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Board upholds alteration permit at 1980 Golden Gate after tense tenant–owner exchange; permit amended to include soft-story retrofit plans
Summary
The Board of Appeals upheld a building permit for structural repairs at 1980 Golden Gate Ave—required by inspectors for failing retaining walls and electrical hazards—but required the permit be amended to include submitted soft-story retrofit plans and urged tenant outreach on displacement and timing.
The Board of Appeals on Nov. 20 upheld an alteration permit for 1980 Golden Gate Ave but directed the permit be amended to incorporate revised plans that include additional soft-story retrofit work. Tenants and the Tenderloin Housing Clinic had urged revocation or coordination to avoid multiple displacements; the owner and structural engineers said the building posed immediate collapse and fire-risk hazards.
Tenants described surprise and lack of notice that all occupants might need to relocate during the work. "I've lived there since about 1995 ... I was gonna have to move out," said tenant John Tynan, who objected to being given short notice and needing to find replacement housing in a tight market.
The permit holder's structural team presented engineering findings showing failing retaining walls, sunk slabs (as much as 18 inches in places), dry rot and localized collapse risks. "That work does need to be done to repair that," said structural engineer Ron Hamburger; DBI Inspector Joe Duffy confirmed conditions warranting near-term work and estimated construction could be months in duration with displacement phased where possible.
The board adopted the applicant's revised plans dated 11/04/2013 to add a coordinated soft-story retrofit and directed the permit holder to coordinate tenant briefings and relocation logistics; it denied the appeal and upheld the permit 5-0.
