[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5974724,"mediaKeyId","5833006-d2405e25f23c0c64a67544fc10874f78","parentId",5833006,"title","Planning Commission approves 'District 3 Thrives' ordinance to loosen small-business restrictions in North Beach, with modifications","audioSeconds",12518,"startMs",1478000,"endMs",13996000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833006-d2405e25f23c0c64a67544fc10874f78&start=1478&end=13996","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833006-d2405e25f23c0c64a67544fc10874f78/thumbnail_1478000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5974724/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Planning-Commission-approves-District-3-Thrives-ordinance-to-loosen-small-business-restrictions-in-North-Beach-with-modifications","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974724-120630ae24fafdffa269fe2082221e36/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946740&Signature=eholkXMtHNE1DMfYUygUDIfTLxjHjwrAKK2-Slt9bogznS0hLgm9svBlOM4E8oEb6hIYyvIqdkQZdVpNnxGXNND2Tw6e8BIQUNjT9O17-3loSAb1jMbyOtwK515y0HyaF-C9gQmfT-Hp7CFh98igPthj27scKjGwRxCLvrfHsaNvRtct8ekwWl2OHxu9ROtal~uEYNfeOt48UMUyockJBYY1gRW0o6DfToIa3RmpbC5YSbPCSXA6L5zOZqoubj7ukM59Llr0Cejf90PKZd2zxn7bp6j1Kap8hr-t~SmiZ1vmZlAqdMPeKNk9McRglKXgHmYSB5FaEh-J1tIU9E3xWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of San Francisco","date","2025-09-25T00:00:00Z","article","The San Francisco Planning Commission on Thursday approved a package of planning-code changes dubbed \"District 3 Thrives,\" a locally focused ordinance introduced by Supervisor Danny Sauter to make it easier for small businesses to open and expand in several Neighborhood Commercial Districts in District 3, including North Beach, Polk Street and Jackson Square.

Supervisor Sauter told the commission the legislation aims to cut permitting delays, reduce unnecessary prohibitions (for example, on flexible retail or small neighborhood-serving medical offices on some First Floors) and consolidate overlapping regulations, most notably folding the North Beach Special Use District into a single named North Beach Neighborhood Commercial District. He said the changes were intended to help fill long-term vacancies and support small proprietors.

The sponsor and planning staff also proposed a series of amendments during the hearing in response to concerns from residents and merchant groups. The amendments added conditional-use review for larger storefront mergers (permitting small mergers up to a fixed square-foot ceiling by conditional use) and tightened controls on bars and entertainment uses in sensitive subareas including Jackson Square. The legislation does not change the city\u0000wide formula-retail caps and keeps notifications and conditional-use processes where the amendments require them.

Public testimony ran more than four hours. Support came from dozens of small-business owners and business associations, including the North Beach Neighborhood Association, Golden Gate Restaurant Association, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and the Discover Polk Community Benefit District, who said the changes would reduce unpredictable, costly \"spot-legislation\" and help local entrepreneurs open in otherwise vacant storefronts. Several business owners described specific sites they could open if the new rules pass.

Opposition centered on North Beach residents and neighborhood associations including Telegraph Hill Dwellers, Jackson Square Historic District Association, North Beach Tenants Committee and other civic groups who urged delay and more data-driven review. Those speakers said North Beach already has a low vacancy rate (about 5% cited by speakers), and argued the SUD and NCD protections have preserved neighborhood character and limited overconcentration of restaurants and bars; they asked for a continuance to review final ordinance text and for additional data on vacancy, existing business mix and impacts to residents above storefronts. Some speakers also raised concerns about community outreach, saying they had not been consulted early enough.

During deliberations, commissioners debated the pace of change, the adequacy of outreach and whether to require more data before passing citywide-aligned rules. Commissioner Braun and others supported adopting the ordinance with Supervisor Sauter's amendments and additional tweaks by staff, saying conditional-use processes and newly added limits on bars and storefront mergers addressed many neighborhood worries while removing unnecessary barriers for small businesses. Commissioner Imperial urged more data-driven findings and said a short continuance would be useful; that motion failed after votes. The final vote to approve the ordinance as amended passed 4-3 with Council President Soh, Commissioners Campbell, McGarry and Braun voting yes; Commissioners Williams, Imperial and Moore voted no.

What was approved: amendments to several named NCDs in District 3 that expand eligible uses (limited first-floor health services in some subareas, limited restaurants and flexible retail), consolidate the North Beach SUD into a single NCD with clarified controls, allow limited small storefront mergers under conditional review (with a square-foot threshold), and align processing to create clearer, more predictable routes for small businesses to seek permits. The ordinance explicitly preserves the city\u0000wide formula-retail limits and leaves tenant-protection and family-zoning matters to separate proceedings.

Why this matters: The vote alters how small business change of use and permitability are handled in historically significant neighborhood commercial corridors. Supporters say it will reduce ad hoc, project-specific legislation and make it easier for neighborhood entrepreneurs to open; opponents say the protections that have preserved North Beach\u0000s character risk being weakened. The Board of Supervisors retains oversight for final legislative adoption where text amendments are required.

The commission recorded a roll-call vote and included a list of amendments that staff will incorporate in final ordinance text for the Board of Supervisors' review. The supervisor said he will continue conversations with neighborhood groups and the sponsor indicated they will comply with the conditional-use processes and notice requirements requested by staff.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of San Francisco - Video Open Video Only in Windows Media Player","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning Commission approved \"District 3 Thrives,\" a planning-code package introduced by Supervisor Danny Sauter to loosen some rules in District 3 neighborhood commercial districts, after hours of public comment and negotiated amendments intended to protect sensitive subareas.","taxTitle","San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California","taxId",5751,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5974729,"Planning Commission approves Prologis—SF Gateway development after lengthy debate over benefits and air pollution controls",15248,1936000,17184000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833006-d2405e25f23c0c64a67544fc10874f78&start=1936&end=17184","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833006-d2405e25f23c0c64a67544fc10874f78/thumbnail_1936000.jpg","/articles/5974729/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Planning-Commission-approves-PrologisSF-Gateway-development-after-lengthy-debate-over-benefits-and-air-pollution-controls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974729-766f420d27fd2494b0d146fc354c5e77/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946740&Signature=QOiwa4gPgdWUouLiqj0D7HpiCQdjv5UDCkKLdyQ9ub3sCU3ZmyE-t0JjgwJLoKCWVF-aO5WOcsKX9dMx8J8JJxb7J3hNYJvUoR28huZtI~AkSDrtFUyG0c4ecrKSJtf-MdUMsPLiYPgRiPIDEEWK4-nLz2FrPC1UEQR1NXFYWGZBAHBP386Qu7VBxNmDSmJCkTMFY0cEdNkQjHOjTL0OxKwZ1H9h5yFEnHCAMRVCReokuz9i5mkXYy30dwjq7BTE5PFLexGyanCePWdgCWJTIb1nCQS4kpwu02qOniykxL2pEY46E40RV7J6b3Bd02cUwYmneuaVdWB3dKd6TTs3vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Francisco Planning Commission voted to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report and approve a development agreement and zoning changes for the Prologis SF Gateway project on Thursday, allowing construction of two new production-distribution-repair (PDR) buildings totaling about 1.63 million square feet and eight thousand square feet of retail in Bayview Hunters Point.

The decision follows an extensive staff review and a prolonged public debate that included multiple community advisory meetings, testimony from unions that backed the project\u0000and from neighborhood and environmental advocates who warned of increased truck activity and air-pollution risks. Planning staff found the EIR adequate under CEQA after identifying mitigation measures for air quality, paleontology, noise and other impacts; the commission certified the EIR unanimously before approving the project entitlements 6-0.

The project sponsor, Prologis, agreed to a development agreement that includes roughly $70 million in public benefits, including $8 million in direct community contributions for workforce development, childcare and small-business grants; $35 million in streetscape and infrastructure upgrades near the site; a project labor agreement; and commitments to prioritize Bayview residents for construction and operations hiring. The agreement also requires a micro-local business employment and contracting program and sets targets for local, small and disadvantaged business participation.

To address air-quality concerns, the EIR imposes a suite of mitigation measures and requires the project to implement an Operational Emissions Management Plan (OEMP). Measures described in the certificate and development agreement include higher energy-efficiency standards (CalGreen Tier 2), an extensive rooftop solar array and substantial electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The OEMP sets a performance standard tied to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District\u0000thresholds for nitrogen-oxide emissions\u0000and requires reporting and lease-level controls that staff described as enforceable under the development agreement.

Community leaders and labor representatives presented sharply different views. Several Bayview organizations and local unions told the commission they had negotiated directly with Prologis for more than a year and supported the project because it creates thousands of construction and permanent jobs, a path to union employment through apprenticeship and program funding for local contractors. Environmental and health advocates asked the commission to delay approval, citing the neighborhood\u0000which already bears heavy industrial uses\u0000and demanding clearer, legally binding limits on truck emissions, stronger enforcement provisions, and regular public oversight of mitigation.

Commissioners who supported the project emphasized the scale of the benefits, the enforceable development-agreement structure and the detailed mitigation package in the EIR. Commissioners who opposed cited lingering doubts about cumulative air emissions in a historically over-burdened neighborhood and asked that staff and the sponsor be vigilant about compliance and community transparency.

The commission adopted the development agreement, the Gateway Special Use District (an overlay to the existing PDR2 zoning), the required planning-code amendments and the conditional-use authorization for the planned-unit development. The approvals include conditions of approval and monitoring requirements, and planning staff said the sponsor will post project compliance reports on a public project website. Several commissioners asked staff to bring annual status reports to the commission once construction and operations begin.

Prologis said it will proceed to permitting and tenant outreach; specific tenants for the large PDR floors remain to be negotiated, and the planning department will screen future tenant uses against the EIR assumptions to ensure actual operations remain within the analyzed and mitigated envelope. The project team and city staff said they would continue outreach with the Market Zone Working Group and the project\u0000s community advisory committee as construction begins.

The project now advances to the Board of Supervisors for approval of the development agreement and map changes. If the board approves, Prologis expects to proceed to permitting and phased construction.

Why this matters: The decision advances one of the city's largest private investments in PDR space in many years and sets a new template for pairing large-scale industrial redevelopment with legally enforceable community benefits, union commitments and an operational plan aimed at limiting air-pollutant emissions in a historically overburdened neighborhood.","The San Francisco Planning Commission voted to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report and approve a development agreement and zoning changes for the Prologis SF Gateway project in Bayview Hunters Point, authorizing construction of two PDR buildings totaling about 1.63 million square feet and a package of community and workforce benefits.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5974718,"Planning Commission approves AT&T—monopole at 350 Amber Drive over residents' objections, 4-3",6287,7913000,14200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833006-d2405e25f23c0c64a67544fc10874f78&start=7913&end=14200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833006-d2405e25f23c0c64a67544fc10874f78/thumbnail_7913000.jpg","/articles/5974718/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Planning-Commission-approves-ATTmonopole-at-350-Amber-Drive-over-residents-objections-4-3","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974718-cb8cf2b86b7586ac35e5af2c461731d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946741&Signature=CgpznLHW00Mi4sdyEmc0UfMvFj2Z75aMZH~23lUz6q-3MhiKxsOsgiAJat1~OTWTrz3yRNF0jI-nJlgGOVeWXsBF23o-dG6gksz3gFEdZS8HnEX0P6YwCDvhfdW7MGnraHULoSb42GuK3DvdRA3d2CwF54lSKfhOsgCXZDearRYeLpWPvcUA3s6G4cHBEfG45EaelT1RWMfZgk~ymon~Q3~GXZ1pNnxWidHGYrvFOfAOwRA75ZiIqRMoybowwHuIYSAK4JzM9SeSWvejvuutLX8yz0zw8w5DgdiWF9u8dDWzwsDydPXAE4LpjA09Vfvd9eUc22HORLbn5yXuS~LocQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Commission narrowly approved AT&T's request to install a 104-foot telecommunications monopole and associated equipment at 350 Amber Drive, sited in the San Francisco Police Academy parking area, by a 4-3 vote on Thursday.

Planning staff told the commission the site is a Planning Code \"preference 1\" location (publicly owned structure) and that a shadow study showed effectively negligible additional shadowing on adjacent Recreation and Park properties (George Christopher Playground and Glen Canyon Park). The Recreation and Park Commission had earlier recommended that the net new shadow would not be adverse. The project requires conditional-use authorization because the facility would exceed the 40-foot threshold of the zoning district.

AT&T representatives said the monopole was needed to fill long-identified coverage gaps for customers and public-safety users, including FirstNet, the nationwide public-safety network. The carrier presented maps and propagation modeling that showed a large coverage deficit in the Glen Park\u0000Mira Loma area that the proposed site would address.

Opposition speakers, including residents of houses that overlook Glen Canyon and a coalition of environmental and community groups, urged denial. They raised multiple concerns: the monopole's proximity to a densely used park and playground, the site's geotechnical history (the area contains deep landfill and previous slope instability), fire and public-safety risks linked to the site's diesel backup generator, potential emissions, and the aesthetic harm of a tree-height monopole visible from canyon trails and adjacent homes. Several residents also pointed to the neighborhood\u0000already burdened with historic contamination and high respiratory illness rates\u0000and asked for alternative, less intrusive coverage solutions such as co-locating on rooftops or smaller-cell installations.

Commissioners split over whether the demonstrated coverage need and the site's status as a preference-1 public site outweighed the visual and safety concerns raised by speakers. A motion to continue the item failed; a motion to deny (intent to disapprove) also failed. A motion to approve passed 4-3 with Commissioners Campbell, McGarry, Braun and President Soh voting yes; Commissioners Williams, Imperial and Moore voted no.

Conditions attached to the approval require standard planning mitigations and an eight-foot perimeter fence around ground equipment; AT&T also confirmed 24/7 video monitoring and a helpline on site. Planning staff noted that federal law (FCC rules) preempts local authorities on RF-safety questions, and the commission\u0000consistent with precedent\u0000considered land-use and shadow effects and the location preferences identified in the city's wireless-siting guidelines.

Why this matters: The decision resolves a long-standing local coverage gap but underscores the tension between wireless infrastructure and community concerns about visual impacts, geotechnical safety, and cumulative environmental burdens in neighborhoods already carrying heavy industrial and infrastructure uses. The vote was narrow, and opponents said they would continue to press for alternative solutions if the carrier seeks to expand the network.

","The Planning Commission approved AT&T's request to install a 104-foot monopole at 350 Amber Drive to close local wireless coverage gaps, despite objections from nearby residents and environmental advocates, by a 4-3 vote.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5974714,"Planning Commission approves Iona public EV charging station at 2201 Alemany with traffic conditions and monitoring",2287,10325000,12612000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833006-d2405e25f23c0c64a67544fc10874f78&start=10325&end=12612","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833006-d2405e25f23c0c64a67544fc10874f78/thumbnail_10325000.jpg","/articles/5974714/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Planning-Commission-approves-Iona-public-EV-charging-station-at-2201-Alemany-with-traffic-conditions-and-monitoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5974714-21cb71ffce3f60f83c8948d5ac158a22/orig.mp4?Expires=1770946741&Signature=IQErimfgkIRsWsytAGhoEZRT7Z5j3Cy2sKnmDASBrdFP4Ouqe0zLNTINxp1KhjOcDwhAOR4IL8svLyoPeZ8aANR6PHv8TDTfQr-pf4TjKT7ATfjw5EKoeM6quJt~Q-ByNI0l8GhuAImG62FPmD5pewdvDFWZhBUvWd3PZaYeoJGRriT0qK2SUZpJIytfCN76i986lYZOGSIm1s-D948gFL2AxKGG7KABdaEjU1Ab9P6L~GHqbWHolaiCwkJwU3KACsCp7uL9MKcZEhZvhyZEPKTivwON8ovTTGuzOpgca-kA-taoqv1jxdzeQ3UvXiIPcfu13jVeD1tvqj8KeZ6JZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Commission on Thursday unanimously approved a proposal by Iona to build a public fast-charging electric-vehicle (EV) station at 2201 Alemany Boulevard in the Excelsior-Outer Mission neighborhood.

The project reclaims a long-vacant surface lot and proposes eight dual charging pedestals that can serve as many as 16 vehicles at a time, an elevated canopy, lighting, stormwater retention and a modest perimeter fence with accompanying landscaping. The sponsor told the commission the chargers are open to all EVs, will have 24/7 video monitoring, a helpline number and no on-site attendants.

Several nearby residents and community groups asked commissioners to require the driveway to exit on Alemany rather than Geneva because Geneva carries frequent Muni bus service, heavy pedestrian flows near a high school and several childcare providers, and complex turning movements. The project team explained site constraints and said locating the drive on Geneva minimized conflict with Alemany\u0000s centerline and right-turn-only lane and would avoid removing on-street parking.

To address neighborhood safety concerns, the sponsor agreed to a condition requiring right-turn-only signage at the Geneva exit; the commission added a second, non-binding direction urging the sponsor to work with the SFMTA on additional traffic-calming measures. The approval includes standard site screening and greening requirements, a commitment to a high-quality metal perimeter fence instead of chain-link, and a requirement that the sponsor work with neighbors on \u0000good-neighbor\u0000 signage and site-management policies. Commissioners also required the sponsor to gate the site when not operational.

Commissioners said they favored approving the project because it activates a vacant lot, provides a publicly accessible EV charging option in a part of the city with a lot of on-street parkers, and supports the city\u0000s climate goals. They likewise voiced support for the sponsor\u0000s willingness to meet neighborhood concerns, while stressing that SFMTA and public-safety review would be important during permit processing.

Development approvals require conditions of the planning code\u0000including screening and greening of off-street vehicle uses\u0000and the Department recommended approval on the basis that the EV station improved the economic viability of the commercial corridor and served a public function.

Why this matters: The city is seeing a growing number of privately funded public EV charging stations filling gaps in curbside charging capacity; the Iona project is one of the first to come before the commission and shows how neighborhood concerns about drive access and safety are incorporated into approvals. The project passed 7-0 with a condition for right-turn exit and commitments to post a helpline and implement cameras and gate the site outside operational hours.

","The Planning Commission unanimously approved a proposal from Iona to build a public fast-charging electric-vehicle (EV) site at 2201 Alemany Boulevard, converting a vacant 10,000-square-foot lot into eight chargers with room for 16 vehicles at once. Commissioners attached conditions including a right-turn-only egress onto Geneva Avenue and a city","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning Commission approves 'District 3 Thrives' ordinance to loosen small-business restrictions in North Beach, with modifications

Planning Commission approves Prologis—SF Gateway development after lengthy debate over benefits and air pollution controls

Planning Commission approves AT&T—monopole at 350 Amber Drive over residents' objections, 4-3

Planning Commission approves Iona public EV charging station at 2201 Alemany with traffic conditions and monitoring