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Board upholds site permit for addition at 20 Fourth Street over neighbor objections
Summary
The Board of Appeals denied an appeal from adjacent neighbor Christie Leach and upheld a site permit for vertical and horizontal additions at 20 Fourth Street, finding the project meets Planning Department guidance and that top‑floor setbacks and privacy measures address impacts.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals on Sept. 27 denied an appeal by nearby property owners challenging a permit to convert and expand a single‑family home at 20 Fourth Street. Appellant counsel Stan Riddell argued the new roofline would not preserve the neighborhood’s downhill “step down” pattern and would harm light, air, views and privacy for the Leach flats.
Project sponsors Mako Stewart and architect Toby Morris said the design had been reduced multiple times in response to Residential Design Team and Planning Commission direction. The sponsors removed a full roof‑level penthouse, reduced the top floor mass by ~50 percent, added large front and rear setbacks and installed privacy screening to protect neighboring windows. Planning Department staff supported the project as code‑compliant and consistent with the Residential Design Team’s determinations.
Following deliberation the board concluded that the project meets the residential design guidelines and that mitigation measures protect the neighbor’s light and privacy. The board denied the appeal and upheld the permit as properly issued.
