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Board continues contentious 60 Clifford Terrace deck/walkway dispute to allow Planning coordination
Summary
The board agreed to a 60‑day continuance for case 6845 (60 Clifford Terrace) to allow staff to coordinate with the Planning Department on a complex proposal to remove an historic walkway and legalize a new deck configuration; parties seek a planning commission date and a memorandum to limit appeals on agreed stairs.
The Abatement Appeals Board agreed to continue for 60 days a complex dispute over an historic walkway and proposed deck work at 60 Clifford Terrace to allow coordination with the Planning Department and to seek a planning commission hearing.
DBI senior inspector Maurice Hernandez summarized permit research showing a 1961 permit record and a 1989 permit that complicate claims that the walkway predated permitting. Project sponsor Eric Jacobs said owners had begun the planning process in 2014, proposed a comprehensive permit package that would remove the walkway and reconfigure the deck, and asked the board to treat the work as a single project to avoid piecemeal appeals. A public commenter and the adjacent neighbor suggested resolving the notice of violation with a standalone NOV permit and temporary stairs to maintain yard access; the neighbor, Elizabeth Gordon, said she would accept a memorandum of understanding not to appeal provided stairs were mutually agreed.
Commissioners discussed statutory timelines: the code provision that work must commence within 60 days and be completed within a reasonable time not to exceed 18 months if the board finds the condition is not a serious or imminent hazard. Staff and the project sponsor said planning review and construction addenda would likely take months; several commissioners proposed a continuance to obtain a planning update and scheduling details. The board voted unanimously to continue the matter for 60 days so staff can report back on planning schedule and progress toward a planning commission hearing.
The continuance preserves the existing order of abatement while giving parties and Planning a window to align on a permit and hearing calendar. The board and participants emphasized the goal of resolving access to the backyard and clarifying the scope of the planning commission review before the board imposes further deadlines.
