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tv   [untitled]    July 26, 2012 1:00pm-1:30pm PDT

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we will look into that as well. commissioner moore: people in wheelchairs' need to have it at a certain height, including a rail or other ways for them to find that. >> thank you. >> and the board of appeals did meet last night. while there were not any items of interest to the planning commission, it was the first meeting for commissioner ann lazarus, who previously served on the port commission, president fon would -- so president fong would be acquainted with her. we look forward to working with her on the board of appeals. they are meeting next week on august 1, and they do have an appeal of the planning commission action to approve the local coastal zone permit for the beach l.a. athletic field. that hearing will be next
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weekend. i will report back to you on tuesday. president fong: thank you. >> if nothing else, we can move forward to general public comment. at this time, members of the public might address you on items of interest to the public that fall within the jurisdiction of the public, with the exception of agenda items. however, for this category, each member of the public may address the commission for up to three minutes each, keeping in mind the entire category has a time limit of 15 minutes. i have one speaker card. president fong: linda chapman? >> linda chapman, on the subject of 1601 market.
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you should have been there, because the tape does not convey the vibrating indignation of commissioner borden, of the land use chair, who is the soul of calm, at how the neighborhood has been treated. it continues. will be dealing with some other routes to get enforcement. enforcement has not happened. despite the neighborhood, you cannot imagine the neighborhood effort to get in forssmann, with building code violations and police code violations, without success. anyway, continuing homeless encampments, sometimes looking like a dystopian movie -- i was up there waiting for the bus on a saturday, and there was the scene described to you by the neighbor across the street. the man with the walker was
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there. his friend had come out to talk with him. on the steps was a man with a cane. a lady with a dog had gone out to walk and was socializing with him. with the footprint, you can see how far beckett is set. it really is ideal for the thing that was suggested, that we suggested, and our alternative project, around the perimeter, where people can gather, and the community room, because we simply do not have something like that. one of the subject of people formerly with non-hill neighborhood -- that is completely incompatible. you think the homeowner association would say, just wander into our building for your meeting? never mind about security. we cannot even get into the church at 1300 polk, because they are so alarmed about anybody getting in there.
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i think a concern is that the methodist church, and even the developer, got very conflicting directions, you know? negotiate with, you know, people about changing this project. and also include the things that could not work with the project. people in the neighborhood would never accept the project, except the four people who said they wanted to negotiate. i have been to six meetings, and it has never been suggested that the building could be there at five stories. it is a medical office building which needs to be south of market. i have this concern about the conflicting -- a very confused methodists to begin with, and their lawyer. we will talk more later.
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president fong: thank you. >> good afternoon, commissioners. i am here to thank you for something you did on student housing, when you adopt the motion in june. you included deleting the word "similar," in changing the word "adjacent" to " adjoining." anne-marie rogers wrote a beautiful part of that description. this week, it went to land use. they accepted the change of adjacent to adjoining. however, they did not delete the word "similar." i went to the board of supervisors during public comment, and ask for them to please take up that word.
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there are other complications from that phrase, but if the word "similar response -- "similar" is taken out, that would be wonderful. i have written and of date and request to the aids of the supervisors. one called me this morning, she would look into it. i do not know what the process is with you all. i thought i would give you the update and request that i am sending. again, i thank you for taking one person's suggestions and putting it into your motion on student housing. thank you very much. president fong: anibal florez? >> good afternoon. many floras, carpenters' local 22.
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i want to report on a couple of major projects that are broken. i would like to congratulate commissioner wu on your reappointment. you have earned it so quickly. brian spears development, a couple of projects. one on market and dubose is moving forward. the old ford on 2001 market street is under way. and the agi capital on fifth and folsom is moving. and there is movement on daggett triangle. we are getting calls on rincon hill, part 2. 45 lansing is moving, and second and harrison, the quandary, 55
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ninth street, avalon bay, and i am sure there is more. i wanted to let you know your work is not going unnoticed. thank you. president fong: thank you. is there any additional public comment? seeing none, next item, please. >> we can now move on to your regular calendar. we will take the two items from the consent calendar first. item two is 439 the market street. -- is for 1309 market street. >> good afternoon. iran hollister, department stuff. -- aaron hollister,
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department staff. the previously approved project proposes the demolition of a two-story office building, and the construction of a new 11- story building, containing up to 250 residential dwelling units and approximately 20,000 square feet of ground floor commercial use. the commission approved the project in 2009. to this point, staff has not received any correspondence in opposition to the extension. the environmental findings on pages two and five of the draft motion have been amended since the distribution of the motion to you. it will further specified environmental approval the project received in 2009. the findings have been highlighted in pages two and five of the motion. staff recommends that you approve the revised motion to extend the project performance
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two years, for the following reasons. an extension is appropriate, given the economic downturn, which is beyond the control of the sponsor. it would further revitalize the central market area, adding retail services in an area well- served by transit. this includes a staff presentation, and i will be available for questions. thank you. >> project sponsored? >> andrew junius for the project sponsor. i do not have any specific presentation. i would be happy to answer any questions you might have. president fong: is there any public comment on this item? seeing none, commissioner questions and comments? commissioner antonini: move to approve. commissioner sugaya: is it
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possible to amend this thing? i would like to have further consideration given to the design. >> in the previous motion from 2007, there is a design condition that requires project sponsor to work with staff regarding a number of design issues. it requires the project come before the commission when the changes do occur. commissioner moore: i just met with the director and staff here today. commissioner wu was present. we discussed potentially broadening the discussion about new buildings, which will be happening in this general area. there are quite a few others. there was a lot of good reception by the department to consider that.
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it is not setting new standards. it is basically broadening the discussions of what we were expecting of the performance of these buildings together. the emphasis being "together." we have looked at these in the past as individual buildings, but never about an emerging context which would give a new general feeling of height next to the city center. that requires each building, on its own, whether it is coming back to us for entitlement, to answer some of this. the department is open to undertake this, especially looking at other new buildings that are happening. i would suggest that this building would be considered, based on those new emerging principles. commissioner antonini: i think, as staff has pointed out, any of the changes that would be made
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in any of the design would be coming back to us for approval before -- this is only an extension today. but i do agree that we have to look at the context of buildings from the entire area, rather than individually, although i think it architect, in my opinion, does a good job of picking up the context of market and hayes, with the areas done in that vernacular, and the flatiron portion being glass. i think it is an interesting combination. i am certainly always interested in seeing any changes that might occur as the project moves forward. vice president wu: as commissioner moore mentioned, i was in the meeting. it is important to look at buildings are a neighborhood. when we have individual projects
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in front of us, do you refer to other projects that have been entitled? we had some of that conversation last week because of the aia hearing. looking at ways to incorporate that into our discussion here, so it is not just up and down on one project. >> the motion on the floor is for approval of the extension. on that motion -- commissioner antonini: aye. commissioner borden: aye. commissioner moore: aye. commissioner sugaya: aye. vice president wu: aye. president fong: aye. >> thank you. the motion passed unanimously. now before you is item three, case 2002 -- i mean 2,012.0348c, 175 junipero serra boulevard. >> this is a request for a
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conditional use authorization to establish a child care facility for more than 15 children, doing business as of the kids academy, providing less than 24 hour care. -- as the alpha kids academy, providing less than 24-hour care. it would occupy approximately 2700 square feet, and will have access to an outdoor play area on the subject property. the proposed facility would operate monday through friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., seven children from ages 2.5 to 6, with a staff of six. there would be 25 to 40 children, with a maximum of 60
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children throughout the day. the children would arrive between -- would arrive around 7:30. there is early pick up from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. the operator will be required to obtain a state-issued license, and adhere to general licensing requirements of the state of california. to date, the department has received a letter of support from the church of christ scientist executive board, and a letter of opposition with 15 signatures from neighboring residents, who are concerned the project will result in increased on-street parking demands, automobile traffic, and noise. to address on street parking and traffic concerns, the project sponsor does intend to apply for a passenger loading zone in front of the entrance to the
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facility. the facility also does have three existing off street parking spaces available. the department recommends approval of the project with conditions, for the following reasons. the product meets all applicable requirements of the planning code, and is consistent with the general plan. the proposed child care facility will occupies -- will occupy existing and underused facilities, and provide a vital service to residents, as well as new employment opportunities for neighbors. i also have copies of the letters received from the ninth church of christ executive board, neighbors with concerns about the project, and the project sponsor, which are received after the packages went
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out to the commissioners. this concludes my presentation. i am available for questions. president fong: project sponsor? >> good afternoon, commissioners. i would just like to give you a little introduction about our school. i would like to thank you for the opportunity to represent our organization. our preschools have been successfully operating for four years in san francisco. we of grown -- have grown to have two more centers in san francisco. we provide a caring environment.
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there are full-time and part- time programs for children -- for children. we operate monday through friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. we have employees that are dedicated and committed to preparing children for the future. we are fully licensed by the state of california. our curriculum is become a nation of several foundations, following department of education curriculum requirements. children are given opportunities to learn about themselves to play, music, and interactions with each other, while focusing on emotional and social development, language, literacy, mathematics, and performing arts. we are active in the san francisco community and have been working with the children's council of san francisco from the start.
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we offer single parent discounts and city worker discounts. we participate in local food and donation drives, and local community events, and other mini fund-raisers. the preschool centers also work closely with san francisco state university. we also had the pleasure of providing firsthand experience in the field of early childhood development for numerous educators, able to provide full- time employment after completion of the child development degree. in 2012, we have applied for a nonprofit status. as a result, there was a goal of providing educational services for children in our local community who are in need of quality early childhood
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education programs, financial help, and other educational programs. we are excited about the opening in september of 2012, and a beautiful facility with a christian science church. this is an amazing opportunity for us to give effect to the community and continue our mission. by working together, we can create a meaningful community that will benefit our organization. we appreciate your support in making this come true. president fong: we may have questions. thank you. public comment on these items? i do have some speaker cards. catherine, janet, stephanie.
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whenever you are ready. >> good afternoon, commissioners. first, i would like to read the letter as a parent. we are parents of 4.5-year-old voice/girl twins who are too young to enter kindergarten this year. as we prepare them, we have been entered into a program that offers a program more academically than commonly found in a carriage with preschool programs. we're excited to hear about the kids academy, as we are both working parents. the proximity to our home is of great value to our family. we appreciate the respect with regard to the church building and community, and the
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neighboring school and residents. please consider the need of all san francisco families to have options and access, for the lifetime corporation and success of their families. additionally, i would like to read a letter from parents of the sister's school, in support of the of the kids academy. we love the convenience of having a school close to home. we can walk to the school, and it makes us feel safe. it is hard to find schools that offer full care. it makes it easier having a school that is close to home. since our children have been enrolled, they have become a creative, talkative bunch. they have grown both socially and emotional. we agree with a statement in which each student is given an
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environment which allows for self discovery and exploration. this is what we believe has helped our children grow into the social butterflies the have become. in support of of the kids academy, the school would provide services to families in the neighborhood. it would allow children to attend a school in which they feel safe and loved. every child can be given the opportunity to be creative and unique. we have 23 signatures. thank you for your time. >> my name is janet. i am speaking on behalf of two parents that bring their children to kangaroo preschool. i am a parent and teacher at kangaroo preschool. this letter is to communicate my strong support for the proposed alpha kids academy.
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i have a two year-old daughter and have a hard time finding a school that would meet my needs. this would be an ideal fit for us. previously sent our elder daughter to school in the sunset, and we were very pleased with the care and education provided. we believe the teachers contributed to my daughter in joining her early school life so much, and anxious to have our daughter at the new location as soon as possible. i also have a letter from another parent who has been bringing her children there for a few years. i am writing this letter on behalf of the development center. i am a mother of four girls, including a five year-old. my children have been attending the organization since the
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opening in 2009. they are a great asset to this community. that are warm and caring, and offer education that is hard to come by during this tough economy. if it was not for their affordable and exceptional education, my daughters might not attend preschool. there are very few quality preschools offered near the potential sites. i live in this neighborhood. having four children, it would be a great convenience for me, if i have to transfer my daughters to this location, which is much closer to my home. there are many families that live here, and that could definitely benefit from a caring, nurturing school such as of the kids. at a time when there are so many families fleeing our city to pursue better educational opportunities, i believe it is our best interest to allow out
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the kids academy to proceed in opening their new location, so the can offer their quality affordable program to the families of san francisco, and how to keep them living there. thank you very much. president fong: thank you. >> my name is stephanie huff. i am the current director of the snowy valley -- noe valley kangaroo site. it is important to open new centers, especially with a lack of jobs in the education field. this is another opportunity for people to find employment. i also have a letter from another parent of our sun set location. to whom it may concern, this letter is in support of alpha kids academy. we feel safe and secure in the
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neighborhood, and it would make us feel at ease. we feel other children in the neighborhood would benefit. our eldest son attends the preschool every morning. i love the fact that he enjoys going to school. his vocabulary has doubled since he first started. he knows his abcs. at home, we speak chinese, and we love that the school offers mandarin and spanish in the afternoons. our child started as a to-year- old who was not potty trained, and kangaroo has helped us by setting up a chart. we all this knowledge in self discovery to the quality of education. we do not believe we could have found a better school. thank you. president fong: additional speakers -- joseph, roger,
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margaret finley, john mitchell, and andrew. >> good afternoon, commissioners. i am an officer of the ninth church of christ scientist. our members of spoken in favor of going ahead and approving the school. i would like to say, in addition, we are looking to fund approval for this, but we want to work equally with our neighbors, our neighborhood association, and the preschool directors. they are offering a wonderful service to the community. we want to be sure the traffic conditions will