A 27-story, 290-foot-tall mixed-use residential tower proposed on a Nordstrom valet parking lot in SoMa, two blocks from BART Powell Street Station. Includes 495 residential units (73 on-site affordable, 45 additional off-site), approximately 4,000 sq ft of ground-floor retail, 178 parking spaces, and 227 bicycle spaces. Planning case filed 2017. First Planning Commission EIR certification July 2021. Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 to overturn the EIR in October 2021 on gentrification, shadow, seismic, and displacement grounds. Governor Newsom issued an SB 7 streamlining certification in March 2023. Second Planning Commission approval April 2023. As of early 2026 the site remains a surface parking lot; developer seeking entitlement extension with reduced affordability.
Judge Cynthia Ming-Mei Lee
| Date | Event | What the record shows |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2017 | Planning Application Filed | Build Inc. files initial planning application for a mixed-use residential tower at 469 Stevenson Street on a Nordstrom valet parking lot in SoMa. SF Planning Case No. 2017-014833ENV. CEQAnet: https://ceqanet.lci.ca.gov/2019100093/3 |
| October 1, 2019 | CEQA Review Initiated | Draft Environmental Impact Report preparation begins. State Clearinghouse No. 2019100093 assigned. CEQAnet: https://ceqanet.lci.ca.gov/2019100093/3 |
| July 29, 2021 | Planning Commission EIR Certification (First) | San Francisco Planning Commission certifies the Final Environmental Impact Report, finding it was prepared, publicized, and reviewed consistently with CEQA. HCD Letter of Inquiry: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/housing-element/docs/sfrsanfrancisco-loi-ta-112221.pdf |
| October 1, 2021 | EIR Appeal Filed by TODCO Affiliate | The Yerba Buena Neighborhood Consortium files an EIR appeal to the Board of Supervisors. Arguments: inadequate analysis of gentrification/displacement, shadowing of Mint Plaza, geotechnical/seismic risk, and historic resource impacts. SF Standard: https://sfstandard.com/2021/10/28/supervisors-under-fire-vote-against-proposed-soma-apartment-building-sparks-furor-may-violate-state-law/ |
| October 26, 2021 | Board of Supervisors Overturns EIR (8-3) | Board votes 8-3 to uphold appeal and overturn EIR. Voting to overturn: Preston, Chan, Ronen, Melgar, Mar, Peskin, Mandelman, Walton. Voting in favor of project: Haney, Stefani, Safai. Mayor Breed: "If you're wondering how we got into our housing crisis, this is how." The Real Deal SF: https://therealdeal.com/san-francisco/2021/10/28/sf-supervisors-reject-builds-monster-on-sixth-street-drawing-mayors-ire/ |
| November 22, 2021 | HCD Issues Letter of Inquiry | HCD sends Letter of Inquiry and Technical Assistance regarding 469 Stevenson, expressing concern that SF's EIR appeal process may be constraining the provision of housing in San Francisco. HCD: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/housing-element/docs/sfrsanfrancisco-loi-ta-112221.pdf |
| January 20, 2022 | YIMBY Law Files Lawsuit | YIMBY Law files suit against the City and County of San Francisco alleging the Board's vote violated CEQA, the HAA, SB 330, and the Permit Streamlining Act. YIMBY Law: https://www.yimbylaw.org/press/press-release-yimby-law-sues-san-francisco-and-los-angeles-for-violating-california-housing-laws |
| August 1, 2022 | HCD Launches Housing Policy Review of San Francisco | HCD launches an unprecedented Housing Policy Review of SF's housing approval practices, citing 469 Stevenson among evidence of systemic obstruction. Atlas Premier: https://www.atlas-premier.com/slashing-the-shadow-san-franciscos-new-push-to-end-frivolous-housing-appeals/ |
| October 21, 2022 | Court Dismisses Most YIMBY Law Claims | Judge Cynthia Ming-Mei Lee dismisses most of YIMBY Law's case. Holds that state housing laws can't apply to a project until it completes adequate CEQA review. SF Standard: https://sfstandard.com/housing-development/yimby-law-mulls-next-steps-after-469-stevenson-ruling/ |
| November 2, 2022 | Partially Recirculated Draft EIR Published | Build Inc. publishes a revised Partially Recirculated Draft EIR addressing the Board's concerns about gentrification, geotechnical risk, and historic resources. CEQAnet: https://files.ceqanet.lci.ca.gov/256072-8/ |
| November 23, 2022 | HCD Issues Letter of Support for Revised EIR | HCD sends Letter of Support to SF Planning for the Partially Recirculated Draft EIR, indicating the revised analysis adequately addresses prior concerns. HCD: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/sites/default/files/docs/planning-and-community/HAU/san-francisco-LOS-112322.pdf |
| March 21, 2023 | Governor Newsom Issues SB 7 Streamlining Certification | Governor Newsom issues an Environmental Leadership Development Project certification under SB 7. Limits any legal challenges to a 270-day window. Confirms $200M+ investment, LEED Gold target, 495 units. SB 7 Certification: https://www.lci.ca.gov/ceqa/judicial-streamlining/docs/20230321-SB&_469_Stevenson_Certification.pdf |
| April 20, 2023 | Planning Commission Re-Approves Project (4-2) | Planning Commission votes 4-2 to certify the revised EIR and re-approve the project. Commissioners Moore and Imperial dissent. John Elberling indicates TODCO won't appeal. Mission Local: https://missionlocal.org/2023/04/sf-rebuked-by-state-revives-controversial-housing-projects/ |
| January 1, 2024 | AB 1633 Takes Effect | AB 1633 (Ting) takes effect. Directly inspired by the 469 Stevenson obstruction. Allows developers to sue local governments that block urban infill housing by requiring unnecessary environmental review — closing the CEQA laundering loophole the Board used. SF Standard: https://sfstandard.com/2024/04/09/yimby-nimby-nordstrom-469-stevenson-settlement/ |
| April 9, 2024 | YIMBY Law Lawsuit Settled for $32,000 | YIMBY Law settles remaining claims, paying $32,000 to the City of San Francisco. City Attorney's office: "The City Attorney's Office prevailed in getting all four of the petitioner's claims dismissed by the trial court." SF Standard: https://sfstandard.com/2024/04/09/yimby-nimby-nordstrom-469-stevenson-settlement/ |
| March 1, 2026 | Developer Requests Entitlement Extension with Reduced Affordability | Build Inc. requests an entitlement extension for the lapsed 2023 approval, with a reduction in on-site affordable housing from 19% to 15%. Developer cites rising construction costs. Site remains a surface parking lot nine years after planning began. SF YIMBY: https://sfyimby.com/2026/03/entitlement-extension-requested-for-469-stevenson-street-in-soma-san-francisco.html |
Rating 3 of 5. Multiple sources, including at least one primary record. Corrections: https://whokilledthebuilding.com/corrections.