Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Slope Protection topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves Crestmont/Mount Sutro slope-protection amendment with required geologic study (File O61109)
Summary
The commission approved a code amendment creating a Crestmont/Mount Sutro slope-protection area (file O61109) modeled on Edge Hill protections and requiring a geotechnical study to redraw boundaries; the ordinance will return to the commission within about three months for final mapping.
The Building Inspection Commission voted to approve a code amendment to create a Crestmont/Mount Sutro slope-protection area and to require a structural-advisory review for significant projects in that zone. Supervisor Ellsburn introduced the measure and said neighborhood concerns about seismic and structural safety drove the proposal: "a lot of what I've heard from listening to the neighbors ... revolve around questions of seismic and structural safety," the supervisor told commissioners.
DBI principal engineer Hanson Tom described the proposed structural advisory committee composition — a structural engineer, geologist, geotechnical engineer and architect — and said the intent is to require peer review in an area with prior landslides, narrow streets and heavy vegetation. Several commissioners asked why the change required a code amendment rather than department policy; DBI staff said a code change makes the requirement stand regardless of personnel or policy shifts.
Neighborhood residents gave extensive testimony about past slides, narrow emergency access, sewer-line damage during preliminary geotechnical work and concerns that vibration from heavy equipment could destabilize older homes above the site. Developer representatives said their draft EIR and peer-review process are addressing geotechnical issues and that the proposed project site is within the draft boundary. The Code Advisory Committee and a DBI structural subcommittee recommended a focused study of the draft boundary because some documented landslide areas fell outside the proposed map and some properties inside may not be at risk.
Commissioners amended the ordinance to require an expedited geotechnical boundary study, to fund the study (DBI estimated ~ $30,000 if needed) and to return the revised map to the commission within roughly three months for final approval. The motion carried by voice vote.
The ordinance establishes a standing requirement for geologic review in the designated area and sets a public process for adopting or adjusting a final map so that future developers know in advance the review requirements for hillside projects.
