CH Planning updates paperwork for 50-story condo tower in SF

CH Planning has tweaked a controversial project to build a soaring condominium tower in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset. Again, it may not pass muster with city planners.

The Reno-based developer led by Raelynn Hickey has upgraded plans to build a 50-story highrise at 2700 Sloat Boulevard, SFYimby reported. It would replace the half-century-old Sloat Garden Center.

The Sunset District project, three blocks from the ocean, has seen a years-long tug-of-war between the developer and city planners over building density and local zoning rules. The new proposal, using the state-density bonus law to boost square footage, would make for one of the tallest housing projects outside Downtown.

Revised plans now call for a 589-foot tall building with 680 condominiums, of which 110 would be affordable for households earning 80 percent of area median income. The condos would include 328 studios, 176 one-bedroom, 108 two-bedroom and 68 three-bedroom units.

The 669,000-square-foot tower would include 43,700 square feet for community space, a 31,100-square-foot commercial fitness center and 15,300 square feet of shops and restaurants.

A 94,100-square-foot underground parking garage would serve 212 cars, using the city’s car share program.

The triangular building, designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz of Chicago, would include a rounded highrise sheathed in floor-to-ceiling windows with aluminum panels, with glass railing balconies.

A square podium facing Sloat Boulevard would feature double-height windows framed by silver and faded orange girders, showcasing the gym, restaurants and shops, topped by a third-floor deck.

Pending approvals, construction is expected to cost $210 million and take 20 months. An affiliate of CH Planning bought 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 doubt about the current plan. 

City officials told CH Planning late last month its revised plan “also does not comply with the Planning Code,” and would require rezoning, according to SFYimby.

City planners also said the project couldn’t be fast-tracked by SB 330, and suggested the developer “apply for a legislative amendment should the applicant wish to move forward with the new project as proposed.”

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— Dana Bartholomew