Board upholds abatement for First Avenue property, allows six months to finish sprinkler hookup

The Abatement Appeals Board on Feb. 20 upheld an order of abatement for a property identified in the hearing as 53040 First Avenue and assessed the related costs, but voted unanimously to hold enforcement in abeyance for six months so the owner can complete remaining sprinkler connections and related external work.

Department staff reported that the notice of violation alleges an illegal unit and that a building permit to legalize the ground floor unit was issued on June 28, 2018 but remains incomplete. Staff recommended upholding the order and assessing costs.

Nina Guralnick, who identified herself as a trustee and property manager, said interior work and inspections are complete but the project remains stalled while contractors and utilities (PG&E, water department) complete external connections, including sprinkler monitoring and meter relocations. "So 30 days is definitely not enough," Guralnick said in reference to the 30‑day compliance period in the notice of violation, and she asked the board for more time while contractors and agencies finish the required external work.

Commissioners acknowledged the outstanding violation but also noted substantial work toward legalization and multiple outside dependencies. The board discussed options including dismissal or abeyance; commissioners emphasized both that the notice was appropriate and that additional time was reasonable given external delays. Staff reported assessment costs "just over a thousand" dollars.

Commissioner Walker moved to uphold the order of abatement, assess costs, and hold the order in abeyance for six months to permit completion of remaining work; the motion was seconded and carried in a unanimous roll‑call vote.

The board’s action keeps the abatement in place but pauses enforcement for six months to allow the owner to secure the external hookups and finish the sprinkler connection required for final sign‑offs.