Board upholds permit for 2809-2811 Polk Street after neighbors raise light and privacy concerns
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Summary
The Board of Appeals rejected an appeal to deny an alteration permit for a vertical and horizontal addition at 2809-2811 Polk Street, finding Planning Department review and Residential Design Team comments were addressed and that building and fire-exit requirements will be handled in site-permit review; the motion to uphold the permit passed 5-0.
The Board of Appeals voted 5-0 to uphold an alteration permit for 2809-2811 Polk Street after neighbors raised concerns about bulk, shadowing and privacy.
Appellants argued the project effectively creates a five-story building from the rear, adds substantial floor area and bedrooms and lacks adequate independent access to usable open space for downstairs habitable rooms. They also raised fire-safety concerns for basement-level sleeping areas.
The permit holder's representatives said the project was reviewed by Planning Department staff and the Residential Design Team, that the third-floor addition is recessed, and that a shadow study shows the project will not cast additional shade on the appellant's building because of geographic orientation and set-backs. Corey Teague for the Planning Department confirmed 311 neighborhood notification and explained that interior basement plans were not included in the mailed notice due to page limits but had been reviewed by staff.
DBI said the site permit and addenda remain under plan review and noted the building will have a full sprinkler system and that means-of-egress and other building-code concerns will be addressed during plan check. After questions and neighborhood testimony, commissioners concluded the record supports the permit as authorized and voted 5-0 to uphold it.
