Planning Commission approves several conditional uses and a discretionary review denial; mixed‑use McKinnon PUD wins unanimous support

The San Francisco Planning Commission approved multiple land‑use items at its Nov. 3 meeting, taking unanimous (6–0) votes on a set of conditional use authorizations and a discretionary‑review determination.

Key approvals

• 1358 South Wenas (case 2021‑006098 CUA): Staff recommended and the commission approved a conditional use authorization to demolish an existing large single‑family house and construct a four‑story building with seven dwelling units (one studio, one 1‑bedroom and five 2‑bedroom units). Staff noted a buyer agreement with existing tenants and letters of support. The motion passed unanimously.

• 2270 McKinnon Street (case 2021‑001639 PUD/CUA): The commission approved a Planned Unit Development and related conditional use authorization to replace a surface parking lot with a five‑story mixed‑use building that would provide ~23,460 sq ft of production, distribution and repair (PDR) space at the ground floor and approximately 151,000 sq ft of self‑storage above. The project includes a community‑benefits package (an MOU to provide 1,800 sq ft of rent‑free space to the San Francisco Brown Bombers youth organization), a project labor agreement and commitments to hire union labor. Staff and multiple construction‑trade unions supported the project. Commissioners asked about operations and the sponsor said roughly 25–30% of the self‑storage is expected to serve small businesses and about half the demand comes from residents in transition. The commission approved the project with conditions, 6–0.

• 1650 Broadway (case 2021‑011356 CUA): The commission approved a conditional use authorization to reconfigure two penthouse units on a seven‑story building — enlarging one unit and shrinking the adjacent unit — with no change to the building envelope and no tenant displacement reported. Staff included enforcement, monitoring and community liaison conditions. Motion passed 6–0.

• 4849 Mission Street (case 2020‑011356 CUA): The commission approved a conditional use authorization for a Chinese‑language storefront religious institution — San Francisco Point of Grace — that proposed weekday programming (English classes, after‑school skills training and community services) intended to activate a long‑vacant ground‑floor space. The decision followed a mixed public record: strong testimony from beneficiaries and church members, and opposition from a local economic‑development group that preferred retail activation. The commission approved the CUA with conditions, 6–0.

• 272 Naples Street (case 2022‑001240 DRP): A neighbor requested discretionary review of a two‑story rear addition. After staff review found setbacks and design consistent with the residential design guidelines and the sponsor described code‑compliant foundations and waterproofing, the commission declined to take discretionary review and approved the project as proposed, 6–0.

What commissioners asked and required

Across items commissioners probed community benefit language, relocation assistance where legacy businesses are affected, parking and operational constraints for the self‑storage project, and monitoring and enforcement conditions for unit reconfigurations. In the McKinnon case staff and the city attorney confirmed that community‑benefit commitments (including the Brown Bombers MOU) were referenced in the findings and that the conditions were legally sufficient.

Votes at a glance (official outcomes)

• Consent calendar (items 2 & 3): Approved by roll call, passed 6–0.
• 1358 South Wenas (2021‑006098 CUA): Approved, passed 6–0.
• 2270 McKinnon (2021‑001639 PUD/CUA): Approved with conditions, passed 6–0.
• 1650 Broadway (case 2021‑011356 CUA): Approved with conditions, passed 6–0.
• 4849 Mission Street (2020‑011356 CUA): Approved with conditions, passed 6–0.
• 272 Naples Street (2022‑001240 DRP): Commission declined discretionary review and approved the permit as proposed, 6–0.

Next procedural steps

Staff said several items will proceed to building‑permit review or to the Board of Supervisors as required; the McKinnon project noted a forthcoming permit submittal showing the Brown Bombers space. Commissioners also scheduled the housing‑element initiation hearing for Nov. 17 where the EIR will be certified and rezoning will be initiated.

Note: This roundup summarizes actions taken by the Planning Commission on Nov. 3 and is based on staff presentations, sponsor testimony and commissioner deliberations recorded in the hearing transcript.