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Neighbors protest demolition of 1908 cottage at 32520 Ninth Avenue; commission continues case
Summary
Residents and preservation advocates urged the Planning Commission to reject a developer's plan to demolish a 1908 cottage and replace it with a four-story duplex, arguing loss of affordable, historic housing and harmful shadow/privacy impacts; the commission continued the item for redesign and outreach.
Neighbors and preservation groups packed the Planning Commission room Thursday to oppose a proposal to demolish a 1908 cottage at 32520 Ninth Avenue and replace it with a four-story, two-unit building.
Speakers described the cottage as a characteristic entry-level house typical of the Richmond District and said demolition would remove a naturally affordable home and set a damaging precedent. "Every time we lose an affordable entry-level home, we displace another family out of San Francisco," a neighbor said. The Planning Department's staff report and public testimony noted inconsistent outreach, disputed condition assessments, and strong neighborhood opposition.
The development team said the existing structure had significant structural, pest and mold problems and presented a redesigned proposal; they also noted potential inclusion of family-sized units and offsite affordability options. After lengthy public testimony and commissioner questioning, the commission decided the item needed additional neighbor engagement and design revisions and continued it to a January calendar date for further work with neighbors.
