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Commission approves alterations at 940 Grove; staff notes DBI violation, adds interim inspection requirement
Summary
The commission approved modifications at 940 Grove Street, legalizing some work completed without permits and approving additional changes subject to conditions and an interim site inspection; staff confirmed a Department of Building Inspection violation for siding replacement and said enforcement remains pending.
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously April 16 to approve design modifications at 940 Grove Street, a project that includes both previously completed work and proposed additional alterations.
Shelly Caltagironi, preservation planner with the Planning Department, told commissioners that the project requests legalization of work completed without prior permits (notably window and siding replacement) and approval of further alterations including window replacements, siding and trim changes, a modified garage design, railings and elevator and rooftop penthouse details. Caltagironi noted some of the work was completed without permits and that the plan set identifies which work has already been done.
Louis Butler and Federico Engel of Butler Arms and Architects presented the design changes. Engel described reduced garage openings, raised roof decks for structural reasons, reconfigurations related to a 1940s addition, the reinstatement of finials based on historic photos, and replacement of windows with painted, double-hung wood sash that are dual-glazed. Butler said the applicants have assembled neighborhood support (about 70 signatures) and that some changes resulted from earlier design advice and structural needs.
During public comment, neighbor Irma Cobb said she had watched months of work proceed without permits and asked why the work started and whether that would set a precedent for post-facto approval. Ted Bartlett, a former owner, supported the current owners, saying the building had been in poor condition and that the recent work improved the property.
Tim Frey, planning staff, told the commission the department's goal is to achieve compliance rather than accrue enforcement fees: "Our goal is to achieve compliance rather than to accrue enforcement fees," he said. Shelly Caltagironi told commissioners there is a Department of Building Inspection violation for the siding replacement and said DBI had been awaiting the commission's approval to determine next steps.
Commissioners discussed adding a condition for an interim site visit tied to restoration work. The motion to approve the project with staff conditions, amended to require an interim inspection during restoration, passed unanimously (6-0). Commissioners said the interim inspection would allow staff to verify craftsmanship and materials at logical points during construction rather than waiting until occupancy.
Planning staff indicated they will continue to coordinate with the Department of Building Inspection on any outstanding enforcement actions and will verify compliance with the conditions of approval.
