San Francisco Sun

San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed, in collaboration with the San Francisco Planning Department and the Office of Economic & Workforce Development (OEWD), announced new legislation aimed at increasing residential development capacity in the Central South of Market (SoMa) and Transbay plan areas. The proposed legislation will eliminate zoning provisions that mandate a minimum amount of office space in mixed-use projects on large sites.

Co-sponsored by Supervisor Matt Dorsey, this legislation could pave the way for thousands of new housing units in and around Downtown San Francisco. This move aligns with Mayor Breed’s “Housing for All” plan, which targets the addition of 82,000 new homes over the next eight years.

As part of the Mayor’s 30 x 30 initiative to bring at least 30,000 new residents and students Downtown by 2030, Mayor Breed directed relevant departments to remove barriers to residential development. The legislation addresses changes in office space demand by removing a zoning requirement that currently enforces a two-thirds commercial to one-third residential ratio for large sites in Central SoMa and Transbay areas. This adjustment allows developments to be fully residential or significantly increase their residential component.

“We know more housing is needed and this legislation is another step towards unlocking longtime barriers that have slowed us down and prevented progress,” said Mayor London Breed. “Our Downtown neighborhoods have the potential to thrive and bring more vibrancy, and that work is happening through a number of initiatives underway.”

Supervisor Matt Dorsey expressed pride in representing Central SoMa and The East Cut neighborhoods. “I look forward to seeing these thriving neighborhoods welcome even more residents as we make good on our ambitious housing element obligations and Mayor Breed’s 30 by 30 strategy,” he stated.

The legislation builds on previous efforts such as an ordinance introduced by Mayor Breed last year that made Downtown zoning more flexible. This included creating a Commercial-to-Residential Adaptive Reuse Program to ease converting existing office buildings into housing.

"By allowing more new residences downtown, we are not only addressing the critical need for housing in San Francisco but also ensuring that the Central SoMa and Transbay area continues to evolve as a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community,” said Rich Hillis, Director of SF Planning.

Anne Taupier, Director of Development at OEWD, emphasized their commitment to working with builders on viable solutions. “We look forward to seeing some of the larger development projects that were stalled due to pandemic economics finally get underway,” she added.

The proposed amendments reduce commercial development requirements mandated under plans passed in 2012 and updated in 2018 for Central SoMa and Transit Center Districts. These plans aimed at increasing density while generating revenue for public projects.

Corey Smith from the Housing Action Coalition praised Mayor Breed's leadership: “The new units enabled by this legislation will provide centrally located homes for those who need them.”

Jane Natoli from YIMBY Action also voiced support: “This means more homes and more neighbors in San Francisco’s Downtown.”

Jesse Blout from Strada Investment Group highlighted ongoing projects: "We are currently building 500 units in Central SoMa and, with this change, we will certainly look to do more."

Aaron Fenton from BXP Development supported flexible zoning changes: “Lifting restrictions to enable the construction of much-needed housing is logical and may help San Francisco meet its state-mandated housing goals.”