Planning Commission backs Port waterfront plan amendments, creates Southern Waterfront special use district

Planning Department staff presented recommended amendments to the general plan, planning code, and zoning map tied to the Port of San Francisco’s updated waterfront plan. Staff described amendments to the Northeastern and Central Waterfront area plans and updates to the Recreation and Open Space element to reflect recent development (Pier 70, Potrero Power Station) and to add resilience, multimodal transportation and inclusion language.

Staff proposed administrative cleanups and a notable zoning change: creation of Special Use District No. 4 to cover port properties along the Southern Waterfront and to reestablish M‑1 zoning for a port parcel that had been mistakenly rezoned. The planning code amendments also remove an unnecessary conditional use requirement for uses visible from the public realm, to reduce burdens on small businesses. Commissioners asked questions and expressed support for updated resilience language and additional small‑scale parks. On a roll call vote the commission approved items 8 a, b and c unanimously (6-0), forwarding the amendments to the Board of Supervisors for final action.

The staff recommendation and maps will be part of the record sent to the Board of Supervisors; commissioners requested continued coordination between the Port and Planning Department as the Port finalizes its waterfront plan.