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Board continues tenants’ noise appeals against Google/BCCI construction; schedules progress check
Summary
Tenants of Rincon Center and residents above commercial space told the Board of Appeals they endure sustained loud construction noise tied to Google tenant improvements. Contractors and DBI said permitted work was ongoing and that some permits were suspended; the board continued the appeals to April 25 to allow parties to meet and report progress.
Residents of Rincon Center and neighboring residential floors told the Board of Appeals on April 18 that prolonged demolition and impact‑tool work under permits held by Google’s tenant and its contractor has produced interior noise levels they say are harming health and daily life.
Tenants, represented by attorney Steven Miyake and the Rincon Residents Coalition lead Joseph Denney, presented smartphone recordings and complaint logs showing repeated early starts, grinding and jackhammer noise, and alleged failures to notify residents in advance. Tenants said multiple residents sought medical help, the disruption lasted months, and that repeated promises about end dates were not met.
Google and the general contractor BCCI (represented by David Blackwell and Eric Bauer) said the work began in October 2017 under multiple permits for tenant improvements, that some permits were subsequently suspended after complaints, and that contractors implemented stricter site controls (no elevator access before 6:45 a.m., no noisy work outside 7 a.m.–8 p.m. on active permits). The Department of Building Inspection (DBI) explained the applicable noise standards in Police Code Sections 29.07 and 29.08 (daytime limit measured at 100 feet and a 5‑decibel threshold at night) and said inspectors responded to complaints and suspended appealed permits.
Commissioners pressed both sides about why tenant outreach and mitigation were not effective earlier and whether additional monitoring equipment could be deployed. Several board members urged immediate, practical steps to reduce pain for tenants while preserving necessary construction rights. Because both sides reported willingness to meet and the record included unresolved evidence issues, the board voted to continue the matters to April 25 and asked parties to report back on concrete mitigation measures or agreements; the vote to continue passed.
