Code Section: 803.5 (b)

Subject: CU for conversion of group housing to apartments

Effective Date: 12/92

Interpretation:

   This Subsection states that demolition or conversion to any other use, of a group housing unit or dwelling unit in the South of Market Districts shall require a conditional use authorization. The phrase, "any other use" includes the conversion of group housing to a dwelling unit. It was noted that the intent of the legislation was to preserve single room occupancy units because of their affordability.

Code Section: 803.5 (i)(1)

Subject: RSD ratio of residential use to nonresidential use

Effective Date: 1992

Interpretation:

   This Paragraph states that nonresidential uses, "shall be permitted in new construction in the Residential/Service District . . . " only if the ratio between the residential floor area to the nonresidential floor area is three to one. The term "new construction" shall mean only a new building-not alterations or additions. Nevertheless, because of the housing policies of the General Plan as reflected in this provision, the staff will bring to the Planning Commission's attention proposals for alterations or additions that would make noncomplying, or increase noncompliance of the ratio of non-residential floor area to residential floor area on a lot in the Residential/Service District. This will allow the Commission to exercise discretionary review over the permit application.

Code Section: 803.8 (d)

Subject: Housing Ratio in the MUR District

Effective Date: 5/09

Interpretation:

   The MUR District is intended primarily to be a residential district. Accordingly, this Section requires that three residential gross square feet be created for every one nonresidential gross square foot. This requirement was adapted from a similar requirement in the RSD District (Section 803.8(c)) which applies only to new construction. Section 803.8(d) inadvertently fails to specify the types of projects to which it applies. Because of this unintentional omission and because existing buildings could not reasonably be expected to meet this provision, this Section shall only apply to new construction and not to existing buildings.

Code Section: 816 .05

Subject: Usable Open Space Requirement for Dwelling Units in the SLR District

Effective Date: 3/06

Interpretation:

   This Section states that within the SLR (Service, Light Industrial, Residential) District a minimum of 60 square feet of private usable open space or 80 square feet of common usable open space is required for each dwelling unit or group housing unit. Section 816.05 further references Section 135, which indicates that this same open space requirement is 36 square feet and roughly 48 square feet per unit, respectively. These two requirements are obviously contradictory and merit an examination of open space requirements elsewhere in the South of Market. It should be noted that a 36/48 square foot requirement also applies to the SLI and SSO Districts, while a 60/80 square foot requirement applies only to the RED District. Bearing in mind the use of the RED classification for "predominantly residential neighborhoods located along the narrow side-streets of the South of Market," and the SLR's contrasting "small-scale light industrial [and] home and business service" uses, a 36/48 square foot requirement is felt to be more consistent with other similar districts in the South of Market and is to be used for purposes of calculating required open space for dwelling units and group housing in the SLR District.

Code Section: 817

Subject: Motorcycle dismantling in SLI District

Effective Date: 1/95

Interpretation:

Motorcycle dismantling conducted entirely within an enclosed building is permitted in the SLI District. It was noted that, while automobile dismantling is a conditional use per Section 225(p), that subsection does not limit the use to enclosed buildings; that storage within a completely enclosed building of junk or salvaged materials (exclusive of auto salvaging operations) is a permitted use in the M-1 District which is the Light Industrial District; that light industrial use is a permitted use in the SLI District; and that motorcycle dismantling does not require the same kind of heavy equipment as is required for auto dismantling, involves disposing of less oil and gasoline, and presumably is less noisy.

Code Section: 890.50 (f)

Subject:

Effective Date: 

Interpretation:

   See "Printing, where allowed, plus: for training purposes 3/97" in the Interpretations - Alphabetical

Code Section: 890.54 (a)

Subject: South of Market controls, light manufacturing

Effective Date: 11/88

Interpretation:

   This Section defines light manufacturing. A small brewery with on-premises sale and also off sale of only kegs – no bottles comes under this definition.