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Neighbors accuse city staff of inaction over demolished Neutra house; Planning Commission continues 49 Hopkins to Dec. 13
Summary
Neighbors urged the Planning Commission not to grant another continuance for 49 Hopkins — an allegedly illegally demolished Richard Neutra house — accusing department leadership of failing to stop similar demolitions. The commission continued the item to Dec. 13 to allow staff and the sponsor time to assemble requested materials.
Commissioners on the San Francisco Planning Commission on Dec. 6 heard heated public comment demanding immediate action after what neighbors described as the unlawful demolition of the Richard Neutra–designed Largent house at 49 Hopkins Avenue.
Multiple speakers who said they represent neighborhood preservation groups and the San Francisco Land Use Coalition urged the commission not to grant another continuance and to require the project sponsor to restore a replacement structure that matches the original envelope.
"When will this stop, Director Ram? Who benefits — a few developers? Who loses? Your hardworking, honest staff are tarnished by this happening on their watch," said a neighbor, calling for accountability and insisting the commission hear the matter rather than delay it.
Jerry Dratler of the San Francisco Land Use Coalition urged the commission, if it agreed to a continuance, to require the project architect to correct what he called "obvious misstatements" in the conditional-use application and to have the architect attest to the accuracy of the application. "When another licensed professional refuses to attest to the accuracy of a form…alarm bells should be going off that there is big time hanky‑panky going on," he said.
Project counsel and others asked for a continuance to allow design refinements and to give neighbors time to review materials that were not yet posted online. Staff (Jeff Warren) told the commission the sponsor requested additional time to prepare background materials requested by the Department of Building Inspection and planning staff, including three‑dimensional studies and analysis the commission has signaled it needs to make an informed decision.
Commissioners debated the tradeoff between hearing an item promptly so neighbors can attend and allowing the sponsor time to prepare an adequate record. After discussion, the commission voted to continue item 1 (49 Hopkins Avenue) to Dec. 13, 2018, and to continue several other items to their proposed dates. The motion carried on a roll call vote of 6–0 (Fong, Johnson, Coppell, Moore, Melgar and President Hillis voting aye).
The continuance preserves the commission’s ability to review the staff and sponsor materials on the demolition, any DBI or city‑attorney settlements, and recommended remedies. The commission’s action does not decide the merits of any conditional‑use requests; it sets the hearing date for the next opportunity for public testimony and deliberation.
