Board continues mass‑reduction variance appeal at 1715 Alabama to allow written findings

The Board of Appeals continued an appeal of a mass‑reduction variance for a property on Alabama Street, allowing the applicant time to prepare findings supporting the amended design.

John Lum, the project architect for Jason Hughes and Kelly Mayer, described a series of changes since the last hearing: the rear shed roofline was lowered (from 11'9" to 9'), overhangs cut from 30 inches to 6 inches, removal of a rear trellis, revised siding material and offers to mitigate neighbors’ light impacts (including an optional open railing and funding a skylight for an adjacent neighbor). Lum said the applicants met multiple times with adjacent neighbors and documented sun‑study results.

Corey Teague of the Planning Department told commissioners the revisions reduced the perceived mass but did not eliminate the need for a variance: the project remains roughly 400–500 square feet over the Bernal Heights mass‑reduction requirement after revisions. Teague advised the board that findings supporting any variance should be carefully drafted to reflect the amended plans and the applicant’s rationale.

Neighbors testified both in favor and opposed: some said the applicants had engaged and made reasonable compromises; others said the structure still failed to meet Planning Code Section 2.42 mass reduction requirements and that private promises to alter neighboring properties should not substitute for code compliance.

Motion and next steps: Commissioner Lazarus moved to continue the matter to Dec. 5, 2018, so the appellant could prepare written findings consistent with the amended plans; the board agreed. The appellant must submit findings in advance and the Planning Department will assist the ZA in review.

Quote: "We made great progress in addressing the issues raised," architect John Lum told the board, listing lower rooflines and reduced overhangs.