4366 26TH STREET - north side between Diamond and Douglass Streets; Lot 016B in Assessor’s Block 6556 - Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2011.02.23.0805, proposing to construct a horizontal rear extension at the first floor level and add a new basement level at the rear (below the proposed first floor extension) to an existing two-story, single family building within the RH-1 (Residential, House, One-Family) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.In brief:
Staff Analysis: Abbreviated Discretionary Review
Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve
- The DR requestor has owned the home next door for 50 years and is concerned about light and privacy. It also appears that the DR requestor has existing non-conforming stairs, bedroom and some sort of shed that occupy the same rough footprint of the requested addition.
- The applicants moved into their home in 2010 with one child and are expecting twins. They appear to have made considerable effort to minimize expansion and disruption in order to "get to know San Francisco and Noe Valley" in the years ahead.
[SF Planning: 4366 26th St]
[Photo: SF Planning (hat tip to SocketSite for selection]
I'm so curious & the staff analysis link doesn't work. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up! Fixed. The new Blogger interface is presenting a few problems...
ReplyDeleteWord to the wise - if you have a pre-application meeting with your neighbors - VIDEOTAPE IT.
ReplyDeleteWhy is that murph?
ReplyDeleteAside from the high probability of comedic value...
ReplyDeleteThe report linked to here and at least one other incident I know of, the person submitting the DR has "not been forthright" about things that happened in the pre-application meeting - at least in the viewpoint of the person submitting the permit application.
Video is worth a lot more than he said she said.
Having been thru the pre-app process I am aware that you need to have all attendees sign in an agenda produced and a summary of the discussion written up. All of this is submitted with the permit app. As far as I know items discussed in the pre-app are not binding.
ReplyDeleteNO, a video at the pre-app meeting is neither necessary or appropriate.
ReplyDeleteWritten comments by the owner and/or architect together with responses are valid enough for the Planning Dept. staff to analyze.
Everybody and their 7 year old child is video taping every single event that happens.
Put this on the Ridiculist.
This looks like a thoughtfully designed project on a difficult site. I hope the Planning Department rejects the DR and approves the project as designed.
ReplyDeleteThe complaining neighbor has offered no real valid reasons for denial of the permit. Quite often a DR filer will already own a property that is non conforming or built without proper permits. Sounds like this is the case.
I remember this house when it was up for sale, the slope of the backyard was extremely steep and I'm glad to see they found a way to use the space. I don't see that it blocks light or invades privacy for the lower neighbor. Quite honestly, I remember the lower neighbor's house and yard was a blight, their back deck was full of junk and resembled a scene from Silence of the Lambs.. scary.
ReplyDeleteI remember the lower neighbor's house and yard was a blight, their back deck was full of junk and resembled a scene from Silence of the Lambs.. scary.
ReplyDeleteThere are photos of said scene in the staff analysis linked in here.