SF leaders, neighbors not on board with 'ridiculous' skyscraper proposed for Outer Sunset District
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- We're learning more about plans for a 50-story skyscraper in San Francisco's Outer Sunset neighborhood.
The proposal calls for 712 new apartments, 15,000 square feet of retail space, 113 affordable units, bike parking, and a car basement. If approved, it would replace an existing garden center and parking lot.
Photos show the huge structure towering over the district on Sloat Boulevard.
Our media partner the SF Standard reports that the neighborhood is likely to push back against this plan.
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That's because 1,500 people signed a petition to stop a previous plan for a 12-story building at the same location.
They said tall buildings would cause negative effects on neighbors and destroy soundscapes.
ABC7 News showed neighbors artist renderings of the project.
"I don't know how that footprint is sustainable out here," said Sunset District resident Suzanne Pullen.
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"It's pretty bizarre," said "John."
"It looks like it should be in Dubai or the UAE, but not the Sunset area," said Jack Perkins. We reached out to the developer CH Planning, LLC but have not heard back.
Meanwhile, San Francisco's planning department director released this statement today saying: "The proposed project is flat out inconsistent with local zoning rules and state density bonus laws. It sets back our efforts to appropriately add housing on the City's west side and meet our Housing Element targets. Frankly, it's a distraction."
Local leaders agree.
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"It's a distraction from the housing work that we're doing. I don't think they're relying on any housing law that I've authored as a legislator. I think they are relying on the state-density bonus law which has been around for 40 years," said Sen. Scott Wiener.
"We need housing all through the west side. Absolutely. That site needs housing. But to plop a Salesforce Tower there -- it's ridiculous," said SF Supervisor Joel Engardio.
"I know there's a lot of issues with affordable housing," Pullen said. She knows more housing is needed but she believes it needs to be sustainable and she doesn't think the new proposal is the answer.
"It doesn't fit out here in a visual way. Also, it would change the entire community around here. The traffic and the walkable neighborhood," said Pullen.
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