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Encroachment, unpermitted additions and safety concerns keep Woodward Avenue dispute active
Summary
Neighbors and the city pressed an owner to produce surveys, plans and life‑safety fixes after inspections found unpermitted bump‑outs, a stair encroaching on a neighbor’s land and interior conditions requiring further work; the matter was continued to April 23.
A multi‑issue enforcement matter involving 47 and 49 Woodward Avenue was continued to April 23, 2025, after neighbors alleged property encroachments, unpermitted additions and hazardous living conditions.
Neighbor attorney Richard Dolberg and counsel for the abutting property presented surveys and photographs that, they said, show a new exterior stair and an attached landing bolted into the neighbor’s wall and portions of the building that encroach across parties’ property lines. City staff and the fire marshal documented interior conditions — unfinished construction, multiple makeshift rooms and inadequate egress — and urged a coordinated compliance plan.
City inspectors reported multiple on‑site irregularities: an unpermitted front bump‑out, a side addition that may cross property lines, building materials stored in the rear yard, and interior partitions and kitchens that appeared to create additional habitable spaces. Staff said they had inspected the property in January and again in February alongside building and fire personnel; some items were cleared between inspections but structural and setback violations remain.
Why it matters: the case raises both zoning setbacks/property‑boundary issues and building and fire‑safety concerns. Neighbors say the encroachments limit access to their land and pose ongoing safety and nuisance problems; the owner said some work began before his purchase and that he is attempting to legalize elements and obtain necessary surveys and plans.
Key directions from the hearing: the hearing officer urged the owner to obtain a complete building‑location survey that shows the structure and setback lines, to meet promptly with staff from the building department and the fire marshal to define required remediation, and to provide a realistic schedule. The officer gave the owner one week to arrange the meeting and one month to show “real progress” on documented corrections; he warned that lack of progress could lead to fines or orders to vacate or secure the building.
Outcome: matter continued to April 23, 2025, with staff directed to coordinate a meeting among the owner, building inspection and the fire marshal and to require the owner to submit a survey and formal plans to address encroachments and life‑safety issues.
Speakers involved in this item included: Hearing Officer Robert Maslin; Attorney Richard Dolberg (representing the neighbor at 49 Woodward); neighbor counsel (Attorney Goldberg); building inspector Leo Guerrero; and Zoning Enforcement staff (John Hayducki). The property owner participated and described steps to engage architects and surveyors.
