February 26, 2009

Closing: AAA


Open less than a year, and even though "the members said they wanted...neighborhood offices," AAA is closing their Noe Valley location at 4045 24th St. on March 27th (along with 16 other locations in Northern California).

Thanks to a sharp-eyed reader for sending in the photo.

[NVV: Store Trek: AAA]

Update: Cesar Chavez Street Design

Fran Taylor at CC Puede sent out an update from Tuesday's community workshop to discuss plans for Cesar Chavez:
About 70-80 people were there. Planner Andres Power brought us up to date on the median plan. Dedicated left-turn pockets will be added in both directions at Folsom and east-bound at South Van Ness, and the current ones at Bryant, Mission, Valencia, and Guerrero will be retained. These will all have dedicated arrows and also allow U-turns. Left turns will be prohibited at all other intersections to eliminate the snarl that currently happens when a car waits in the left lane for a gap in oncoming traffic. These decisions have been informed by traffic counts and modeling done by the Planning Department, and surveyors are out on the street now gathering further details.

The landscaping in the median will be drought tolerant, though the suggestion that it could be riparian at areas with underground water (specifically at 101 and near St Lukes) was thrown out from the floor.

The bike lanes will be five feet wide, as wider lanes look too much like car lanes. The suggestion was made to add cross-hatch striping to give a little buffer between the bike and car lanes. The weird part-time bike lane that runs eastbound for the block between York and Hampshire would become a permanent, full-time lane with permanent, full-time parking on that block. This made neighbors living on that block who had opposed bike lanes back in 1997 happy.

Discussion was generally positive and focused on practical questions and clarifications. The issue of potential congestion came up, but the questioner was supportive of the plan in later discussion. The strongest criticism seemed to be that the sidewalks wouldn’t be widened throughout -- only at corners -- and Andres said the expense of widening them would be prohibitive (about $2 million a block!). The Planning Department is looking for funding now to extend the project to the eastern side of the freeway all the way to the Bay.

Finally! Construction should begin in summer 2010 (this is after the PUC has completed the sewer work scheduled to start later this year), and it should take about a year.

[NVSF: Community Workshop: Cesar Chavez Street Design]
[CC Puede]

February 24, 2009

Doorstep Menus: China Wok

San Francisco restaurants are required to post inspection scores where patrons can see them. But not all restaurants cater to eat-in customers - they do most of their business as take-out or delivery. Here we report inspection scores for restaurants leaving menus on Noe Valley doorsteps. We'll update the post for each eatery as new information becomes available.

Name: China Wok
Address: 677 Monterey Blvd

Current Score: 64/100 (May 2008)



Moderate Risk: Rodents/roaches/flies/other animals; Food contact surfaces not cleaned/sanitized; Inadequate/inaccessible handwashing facilities
Low Risk: Floors, walls, ceilings improperly constructed, in disrepair, not clean; Wiping cloths not clean/inadequate sanitizer turbid/not properly stored; Improper or defective plumbing/No backflow devices/improper connections

Previous Inspections:

July 2008: 42/100

Getting a doorstep menu that we're not? Send us a picture of the menu and we'll post about it.

[Health Code: SB 180]
[SFDPH Scores: Environmental Health]
[Clean Scores: China Wok]
[NVSF: All Doorstep Menu Posts]

February 23, 2009

Update: 24th Street Trees

We noticed Bureau of Urban Forestry trucks taking branches off one of the two large trees slated to come down on 24th Street today and asked one of the workers if the trees are definitely going to be removed. He answered that they were doing emergency branch removal after the last storm. He added that the City has to post a 30 day notice before removal (which they did last fall), and that there is an appeals process (initiated in November). He had no idea that these trees are doomed, but he did quip that they'll probably stay where they are for now: "If there's no money in the budget...the trees stay."

If you went to the appeals hearing and/or know the status of these trees please leave some information in the comments.

[NVSF: PSA: Public Hearing - Tree Removal]
[NVSF: Noe Valley Trees: Two Get the Axe]

Community Workshop: Cesar Chavez Street Design


Not Noe Valley per se, but since it's one of the main arteries to and from the 'hood it's worth highlighting that tomorrow night is the last of 3 community workshops soliciting ideas and concerns from area residents related to proposed changes on Cesar Chavez between Highway 101 and Guerrero St.
We'd like to invite you to the third community design workshop for Cesar Chavez Street. At the first meeting last summer we discussed shared priorities and goals. At our next workshop this past fall we looked at and chose a preferred design option based on those shared priorities and goals. At this third workshop, we will look at and discuss illustrations showing the preferred design, block by block, from Hampshire Street to Guerrero Street. This will be the final workshop in the series.

Please come and share your opinions. There is background material, including summaries of past workshops, available for download at http://cesarchavez.sfplanning.org.

What: Cesar Chavez Community Workshop
When: Tuesday, February 24 at 6:30pm
Where: Leonard Flynn Elementary School
3125 Cesar Chavez Street at Harrison

[SFGov: Cesar Chavez Street Design]

February 20, 2009

Approved: Whole Foods in Noe Valley

On February 19, 2009, the Planning Commission approved the conditional use application for Whole Foods in Noe Valley. There was a short public hearing, after which the Commissioners indicated how impressed they were with the project and the outreach to the community. The project includes standard conditions of approval. The Commission vote was unanimous.
Andrew Calabrese will continue to serve as community liaison for Whole Foods, but he's asked that all questions/concerns are sent to Noevalleyinfo@wholefoods.com. This address will forward to him. (We wouldn't be surprised if he'd like to tidy up his inbox.)

[NVSF: NVDC Town Forum: SFPD, Whole Foods & More]
[NVSF: Whole Foods Responds]
[NVSF: Update: Whole Foods]

February 18, 2009

NVDC Town Forum: SFPD, Whole Foods & More

This month's edition of the Noe Valley Democratic Club meeting was much more crowded than usual. The reason? Likely the community interest in the arrival of Whole Foods on 24th St. Over 150 people attended a meeting that usually has 12-20 participants. The panelists included representatives from the SFPD, the NVA, Whole Foods and a surprise representative of the shuttered Real Foods -- all MC'd by Bevan Dufty.

SFPD Mission District Captain Stephen Tacchini
  • Victim of a theft or break-in? Report it! Resources are allocated to a police area based on the number of reports and the department maps trends. You can report online here.
  • Only 1,000 reported incidents in Noe the last 6 months (vs. 200,0000 per year in the Mission)
  • There has been an increase in burglaries in the last year which is finally starting to decrease – you can help by locking windows and keeping valuables out of your parked cars (laptops, cameras, cell phones are the big targets)
  • There have been a few armed robberies – and they’ve recently made some arrests
  • Got a rogue garage business to report? Officer Miguel in code enforcement can help
When the floor opened to questions the biggest concerns were:
  • Can I park my SMART car perpendicular to the curb? (No)
  • How do I get the Examiner to stop littering my doorstep - and so people don't break into an obviously empty building? (Bevan actually said to call or email him for help)
  • When school is out MUNI is hell (Deputy Chief Tony Parra monitors MUNI for the SFMTA)

Whole Foods


The info was much the same as previously reported, but with the following new tidbits:
  • The Campanga family (that owns the property at 3950 24th St) donated $5,000 to green the front of the lot
  • Whole Foods will break ground mid-March with a projected September 1st opening
  • They are committed to a one-day-a-week shuttle to the Potrero location, with more possible if demand requires and/or justifies it
  • The recycling center will remain, but will be more “aesthetically pleasing” and "suit the neighborhood"
  • Considering opening the lot for a farmer’s market one day (midweek) during construction
  • Whole Paycheck? “38% cheaper than Bell Markets on produce; 25% cheaper store wide.” (Based on apples-to-apples comparison.) “Meats and seafood are competitive, but quality is higher.” - Joe Rogoff, VP for Whole Foods Market Northern California
  • Hours: 8am-10pm; delivery receiving to maintain existing hours, but with smaller trucks/box vans, and will continue to load on 24th St (not Elizabeth St)
  • Employees will not be allowed to park in the lot [Ed. -- which means more parking will be available than when Bell was operating], and will be encouraged not to drive to work
  • The 24th St Cheese Co is the only merchant that has expressed concern about competition, and the NVMPA and WF are working to allay concerns
  • BONUS: Joe Rogoff confirmed that Whole Foods has signed a contract to open in a new development at Market and Dolores –- which should alleviate traffic to Noe Valley (if built)
Suggestions:
  • Add recycling bins to the front of the empty lot during construction
  • Senior discount? No
  • Hire laid off union employees from Bell (They’ll have first dibs to interview)
  • Will there be food for lazy vegans? Yes

Real Foods
Neutraceutical, represented by Sergio Diaz of Fresh Organics


New:
  • Reached a settlement agreement with Real Foods workers yesterday and so “now we can talk about this.”
  • Have gone through various design and planning phases over the last five years, but now don’t have enough money to do what they wanted so will start the process over with “scaled back” plans
  • They do not have a Conditional Use permit [Ed -- which means a hearing in front of the Planning Commission and probably 2 years until anything happens]
Old:
  • Unrepentant about the process, but “I do apologize to the neighborhood for five years of this.”
Suggestion:
  • Sell, and get the _____ out while you can. (“We want to prove we can have a good store.”)
UPDATE: Cooks Boulevard has a more thorough account of Sergio's appearance.

Noe Valley Association, Deb Neimann, President

Very brief:
  • We did: Crosswalks, planters, street furniture
  • Got ideas or feedback? Call/email

[NVSF: Whole Foods Responds]
[NVSF: Update: Whole Foods]
[NVSF: Blight: Real Foods]

Contigo: Opening Date Set. Finally. Again.

This time it just might happen -- Contigo is set to open March 3, 2009. Staff training has begun, with an emphasis on building a strong neighborhood restaurant. What does that mean? If you haven't been following Brett's blog all this time, here's a bit of what to expect:
We chose the name for our restaurant because it synthesizes our philosophy about the dining experience into one word. Contigo means “with you” in Spanish. It implies connection, community, collaboration, and conviviality.

We believe that the single most important facet of dining is connection: friends, neighbors and lovers sharing a meal together...more
Contigo
1320 Castro St @24th St
(415)285-0250

[IPoS: Escuela de Contigo is now in session]
[Contigo: Official Site]

[NVSF: Contigo: Opening February 17th]

February 17, 2009

Letter from Bevan: The Dogs Are OK

From Bevan Dufty's latest newsletter*:
I heard from dog lovers about dingy yellow water from the faucets at Joby's Run at the Upper Noe Recreation Center. Please let your dogs know that the problem has been fixed with the assistance of PUC and DPH.

The Environmental Health Inspectors from the Department of Public Health tested the water and found that the main problem was old pipes. PUC staff installed a new pipe to connect the drinking fountains to a new water line and repaired the fountain valves. Now, the line is connected to the same line used by humans and the water is clear again.

I would like to thank Christopher Faust of Friends of Upper Noe Dog Owners Group [FUNDOG!] for bringing this issue to my attention and Laura Spanjian and Michael Carlin of the PUC.
*whew*

*Bevan's outdated newsletter page. If you'd like to subscribe to future editions, well... since Icebase/Coolermail took over it's impossible to figure out how to subscribe. We'd like to help.... Can anyone else figure it out?

24th St Rumors: Simply Chic Not Closing

We posted a while back that Simply Chic was rumored to close. While the rumor appears to have been based in truth, Simply Chic is not closing:
Hello,

My name is May, I'm the owner of Simply Chic. I came across your website and enjoy reading all the posts. I wanted to let you know that we decided to stay. I've been negotiating with the landlord and we came up with a nice agreement.
And on a more worrisome note, she goes on to ask for help:
On Wednesday Feb 11th, three teenagers came to the shop and demanded money. My shop girl called 911. The teenagers left but vandalized the place and the police couldn't find them. I'd really like to hear some suggestions on how other shop handle "teen" shoppers.

Sincerely,
May Warren

[NVSF: Closing: More Rumors on 24th Street]

February 14, 2009

Bell Market is Closed - Now What?

Bell Market, February 14, 2009

With Bell Market closing its doors on February 15, 2009, at 4:00PM, Noe Valley will be without a major grocer until Whole Foods opens next fall. Here's a list of local places to go until then (and perhaps after).

Noe Valley Farmer's Market
Every Saturday, 8:00AM - 1:00PM
3861 24th Street, between Sanchez and Vicksburg
http://www.noevalleyfarmersmarket.com/

Seasonal, local, organic and natural fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, bread, nuts, honey. Also prepared food of the Mexican, Indian and smoothie varieties. Live music. Lots of strollers. Bonus: you get to meet your neighbors.

26th & Guerrero Market
1400 Guerrero Street
415-282-6274
http://www.26thandguerreromarket.com/

"Your Neighborhood Health Food Store"
Natural and organic fruits and vegetables, Acme Bread, vitamins/supplements, fresh flowers, beer, wine and liquor.

Valencia Farmer's Market
1299 Valencia Street @ 24th St
415-282-6863

Not truly a farmer's market but plenty of organic fruits and vegetables, fresh juices, bulk-bin cereal, and Kombucha. One block from the BART station.

Church Produce
1798 Church St @ 30th
415-282-1153

Strong mix of organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, olive bar. Church Produce was recommended by many commenters in a recent thread.

Casa Guadalupe
2909 Mission Street @ 25th St
415-642-8355

Full service market with fresh fruits/veggies, butcher, Latin-American specialties. Super affordable.

Drewes Bros. Meats
1706 Church St @ 29th St
415-821-0515
http://www.drewesbros.com/

"We are a full service butcher shop that specializes in only the highest quality products."
Meat, fish and poultry from Niman Ranch, Angus Meyer, Natural Hill. All-natural, free-range, no hormones antibiotics or preservatives. Special orders - no problem.

Fresh Meat Market
2704 Mission St @ 23rd St
415-550-8044

Fresh (read: wrigglng) fish, seafood, meat and poultry. Not organic or free-range, but you can get just about anything here super cheap.

24th Street Cheese Company
3893 24th Street @ Sanchez St
415-821-6658

Cheese! Also sausages, pâté, prosciutto, wine, olives, other specialty items.

Pasta Gina
741 Diamond St @ 24th St
415-282-0738

Fresh and frozen pasta, house-made sauces, prepared foods, wine, bread, cheeses, olives, and anything else for a quick dinner or picnic. And don't forget the cannoli!

And ... of course there are these options:
  • Safeway (Diamond Heights or Mission St)
  • Tower Market / Mollie Stone
  • DeLano's IGA on South Van Ness
Please add suggestions, recommendations or testimony in the comments. Let Noe know what you love and why you love it.

[NVSF: Bell Market: Winding Down]
[NVSF: All posts tagged Whole Foods]
[NVSF: All posts tagged Farmer's Market]
[Photo: Pasta Gina -- Yelp]

This Week at the Planning Commission

A weekly look at Noe Valley projects in front of the Planning Commission. Information is provided by the Planning Commission, and taken from its published agenda. All hearings begin at 1:30pm, Room 400 in City Hall.

February 19

3950 24TH STREET - north side between Sanchez and Noe Streets; Lots 041 and 028 in Assessor’s Block 3654 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization, pursuant to Planning Code Sections 303(c), 303(i), 703.4, 728.40, and 790.102(a), to allow a new formula retail grocery store (d.b.a. Whole Foods) to operate within the 24th Street – Noe Valley Neighborhood Commercial District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions.

1409 SANCHEZ STREET - east side between 27th and Duncan Streets; Lot 031 in Assessor’s Block 6592 - Mandatory Discretionary Review, under Planning Code Section 317 requiring review of residential demolition, of Demolition Permit Application No. 2008.10.20.4543, proposing to demolish a one-story, single-family dwelling in an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the demolition permit.

1409 SANCHEZ STREET - east side between 27th and Duncan Streets; Lot 031 in Assessor’s Block 6592 - Mandatory Discretionary Review, under Planning Code Section 317 requiring review of the replacement building in association with residential demolition, of Building Permit Application No. 2008.10.20.4546, to construct a two-story over garage and basement, two-family dwelling in an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two -Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the new building permit.

1381 Sanchez Street - east side between Cesar Chavez and 27th Streets; Lot 025 in Assessor's Block 6579 - Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2008.09.23.2413 proposing to enclose the existing rear stairs along the south property line in order to accommodate a reconfigured interior at the first floor and the ground level at the rear. The subject building is a single-family home located within an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Take Discretionary Review and Approve the Project with Modifications.

[NVSF: All posts tagged Whole Foods]
[NVSF: 1409 Sanchez: Back on the Market]

February 11, 2009

Fowling Noe Valley

From a comment we've since deleted if for no other reason than it wasn't on topic:
Why don't you post something about stephen fowler noe valley neighbor? He was on wifeswap on abc. check out www.stephenfowlersucks.com or google stephen fowler wife swap
Regarding such, we've followed the Gawker posts (and the rest of the related craziness across the 'net). We didn't post because it felt like a pile-on and that's not what we're about. Stephen Fowler does not represent Noe Valley -- even if he lives here, goes on TV, and says things that make him (and everyone else in Noe) seem like a ______, _______ and ______. Noe has nothing to fear from this man -- his wife is embarrassed (in a Mrs. Spitzer way) and has said he needs professional help.

But really...who cares? It's just another crappy show highlighting the worst in people (in this case an angry transplant who needs help (but drives ratings)). Not really worth our time, and certainly not representative of Noe Valley.

Reminder: if you want to suggest a post idea, please send it via email.

February 9, 2009

Shop Local: Hero Bags


We saw Hero Bags at Harvest Festival but didn't realize they are based here in Noe Valley. Hero Bags are reusable canvas totes designed and sold by local artist and 26th Street resident Susanne Maddux. Look for them around the 'hood or purchase online.

[Hero Bags]
[NVSF: Photos: Noe Valley Harvest Festival]





February 7, 2009

Photos: 22nd Street Then & Now


Followed a link on Mission Mission to a Flikr gallery of "four decades of street scenes and portraits from the Mission, Greater San Francisco and beyond." The above photo of 3611 22nd St was taken in 1979.

Given how much Noe Valley has changed in 30 years, it's amazing how much some things stay the same. Here's the same house today:


[Flikr: Views of San Francisco]

February 6, 2009

NVV: We Read It So You Don't Have To


The Noe Valley Voice is published ten times a year and has been a neighborhood fixture since 1977. Here are highlights from the latest issue. Links are to stories we've covered.

February 2009
  • Whole Foods is on the way. There's a front-page article, a 2 color full-page ad promising "early fall" and other mentions throughout.
  • A priest is upset about an Obama candle at Just For Fun. (Ironic, no?)
  • 24th Street merchants worried about closure of Bell Market, but optimistic that Whole Foods will bring more foot traffic to the area.
  • Obits: Dave Cannata (co-owner of Hidden Cottage B&B); nice memorial to Blake Egoian.
  • Cost of living in Noe: the national economic meltdown has hit Noe Valley, but only a little. It's still expensive to live here.
  • Crime Beat? Still happening. But now, in the Age of Obama, NVV features a Peace Blotter "showing how neighborhood conflicts can be resolved without threats, litigation or a call to police."
  • Short Takes: NVDC forum, Bethany moving to the Mission during renovation.
  • Rumors: Not much...except: "Harry Aleo's estate was worth nearly $24 million," and many of his Noe properties are for sale now (we believe it's all the buildings with Barbagelata signs). The parking lot across from his office may be named for him, because he was the president of the Merchant's Association in 1959 and championed the purchase of that land as a parking lot for the commercial district.
  • A full page (ad?) dedicated to the schedule at the Upper Noe Valley Rec Center. Also available online.
  • Notably not in the NVV: pictures of Noe Valley residents who've schlepped the Voice to far off places. Sign of a soft economy?
[The Noe Valley Voice]

February 5, 2009

Incanto: Elevating The Brunch Conversation In Noe Valley

Sure ... Chloe's, Savor, Toast and now City Grill attract hoards of people looking for classic brunch for a value. But now Incanto is raising the bar -- according to Mark Pastore in his periodic Letters from Incanto:
The menu will showcase the best of Incanto and will prominently feature Boccalone meats including all of Boccalone's fresh sausages, guanciale, pancetta, and sanguinaccio.

This Sunday's menu will include a black truffle mortadella panino with potato-leek salad, house-milled whole wheat polenta with poached farm egg, and a brunch version of our legendary handkerchief pasta. We will also feature Incanto's award-winning Italian wine program and a not-to-be-missed Roman Bloody Maria.
Expect stretch Priuses to drop off savvy foodies this and every Sunday between 10am and 2pm.

Incanto
1550 Church St
(415) 641-4500

[Incanto]
[NVSF: Tweeting Offal]

February 3, 2009

Food Bites

A quick round-up of the latest Noe Valley food news:

Deep Sushi: No solid evidence (yet), but Eater is reporting that it's been sold. Possibly to people involved with Ozumo. At any rate, still closed.

Chocolate Covered: It doesn't come in a gold wrapper, and you can't win a trip to the factory, but you can track the progress of the cacao beans used in your $16 Chocolate bar. Your purchase will also pay for a new tree in the rain forest. Made locally, and only available at Chocolate Covered on 24th St or in the Financial District at Fog City News.

Bernie's is hosting girlbiz again this Saturday (Feb 7) from 9am-1pm.

1298 Church St: We checked in with Regent Thai about the "high end vietnamese" restaurant at Church and Jersey. A staffer said the owner has placed the project on hold, but we've been unable to get a hold of the owner. Anyone know more?

Contigo: Brett has recieved over 1000 applications for 16 positions so far. And? Still advertising.


[Eater SF: The Shutter]
[SFGate: S.F. chocolate-maker introduces $13 bar]
[NVSF: Shop Local: girlbiz!]
[girlbiz]

Whole Foods Responds

We sent a note to Andrew Calabrese, community liasion for the Noe Valley Whole Foods, asking him to keep an eye on comments related to the 24th St location. He just sent this update:

I’ve been reading the blog and will keep reading in order to investigate and find answers for any questions or concerns that arise. I’ve met with NVMPA, the Farmer’s Market, Upper Noe Neighbors and the Dolores Heights Improvement Club. So far most of the questions that have come up have been the same as listed from the Upper Noe Neighbors.

The primary concern, it seems, from most meetings was the access to food for the elderly during the construction. I can say that our Development Team has approved a limited service shuttle to take folks to other markets during this time. Currently we’re researching for a service to handle this and pricing for review and approval. NVMPA, along with Peter Gabel and Leslie Crawford from the Farmer’s Market, are also working on other options such as encouraging other local shops to carry additional items and setting up a smaller farmer’s market on another day during the week for a few hours in the afternoon/early evenings.

I did pass some of the other questions on as well and Glen Moon, our VP of Store Development has confirmed that the store aisles will be built wider to make stroller access easier. Also, regarding the parking lot will be for Whole Foods shopping only, but will not be so strict as to disallow customers from briefly visiting other local shops in addition. As far as an ongoing shuttle service once the store is open and/or a delivery service (to make it easy for customers to walk to the store without having to carry home multiple bags), we’re open to both of these ideas and will research.

As mentioned, the Planning Commission hearing is scheduled for February 19th. We are asking for members of the neighborhood to come and speak on our behalf to make the transition as smooth as possible.

As always, please post comments/concerns/suggestions in the comments.

[NVSF: Update: Whole Foods]
[NVSF: Confirmed: Noe Valley Whole Foods To Preserve Existing Building]
[NVSF: Noe Valley Democratic Club Town Forum]

February 2, 2009

Doorstep Menus: Lotus Garden

San Francisco restaurants are required to post inspection scores where patrons can see them. But not all restaurants cater to eat-in customers - they do most of their business as take-out or delivery. Here we report inspection scores for restaurants leaving menus on Noe Valley doorsteps. We'll update the post for each eatery as new information becomes available.

Name: Lotus Garden Vietnamese Restaurant
Address: 3216 Mission Street

Current Score: 96/100 (Oct 2008)


High Risk: none
Moderate Risk: none
Low Risk: Non-food contact surface unclean; Floors, walls, ceilings improperly constructed, in disrepair, not clean

Previous Inspections:

None.

Getting a doorstep menu that we're not? Send us a picture of the menu and we'll post about it.

[Health Code: SB 180]
[SFDPH Scores: Environmental Health]
[NVSF: All Doorstep Menu Posts]

Confirmed: Noe Valley Whole Foods To Preserve Existing Building

From a reader (emphasis ours):
First thank you for your blog. I live in Noe at the corner of Sanchez and Elizabeth and very much appreciate reading our neighborhood news. As many, I am very interested in the Whole Foods upcoming remodel. I received a notice of hearing from the SF planning dept over the weekend as I live less than 300 ft away from future WF.

I called Elizabeth Watty at the SF planning department to review the WF plans in advance of the public hearing scheduled on Feb 19, 2009.

She was very clear and told me that no other changes than interior remodeling were planned. No changes would be made to either exterior building or parking. The only outside change will be paint color. I hope this helps.


[NVSF: Update: Whole Foods]

February 1, 2009

This Week at the Planning Commission

A weekly look at Noe Valley projects in front of the Planning Commission. Information is provided by the Planning Commission, and taken from its published agenda. All hearings begin at 1:30pm, Room 400 in City Hall.


3645 23RD STREET - south side between Fair Oaks and Guerrero Streets; Lot 032 in Assessor’s Block 3647 - Mandatory Discretionary Review, under Planning Code Section 317 requiring review of residential demolition, of Demolition Permit Application No. 2007.10.10.5010, proposing to demolish a one-story, single-family dwelling in an RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the demolition permit.

3645 23RD STREET - south side between Fair Oaks and Guerrero Streets; Lot 032 in Assessor’s Block 3647 - Mandatory Discretionary Review, under Planning Code Section 317 requiring review of the replacement building in association with residential demolition, of Building Permit Application No. 2007.10.12.5328, to construct a three-story over garage, two-family dwelling in an RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the new building permit.
Also of interest is this item from the edge of Noe:


3398 22Nd street - northeast corner at Guerrero and 22nd Streets, Lot 028 in Assessor’s Block 3617 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Sections 145.2, 303 and 710.26 to legalize a walk-up facility (ATM), dba "Swipe USA", that is not recessed 3-feet from the property line, in an NC-1 (Neighborhood Commercial Cluster) Zoning District with an 40-X Height and Bulk designation.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval

NOTE: Will also include a brief informational presentation regarding Swipe USA's practice of installing ATMs within the City and County of San Francisco.

These machines are everywhere - there's even two within 10 feet of each other at 24th & Church. Is the City likely to start regulating where they go, or will they all be approved like the above location? And if approved, what's the point in the conditional use?

1260-1270 Dolores St: Under Fire


All of the windows at 1266 Dolores have 2-3 bullet holes in them. Random street gang target practice or have neighbors taken their disagreements to a new level? Besides taking sniper fire, there's been some more activity according to a neighbor's blog:
In November the builder began working on the second building again laying down the floors and breaking up and laying down the sidewalk, and cleaning up and putting in a yard which all look nice but if you really look closely there are bubbles in the wood and the first building has been exposed to the elements for so long that the wood is rotting and peeling away from the building. You can see it from the back side of the buildings.
...
Is this the kind of builder we want in San Francisco? Would you want to buy a new home from these guys?
There have also been 5 new complaints at the Planning Department:
12/29/08: Unsafe bldg.
01/23/09: Installed gas fireplace w/o permit; Installed fire sprinkler w/o permit; Installed 3 gas fireplace without permit; Installed fire sprinkler w/o permit.
All previous violations are still outstanding.

[NVSF: For Sale: 1260-1270 Dolores & More Than A Few Headaches]
[NVSF: 1266 Dolores St.]
[NoeValleyNeighbors]