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Preservation enforcement report: 48 new cases in FY2016–17 and $400,000 civil penalty tied to unlawful demolition
Summary
Staff reported 48 new preservation‑related enforcement cases filed between July 2016 and June 2017 and highlighted several notable matters — including an unlawful demolition at 950 Lombard that prompted a $400,000 civil penalty and an injunction — and requested Commission input on enforcement priorities and potential code amendments to increase penalties for serious violations.
Alexandra Kirby (department staff) presented the annual preservation enforcement update for Fiscal Year 2016–17.
Kirby told the Commission that 48 new preservation‑related code enforcement cases were filed in the year and that 53 preservation cases remain active dating to 2013; 19 cases were abated during the period and 14 closed with no violation. The majority of complaints involve window or siding replacements; more complicated cases involve unpermitted additions, demolition, or abandonment.
Notable cases summarized by staff included: a civil penalty of $400,000 and injunction related to the demolition of a 1907 Willis Polk residence at 950 Lombard; an unpermitted set of garage structures and additions at 982 Green Street where staff required a report and the owner elected to pursue staff‑initiated discretionary review before Planning Commission; and 930 Grove Street (Acosta mansion), a long‑vacant and deteriorated landmark‑district property now the subject of a historic structures report and pending security/repair coordination with multiple agencies.
Kirby said staff will work with DBI on the vacant building registry and is exploring amendments to Section 176 of the Planning Code to better allocate civil penalty revenues and to consider increased penalties for serious preservation violations. Commissioners asked whether higher penalties or legislative changes would be feasible; staff said they are coordinating with the City Attorney’s Office for code revisions. Commissioners also asked for more frequent enforcement reporting and staff suggested semiannual updates could be provided if desired.
