Zoning Page

5400 Geary Boulevard Upzoned to 85-Ft & New Density Bonus in Alexandria Theater SUD

  • When: 2025/05/06
  • Address: 5400 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA
  • City: San Francisco
  • State: CA
  • Category: Spot Rezoning
  • Subcategory: Residential Rezoning
  • Asset Class: Multifamily
  • Property Type: Condominiums

This ordinance establishes the Alexandria Theater Special Use District (SUD) at 5400 Geary Boulevard to facilitate the conversion of the historic 1923 Egyptian Revival movie palace into a mixed-income residential project. It creates a site-specific framework allowing projects in the SUD to increase building height to 85 feet, reduce rear yard setbacks to 15 feet, and waive density limits normally governed by lot area. To qualify, development proposals must provide at least 12% on-site affordable housing, preserve the theater’s blade sign, marquee, sunburst chandelier, and interior murals, and deliver a minimum mix of 62% two-bedroom and 18% three-bedroom units. The Planning Commission is authorized to grant these exceptions through a public hearing and director’s recommendations without requiring conditional use authorization for the change of use. All other planning code provisions, including general design guidelines and inclusionary housing requirements, continue to apply. The SUD prohibits additional density concessions under state or local bonus laws to ensure the incentives are unique to this site. The district expires in three years unless a building permit is issued, after which the special rules will be removed. The ordinance affirms the Planning Department’s CEQA determination and makes findings of consistency with the General Plan and priority policies. With its tailored exceptions, the SUD aims to unlock underutilized commercial space along a major transit corridor. If unused within the term, the code will automatically revert to standard zoning controls.

Source

Applicant - Connie Chan


Developer - Timespace Group


Architect - Gonzales Architects


Density: Form-based density, no unit limit per lot area