Potentially good news for residents and fans of the 400 block: the eyesore that is Lee's Meat / Popular Market might be getting a major makeover.

The awkwardly-named market at 478-482 Haight closed in 2007, and has been in a state of disrepair and increasing filth ever since. But now there's a plan in the works to potentially demolish the building and construct a 4-story mixed-use structure with underground parking in its place. Last month, the property's owner, Tommy Lee (no, not that Tommy Lee), filed for a Preliminary Project Assessment (PPA) from the SF Planning Department. A PPA is an early review that the city now requires for projects of a certain size, and this one qualified. In his request for a PPA, Lee proposes:

"Demolish existing commercial and one single-family residential unit. New 4 story building with one floor underground parking. Proposed new ground floor commercial and residential elderly care facility for the top three levels."

The Planning Department now has 60 days to review Lee's proposal, after which they will issue a PPA clarifying:

• whether or not the proposed project is allowable under existing zoning and/or what conditional use applications would be required
• the permits needed
• the type of neighborhood notifications and public outreach that would be required
• the Department's preliminary views on the design of the project and the development proposed
• what type of environmental document would likely be required
• what the likely scope of that document would be
• what technical reports would likely be required to support the analysis

With Lee's proposal filed August 18th, the PPA should be completed by October 17th. The PPA's findings will then help Lee decide whether he should (and/or can) proceed with the project. We'll keep you posted!