Planning Commission pauses 100 Broadway review after public health questions; Commissioner Ruiz recused

The San Francisco Planning Commission on Thursday agreed to continue consideration of the discretionary review for 100 Broadway until March 9 after staff reported the Department of Public Health (DPH) raised concerns about a proposed second‑floor smoking/vapor lounge.

Lawrence Michaelson, who identified himself as the project sponsor, urged the commission not to continue the item, saying the project paperwork had been filed and "their position at the time was they believed everything was accurate, correct, and in compliance with both planning ... as well as the cannabis rules." He said the smoking lounge layout could be addressed through building permits and coordination with DPH.

Planning Department staff explained the department had asked DPH for a preliminary review after public questions about the lounge. "DPH said that they would not be able to approve the plans as designed, but it's likely that they could approve some sort of lounge, just not where it's shown on the plans right now," staff said. Staff told commissioners they prefer not to bring projects forward when plans are known not to be approvable.

Commissioner Ruiz announced earlier in the hearing that his employer, Chinatown Community Development Center, has worked closely with the project's requesters, and he would request recusal from the item. The commission moved to recuse Ruiz from the 100 Broadway matter before taking the continuance question.

Commissioner Diamond, noting the commission's history of close scrutiny of smoking lounges, moved to continue the item to allow staff and the applicant to resolve DPH's concerns; the motion passed with the participating commissioners voting in favor. The record shows the continuance passed with the commission directing interpreters to notify members of the public that the matter will be heard March 9.

The decision affects only whether the commission will consider the project's merits today; staff and the applicant will continue working on floor‑plan and public‑health issues in advance of the March hearing.