Commission upholds DBI denial of emergency repair for 2727 Pierce Street retaining wall; owners urged to seek expedited shoring permit

Owners of 2727 Pierce Street appealed DBI’s decision not to issue an emergency‑repair permit for a failing historic brick retaining wall behind their house. The owners presented geotechnical and structural testimony asserting increased movement in recent years and said heavy winter rains made collapse imminent. DBI staff acknowledged deterioration but concluded the wall’s deterioration appeared progressive rather than an immediate, sudden failure and recommended standard repair permitting and monitoring rather than an emergency order.

Appellants’ witnesses described a pattern of active seepage, brick deterioration and a visible v‑shaped crack and warned that collapse could damage the historic house. DBI’s deputy and an on‑record civil engineer countered that while the wall requires repair, typical gravity/arching walls usually show progressive signs and that temporary measures and expedited permitting for temporary shoring could be used to stabilize the wall while the full repair plan proceeds.

Outcome: The commission voted to uphold DBI’s denial of an emergency repair permit. Commissioners urged the owners to submit a separate application for temporary shoring/tieback work (a partial permit that DBI said could be processed promptly) and recommended direct coordination with DBI and planning to expedite approvals. A motion to continue the appeal to allow absent commissioners to view the record failed; the DBI decision stands and the owners were advised to apply for immediate shoring permits to stabilize the structure while they pursue historic‑review and full repair plans.

Commissioners and DBI emphasized that temporary stabilization (kickers/shoring or tiebacks) is technically possible and that a narrowly tailored shoring permit could be approved without circumventing required planning or historic reviews for longer‑term replacement.