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Board approves 42 Woodland addition with 3-foot setback after planning recommendation
Summary
The Board of Appeals granted an appeal and approved a small rear addition and deck at 42 Woodland Avenue with a condition that the deck and stairs be set back three feet and that plans be revised to accurately depict adjacent conditions; vote was 4–0.
On March 19 the San Francisco Board of Appeals voted 4–0 to grant an appeal and approve a site permit for a horizontal addition and a small rear deck at 42 Woodland Avenue with conditions that the deck and stairs be set back three feet from the shared property line and that the submitted plans be revised to accurately show adjacent conditions.
Mark Zussman, a neighbor and appellant, told the board a 1985–86 compromise limited rooftop or rear expansions and said the current proposal altered an earlier agreement. Planning staff reviewed the permit and told the board the scope “is fully code complying” but that the submitted plans failed to accurately depict adjacent property conditions; on further review planning recommended a 3-foot setback of the addition from the shared lot line to be consistent with the residential design guidelines.
The permit holder, Van Hart, and project counsel said the house is a five‑unit building with a complicated historic permitting history, and that the current request is code‑compliant. The permit holder also emphasized an accessibility rationale: the owners said they need a bedroom on the ground floor to accommodate disability and aging-in-place needs.
Commissioners discussed available options including denying the appeal, approving with planning’s recommended setback, or continuing to allow the permit holder to seek a reasonable-modification decision for disability/aging-in-place accommodations. The parties agreed to a compromise: the board approved the permit on the condition that plans be revised to show a three-foot setback for the proposed addition and accurate site conditions.
Commissioner Swigg moved the condition; the board voted 4–0 (Lopez: Aye; President Trezwina: Aye; Vice President Epler: Aye; Swigg: Aye). Planning staff will work with the permit holder to record any required notice of special restrictions for units that exceed permitted density and to ensure the final plan set reflects the new condition.
