Committee backs 98 Franklin package to revive mixed‑use project, requires land dedication for affordable housing
July 10, 2023 | San Francisco County, California
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San Francisco — The Land Use and Transportation Committee on June 10 voted to send to the Board an amendment package intended to revive a stalled mixed‑use development at 98 Franklin Street and to permit land dedication to meet inclusionary housing obligations.
Supervisor Dean Preston, whose district includes the site, said the package is designed to "unstick" a project that received a rezoning in 2020 but did not move forward amid rising construction costs and supply‑chain disruptions. Preston described the package as enabling the construction of a new high school podium and market‑rate units above, while using a land‑dedication option unique to the Van Ness & Market Residential Special Use District to create a separate 100%‑affordable site.
Christie Alexander of the Planning Department told the committee the project approved by the Planning Commission on March 30 includes demolition of a surface parking lot and construction of a 38‑story building with a five‑story podium for the French American International High School, small‑scale ground‑floor retail and 385 dwelling units (275 studio/one‑bed, 72 two‑bed and 38 three‑bed). The sponsor elected the land‑dedication option to provide a site for a 100% affordable housing project that must include at least 35% of the units (135 units) applicable to the principal development.
Planning staff also noted a related development agreement (Board file 221,163) will be heard by the Government Audit and Oversight Committee later in the week and that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the associated ordinances (Board file 221,164 for planning code amendments).
Public callers including housing advocates expressed support. Supervisor Preston moved the ordinance package with a positive recommendation; Supervisors Aaron Peskin, Dean Preston and Mirna Melgar each voted 'aye' and the committee advanced the item to the full Board.
Next steps: The ordinance and associated development agreement proceed to the Board and GAO for further review.
Supervisor Dean Preston, whose district includes the site, said the package is designed to "unstick" a project that received a rezoning in 2020 but did not move forward amid rising construction costs and supply‑chain disruptions. Preston described the package as enabling the construction of a new high school podium and market‑rate units above, while using a land‑dedication option unique to the Van Ness & Market Residential Special Use District to create a separate 100%‑affordable site.
Christie Alexander of the Planning Department told the committee the project approved by the Planning Commission on March 30 includes demolition of a surface parking lot and construction of a 38‑story building with a five‑story podium for the French American International High School, small‑scale ground‑floor retail and 385 dwelling units (275 studio/one‑bed, 72 two‑bed and 38 three‑bed). The sponsor elected the land‑dedication option to provide a site for a 100% affordable housing project that must include at least 35% of the units (135 units) applicable to the principal development.
Planning staff also noted a related development agreement (Board file 221,163) will be heard by the Government Audit and Oversight Committee later in the week and that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the associated ordinances (Board file 221,164 for planning code amendments).
Public callers including housing advocates expressed support. Supervisor Preston moved the ordinance package with a positive recommendation; Supervisors Aaron Peskin, Dean Preston and Mirna Melgar each voted 'aye' and the committee advanced the item to the full Board.
Next steps: The ordinance and associated development agreement proceed to the Board and GAO for further review.
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