Planning Commission approves 7‑story, 24‑unit Church Street project with cultural‑district outreach condition

The San Francisco Planning Commission on Dec. 2 approved findings and a height waiver under the state density bonus law for a proposed 7‑story, 24‑unit mixed‑use building at 240–250 Church Street.

Planning Department staff recommended approval, saying the project meets state density bonus entitlement for providing three on‑site inclusionary units (about 13% of units) at 80% of area median income and complies with the Market/Octavia Area Plan and General Plan policies. Bridget Hicks, Planning Department staff, told the commission the building would provide no vehicular parking, offer 25 Class‑1 and five Class‑2 bicycle spaces, and include a 1,992 square‑foot ground‑floor restaurant space to be occupied by Thoroughbred bakery.

Project architect Jeremy Schaub said the sponsor is using the state density bonus to achieve 24 units while preserving mid‑block open space and retaining Thoroughbred. Community commenters, including Steven Torres of the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District, urged deeper outreach to the district, raised concerns that three affordable units at 80% AMI may be insufficient to preserve cultural affordability, and asked the sponsor to coordinate with legacy businesses.

In response, commissioners proposed and the commission added a condition requiring the project sponsor to meet with representatives of the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District to discuss artwork and possible community meeting space and to coordinate with Thoroughbred bakery on operations during construction. The sponsor and owner indicated willingness to engage. The motion to adopt the findings and the requested height waiver with that condition passed unanimously, 7–0.