Planning commission approves new 24‑bed residential care facility at Broad Street with landscaping review condition

San Francisco — The Planning Commission voted unanimously on April 25 to approve a conditional use authorization to replace a vacant single‑family dwelling at 261–263 Broad Street with a new two‑story‑over‑basement residential care facility for 24 residents.

Staff recommendation and project scope: Planning staff presented the project and recommended approval, describing a 7,995‑square‑foot structure with 12 double‑occupancy bedrooms that will be operated by Merced Care. "Residential care facilities are a desirable new nonresidential use and are an identified need for seniors and people with disabilities," staff said in their recommendation.

Sponsor presentation and operations: Architect Jeremy Schaub said the facility will be fully sprinklered, have alarmed exits, and provide language assistance in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Vietnamese. Operator Tommy Lee said Merced Care operates four licensed facilities in the city and that this site would become their fifth; he described staffing levels of about six to seven daytime staff and three to four overnight staff.

Commission concerns and added condition: Commissioners asked about outdoor access and amenities. Commissioner Williams requested clearer landscaping and access details for the rear yard; sponsor and staff confirmed a code‑compliant rear yard exists on sheet A2.1 and the team committed to adding a landscape plan during design refinement. The commission added a design‑condition requiring staff review of the rear‑yard landscaping plan and a plan note that basement rooms are not intended for sleeping purposes.

Outcome: Commissioner Braun moved to approve the project with the amended conditions; the motion passed unanimously 6–0.

What happens next: The project must meet building‑code and state licensing requirements administered by the California Department of Social Services prior to operation. The design‑refinement condition requires the applicant to submit a landscaping plan for staff review before final sign‑off.