Board upholds abatement and refers dangerous six‑unit conversion case to City Attorney

On Dec. 20, 2017, the Abatement Appeals Board unanimously upheld an order of abatement and assessed penalty fees for Case No. 684158 (House Street), and voted to refer the case to the City Attorney for immediate review of life-safety risks and tenant-relocation options.

Inspectors told the board that a complaint on Nov. 28 led to a Jan. 31 site visit that revealed extensive unauthorized work: a single-family house had been converted to multiple dwelling units, including four units downstairs and an additional unit upstairs, plus a large 25-by-20-foot structure in the rear. The department reported as many as six kitchens on the site, unapproved electrical and plumbing, and a lack of required smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors. "There was a lot of life safety conditions," one inspector said, and the department argued the owner had been given time to correct the violations but had not done so.

Owner and appellant Yusuke Sikai said he purchased the property in February and "inherited" the unauthorized construction and tenants. He told the board he has engaged architects, contractors and counsel, is working on tenant relocation, and plans to address the notice of violation. "We are currently doing everything we can to fix the problem," Yusuke said.

Daniel, the owner’s architect, said he was brought into the project in June–July to coordinate with planning, building and fire staff. He said planning has tried to preserve as many units as possible but that the property must ultimately comply with the single-family zoning and building-code requirements. Daniel estimated that variance and permit processes could take nine to 12 months and described a pre-application project-review meeting involving planning, building and fire staff.

Commissioner McCarthy and others expressed urgent concern about occupant safety and urged immediate enforcement rather than a protracted planning process. McCarthy said the property resembled "a death trap waiting to happen" and recommended referring the case to the City Attorney to explore immediate steps for tenant safety and relocation. The board voted unanimously to uphold the order of abatement, assess fees, and refer the case to the City Attorney for further action.

The referral signals the board's intent to seek quicker legal remedies or city actions addressing imminent life-safety risks and to pursue tenant-relocation resources as available through city programs. The department will continue enforcement and report back on steps taken with the City Attorney and on owner compliance.