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Board directs written findings after appeal of Washington Street permit
Summary
The board voted to direct staff to prepare written findings to support its March 7 decision denying a site permit for additions at 1033/1037 Washington Street; the motion passed 3–2 after arguments from neighbors and the permit holder.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals on April 11 directed staff to prepare written findings to support the board’s March 7, 2018 decision to deny a site permit for a renovation and addition to 1033 and 1037 Washington Street.
Appellant Lydia Woytack argued the proposed rooftop and excavation work would alter the character of an Edwardian‑era block, cited multiple planning‑code sections and scenic‑corridor setback rules, and asked the board to formalize the rationale supporting its prior oral vote. Todd Mavis, the project sponsor, said the variance previously granted by the Zoning Administrator supported the site permit and that requiring broader findings could be manifestly unjust after the applicant relied on earlier approvals and incurred substantial fees.
Planning staff reaffirmed that the permit process and variance review were followed; the board’s president asked for written findings so the decision would be documented and defensible on the public record. Vice President Rick Swig moved to direct preparation of written findings; the motion passed on a 3–2 roll call. Commissioners who opposed preparing findings said they were concerned about precedent and about re‑opening a matter after a site permit had been issued.
Next steps: staff will prepare draft findings and circulate them to the parties for comment prior to adoption at a future hearing.
