CO1J?.1s o SAN FRANCISCO February 3, 2012 Letter of Determination 1650 Mission St. Suite 400 San Francisco, CA 94103-2479 Reception: 415.558.6378 Fred Naderi Fax: Managing Partner 415.558.6409 Planning 170 Columbus Avenue, Suite 380 Information: San Francisco CA 94133 415.558.6377 Site Address: 170 Columbus Avenue Assessor s Block/Lot: 0176/016 Zoning District: C-2 (Community Business) Staff Contact: Rick Crawford, (415) 558-6358 or rick.crawford@sfgov.org Dear Mr. Naderi: This letter is in response to your request for a Letter of Determination regarding the property at 170 Columbus Avenue. This parcel is located in the C-2. (Community Business) Zoning District, 65-A Height and Bulk District, Washington-Broadway Special Use District (SUD) No. 1, Jackson Square SUD, Jackson Square Historic District, Jackson Square Special Sign District (SSD) and the Sign Illumination SSD. The request is whether the proposed "walk-in technology center" is considered a retail use that can be developed in the basement of the subject property. As described in your request for a Letter of Determination, the proposed "walk-in technology center" would provide a space where small companies or individuals can access resources such as "high-speed internet, consulting advisors, full office equipment, furniture, meeting facilities and video conferencing" to help them develop start-up businesses. The proposed use would accommodate 60-70 workspaces that would be rented on a monthly basis, with the possibility of shorter rental agreements. Based on your description, the proposed use is considered an office use per Planning Code Sections 219 and 890.70. While an office use is principally permitted within the C-2 Zoning District, the subject property is located in the Jackson Square SUD, which seeks "to provide protection and enhancement of specialty retail and antique store uses." Per Planning Code Section 249.25, office uses "at the ground floor" within the Jackson Square SUD require a Conditional Use Authorization from the Planning Commission; however, an office use would be principally permitted on the basement level. It should be noted that the request for a Letter of Determination states the subject use would be located on the basement level; however, plans submitted with the request are insufficient to make a formal determination on this question. Such determinations are officially made by the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) and may require additional plans (including section details). vvww,sf plan ning.oig
Fred Naderi, Managing Partner February 3, 2012 Letter of Determination 170 Columbus Avenue, Suite 380 170 Columbus Avenue San Francisco CA 94133 Additionally, please be aware that the building is located within the Jackson Square Historic District and the Jackson Square Special Sign District. As such, any changes to the exterior of the building and any signage are subject to the requirements of Planning Code Section 1006 and may require approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness by the Historic Preservation Commission. APPEAL: If you believe this determination represents an error in interpretation of the Planning Code or abuse in discretion by the Zoning Administrator, an appeal may be filed with the Board of Appeals within 15 days of the date of this letter. For information regarding the appeals process, please contact the Board of Appeals located at 1650 Mission Street, Room 304, San Francisco, or call (415) 575-6880. Sincerely, Scott F. Sanchez Zoning Administrator cc: Property Owner Rick Crawford, Planner SAN FRANCISCO
! T / Date: January 5, 2012 RECEIVED Zoning Administrator Office Re: Zoning Administrator written determination San Francisco Planning Department i A fj.... 1650 Mission Street, Suite 400 CITY San Francisco, CA 94103 & cou - ( OF S.F. Subject: Zoning and use verification at 170 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco Dear Zoning Administrator, My name is Fred Naderi and I am the managing partner of the above referenced property. This property is primarily an office building in Jackson-Square area with some retail space and below grade parking garage and was constructed in 1985. Some time in the past the basement space in the building which is approximately 8800 square feet was set up as a retail gym and fitness center known as the Break Away Performance. Access to this below street grade space is via parking garage, garage elevators, and one set of stairs going down from Columbus Avenue. Although the space has some sky lights, it does not have any windows and is not easily visible from street level and curb side. The current operator of the center desires to leave and be released from the current lease obligations due to the financial difficulties and lack of patrons. The space traditionally has been difficult to be leased out due to its sub-street location. The ownership desires to create a "walk-in technology center" where individuals or small companies (few people) with bright ideas can access resources such as very high speed internet, consulting advisors, full office equipments, furniture, meeting facilities, and video conferencing to help them convert their ides into quality start up opportunities. The patrons may use the center on short term basis (daily) or long term (monthly) depending on their needs without any long term obligations. The center will accommodate approximately 60-70 working spaces and will be rented based on a monthly fee schedule. The shorter rental agreements as well as daily use will also be accommodated via custom arrangements. The center is an "Open Door" incubation environment where promising new inventors and their ideas are mentored from concept stage through proof-of-concept, refinement, business plan, funding, and launch. The patrons will achieve more by stimulating collaborations, finding resources, partnering with industry, and accelerating the path from discovery to funding. The center provides patrons with the concept of "lean startup" where minimal personnel and capital are needed to bring to market great products and services. The inventors have access to all their needs on one location and need not to allocate time and capital to set up their own company and facilities.
The current owners of 170 Columbus will oversee the center and are veterans of the Silicon Valley with combined experience of over 90 years in creating, management, and launching successful companies in high technology and life sciences. The owner s vast access to resources and network of the most successful people in the Bay Area will allow the patrons to accelerate development of their ideas and access to the next stage of funding. The owners respectfully request that zoning administrator review and approve the retail use of such center at this building. The center will be open to general public and will admit qualified patrons so long as they have new technology ideas and are capable of meeting the minimal rental rate per work space. Given the rise of technology industry in San Francisco, demand for development of newer technologies for digital world particularly in social and web technologies, and highly educated work force present in San Francisco, the center s concept is well timed and appropriate for this location. It is worth noting that the center will create both job opportunities as well as availability of resources for general public which traditionally has been available only in the Silicon Valley and people with connections. Please feel free to contact me for any additional information you may need in order to determine the "retail use" concept of such center at this building. The attached document also shows our initial design for this center. Given that this is a unique approach to discovery of the next generation start ups, we appreciate that you treat the content of this letter confidential and do not disclose it to anyone who need not to know for the purpose of the determination and approval. Best regards, Fred Naderi Managing Partner 170 Columbus Avenue, Suite 380 San Francisco, CA 94133 Tel: 415-817-9977
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