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 -- and

4% would the banks to first republic is approved. we want to be in the valley. we have the first to public office -- and the four to making a positive contribution. -- and we look forward to making a positive contribution. >> i will call some names. richard hildriss, patrick monix, peter gavel, wesley willbaum. >> my name is richarld hildriss of 4158 hill street, and i lived there more than 20 years. i've seen the neighborhood change a lot. and, well, there's no getting around it.

the valley is a wealthy neighborhood. things have changed. when i first moved in, there was a total of two banking institutions. there was bank of america and a tiny little atm-only wells fargo branch. today, there are -- as you know, five banks in the five blocks between diamond and church street. there are two financial services companies, brokerages, and six real estate offices. in the 20 years i have been there, as the neighborhood gets wealthier, there are wealth

extraction industries moving in. i do not find fault with the bank here. i would like to see bank of america or wells fargo removed from the neighborhood and them allowed in that space. they are harry potter to voldemort. my concern is the space taken over, is a happy, locally owned juice bar, frequented by the fire people. it was a not-very-good frozen yogurt shop. i am concerned, as the little shops leave the valley, and more financial services move in, we've lost the neighborhood character and just serve a

dollar. that is my objection, not to the company, but the fact we don't need another wealth extraction industry in this neighborhood. >> the next speaker? >> my name is patrick monk, a registered nurse with speciality in home care hospice. i have lived here over 30 years, over 20 in the heart of downtown. i am one of the co-founders, with two or three houses here today. this is one of the most powerful evidence that has happened since i have lived there.

it draws a lot of traffic. and a lot of people meet their to socialize. what is happening now, most small businesses are driven out of business. this includes the fact that any time the businesses in noe valley, this is a nail salon or a women's clothing store, it does not serve the needs of the people in the neighborhood. we are about to lose a hardware store. if we have another bank, i suggest we have a credit union, or a branch of the municipal bank.

with the diversity that has been lost, we need to attract more small businesses there, that the community's need. we have the increase in -- what whole foods did is put a strain on the small local businesses. the majority of people drive suv's and there is little foot traffic. they double-park in the street. they spew out exhaust fumes. when i get out of bed -- it is not this institution, the principle of what we want our

neighborhoods to be. cookie-cutter copies that don't serve our day to day needs. i hope you consider before making a decision in favor of this move. thank you for your time. >> peter -- i live at 386 elizabeth street. i have the cover page listing our name. if you have the letters of opposition, it will not be necessary. we are trying to mobilize to express our collective opposition to another bank in the neighborhood. some of these people are part of

what they talked about, a voluntary group of people in noe valley with a farmer's market, who saved the local bookstore and enabled it to survive eight years, twho have supported the community betterment district -- this spirit of community and vitality is threatened by the gradual expansion of -- deadening financial institutions like a multiplicty of banks. this is no criticism of first republic. six banks -- most of the people i spoke to cannot imagine why this would be a plan to use.

we have seven real estate offices, and all of these uses dampen the foot traffic and the spirit of the small business community, with the volunteer associations we have created. you should not approve another bank, in such a small neighborhood area. i understand that you want this in one of the letters. the central thing i say about this is the same point that the commissioner made with the discussion of the other items. the goal of a small business with mixed retail use is very important to sustain that texture in noe valley

. there needs to be a limitation on the financial institutions that do not generate this. thank you. >> hello. i have been a resident of san francisco all my life, and have been in noe valley 30 years. i rented a studio at 18 years old and i am a property owner. i have seen some changes. i have seen the neighborhood go from working class, the upper middle-class. a small bank is a good idea, and here are a couple of reasons. in that corner, this has been turned over, and this does

nothing to help the neighborhood. the first republic, this is very important. i am driving to another neighborhood. after i do my banking, i will stay there 10 minutes. this is part of a highlight of my day. i have a lot of respect for them. more of my neighbors -- this is a lot better off. then the big branches that come in. this is better for noe valley.

that is why i think this is a good idea. he think you again for your time. >> two more names. david eland and blair mossier. >> i will be brief. i am david island. i have been there 21 years. my only objection is we lost so many retail spaces to commercial. if a commercial space opens up, i would have another neighbor. i speak for the retailers, and the community benefits district.

i hate to see more retail go to commercial. >> can you approach the podium. >> i will complain about the fact that i want to talk about what happened to the san francisco giants last night, part of another component. we have the boys playing in the street. we've lost our ability to feel, and the feelings -- are guiding us. that's what's at stake for me. i know a little store in the corner of sanchez and 24th.

she owns a place called the button box. the cost of -- she loves my wife. this is evaporating as we speak. that poor woman was approached by a very haughty, hyper business-like woman who told her that if she didn't raise her prices bad things would happen. this is an empty threat. that is the feeling a lot of us are trying to talk about. we wish this was in the forefront of our