Planning Commission approves nonprofit arts‑education special use district for former SFAI campus

The San Francisco Planning Commission on Nov. 9 approved an ordinance to create a nonprofit arts‑education Special Use District (SUD) at 800 Chestnut, the former San Francisco Art Institute campus, after staff described the proposal and members of the public urged preservation and continued arts education on the site.

Planning Department staff said the SUD, introduced by Supervisor Aaron Peskin, would allow nonprofit arts educational institutional uses without requiring Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation, while leaving the site’s historic protections intact. Veronica Flores, Planning Department staff, told commissioners there are no proposed physical changes to the buildings or the Diego Rivera fresco; any future alterations would go through the certificate of appropriateness and the Historic Preservation Commission’s review process.

The SUD drew broad public support at the hearing. Architect Andy Levine, who said he has practiced in San Francisco for more than 40 years, urged rezoning to keep arts uses and protect the Bakewell & Brown landmark buildings and the Diego Rivera mural. “I think it is possible to do an amazing nonprofit arts‑oriented multimedia campus, and maintain the…site that has the Bakewell Brown entry and courtyard,” Levine said. Greg Flood, director of Paul Tebow Gallery, described the campus’s regional cultural importance and called the ordinance “critical to the flourishing of not only North Beach and Russian Hill, but the arts ecosystem in San Francisco.” Representatives of ODC and California College of the Arts also voiced support.

Commissioners praised the protections and the design review checks. Commissioner remarks emphasized the value of preserving the mural and the campus fabric while enabling future institutional arts programming. With no further public opposition, Commissioner Voice moved to approve the ordinance; the commission voted unanimously 6–0 in favor. The chair welcomed President Tanner and completed the roll call.

What happens next: The SUD establishes a zoning path for nonprofit arts educational uses at the site; future physical changes would still require separate historic review. The action preserves the site’s cultural assets while allowing a non‑degree arts institution to operate there.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 411; topfinish SEG 821.