Commission defers site-permit code change to Code Advisory Committee for review

Supervisor Safae, the legislative sponsor, told the Building Inspection Commission that the proposed ordinance (File No. 230,374) would limit the scope of site-permit review, require simultaneous interdepartmental review and specify submission requirements in code to reduce redundant reviews and speed housing and small-business permits. He cited Chronicle reporting and stakeholder feedback that permit timelines have lengthened and said codifying criteria would give applicants more certainty.

DBI Assistant Director Christine Gasparek reviewed the department’s slides and recommended caution about codifying detailed criteria that now live in Administrative Bulletin AB-32, arguing that administrative bulletins allow faster updates if operational tweaks are needed. The city attorney advised that the commission could either continue the item until the Code Advisory Committee (CAC) has weighed in or waive CAC input on the record for nontechnical matters.

Commissioners expressed support for reform but also concern that the CAC had not yet completed deliberation. After discussion, the commission voted unanimously to continue the ordinance until the CAC can review it and to schedule a special BIC meeting to consider CAC feedback prior to forwarding recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.