Project Updates
May 21, 2020 - Entitlements Approval
The Francis Scott Key Annex Team is excited to announce that the development has received entitlements approvals from the SF Planning Department on May 21, 2020! As outlined in our last Project Update below, the passage of Proposition E greatly expedited this portion of the FSK Development process. The FSK SB-35 application was submitted on February 7th, along with the a State Density Bonus application. Just three months later, SF Planning has approved this application, thereby giving the green light to move forward with permitting and then constructing this new community. This is an important milestone in the development of this important teacher housing and MidPen is excited to keep up the momentum.
While these applications were processing, MidPen and the Design team have been continuing to advance the designs of the building and the publicly-accessible indoor and outdoor space as well as refining our financing strategy. Due to changes in the competitiveness of funding at the state level, the team has reverted to a previous financing strategy that allows more certainty in the project schedule. With this assurance of funding, we plan to begin construction in the Summer of 2021 and complete in early 2023.
While these applications were processing, MidPen and the Design team have been continuing to advance the designs of the building and the publicly-accessible indoor and outdoor space as well as refining our financing strategy. Due to changes in the competitiveness of funding at the state level, the team has reverted to a previous financing strategy that allows more certainty in the project schedule. With this assurance of funding, we plan to begin construction in the Summer of 2021 and complete in early 2023.
December 9, 2019 - Site Permit Submitted to DBI
San Francisco voters passed Proposition E in the November 2019 election, allowing the Francis Scott Key Annex Educator Housing development to accelerate the entitlements process. Prop E allows developments that are 100% affordable housing or educator housing to be built on public zoning districts and expedites and streamlines the City's review time of such projects. Because the FSK site is currently zoned P - Public, the project no longer requires rezoning or a focused EIR. Instead the project team will submit applications for Affordable Housing Streamlined Approval (SB-35) and the Individually Requested State Density Bonus Program. Once these applications are submitted, Planning department staff has 90 days to review the applications. Entitlements will be secured once Planning staff approves both applications and signs of on the project's site permit. In preparation of this, MidPen submitted a site permit application to the Department of Building Inspection on December 9, 2019. The plans were the same plans that were submitted to Planning on October 14th - see below for more info on the development of these plans. MidPen staff is now working on completing the SB-35 and State Density applications and intends to submit these in February 2020.
Overall, the passage of Prop E allows the FSK Educator Housing development to begin construction more than 6 months ahead of the originally anticipated schedule. Pending various funding applications, MidPen now intends to start construction in March of 2021 and complete construction in late 2022.
Overall, the passage of Prop E allows the FSK Educator Housing development to begin construction more than 6 months ahead of the originally anticipated schedule. Pending various funding applications, MidPen now intends to start construction in March of 2021 and complete construction in late 2022.
October 14, 2019 - Updated Plans Submitted to Planning
In parallel with the environmental review that Planning does, they also review and provide comments on on the building and street aesthetic and design. Building design is reviewed by the Urban Design Advisory Team (UDAT) in accordance with the San Francisco Urban Design Guidelines (SDAT) and street design is reviewed by the Street Design Advisory Team.
Since receiving these comments in Plan Check Letter #1, MidPen has been working with the design team update designs per UDAT and SDAT's review and to respond to all comments from the teams. This involved solidifying and refining the design over the summer and fall. The updated plans that were submitted are available on Planning's website for download here. To view the latest designs, click the link titled "FSK_RESUBMITTAL 1 10/15/2019" and to view the UDAT/SDAT comments and the project team's responses, click the link titled "FSK WRITTEN RESPONSE TO PLAN CHECK COMMENTS."
As these designs continue to progress, MidPen plans to host another community meeting in early 2020 to provide more detailed updates on the project schedule and design as well as to get community input in to the design, particularly as it relates to the publicly-accessible open space. Stay tuned for more info on this coming soon!
Since receiving these comments in Plan Check Letter #1, MidPen has been working with the design team update designs per UDAT and SDAT's review and to respond to all comments from the teams. This involved solidifying and refining the design over the summer and fall. The updated plans that were submitted are available on Planning's website for download here. To view the latest designs, click the link titled "FSK_RESUBMITTAL 1 10/15/2019" and to view the UDAT/SDAT comments and the project team's responses, click the link titled "FSK WRITTEN RESPONSE TO PLAN CHECK COMMENTS."
As these designs continue to progress, MidPen plans to host another community meeting in early 2020 to provide more detailed updates on the project schedule and design as well as to get community input in to the design, particularly as it relates to the publicly-accessible open space. Stay tuned for more info on this coming soon!
August 26, 2019 - Project Description Deemed Stable & Entitlements Review Begins
Once a Project Application is submitted to the San Francisco Planning Department ("Planning"), they have 30 days to confirm that the application is complete and then an additional 90 days to provide comments. The Francis Scott Key Annex Application was determined to be complete on April 11th and MidPen received Plan Check Letter #1 on July 2nd. As with all Plan Check Letters that Planning issues, this letter identified any specific outstanding Planning Code and environmental review issues with the project. Once MidPen had addressed these issues and provided additional documentation, as requested, the project achieved what Planning refers to as a "Stable Project Description." Francis Scott Key's Stable Project Description was accepted on August 26th.
A Stable Project Description is the milestone that officially kicks off Planning's Environmental Review process. In the case of Francis Scott Key Annex, this process is expected to take approximately 18 months and require an Environmental Impact Report ("EIR"), which includes a comprehensive review of the project impacts and potential mitigation/alternatives. MidPen has contracted with an environmental consultant and begun the process of putting together an EIR.
In the meantime, the design team continues to develop plans for Francis Scott Key Annex per the design comments received in Plan Check Letter #1. It is anticipated that the next round of updates will be completed and resubmitted to Planning in late 2019. Those plans will also be shared here so please continue to check back and stay tuned for upcoming engagement opportunities.
A Stable Project Description is the milestone that officially kicks off Planning's Environmental Review process. In the case of Francis Scott Key Annex, this process is expected to take approximately 18 months and require an Environmental Impact Report ("EIR"), which includes a comprehensive review of the project impacts and potential mitigation/alternatives. MidPen has contracted with an environmental consultant and begun the process of putting together an EIR.
In the meantime, the design team continues to develop plans for Francis Scott Key Annex per the design comments received in Plan Check Letter #1. It is anticipated that the next round of updates will be completed and resubmitted to Planning in late 2019. Those plans will also be shared here so please continue to check back and stay tuned for upcoming engagement opportunities.
March 12, 2019 - Submit Planning Project Application
MidPen Housing is pleased to announce that we submitted the Project Application for Francis Scott Key Annex Educator Housing to the San Francisco Planning Department on March 12, 2019. The Project Application submission is the first official planning milestone and will allow the Planning Department to begin its environmental review of the proposal. This application incorporates feedback we heard from the community in three open house public meetings, various neighborhood presentations, and many one-on-one conversations; we appreciate all the input the community has provided so far and look forward to continuing these conversations. The complete Francis Scott Key Annex Project Application submission can be viewed on the SF Planning website here.
Planning approvals are estimated to take approximately 18 months, and in that time MidPen and the team will continue to develop the design. Since the project design is still at an early stage, we intend to keep the community up to date by updating this Project Updates page of our website and providing email alerts, and will be happy to discuss the design updates in other community forums. See our Participate page to sign up for our email list and to find our contact information.
Thank you for your continued engagement. We look forward to sharing our progress with you!
Planning approvals are estimated to take approximately 18 months, and in that time MidPen and the team will continue to develop the design. Since the project design is still at an early stage, we intend to keep the community up to date by updating this Project Updates page of our website and providing email alerts, and will be happy to discuss the design updates in other community forums. See our Participate page to sign up for our email list and to find our contact information.
Thank you for your continued engagement. We look forward to sharing our progress with you!
February 11, 2019 - Pre-Planning Application Community Open House #3
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Third Community Open House
February 11, 2019 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Francis Scott Key Elementary Auditorium 1530 43rd Avenue San Francisco, CA * Please note that this is not the project site. At the final community meeting before the Planning Application is submitted, the team shared updated concept plans that incorporated feedback from the community as well as initial comments from the Planning Department. Again, input was solicited from neighbors and educators and these comments will be considered when preparing the final application. See some of photos and display boards from the meeting in the slideshow to the left. If you missed the open house or just want to take a second look, click the links below to view materials that were shared: For a complete summary of this community meeting and the FAQs we've heard throughout the community engagement process to date, click here. |
November 14, 2018 - Submit Preliminary Project Assessment to Planning Department
After two community meetings in the second half of 2018, MidPen prepared and submitted a Preliminary Project Assessment (PPA) to the San Francisco Planning Department on November 14th, 2018. A PPA is a required preliminary application that allows the Planning Department early review of a project so that they can provide feedback and procedural instructions prior to the complete development entitlements application. The Francis Scott Key Annex PPA submission can be viewed on the SF Planning website here.
Within 60 days of the PPA submission, the Planning Department will provide MidPen with a letter that will include procedural requirements, and general comments on design and other significant issues. MidPen intends to incorporate the comments from this PPA letter into our next iteration of designs that will be shared with the community in early 2019.
Within 60 days of the PPA submission, the Planning Department will provide MidPen with a letter that will include procedural requirements, and general comments on design and other significant issues. MidPen intends to incorporate the comments from this PPA letter into our next iteration of designs that will be shared with the community in early 2019.
October 3, 2018 - Concept Design Community Open House
MidPen hosted our second community open house on Wednesday, October 3rd for approximately 75 community members. At this meeting we shared concept designs as well as ideas for the publicly accessible outdoor space. Check out photos below and stay tuned for a complete recap coming soon!
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Second Concept Design Community Open House
October 3, 2018 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Francis Scott Key Elementary 1530 43rd Avenue San Francisco, CA * Please note that this is not the project site. See the photos and display boards from the meeting in the slideshow to the left. Click here for a complete summary of the community meeting. |
August 22, 2018 - Introductory Community Open House
MidPen hosted our first community open house on Wednesday, August 22nd for approximately 50 community members. We look forward to hosting another on October 3rd at 5:30 PM at the Francis Scott Key Elementary School Auditorium. More info here.
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First Introductory Community Open House
August 22, 2018 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Francis Scott Key Elementary 1530 43rd Avenue San Francisco, CA * Please note that this is not the project site. See the photos and display boards from the meeting in the slideshow to the left. For a complete recap of the meeting, including common Q & As, click here. |
Francis Scott Key is an affordable housing community currently under development by MidPen Housing. Copyright © 2018 MidPen Housing Corporation. All rights reserved.