SEC. 608.10. STONESTOWN SPECIAL SIGN DISTRICT.

(a) General. There shall be a Special Sign District known as the “Stonestown Special Sign District” (“Stonestown SSD”). The boundaries of the Stonestown SSD shall be coterminous with the outer boundaries of the Stonestown Special Use District, as established pursuant to Chapter[1] 249.9, and shall also include the Stonestown Galleria Mall, as shown on Figure 608.10-1 and designated on Section Map SU3 of the Zoning Map of the City and County of San Francisco.

Figure 608.10-1 Stonestown SSD Boundary

(b) Purpose and Findings.

(1) The Stonestown Development Project (Project) is a mixed-use, multi-phased master-planned development located on the west side of San Francisco, generally bounded by Eucalyptus Drive to the north, 19th Avenue to the east, San Francisco State University (SFSU) Campus to the south, and Buckingham Way to the west. It will provide several benefits to the City, such as a significant amount of publicly accessible open space, increased public access throughout the site, childcare facilities, extensive infrastructure improvements, and affordable housing, while creating jobs, housing, and a vibrant community.

(2) In addition to furthering the purposes stated in Sections 101 and 601 of the Planning Code, the Stonestown SSD is intended to further the purposes of the Stonestown Special Use District, established pursuant to Section 249.9. The Stonestown SUD, and the Stonestown Design Standards and Guidelines (DSG), implement the land use controls for the Stonestown Development Project, which is subject to a Development Agreement, approved by the Board of Supervisors in the ordinance contained in Board File No. 240410.

(3) The Stonestown Galleria Mall opened in 1952. Since that time, the mall has operated as a retail destination within the City. As of the enactment of the ordinance in Board File No. 240409 establishing the Stonestown SSD, the mall provides ample parking spaces. Because there are no structures in the surface parking lot, the mall is visible to pedestrians, transit riders, and travelers in cars and other motor vehicles from 19th Avenue.

(4) As part of the Project, the surface parking lots will be subdivided, and replaced with new development, streets, and open spaces. Portions of the newly built 20th Avenue, Buckingham Way, and side streets between 19th and 20th Avenues will be privately owned by the Stonestown Galleria Mall, or its affiliates. In addition to providing necessary circulation for and access to the mall, the private streets will provide on-street parking and access to additional parking for retail shoppers. The Stonestown Galleria Mall, or its affiliates, will also own additional contiguous open spaces, and pedestrian pathways throughout the site. These private streets and parcels will be contiguous to and abut the mall, providing parking access, and facilitate foot traffic to the mall, as well as accessible open spaces to shoppers and residents of the Project.

dditional parking for retail shoppers. The Stonestown Galleria Mall, or its affiliates, will also own additional contiguous open spaces, and pedestrian pathways throughout the site. These private streets and parcels will be contiguous to and abut the mall, providing parking access, and facilitate foot traffic to the mall, as well as accessible open spaces to shoppers and residents of the Project.

(5) The purposes of this SSD include: ensuring the orderly development of the Project; safeguarding and enhancing the value of the surrounding residential and commercial areas; protecting the distinctive appearance of San Francisco due to its unique geography, topography, street patterns, skyline and architectural features; providing an environment that promotes the development of business in the City; encouraging sound practices and lessening objectionable effects in respect to size and placement of signs; and reducing hazards to motorists and pedestrians traveling on the public way.

(6) To accomplish these purposes, this SSD sets controls for Signs within the Stonestown SSD area.

(c) Controls. The Sign controls shall be as follows:

(1) Signage Controls for the Stonestown Galleria Mall. As to the Stonestown Galleria Mall, Article 6 of the Planning Code shall apply, except as otherwise noted in this SSD. If there is an unavoidable conflict between the SSD and other applicable provisions of Article 6 of the Planning Code, this SSD shall prevail.

(A) Stonestown Galleria Mall Building Signage. Signs on the Stonestown Galleria Mall shall follow the number, area, height, and projection requirements as shown in Table 608.10-1.

Table 608.10-1 Stonestown Galleria Mall Signage

(B) Video Signs. Video Signs shall be permitted on specified Stonestown Galleria Mall building walls, as shown in 608.10-2 below. Each Video Sign is limited to 30 square feet in size. No more than one Video Sign is permitted for each 100 feet of building frontage. Video signs shall be located entirely within 24 feet of the ground, with no portion higher than 24 feet from the ground. Video Signs may not change the visual representation, including animation, motion, other rolling static images, or any representation thereof, any more frequently than once every 60 seconds when fronting a publicly-owned right of way, or every 15 seconds when fronting a privately-owned public right of way. The limitations in this subsection (B) shall not apply when the video display is used for non-commercial purposes, which include movie screenings, community events, and interpretive historic, cultural, or art programming.

Figure 608.10-1 1 Location of Video Signs on Stonestown Galleria Mall

(C) Prohibited Signs. The following sign types shall be prohibited in the Stonestown SSD: General Advertising Signs (except as permitted pursuant to Planning Code Sections 603 and 611), roof signs, wind signs, revolving signs, balloon signs, inflated signs, and periodically, and repetitively flashing light signs that are not Video Signs.

(2) Signage Controls in the Stonestown SUD.

(A) Relationship to Planning Code. Except as provided in Planning Code Section 603, Signs on properties within the Stonestown SUD are subject to the controls set forth in this SSD and the DSG. No other provisions of Article 6 apply, unless specifically referenced in this SSD or DSG, but only to the extent and for the purposes stated in the SSD or DSG. Amendments to the Planning Code sections referenced in this SSD or the DSG made after the effective date of Ordinance 204-24 shall apply where not in conflict with this SSD, the DSG, or the Development Agreement.

(B) Relationship to Design Standards and Guidelines. Except as noted in this SSD, the signage controls for property located in the Stonestown SUD area are set forth in the Stonestown Design Standards and Guidelines (DSG), adopted by the Planning Commission by Motion No. 21565, and as it may be amended. A copy of the DSG is on file with the Board File No. 240410, is available on the Planning Department’s website, and is incorporated herein by reference. This SSD and the DSG shall be read and construed together so as to avoid any conflict to the greatest extent possible. If there is an unavoidable conflict between the SSD and the DSG, this SSD shall prevail. Amendments to the DSG shall be as set forth in the Stonestown SUD, established in Section 249.9.

0, is available on the Planning Department’s website, and is incorporated herein by reference. This SSD and the DSG shall be read and construed together so as to avoid any conflict to the greatest extent possible. If there is an unavoidable conflict between the SSD and the DSG, this SSD shall prevail. Amendments to the DSG shall be as set forth in the Stonestown SUD, established in Section 249.9.

(C) Permitting. All Signs on properties within the Stonestown SUD shall be subject to the permitting requirements of Section 604 of the Planning Code. Existing signage in the Stonestown SSD shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 604; provided, however, that an increase in area of an existing Sign including, but not limited to, any extensions in the form of writing, representation, emblem or any figure of similar character shall in itself constitute a new Sign subject to the provisions of this Section. For purposes of permitting Business Signs for tenants of the Stonestown Galleria Mall, “premises upon which such sign is located” means the Stonestown Galleria Mall along with contiguous parcels within the Stonestown SSD, including Parcels E2 and E6, that are under common ownership by the Stonestown Galleria Mall or its affiliate, and that are used primarily to provide pedestrian, bicycle, vehicular, or parking access to the Stonestown Galleria Mall.

(D) Banner signs on utility poles. Banner signs on utility poles including lighting fixtures shall be permitted throughout the SSD. On City-owned utility poles, banner signs shall be governed by Public Works Code Article 5.7.

(E) Portable signage. Portable signage that need not be affixed to the ground or other surface, such as sandwich boards and valet parking signage, is permitted on the private streets within the Stonestown SSD and is limited to one sign of no more than 24 square feet per business. All portable signage shall be located within Frontage Zones, Furnishing

Zones, building setbacks, or open spaces fronting businesses. Portable signage in public right-of-ways must comply with the applicable provisions in the Public Works Code, Transportation Code, Police Code, or other law. (Added by Ord. 204-24, File No. 240409, App. 8/1/2024, Eff. 9/1/2024, Oper. 9/1/2024)

(Former Sec. 608.10 added by Ord. 64-77, App. 2/18/77; repealed by Ord. 22-15, File No. 141253, App. 2/20/2015, Eff. 3/22/2015)

CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 204-24.