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Board grants neighbor’s request in Green Street expansion dispute; conditions removal of rooftop screen
Summary
After a contested hearing over lot‑line windows, the Board of Appeals granted the permit holder’s request with the condition that the rooftop projector/screen shown in site drawings be removed; commissioners highlighted that lot‑line windows are not protected under local practice.
The Board of Appeals on Jan. 9 resolved a long‑running dispute between neighbors at 1889–1891 Green Street, granting the property owner’s permit but imposing a condition: the rooftop projection screen shown in site drawings must be removed.
Neighbor Farooz Hariri said the proposed expansion would ‘‘completely shut off’’ two lot‑line windows that supply light and air to a rental unit’s primary living space, making the apartment less livable and placing economic burdens on tenants. The owner, Jane Gato, said the corner property has extensive exposures on three sides and that the design was code‑compliant, had been reviewed through Planning, and responded to preservation constraints.
Planning staff noted the project met code and had undergone discretionary review; DBI and the zoning administrator confirmed lot‑line windows are generally not protected under city rules and that the permit was processed accordingly. Several neighbors and past tenants spoke in support of the Gatos’ project and described long engagement with the design.
Vice President Rick Swig moved to grant the appeal and issue the permit conditioned on the elimination of the projector screen from the site documents; the motion carried unanimously 5–0. Commissioners urged good‑neighbor practices but noted the legal limits of protections for property‑line windows.
