(a) Purpose and Boundaries. A Special Use District entitled the “Balboa Reservoir Special Use District” (the SUD) is hereby established, bounded by the City College of San Francisco Ocean Campus to the east, Archbishop Riordan High School to the north, the Westwood Park neighborhood to the west, and a San Francisco Public Utilities Commission parcel containing a water pipeline that is adjacent to a mixed-use multifamily residential development along Ocean Avenue to the south. The precise boundaries of the SUD are shown on Sectional Map SU12 of the Zoning Map. The purpose of the SUD is to implement the land use controls for the Balboa Reservoir Project, which is subject to a Development Agreement, approved by the Board of Supervisors in the ordinance contained in Clerk of the Board of Supervisors File No. 200423. The intent of the SUD is to establish a child- and family-friendly mixed-use residential neighborhood. The Project will provide several benefits to the City, such as a significant amount of new housing, including a high percentage of affordable and educator housing, publicly accessible open space, a child care facility and community room, retail space, and extensive infrastructure improvements, while creating jobs and a vibrant environmentally sustainable community.
(c) Relationship to Design Standards and Guidelines. The Design Standard and Guidelines (“DSG”), adopted by the Planning Commission by Motion No. 20734 on May 28, 2020, and as may be amended from time to time, sets forth design standards and guidelines applicable within the SUD. A copy of the DSG is on file with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors in File No. 200423. Any capitalized term in this Section 249.90, and not otherwise defined in this Section or elsewhere in the Planning Code shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the DSG. This Section, the remainder of the Planning Code, and the DSG shall be read and construed together so as to avoid any conflict to the greatest extent possible. If there is a conflict between the DSG and either this Section or the remainder of the Planning Code, this Section or the other provision of the Planning Code shall prevail. Subject to this Section 249.90(c), if a later amendment to any provision of the Planning Code, including this Section 249.90, results in a conflict with the DSG, such amended Planning Code provision shall prevail. Amendments to the DSG may be made by the Planning Commission upon initiation by the Planning Department or upon application by Developer, but if there is a conflict between an amendment to the DSG and this Section or the remainder of the Planning Code, as applicable, this Section or other provision of the Planning Code shall prevail unless and until such time as this Section or the remainder of the Planning Code is amended to be consistent with the amendment to the DSG. The Planning Director may approve minor amendments to the DSG to clarify its provisions. For the purposes of this subsection (c), “minor amendments” shall be defined as amendments necessary to clarify omissions or correct inadvertent mistakes in the DSG and are consistent with the intent of the DSG, the SUD, the General Plan, and the Development Agreement.
(d) Relationship to the Development Agreement. This Section 249.90 shall be read and construed consistent with the Development Agreement, and all development within the Project Site that is subject to the Development Agreement shall satisfy the requirements of the Development Agreement for so long as the Development Agreement remains in effect.
(e) Definitions. For purposes of this Section 249.90, the following definitions shall apply. If not expressly superseded by definitions set forth in this subsection (e), all definitions of the Planning Code shall apply.
“Active Use” means use that consists of a Retail Sales and Service, Entertainment, Arts, Recreation, Child Care, Community Facility, or Residential use.
“Articulated Roof Form” means roof forms that consist of any shape with a minimum average roof slope of not less than 2:12. Articulated roof forms include wall extensions of the occupied enclosed space of the top floor and unoccupied architectural features, such as parapets, extending above the roof of the topmost floor.
“Block” means a Building Project block or a Publicly Accessible Open Space block as depicted on Figure 249.90-1.
“Building Project” or “Building” means the construction of a building or group of buildings within the Project Site.
“Building Standards” means the standards applicable to Building Projects and any associated privately-owned open spaces within the SUD, consisting of the standards specified in subsection (g) below and the standards and guidelines designated as such in the DSG. It does not mean Building Code requirements under either the California or San Francisco Building Codes, which this Section 249.90 and the DSG do not override.
“Cart” means a mobile structure used in conjunction with food service and/or retail uses, that operates intermittently in a publicly accessible open space, and that is removed daily from such open space during non-business hours.
“Design Standards and Guidelines” or “DSG” shall mean the Balboa Reservoir Design Standards and Guidelines adopted by Planning Commission Motion No. 20734, and as may be amended from time to time. The Design Standards and Guidelines is incorporated into this Section 249.90 by reference.
“Developer” means the BHC Balboa Builders, LLC, a California limited liability company, or its successor(s). Developer also may be an applicant.
“Development Agreement” means the Development Agreement by and between the City and the Developer, approved by the Board of Supervisors by the ordinance in Board File No. 200423, and as may be amended from time to time.
“Development Phase Application” means an application for each Building phase of the Project that describes at a minimum, the Block numbers, the Master Infrastructure Plan elements, and vertical improvements proposed in the phase, including number and sizes of affordable housing units, number and sizes of market rate housing units, and square footage of retail, arts activity, community facility and child care square space, and publicly accessible open space. The Development Phase Application also shall include a list of any requested Minor or Major Modifications that are contemplated to be requested in the phase.
“Frontage” means the vertical exterior face or wall of a Building and its linear extent that is adjacent to or fronts on a street, right-of-way, or open space.
“Kiosk” means a Building or other structure that is set upon the ground and is not attached to a foundation, such as a shipping container, trailer, or similar structure, from which food service and/or retail business is conducted. A Kiosk may operate in a Publicly Accessible Open Space, and remain in place until the business operation is terminated or relocated.
“Major Modification” means a deviation of more than 10% from any dimensional or numerical standard in the Planning Code, this Section 249.90, or in the DSG, except as explicitly prohibited per subsection (g) below.
“Mass Reduction” means one or more breaks in a Building that reduce the horizontal scale of the Building into discrete sections.
“Master Infrastructure Plan” or “MIP” shall mean the Balboa Reservoir Master Infrastructure Plan approved by the Board of Supervisors as part of the Development Agreement and found in Clerk of the Board of Supervisors File No. 200423, and as may be amended from time to time.
“Minor Modification” means a deviation of up to 10% from any dimensional or numerical standard in the Planning Code, this Section 249.90, or in the DSG, except as explicitly prohibited per subsection (g) below, or any deviation from any non-dimensional or non-numerical standard in the DSG.
“Multifamily Housing” means a residential Building where multiple separate housing units for residential inhabitants are contained within one Building.
“Privately-Owned Community Improvement,” means those facilities and services that are privately-owned and privately-maintained, at no cost to the City (other than any public financing set forth in the Financing Plan, a Development Agreement exhibit), for the public benefit, but not dedicated to the City. Privately-Owned Community Improvements include certain pedestrian paseos, storm drainage facilities, publicly accessible open spaces.
“Project” means the Balboa Reservoir Project.
“Project Site” means the approximately 16.5 acre site shown on Figure 249.90-1 that is within the SUD. The 80-foot wide strip of land along the southern boundary of the west basin that contains SFPUC pipelines is regulated by the Development Agreement, but is not part of the Project Site or within the SUD and remains within a P (Public) zoning district.
“Publicly Accessible Open Space” means a usable open space that is accessible to the public, including an unenclosed park or garden at street grade or following the natural topography, improvements to hillsides or other unimproved public areas, an unenclosed plaza at street grade, or an unenclosed pedestrian pathway, or a shared pedestrian/vehicular right-of-way.
“Residential Use” means uses that provide housing for San Francisco residents, rather than visitors, including Dwelling Units, Group Housing, Senior Housing, and Student Housing.
“Retail Sales and Services” means the use described in Section 102, except for Retail Automobile Uses, Adult Business, Hotel, Motel, and Self-Storage.
“Step Back” means a reduction of one or more stories in a portion of one or more upper stories of a Building.
“Streetwall” means a continuous façade of a Building and/or Buildings along a street Frontage.
“Townhouse” means a single-family dwelling unit that shares a wall with another dwelling and with direct access into the dwelling unit from a street or Publicly Accessible Open Space that does not require access through a lobby, corridor, or other common indoor space shared with other housing units.
(f) Development Controls. This SUD, as established in Section 249.90, and other Planning Code Sections referenced herein establish all zoning controls for the Project Site.
(g) Uses.
(1) Balboa Reservoir Special Use District Zoning Designations. As shown on the Zoning Map, the SUD is co-terminus with the Balboa Reservoir Mixed Use District (BR-MU). This SUD, as established in Section 249.90, and other Planning Code Sections referenced herein establish all zoning controls for the BR-MU district.
(2) Permitted Uses. The following Uses set forth in Table 249.90-1: Balboa Reservoir Land Uses shall be permitted within the different Blocks of the SUD shown in Figure 249.90-1, where P means Permitted Use and NP means Non-permitted Use. All other uses not stated are prohibited.
Permitted Use Category | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | TH1 | TH2 | J | K, L, O |
Permitted Use Category | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | TH1 | TH2 | J | K, L, O |
Publicly Accessible Open Space | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
Residential Use | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P(1) | P(1) | NP | NP |
Child Care Facility | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P(4) | P(4) |
Community Facility (2), (3) | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | NP | NP | NP | NP |
Retail Sales and Services (2) | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | NP | NP | NP | NP | NP |
Arts Activities (2) | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | NP | NP | NP | NP | NP |
Carts and Kiosks (5) | NP | NP | NP | NP | NP | NP | NP | NP | NP | NP | P | NP |
Public Parking Garage | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | NP | NP | P(6) | NP |
(1) Only Townhouse units are allowed |
(2) All non-residential uses except multi-story parking garages are allowed only on the ground floor and below |
(3) As defined in Section 102, except Health Care uses are not allowed |
(4) Child care open space only |
(5) Carts and Kiosks are allowed in Block J subject to Subsection (g)(8)(N) |
(6) Below grade only as shown in Figure 249.90-1 |
(4) Interim Uses.
(A) Prior to completion of the Project, one or more Public or Private Parking Lots, including construction worker parking lots, shall be permitted without regard to the provisions regulating automobile parking set forth in Sections 155, 156, 303(t) or (u), and other provisions of Article 1.5 of this Code, and such parking lot(s) shall not be required to be surrounded by a fence or wall.
(B) Prior to completion of the Project, certain other interim uses may be authorized for a period not to exceed five years by the Planning Director, without a public hearing if the Planning Director finds that such Interim Use will not impede orderly development consistent with this Section 249.90, the DSG, and the Development Agreement. Any authorization granted pursuant to this subsection 249.90(g)(4)(B) shall not exempt the Developer from obtaining any other permit required by law. Additional time for such uses may be authorized upon a new application for the proposed Interim Use. Permitted Interim Uses shall include, but are not limited to:
(i) Retail Sales and Services;
(ii) Entertainment, Arts, and Recreation, including but not limited to temporary art installations, exhibits, and sales, recreational facilities and uses (such as play and climbing structures and outdoor fitness classes), and temporary structures to accommodate events (such as stages, seating, and support facilities for patrons and operations);
(iii) Institutional Education Use, including but not limited to after-school day camp and activities;
(iv) Site management service, administrative functions, and customer amenities and associated loading;
(v) Rental or sales offices incidental to new development; and
(vi) Trailers, recreational vehicles, or other temporary housing for construction workers, seasonal labor, or other workforce employment needs.
(5) Residential Density. The dwelling unit and group housing density limits applicable in the RM-3 District, as it may be modified pursuant to Section 304, shall govern residential density within the SUD. However, greater residential density than permitted in an RM-3 District may be provided on individual Blocks, as long as the overall density of the SUD does not exceed the density allowed in a RM-3 District, as it may be modified pursuant to Section 304, for the entire SUD.
(6) Minimum Dwelling Unit Mix. No less than 30% of the total aggregate number of proposed dwelling units in the SUD shall contain at least two bedrooms, and no less than 10% of the total aggregate number of proposed dwelling units in the SUD shall contain at least three bedrooms, for a total of 40% of units with two bedrooms or more. The minimum dwelling unit mix may be less on any individual Block than otherwise required provided the total dwelling unit mix in the SUD shall not be less than the minimum dwelling unit mix upon completion of the Project.
(7) Floor Area Ratio. There shall be no floor-area-ratio limit within the SUD.
(8) Building Standards.
(A) Building Height. For purposes of the SUD, the height limits shall be as set forth in Section Map HT12 of the Zoning Map and as further limited and detailed in Figure 249.90-2: Building Height Maximums, and as further governed by this Section 249.90
(g)(8)(A). Section 260(b) applies to the SUD, except that those listed in this subsection 8(A) may extend above the maximum allowable height. The sum of the horizontal areas of all features do not exceed 20 percent of the horizontal area of the roof above which they are situated as set forth in Section 260(b)(1):
(i) Rooftop enclosed utility sheds designed exclusively for the storage of landscaping, gardening supplies, and related equipment for living roofs are allowed to extend above the maximum allowable height by not more than 10 feet, provided they do not exceed 100 square feet of gross area.
(ii) Projections to accommodate additional ceiling height at common amenity spaces located on the floor immediately below the roof are allowed to extend above the maximum allowable by not more than two feet.
(iii) Articulated Roof Forms are allowed to exceed the maximum allowable height by a maximum of 6 feet, measured to the average height of rise as set forth in Planning Code Section 260(a), provided that the sum of the horizontal areas of articulated roof forms and features listed in Section 260(b)(1) and this subsection (8)(A) do not exceed 40 percent of the horizontal area of the roof above which they are situated. Additionally, Articulated Roof Forms shall comply with the standards and guidelines set forth in the DSG Chapter.
(B) Building Bulk. There are no bulk limits in this SUD.
(C) Setbacks. Minimum setbacks of the façade of Buildings from street rights of way and from publicly accessible open space shall be provided in the locations and depth shown in Figure 249.90-3.
(D) Streetwall. A streetwall is required at all Building frontages facing public right of ways, publicly accessible open spaces, and paseos. The required streetwalls shall be located at the setback line or at the property line where there is no setback control. Streetwalls may be offset from the setback line or property line by not more than two feet towards the interior of the Block. Streetwalls shall be provided at not less than 60% of the total area of the Building facade area. Openings to interior courtyards and other breaks in the streetwall that are required under Mass Reduction shall not count towards the required streetwall.
(E) Mass Reduction. Buildings taller than 48 feet with a frontage exceeding 180 feet in length shall incorporate at least one of the following Mass Reduction strategies:
(i) Exterior Recess. Provide a recess at Building exterior with a minimum width of 15 feet and minimum depth of 10 feet from the Building wall extending vertically for height at least 75% of the height of the facade. The recess may start at second floor or may terminate at the top floor.
(ii) Vertical Elements. Provide a combination of elements consisting of recess and/or projection with a minimum width of 10 feet, minimum depth of five feet, and extending vertically for a height equal to at least 75% of the height of the facade. The cumulative base footprint area of all vertical elements on a frontage shall equal a minimum of 150 square feet to qualify as a mass reduction strategy. Balconies at vertical elements are allowed if the railings are visually differentiated from the main facade.
(iii) Alternative means of satisfying the mass reduction requirement for all Blocks shall be as set forth in the DSG.
(F) Step Backs at Upper Floors. Each of the Buildings on Blocks A, B, C, D, E, F, and G shall provide one or more step backs at the top floor. The intent of the step backs is to articulate Building silhouettes and to provide potential locations for roof terraces overlooking the shared open space. The required height reduction along West Street shall not count towards the required step back.
(i) Blocks A, C, and E shall provide a one-story contiguous step back equal to 15% of the roof area or one-story non-contiguous step backs equal to 25% of the roof area. The contiguous step backs shall have a minimum horizontal dimension of not less than 10 feet.
(ii) Blocks B, D, F, and G shall provide a top floor step back equal to 10% of the roof area. These step backs may be located in a single contiguous element or may be comprised of multiple elements provided each step back area has a minimum horizontal dimension of not less than 10 feet in all directions.
(G) Obstructions. At multifamily buildings, obstructions into setback areas and/or public right of ways are allowed subject to compliance with Planning Code Section 136, in accordance with the following exceptions: Obstructions into required setback areas and/or public right of ways may be up to four feet in horizontal depth, subject to the other limitations set forth in Section 136.
(I) Unit Exposure. For all residential units, the required window (as defined by Section 504 of the San Francisco Housing Code) of at least one room that meets the requirement of Section 503 of the Housing Code shall face directly onto an open area of one of the following types:
(i) A public street, public alley, or paseo at least 25 feet in width in Blocks A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, and 20 feet in width in Blocks TH1, TH2, and H.
(ii) An open area, an inner court, or a space between separate Buildings on the same Block, which is unobstructed (except for obstructions listed in Planning Code Section 136) and is no less than 25 feet in every horizontal dimension in Blocks A, B, C, D, E, F, and G or 20 feet in every horizontal dimension in Blocks TH1, TH2, and H.
(J) Usable Open Space. The usable open space requirement for dwelling units shall be 40 square feet of private or common usable open space per unit. For Group Housing, the minimum usable open space requirements shall be one-third the amount specified in this subsection (I) for a dwelling unit. Required usable open space shall be on the same Block as the unit it serves. Publicly Accessible Open Space, streets, and paseos on Blocks J, K, L, M, N, O, and P shall not count towards the required on-site usable open space.
(i) Any space credited as private usable open space shall have a minimum horizontal dimension of five feet and a minimum area of 35 square feet.
(ii) Any space credited as common usable open space shall have a minimum horizontal dimension of 10 feet and a minimum area of 150 square feet and 30 percent of the common usable open space shall be planted.
(iii) Inner courts in which the enclosing Building walls are four stories or more in height shall be large enough to inscribe a rectangular area 30 feet by 40 feet within the enclosing walls.
(iv) Outer courts in which enclosing Building walls are four stories or more shall be large enough to inscribe a rectangular area 25 feet by 25 feet within the enclosing walls.
(v) Space that is accessible for automobiles shall not count towards usable open space in any Block.
(K) Ground Floor Floor-to-Floor Height. The minimum ground floor floor-to-floor height of non-residential uses, lobbies and residential common areas shall be 15 feet in Blocks A, B, C, and D and 12 feet in Blocks E and F. The minimum ground floor floor-to-floor height for residential uses shall be 10 feet, except for townhouse units which shall have no minimum floor-to-floor height.
(L) Ground Floor Activation. The ground floor activation standards set forth in the DSG Chapter 7 shall apply in the SUD.
(M) Parking Garages. The standards and guidelines for the location, depth, and exterior frontages of parking garages set forth in the DSG Chapter 7 shall apply in the SUD. With the exception of space allowed for parking and loading access, Building egress, and Building services, above grade parking on any Block shall be wrapped at all stories with a liner of Active Use not less than 20 feet in depth from all facades facing streets and Publicly Accessible Open Spaces.
(N) Signage. One identifying sign shall be permitted for each residential Building, except for townhouse Blocks, where one identifying sign shall be permitted per Block. Sign controls set forth in Section 607.1 for RC Districts shall apply to signs for non-residential uses.
(O) Carts and Kiosks. The standards and guidelines for Kiosks and Carts set forth in the DSG shall apply in the SUD.
(9) Off-Street Automobile Parking and Loading. The location and design standards for off-street automobile parking shall be governed by the DSG. There is no minimum off-street parking or loading requirement for any use in the SUD, except that there shall be a minimum of 200 off-street parking spaces in the SUD, and that Buildings in Blocks A, B, C, D, E, F, and G containing 100,000 gross square feet or more of residential space and a parking garage shall provide at least one off-street loading space meeting the dimensional requirements of standard 7.24.2 of the DSG.
(A) Maximum Off-Street Parking. The number of off-street parking spaces within this SUD shall not exceed the following:
Land Use | Off-Street Parking Ratio |
Dwelling Units | 0.5 space per unit |
Group Housing | 1 space per three bedrooms |
All Non-Residential Uses | 1 space per 500 gross square feet of Occupied Floor Area |
Public Parking | 450 spaces |
Parking amounts for dwelling units, group housing, and non-residential uses may be greater on any individual Block than otherwise allowed by Table 249.90-2 provided the total number of spaces in the SUD shall not exceed the maximum upon completion of the Project. The maximum number of spaces for the Public Parking Garages shown in Table 249.90-2 shall be reduced by the number of parking spaces for dwelling units or group housing that are allowed to be used as public parking during any part of the day. In the event the Developer enters into an agreement with the adjacent property owner(s) to fund or build off-site public parking on the property adjacent to the eastern edge of the Project site, the maximum number of spaces for the Public Parking Garages also shall be reduced by the number of such off-site parking spaces that the Developer provides. The Planning Director shall determine whether these conditions are met pursuant to Transportation Exhibit, Exhibit J, of the Development Agreement. Car share parking spaces shall be provided in the amounts set forth in Section 166. The width and location of vehicular openings shall be as set forth in the DSG.
(B) Driveway and Loading Operations Plan. The purpose of a Driveway and Loading Operations Plan (DLOP) is to reduce potential conflicts between driveway and loading operations, such as passenger and freight loading activities, and pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles. The goal of the plan is to maximize utilization of off-street space to accommodate loading demand, and to ensure that off-street loading is considered and attempted, to the extent physically and feasibly possible, in the design of new Buildings. The Developer shall prepare a DLOP in accordance with the Planning Code, Planning Department guidelines, and any standard environmental conditions.
(10) Bicycle Parking. Developer shall provide bicycle parking as required by the Planning Code, except that there shall be a minimum of 30 Class I spaces that are designed to accommodate oversized bicycles in the SUD.
(11) Waiver of Planning Code Section 138.1. The streetscape design set forth in the Master Infrastructure Plan and DSG sets forth the standards for pedestrian and streetscape improvements in the SUD.
(12) Waiver of Planning Code Section 169. The provisions of the Transportation Demand Management Program shall apply as required under Sections 169 et seq. and any successor Sections, except that Section 169.4(a)-(d) shall not apply to the Project because the Project has already completed a Transportation Demand Management Plan and it is included as part of the Development Agreement, Exhibit J.
(13) Compliance with Article 4 of the Planning Code.
(A) Inclusionary Housing Requirements. The provisions of Sections 415 et seq. shall not apply, except as otherwise stipulated in the Development Agreement.
(B) Other Impact Fees. For so long as the Development Agreement remains in effect, the Developer impact fees payable for any Building Project will be determined in accordance with the Development Agreement.
(14) Relationship to State or Local Density Bonus Programs. In exchange for the benefits expressed in the Development Agreement and this Section 249.90, and as set forth in the Development Agreement, any Building Projects within the SUD shall not be eligible for additional density or modifications to development standards allowed in any State or local law allowing additional density or modifications to development in exchange for on-site affordable housing, including but not limited to the State Density Bonus Law (California Government Code Sections 65915 et seq.), the Affordable Housing Bonus Program (Planning Code Sections 206 et seq.), and Planning Code Sections 207 et seq.
(15) Modifications to Building Standards and Use Requirements.
(A) No Modifications or Variances. No variances, exceptions, modifications, or other deviations from the requirements and standards of the Planning Code, including the SUD, and of the DSG are permitted except through the procedures for granting of Minor and Major Modifications established in the SUD. No modifications or variances are permitted for maximum Building height or maximum automobile parking spaces.
(B) Modification of Other Building Standards and Use Requirements. A dimensional or numerical standard may be modified only as provided in subsection (i), on a project-by-project basis. In order to grant a Minor or Major Modification, the Planning Director or Commission must find that the proposed Minor or Major Modification achieves equal or superior design quality and public benefit as strict compliance with the applicable standard and meets the intent of the SUD and the DSG.
(C) Minor Modifications. The Planning Director may approve a Minor Modification administratively in accordance with the procedures set forth in subsection (i).
(D) Major Modifications. The Planning Commission may approve an application for a Major Modification in accordance with the procedures set forth in subsection (i).
(h) Project Review and Approval. In lieu of the procedures set forth in Planning Code Article 3, the following project review and approval procedures shall apply in the SUD.
(1) Purpose. The design review process for this SUD is intended to ensure that new Building Projects are designed to complement the aesthetic quality of the development, exhibit high quality architectural design, and promote the purpose of this SUD.
(2) Development Phase Application. Consistent with the Development Agreement, the Developer shall submit a Development Phase Application to the Planning Director for approval, and no development may be approved within a Development Phase until after the Planning Director issues a Development Phase Application approval. The Development Phase Application process, as set forth in the Development Agreement, is to ensure that all Publicly Accessible Open Space and Building Projects within a development phase are consistent with the Development Agreement and the SUD. Planning shall review Development Phase Applications within 30 days of receipt in order to determine completeness. If the Planning Director fails to respond within such 30-day period, the Development Phase Application will be deemed complete. The Planning Director shall act on a Development Phase Application within 60 days after submittal of a complete Development Phase Application. Changes proposed by the Planning Department will be reasonably considered by Developer, and changes proposed by Developer will be reasonably considered by the Planning Department. If there are no objections, or upon resolution of any differences, the Planning Director shall approve the Development Phase Application with such revisions, comments, or requirements as may be permitted in accordance with the terms of the Development Agreement and the phasing plan.
(3) Concurrent Submittal of Development Phase Application and Design Review Application. Applications for design review may be submitted concurrently with or subsequent to a Development Phase Application. When submitted concurrently, the time limits for the Planning Department review of completeness and design review described in subsection (i) shall not commence until after the Planning Director has issued a Development Phase Application approval. The Planning Department shall approve only those applications for individual Buildings that are consistent with a Development Phase Application approval. To ensure that Building Projects and Privately-Owned Community Improvements meet the requirements of the Planning Code, including this Section 249.90, and the DSG, Developer shall submit a Design Phase Application and receive approval from the Planning Director, or, if required, the Planning Commission before obtaining any permits for the applicable construction. Standards and limitations on design review approval are set forth in subsection (i) below. Nothing in this Section 249.90 limits the Charter authority of any City department or commission or the rights of City agencies to review and approve proposed infrastructure as set forth in the Development Agreement.
(i) Design Review Applications and Process.
(1) Applications. Each design review application shall include the documents and other materials necessary to determine consistency with the Planning Code, this Section 249.90, and the DSG, including site plans, floor plans, sections, elevations, renderings, landscape plans, a DLOP, and exterior material samples to illustrate the overall concept design of the proposed Buildings. Design review applications also should contain information on dwelling unit count and type, parking, and other building characteristics typical of Planning Department development applications. If Developer requests a Major or Minor Modification, the application shall describe proposed changes in reasonable detail, and to the satisfaction of the Planning Director, including narrative and supporting images, if appropriate, and a statement of the purpose or benefits of the proposed Minor or Major Modification(s). As part of design review application process, the Planning Director shall consult with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency regarding the Developer’s DLOP.
(2) Completeness. Planning Department staff shall review the application for completeness and advise the Developer in writing of any deficiencies within 30 days of the date of the application or, if applicable, within 15 days after receipt of any supplemental information requested pursuant to this section.
(3) Design Review of Buildings and Privately-Owned Community Improvements.
(A) Building Pre-Application Meeting. Prior to submittal of a design review application for a Building, the Developer shall conduct a minimum of one pre-application public meeting. The meeting shall be conducted at, or within a one-mile radius of, the Project Site, but otherwise subject to the Planning Department’s pre-application meeting procedures, including but not limited to the submittal of required meeting documentation. A Planning Department representative shall be invited to such meeting.
(B) Publicly Accessible Open Space Outreach. Prior to submittal of a design review application for a Publicly Accessible Open Space, the Developer shall conduct a minimum of one pre-application public meeting on design of the Publicly Accessible Open Space. The Developer shall conduct a minimum of one additional public meeting prior to any approval action on the application. Additional meetings may be required at the discretion of the Planning Director. The meetings shall be conducted at, or within a one-mile radius of, the Project Site, and the pre-application meeting shall be subject to the Planning Department’s pre-application meeting procedures, including but not limited to, the submittal of required meeting documentation. Developer shall invite a Planning Department representative to such meetings.
(C) Design Review Process. Following submittal of the design review application, upon a determination of completeness, Planning Department staff shall conduct design review and prepare a staff report determining compliance with this Section 249.90, the Planning Code, and the DSG, including a recommendation regarding any Minor or Major Modifications sought. The Planning Department staff shall deliver the report to the Developer and any third parties requesting notice in writing, shall be kept on file, and shall be posted on the Department’s website for public review within 60 days of the determination of completeness. If Planning Department staff determines that the design is not compliant with this Section 249.90, the Planning Code, or the DSG, the Developer may resubmit the application, in which case the requirements of this subsection (i) for determination of completeness, staff review, and determination of compliance, and delivery, filing, and posting of the staff report, shall apply anew.
(4) Approvals and Public Hearings for Buildings and Privately-Owned Community Improvements.
(A) Buildings and Privately-Owned Community Improvements Seeking No Modifications. Within 10 days after the delivery and posting of the staff report on the design review application, the Planning Director shall approve or disapprove the design based on its compliance with the Planning Code, including this Section 249.90, the DSG, and the General Plan. If the design review application is consistent with the numeric standards set forth in this Section 249.90 and the DSG, the Planning Director’s discretion to approve or disapprove the design review application shall be limited to the Developer’s consistency with the non-numeric and non-dimensional elements of the DSG and the General Plan.
(B) Buildings and Privately-Owned Community Improvements Seeking Minor Modifications. Within 10 days after the delivery and posting of the staff report on the design review application including a Minor Modification, the Planning Director, shall approve or disapprove any Minor Modification based on its compliance with the Planning Code, including this Section 249.90, the DSG, and the General Plan. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 249.90, the Planning Director, at his or her discretion, may refer any application that proposes a Minor Modification to the Planning Commission if the Planning Director determines that the proposed Minor Modification does not meet the intent of the DSG or the SUD.
(C) Buildings and Privately-Owned Community Improvements Seeking Minor or Major Modifications. If the design review application seeks one or more Major Modifications, or if the Planning Director refers a design review application that proposed a Minor Modification to the Planning Commission, the Planning Commission shall calendar the item for a public hearing, subject to any required noticing. For purposes of this subsection (C), Minor Modifications and Major Modifications shall be collectively referred to as Major Modifications. The Planning Commission’s review shall be limited to the proposed Major Modification. The Planning Commission shall consider all comments from the public and the recommendations of the staff report and the Planning Director in making a decision to approve or disapprove the granting of any Major Modifications.
(D) Notice of Hearings. In addition to complying with the notice requirements of the Brown Act and the Sunshine Ordinance, notice of Planning Commission hearings shall be provided as follows:
(i) by mail not less than 20 days prior to the date of the hearing, to the Developer, to residents within 300 feet of the exterior boundaries of the property that is the subject of the application, using for this purpose the names and addresses as shown on the citywide assessment roll in the Office of the Tax Collector, and to any person who has requested such notice; and
(ii) by posting on the subject property not less than 10 days prior to the date of the hearing.
(j) Building Permits. Each building permit application submitted to the Department of Building Inspection for Buildings shall be forwarded to the Planning Department for review of the application’s consistency with the authorizations granted pursuant to this Section 249.90.
(k) Discretionary Review. The Planning Department shall not accept, and the Planning Commission shall not hear, requests for discretionary review for projects subject to this Section 249.90.
(l) Change of Use. The Planning Department shall review each building permit application that the Developer submits to the Department of Building Inspection for vertical improvements for consistency with the authorizations granted pursuant to this Section 249.90. The Department of Building Inspection shall not issue a permit for any vertical improvement or for occupancy that would authorize a new use unless the Planning Department determines such permit is consistent with the Building Standards set forth in the DSG.
(Added by Ord. 141-20, File No. 200422, App. 8/28/2020, Eff. 9/28/2020, Oper. 9/28/2020)
Editor’s Note: