the united irish cultural center is undoubtedly one of our most important partners as a consulate in the western united states and its significance cannot be understated. the strength of the irish diaspora is visible across the region. there are approximately 750,000 people of irish descent in the bay area and 2.3 million in the state of california. the cultural center is a consistent partner of the irish government's immigrant support program, an initiative that demonstrates art in support of commitment to and interest in the global irish community. we as a consulate regularly collaborate and work with the center on events and cultural projects as well as with many other irish organizations who use the center's facilities to conduct their work. the current leadership of the irish center have a vision to reconstruct and redesign the present space that will result in a new fit for purpose building that will provide not just to our community, but also to the entire san francisco community as a whole. while the center serves the community well in its current format project 2025 endeavors

this is the site of the united irish cultural center, known as uicc. at the july 27 hearing at the planning commission, the uicc project was approved. one of the main concerns was creation of a special use district. concerns were that if uicc project was designated as a special use district, that would set a precedent. after the public comment was closed, a commissioner asked staff if the uicc project would effect the 2700 slope deliberation or result in a precedent. staff deflected and replied the special use district is limited to the subject lot. since there was no follow-up questions by any commissioners, since the question of setting a pres dant was not answered, this created the perception it would create a precedent and if designated a special use district, would this add another layer of complexity to already controversial project? both project sponsors share the same law firm for land use issues and finally, the conditional use authorization for the uicc project had exemption as well as floor area ratio and rear year exemption. thank you. >> t