DBI orders removal of unpermitted residential work at Potrero Hill project; department to tighten Planning coordination

The Department of Building Inspection told the Building Inspection Commission on May 21 that construction at 1250/1260 Missouri Street in Potrero Hill exceeded the approved site permit and that unpermitted residential fixtures must be removed.

Ed Sweeney, DBI staff, said the site permit (permit application 908047, issued 4/29/95) allowed rough‑ins for a future coffee bar and bathrooms and required tenant improvements to be evaluated unit‑by‑unit. “A subsequent addendum … was approved; however, it was not routed to Planning,” Sweeney said, and Planning later requested removal of installed fireplaces, mezzanine bathrooms, washers/dryers and kitchen components. “A violation was issued 05/21/2008,” he said. “DBI will continue to monitor 1250/1260 Missouri Street for full compliance to the approved plans.”

Commissioners questioned whether the department’s addendum and revision processes are sufficiently distinct. Commissioner Walker said the issue often arises because addenda are used to phase complex projects and staff must judge when Planning review is required. “We’re going to work with the planning staff to come up with a policy … and provide training to staff to ensure that that happens,” Director Hassan told the commission.

Members of the public and industry representatives said the incident reflects recurring coordination problems between Planning and Building Inspection. Henry Cohen, speaking as a frequent customer, praised inspectors for catching violations but warned that illegal units sometimes are reinstalled after removal. Bruce Boniker of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry urged bringing planners into the field earlier on use‑related questions: “It’s important then immediately … to get the planners out there into the field in order to inspect the situation and make the recommendation,” he said.

DBI said it told the project to remove unpermitted work and that contractors may continue work on parts of the building consistent with the site permit; if the department later finds no corrective action, staff said it can seek a stop‑work order with the city attorney’s involvement.

The commission asked staff to develop clearer procedures that define when addenda must be routed to Planning and to provide training so inspectors and plan reviewers apply those rules consistently. The department also said it will include a controller’s office representative in an upcoming presentation addressing questions about reserves and funding that arose earlier in the meeting.

The department did not announce a timetable for completing the procedural changes; DBI staff said they will report back to the commission in June.