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Planning Commission narrows Hodges Alley addition, requires setback and deck changes after neighbors cite slope, light and noise issues
Summary
After neighbors described a December rockslide, noise and light/air impacts, the commission approved a discretionary review for 26 Hodges Alley with a revised third-floor setback and a reduction of a north-corner roof-deck segment to improve light and privacy; the vote was unanimous.
The San Francisco Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a modified discretionary review for a residential addition at 26 Hodges Alley in Telegraph Hill, after neighbors raised safety, landslide and livability concerns.
Multiple neighbors, including Melody Marr (owner at 358–360 Vallejo Street), told the commission they could not return to their home after a December rock slide and urged the commission to require slope stabilization and a peer review by the Department of Building Inspection. Marr asked for a 3-foot-by-3-foot notch and immediate mitigation, saying, "I am not able to go back home because of a rock slide." Nearby residents also described persistent noise and late-night gatherings at the property’s roof deck.
The project sponsor and counsel responded that the proposal would improve the property’s habitability and include slope-stabilization work. Counsel said the project would remove a first-floor porch slab and install moment frames to seismic-upgrade the house, asserting the changes would reduce weight on the slope and enable prompt mitigation work.
Commission discussion centered on three issues: slope stability and DBI oversight, visual and light impacts to the narrow alley, and noise from the existing deck. Commissioners noted that DBI would take the lead on geotechnical and stabilization work but pressed the sponsor to commit to mitigation. Several commissioners supported modest design adjustments to improve light access in the alley while preserving the project’s ability to function as a single-family home.
On a motion by Commissioner Moore (seconded), the commission instructed the sponsor to increase the third-floor setback (roughly the width of the closet shown in plans) and to eliminate a narrow north-corner portion of the third-level roof deck — keeping a notch at the existing stair — so the deck’s occupiable area would be stepped back from the adjacent property line. Commissioners emphasized DBI review and asked the sponsor to coordinate slope-stabilization plans with the department.
Commissioners voted aye unanimously, 7–0. The decision required design modifications described above and directed staff to work with the sponsor on implementing the recommended setback and deck changes and on ensuring DBI reviews the stabilization work.
What’s next: The project sponsor will submit revised plans reflecting the setback and deck changes and submit geotechnical/stabilization plans for DBI review. The commission’s action does not itself replace DBI permits or enforcement; those approvals will proceed separately.
