CH Planning has revamped a controversial project to build a towering apartment tower in San Francisco’s outer Sunset District. Likewise, it may fail the scrutiny of city planners.
Reno developers led by Raelynn Hickey have upgraded plans for a 50-story high-rise at 2700 Sloat Avenue, Reported by SF Yimby. It will replace the half-century-old Sloat Garden Centre.
The Sunset District project is three blocks from the ocean, a years-long tug-of-war between developers and city planners over building density and local zoning rules. The new proposal, which uses state density incentive laws to increase square footage, would be one of the tallest housing projects outside of downtown.
The revised plan now calls for a 589-foot-tall building containing 680 apartments, 110 of which will be affordable for families earning 80 percent of the area’s median income. The apartments will include 328 studios, 176 one-bedroom units, 108 two-bedroom units and 68 three-bedroom units.
The 669,000-square-foot tower will include 43,700 square feet of community space, a 31,100-square-foot commercial fitness center and 15,300 square feet of shops and restaurants.
Using the city’s car-sharing program, a 94,100-square-foot underground parking lot can accommodate 212 vehicles.
Designed by Chicago’s Solomon Cordwell Buenz, the triangular building includes a circular high-rise with floor-to-ceiling aluminum panels and glass-balustraded balconies.
The square-shaped podium facing Sloter Avenue will feature double-height windows framed by silver and faded orange girders to showcase a gym, restaurant and shops, topped by three decks.
Approvals are currently awaited, and construction is expected to cost $210 million and take 20 months. An affiliate of CH Planning purchased the 0.87-acre property in late 2020 for $8.5 million.
Initial plans were rejected by the planning department. In March, city officials expressed doubts about the current plan.
According to SFYimby, city officials told CH Planning late last month that its revised plan “also does not comply with planning regulations” and would require rezoning.
City planners also said SB 330 would not allow the project to move forward quickly, and advised developers to “apply for legislative amendments if applicants wish to proceed with new projects as proposed.”
read more
— Dana Bartholomew
