Per SF Gate, the San Francisco Planning Commission has unanimously approved plans for a high-rise condo that will undoubtedly have an impact on one of the city’s busiest intersections.

Dubbed One Oak, the development is slated for 304 units and is expected to be a 40-story tower at the intersection of Market Street and Van Ness Avenue in the Civic Center neighborhood. Developer Build Inc. has also proposed a 16,000-square-foot plaza and 136 below ground parking spaces. Acclaimed architects Snøhetta and Solomon Cordwell Buenz are designing the luxury tower. 

Proposed public plaza / Rendering courtesy of SCB Architects

Though the plaza seems to be appreciated by nearby residents, a number of parking spots have been met with strong contention. With plans calling for .25 of parking space per unit, many have objected, including the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association who have pleaded with the builders to consider a .45 parking ratio and decreasing the parking spots from 136 to 76. This number would reflect the 1-for-4 parking ratio in the 2007 Market and Octavia Neighborhood Plan. 

In return, the developer argued that the .45 ratio was low for a high-rise condominium, considering the Average San Francisco high-rise has an average of 1.04 spaces per unit. Commissioner Christine Johnson also noted that banks, not developers, need convincing about parking spot reduction, citing higher parking spot space as a key attraction for financing the $400 million dollar project. 

Though Commissioner Joel Koppel voted against allowing the additional parking, telling SF Gate he was “overwhelmed by the testimony” of neighborhood groups that didn’t want the extra parking spots, the additional parking spots ultimately passed 5-1.

The plan, which was reworked over the course of 30 months with 88 community meetings, will also fund 72 affordable units to be built on Octavia Boulevard within 0.3 miles of the One Oak project.