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Board pauses dispute over 3516–3518 Sacramento foundation work, orders DBI staff report and inspection
Summary
After neighbors raised damage and 20-year project-history concerns, the Board of Appeals continued an appeal over 3516–3518 Sacramento St. to Nov. 13 and asked DBI to prepare a staff report, inspect the site and allow the neighbor's engineer to access the property.
The Board of Appeals continued an appeal Oct. 23 concerning construction and foundation work at 3516–3518 Sacramento Street to Nov. 13 after the next-door neighbor described significant cracking and alleged $45,000 in damages. The board directed the Department of Building Inspection to prepare a staff report, perform an on-site inspection and facilitate access for the appellant's licensed professional, if requested.
Appellant Ed Van Roden said ongoing work had caused repeated damage to his property and that DBI recordkeeping and permit renewals over the last two decades left unclear which documents governed the work. "I've recently in the last couple years have had over $45,000 with the damages in my building due to their construction," he told the board and presented photographs and portions of a structural/insurance report.
Permit holders and geotechnical/structural consultants told the board DBI had requested supplemental geotechnical letters, that multiple concrete pours and inspections had occurred and that required shoring and structural steps were planned. DBI Senior Inspector Joe Duffy acknowledged multiple notices of violation and said the department had worked to address safety and permitting, but described the case as an example of prolonged, complex permit history requiring close follow-up.
Commissioners expressed concern about the lengthy project history and the risk to the neighboring property. Commissioner Tanner moved to continue the matter to Nov. 13 to give DBI time to prepare a staff report, conduct an inspection, and for the parties to meet with their engineers; the motion passed 4–0.
DBI said the permit at issue is a limited authorization to complete shoring for a 22-foot section; if inspectors identify work that differs from approved plans DBI will issue correction notices and, where necessary, require re-review by Planning or additional geotechnical and structural analysis. The continuance gives DBI a month to assemble the file, coordinate inspections and support a meeting among engineers and stakeholders before the board reconvenes the appeal.
