Committee approves interim controls and study to limit certain lab and AI uses in PDR1G

The Land Use & Transportation Committee on Dec. 15 moved to duplicate and amend a file imposing 18-month interim zoning controls that would require conditional-use authorization for specified laboratory uses in the PDR1G district.

Sponsor Supervisor Jackie Fielder said the measure aims to preserve production, distribution and repair (PDR) spaces and protect working-class jobs in the Mission and southeastern neighborhoods. "This interim zoning legislation is a first step in addressing these concerns and will require conditional use authorization for specific types of laboratory uses in the PDR1G District," Fielder said, stressing that traditional biological and analytical labs would be excluded from the conditional-use requirement.

Supporters from labor, manufacturing and neighborhood groups described rapid conversion of PDR space to AI, automation and delivery-related uses and urged the study and interim controls. Teamsters and the San Francisco Labor Council raised safety and job-protection concerns related to drone and delivery testing.

Chair Mirna Melgar moved to duplicate the file, incorporate Supervisor Fielder's amendments, and continue the duplicated file to the call of the chair; the committee adopted the motions and recorded three ayes. Member Mahmood also moved to amend the original file and recommend it as amended to the Board; the committee recorded three ayes and the item will proceed to the Board with a positive recommendation and a directive to the Planning Department for a study during the interim period.