Key legislation to support future...

PAGE 3 already allows for housing, the legislation advances a range of code adjustments to slash barriers that may hamper the conversion of underutilized downtown office buildings to housing – and that could unlock thousands of new housing units over time.

The legislation provides much needed flexibility for the re-use of older office buildings by relaxing Planning Code requirements like rear yards, that don’t make sense for conversions of existing buildings in our dense, downtown core. The legislation also directs the Building and Fire Departments to develop a manual that will lay out specific guidelines for adaptive reuse projects that would otherwise struggle to meet requirements designed for new ground-up construction projects.

“San Francisco has a history of adapting and evolving to meet our most pressing challenges,” said Patrick O’Riordan, Director of the Department of Building Inspection. “Reconfiguring downtown buildings to the needs of today will require all of us to be creative, thoughtful and resourceful, and I’m absolutely confident we’re up to the task.”

While these changes are critical to facilitating adaptive reuse projects, the city recognizes that code and process changes alone are only one part of making such conversions a reality on a broad scale. As a next step building on this legislation, the Planning Department and Office of Economic and Workforce Development will be releasing a request for interest (RFI) in the coming weeks in order to hear directly from property owners and potential developers who are exploring the reuse of underutilized Downtown buildings. Through the RFI, the city will invite ideas on what further steps are needed to help accelerate these potentially transformative adaptive reuse projects.

“This is the first significant change to Downtown’s zoning controls since the 1980s,” said Planning Director Rich Hillis. “Retooling our code to encourage new downtown housing is a critical next step, and these changes to our zoning and permitting process pave the way forward.”

Following extensive work by city staff and collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, the legislation approved by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, June 13 previously received unanimous recommendations by the Planning Commission and Building Inspection Commission, and will return to the Board for a final procedural vote on June 27 before coming into effect in mid-August.

City staff across departments continue to work on further process and zoning improvements to make it easier for businesses to start and expand, housing developments to get off the ground, and to welcome new industries and uses in existing underutilized office spaces.

The legislation is part of Mayor Breed's Roadmap to Downtown San Francisco’s Future, a comprehensive plan to reinvigorate Downtown and reposition San Francisco as the Bay Area’s economic hub and a global anchor for commerce. The Roadmap includes nine strategies to respond to emerging economic trends and capitalize on the City’s strengths to keep Downtown vibrant, focusing on key priorities such as offering a clean and safe environment, fostering a resilient workforce, strengthening transportation, and attracting new industries.

(SF Mayor’s Office Release)