Planning Commission approves technical amendment to Pier 70 D4D to allow lab and life‑science uses on office parcels

SAN FRANCISCO — The Planning Commission unanimously approved March 3 an amendment to the Pier 70 Design for Development that clarifies retail and office definitions and explicitly allows certain laboratory and life‑science uses on parcels already designated for office.

Staff presentation: Planning staff said the proposed changes are technical fixes to align inconsistent terminology in the D4D and to confirm that parcels designated for office may be developed for design‑professional, laboratory or life‑science uses in addition to general office. "There was no intent in the drafting of the D4D to preclude the use of parcels as laboratory uses," staff said, and the department’s environmental‑review team concluded the revised definitions do not create or exacerbate impacts described in the existing environmental impact report.

Public comment and neighborhood concerns: JR Eppler, president of the Petro Boosters Neighborhood Association, urged the commission to approve the amendment, arguing life‑science space is needed and that permitting those uses on office parcels along the waterfront is appropriate. At the same time, staff acknowledged citywide concerns about life‑science uses encroaching on production, distribution and repair (PDR) areas; staff said the amendment affects only parcels already designated for office within Pier 70 and that ground floors of certain buildings would remain protected from lab uses.

Environmental and regulatory oversight: Commissioners asked whether biosafety levels, fume hoods and hazardous‑materials handling were addressed. Staff replied that the EIR’s air‑quality mitigation measures remain in force and that the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s permitting structure would govern emissions and mitigation requirements. "The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has a permitting structure already in place with measures to identify risk and type of emissions from a site," staff said.

Sponsor response and next steps: Kelly Pretzer of Brookfield Properties, the project sponsor, said the amendment adheres to planning‑code definitions and does not broaden allowable uses beyond existing code. The commission approved the amendment 6–0; staff noted the change requires subsequent approval by the Port Commission before it takes effect.

What’s next: The amendment clarifies where life‑science uses would be permissible on the Pier 70 site and returns to the Port Commission for final action.