vanderbilt University's selection of San Francisco for a full-time academic campus signals renewed institutional confidence in downtown, with the mayor citing it as evidence that the city remains a world-class place to live, learn, and innovate.
Infrastructure
The city is investing heavily in Embarcadero Plaza renovation with over $12.5 million in combined public-private funding from 2024 bonds, BXP ($2.5M), and Downtown Community Benefit District ($10M), indicating prioritization of downtown revitalization.
Housing Demand
The 967 Mission senior housing project received approximately $96.5 million in combined city financing, demonstrating continued commitment to affordable senior housing development despite budget constraints.
Sentiment
Multiple speakers and the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association expressed strong support for Embarcadero Plaza renovation, noting the East Side near Ferry Building has reinvented itself over 20 years while the West Side plaza area remains underutilized.
Commercial Demand
Downtown revitalization efforts cited as successful, with One Sansom remodel becoming a hotspot and bringing people to downtown San Francisco, suggesting improving commercial conditions in the Financial District.