Originally posted to Unfamiliar Terrain
On May 10, 2018, the San Francisco Planning Commission voted unanimously to adopt the Central SoMa Plan and its Implementation Program by certifying the EIR and recommending approval of implementing legislation, with modifications. It also recommended approval of the proposed Central SoMa Housing Sustainability District (HSD), which is separately sponsored by Mayor Mark Farrell and Supervisor Jane Kim. The Central SoMa legislation will next be considered by the Board of Supervisors.
Central SoMa Plan
The Planning Commission’s recommended modifications include a Central SoMa Mello Roos Community Financing District (CFD) participation requirement for projects that include new construction or the net addition of more than 40,000 gross square feet on a “Tier B” (residential only) or a “Tier C” property, as defined under proposed Planning Code Section 423.2. An exception would apply if the project’s square footage would not exceed the total that could be approved under current law.
See the Central SoMa website for information about other recommended modifications. The recommended modifications to increase potential housing production, which are summarized in our prior blog post, were incorporated in the substituted legislation introduced by Mayor Farrell and Supervisor Kim last month.
Central SoMa Housing Sustainability District
The HSD would include all property within the Central SoMa Plan Area. Residential projects in the HSD meeting the following criteria would qualify for a 120-day streamlined ministerial (i.e., no CEQA) review and approval process, including design review by the Planning Department:
The clock on the 120-day HSD review and approval process would not start until the Preliminary Project Assessment (PPA) process is completed, all required application materials and affidavits (e.g., to implement mitigation measures) are submitted, and any studies required pursuant to any applicable mitigation measures are completed to the satisfaction of the Planning Department’s Environmental Review Officer.
HSD project approval would follow a public hearing held by the Planning Department and would be appealable to the Board of Appeals. A building or site permit for the project would generally need to be obtained within 36 months of project approval.
The proposed Central SoMa HSD legislation is authorized under AB 73, which was sponsored by Assemblymember David Chiu and signed into law in 2017.
We will continue to monitor the proposed legislation through the approval process.