with no way to escape. this issue must be addressed in the e.i.r. human life is at stake. >> on behald of the housing action -- behalf of the housing action coalition. i was there with the plans on monday. we wanted to see the published e.i.r. first. our view to this point is the following. this project is an appropriate use of the land. it brings density to an area noteable for the lack of density. why are some neighborhoods exempt from taking more housing, and others have to bear the

burden? after the project, what is not to love abou tthe design. this is fitting in beautifully with the neighborhood. what stood out is the type at the bottom that says, "no major impact." this is a modest project without significant impact. we see this with some of the most -- the best public schools -- he this is somehow -- this should be the determinant. this was designed originally,

and this was intended to be developed. we look forward to developing this. this is absolutely adequate and balanced. >> i would address the issues of staging the construction project. we have this with the association that is required by the review this is too -- we would like to know how the project sponsor intends to stage the construction. this'll be brought to the side every day.

there will require this area, with the material that needs to be brought in. this is a duplex, and the developer needs to explain the new residential units that will be built before the construction of a retaining wall. this supports the new road. the d.e.r. says that the walls will be constructed to prevent soil and other materials falling onto the property of the downhill neighbors. the access will be -- from 28,

or from the bottom of the hill at fifth avenue. the construction project has a significant environmental impact, and this issue needs to be explained more clearly. thank you. >> thank you for the opportunity. i am a few yards from the base of the mountain. buildings have to be good neighbors but the overlook will be everything but a good neighbor. there'll be a lot of harm on the office -- on the inner sunset. the area operates as an amphitheater, and building a basketball court at the fire engine turnaround, aimed at a large apartment complexes.

the managers of these buildings have not been informed. the test of this in a similar place, and recently, -- this fell on to the decks of the apartments and smashed the windows of an empty apartment. the developers have not taken the plight of the neighbors into consideration. they will have noisy parties. there will be pushed back. the space above is why. note human being has been there and it is inaccessible. now we're getting ground flowers for the first time.

red tail hawks are there to get rodents, and pigeons no longer defile the property area. do you know that this is home to medical personnel. what compensation will there be for people who have their lives destroyed, thank you very much. -- >> i am the resident homeowner down the hill. the environmental impact report seems to be inadequate. they have liberties when they say this is not a significant impact. the doubling of traffic is something that is significant, and the roadways are not large enough. there are always fire trucks. if you see them backing up a half-mile cul-de-sac, i don't

know where people get the idea -- how they say that this is not significant? what is the judge -- this is completely out of character, not from anyone who is even remotely familiar with the neighborhood. thank you. -- >> and other additional public comments and speakers? commissioners? a public hearing is closed. -- >> commissioner? >> we will be interested in hearing the responses to these comments. a couple of things that were brought up need to be addressed.

the adequacy of the sidewalks. i understand that there are plans for improvement. but addressing the ad -- adequacy of the sidewalks, because presumably there will be a lot of people exiting, either empressement or down from the project, and this is important. this deals with the emergency part. this was one thing i noticed. another comment that i think needs to be addressed is -- the access and the retaining wall the needs to be billed -- this will have to have access. the question was raised, if this will be below or from the street itself. this is something they need to

respond to in the comments and the responses. ipsa and the other one was -- a comment about, i believe there have been plans to -- for development in the middle of this space, calling back 30 or 40 years. development is at the top and at the bottom, but there is none in the metal. i think history is there -- and this is an important issue that has to do with a number of these issues and some of the other things that were brought up in regards to the impact, regarding the slides and other things -- these are important to be addressed, a lot of this has to do with issues that -- there are

certain standards that have to be met when a project is built. those are some of the things i heard with the comments. the response from the staff to those questions. cash -- >> commissioner wu? commissioner wu: there were a number of things i would like to see the answer to. i am concerned about the condition of the street, having to move over when there are two cars. it does address that this happens infrequently but i would be interested to know a little bit more specifically, how often does this happen and how does this impact the emergency vehicles with the other vehicles that have to get into the area.

it does really seem that there is just one and three -- and maybe the frequency of cars may be somewhat lower but i think when happens, this is quite dangerous. -- >> commissioner? >> the questions asked by the public -- i know the department will do everything to answer them. overall i find the structure of the e.i.r. very logical and very easy to read, and it layers the history of the project, including the development history prior to this -- and laid it out quite well, giving us the ability to see how the requirements have changed, and

the actions -- at the time were not required. i recommend -- i commend the department for this layering of the document. i have tried several ways of reading between the lanes using aspects, and partially because of the project -- being a smaller-sized project, i am often very critical of this because they are too complicated and convoluted, and not result in a readable document. this is a accessible and anyone with questions within the time set aside will find their way through the document and cross references, to look at the source to which this is put together. the additional questions having been asked -- we will see where

it goes. this is not a review wore a critique of the project as currently designed, with the quantitative and qualitative issues and their effect on the environment, and it is possible to create the worse case scenario on the environment and these issues. >> commissioner miguel? -- commissioner miguel: i am a critic of an e.i.r. with a point of view, prejudiced in the manner that they use the english language. this was factual and neutral in its language, and it was eminently readable. this was completely thorough.

this is an excellent example for a small project. an example of what an e.i.r. is supposed to do. >> with what he said, we're fortunate to live in a city that has -- this is well documented. there are some areas of concern that need to be addressed, with comments and responses. in some parts of the eastern side of san francisco, this is even more intense. this will have to be analyzed. >> questions about safety, and

access, fire access and the fire response, these are all answered by those departments, responsible for these actions. they are thoroughly reviewed and coordinated. with the necessary response and the deficiency in the response time because of the number of households. the fire department will address this. if there is a deficiency -- this is not part of what they typically do. this could curb the height, for the drainage in the retaining walls, by those people in public works who are responsible for this.

this project was under as much scrutiny in the actual implementation as any other project. but the nature of the design -- they will be signed by those departments responsible. >> not to prolong this, i do not usually talk on these comments but -- i am questioning the manner of the fact that the developer paid for this. all developers pay a fee. the e.i.r.'s are under the offices of the department. we don't have unlimited pockets in chiapas city governments. this is the fee that is charged with the standard situation.

i don't care if you are building the hundred-story office building. commissioner antonini: when the speaker brought up the question of the increase in traffic and said this would be doubled, and if this is the case i guess that the staff will respond as to why this is not considered significant. the law itself, as small as it is, would not be deemed to be significant. it seems that this is the change that has to be addressed, in the comments and the responses. >> thank you. with the conclusion of the commissioner's comments, i will say that written comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on june 19, 2012.

with that, the hearing on this item is concluded. you are on item 13, 2011-27 c for 3901 24th street.

>> good afternoon, members of the planning commission. i am presenting the use application for 2011-372c at 3901 24th street, for a financial service at the first republic bank. we would like to open a local branch at this place, and basically, this is the vacant storefront. and this project would involve the improvement, with no

alterations to the subject building. with the commission notices it, we have the opposition letters and telephone calls as well as these are circulated among the commissioners. with the opposition part, and the overconcentration, this would be the sixth one, with the over-concentration and this would make the street more vital, in this district.

this is the san francisco-based bank. and there was also an increase in the foot traffic. there was a further analysis in the executive summary. the proposal is technically not perfect to formula ratio controls under the proposed ordinance. but the board of supervisors and the amended planning code, to include the financial services with the formula controls. they have the formula uses, and with the analysis, this also plays upon the department land use, this year.

there are 160 operating businesses. these uses are considered original uses for the percentages of 3.1%. we included the financial services on 24th street, which is proposed, with the uses and industry. this is 6.9%. the department does not feel that there is an overconcentration. this is part of an overconcentration. we would recommend an improvement on the project, with the neighborhood service and the use, and a complement for the

existing yes. this is relatively small. this will only employ about three persons, and the third, is well serviced by public transit. there would not be any significant on street parking. the next project will create after three opportunities. that is the planning code and -- this concludes my presentation. if you have any questions i will be happy to answer. >> the project sponsor?

>> good afternoon. i am a preferred banking manager. i have been with the bank over six years and i am here to share with the commissioners the reason that this would be an asset. this is a small community bank headquartered in san francisco since 1985. we started off as a mortgage lender and are one of the most active and successful mortgage lenders of any bank, anywhere, particularly in the home town of san francisco. we are built on personal relationships and old-fashioned service. we're not a bank that offers lot -- different loans and we have never participated in subprime mortgages. our offices look like a living room.

we offer fresh baked cookies every day. this is designed to look like you're living room. when i have learned over the past six years is that our clients -- not a lot of banks can say this. we have been welcome in many neighborhoods. irving street, laurel village, chinatown, and the presidio, among others. because we do things differently, people have taken notice. we'll recognized by a leading trade publication, with many women in senior management. we have one of the highest percentages of women in any bank

in america. this is one of the most responsible corporate citizens in the city. we support other nonprofit organizations. we would benefit for two important reasons. first, we would be more vibrant, economically. many people now take care of this on the way to the first public office. and they would benefit package from the republic, already very involved in the neighborhood. let me touch on both of these very briefly. we would serve many clients already in the neighborhood, with 3500 households in the area. fewer people would travel

elsewhere, and it would be more likely to drop by for a cup of coffee. that is a lot of business on 31st street. we have 3500 clients, and currently, these 3500 clients go to the closest offices, urban street on the inner sunset. they are running this on irving street, and this would get people out of their cards. to the local neighborhood bank. we are not like any other bank. i welcome you to enter the first republic office. i hosted numerous events for the

community. we ask our hours and offices monthly. i hosted a book drive and a toy drive in the holidays. we had an ice cream social and invited everyone to come down. we tastay late for the trick or treaters and they can take pictures with santa. this is why we see ourselves as a community meeting place and not just a bank. we have been asked repeatedly to open an office on 24th street. we have 25 letters of support, and a position -- a few of our clients are here today but some had to go back to work.

first republic -- we have financial support to the organization. in all first 10 months, we have the harvest festival, and first republic had a team participating in the scavenger hunt, and we have a team participating on the 16th. they can bounce around on us and enjoy this all day. i'm working for first republic, it is clear we're not just another bank. we are a true community partner. we serve the many individuals who want us there. they are on 24th street --