This Week At The Planning Commission

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

November 15th

481 JERSEY STREET - south side between Diamond and Castro Streets, Lot 029 in Assessor's Block 6539 - Requests for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2008.03.18.7426 proposing to construct a one-story vertical addition, a rear horizontal addition, infill the setbacks at the east side of the building, and alter the front façade of a single-family dwelling, resulting in a two-story over garage, single-family dwelling, located within a RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Staff Analysis: Abbreviated Discretionary Review
Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve

In brief: Previous owners filed for a construction permit in 2008 (that was approved after a mandatory Discretionary Review) but never started work. Instead, they remodeled the kitchen and bathroom and sold the building in 2011. The new owners filed to complete the original permit with some envelope changes, triggering new 311 notification. Neighbors on both sides requested Review citing light and air concerns, as well as design issues. The neighbors say that the new owners have made no effort (and "refused to meet") to discuss alternative designs. The applicant disputes that claim and provides a timeline of meetings and concessions. The Residential Design Team states the project meets Guidelines, and Planning staff recommends approval.

The complete document with request for Discretionary Review, response, drawings, letters and complete staff analysis is here (large PDF).

Update: Approved 5-0.

[SF Planning: 481 Jersey St]
[Photo: SF Planning]

2-Alarm Fire On Jersey St

It's been a busy day for sirens in Noe Valley. First there was a shooter on the loose on Church Street, and then this afternoon a 2-alarm fire broke out on the top floor of a three-story building at 276 Jersey St. The fire started at around 2:35pm and spread to a second building before being extinguished by firefighters within an hour. According to witnesses in the vicinity, there weren't many flames - just lots of smoke. As of late this afternoon, you can still smell it in the area.

Fortunately it appears no one was hurt and The Red Cross was on the scene to help displaced residents. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Update: A SF fire department spokesperson told CBS that the fire caused an estimated $151,000 in damage to the first building and destroyed $77,000 worth of contents. The adjacent building sustained about $132,000 in structural damage and $63,000 in damage to its contents.

[2-Alarm Fire Burns Residential Buildings In San Francisco Noe Valley - CBS]
[Photo of the fire damaged buildings - NVSF]

Meanwhile on Jersey Street ...