San Francisco is preparing for an 84-foot apartment complex at 222 Capp St., which is set to bring 70 units to the Mission District.
The project received a presentation by its developers before the Planning Commission on Thursday, showcasing plans for the eight-story building that will replace a parking lot between 17th and 18th streets.
Among the units, it is planned that eleven will be designated for low-income tenants.
Additionally, the ground floor will feature 6,735 square feet of retail space adjacent to the former Uptown bar.
Preliminary permits for the apartment project were filed on June 26.
This development is being facilitated by the state’s density bonus and Senator Scott Wiener’s SB 423, a law designed to streamline housing projects in municipalities like San Francisco that have fallen short of their housing goals.
California has mandated San Francisco to approve 82,000 housing units by 2031.
Under the stipulations of SB 423, planning commissioners have no authority to approve, disapprove, or suggest changes to projects until these housing goals are met.
This proved to be a point of contention in the meeting, with Commissioner Kathrin Moore questioning the necessity of bringing SB 423 proposals to the commission at all.
“I’m not as much criticizing what you were doing,” Moore said to architect Steve Perry and attorney Mark Loper, “I am deploring that the commission has to spend time with SB 423 projects.”
In contrast, Commissioner Theresa Imperial voiced support for ensuring community input, arguing that even if comments from the public have no impact on approval, they still provide a valuable opportunity to engage the community.
Commissioner Amy Campbell praised the 222 Capp project, referring to it as a beneficial addition to the neighborhood.
“I think it’s exactly what SB 423 was designed to do … I think this is a really great little infill project,” Campbell stated.
She highlighted the mixture of affordability and unit sizes as commendable features, wishing the development team good luck.
However, not all commissioners shared Campbell’s enthusiastic view.
Commissioner Gilbert Williams expressed concern about the affordable housing crisis, remarking, “What’s missing in our city right now is affordability.”
Detailing the project’s affordability, he noted that five of the affordable units are reserved for individuals earning 120 percent of the area’s median income, equivalent to $130,900 for a single person, while six units are set aside for those making 50 percent of the area’s median income, which is $54,550.
The 84-foot building is set to include 21 studios, 21 one-bedroom apartments, and 21 two-bedroom apartments, along with 12 parking spaces.
Williams further criticized state laws, including SB 423, for their role in gentrification and displacement in areas such as the Mission District, where residents fear the impacts of new developments.
As of now, none of the projects approved under SB 423 have yet been constructed, with many still waiting to break ground.
According to recent information, 10 projects have received approval in San Francisco since the SB 423 law went into effect last year, with another 34 under review, and 10 applications currently in the system.
A notable earlier project utilizing this legislation is located just a mile away at the intersection of Duboce and Market streets.
There, a 12-story building containing 200 units was proposed last year.
Commissioner Lydia So, who resides in the Mission District, expressed optimism for developments like 222 Capp, believing they enhance community vibrancy and safety.
“Hopefully, when you design the building, you put light and some kind of safety measurements on the street level,” So advised the developers.
She concluded by emphasizing the intention to be a positive contributor to the Capp Street area.
image source from：missionlocal
