The San Francisco Planning Commission has unanimously approved a package of legislation to help fill vacant space in the Downtown and Union Square areas, which now moves to the Board of Supervisors. The amendments aim to simplify the approval process and requirements for converting existing office buildings into housing, as well as remove restrictions that limit businesses and activities in Union Square and throughout Downtown.
Mayor London Breed commented on this effort: “We can create more opportunities to fill our empty buildings, whether that’s creating housing or making it easier for office or retail space. These changes should not require granting exceptions through lengthy paperwork or exhaustive public hearings; we need a simpler process for getting our buildings active again.”
According to San Francisco Business Times reports, current city vacancy rates have reached 29%. This legislation is expected make an impact on reducing these numbers by providing resources necessary for filling up spaces with new tenants.
