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Board of Appeals roundup: permits upheld or modified; penalty reduced
Summary
At the May 16 meeting the Board of Appeals adopted minutes, rescheduled an appeal to July 25, upheld/modified a permit for 395 Arkansas (upheld with revisions), reduced a DBI penalty for 270 Montana to two times the fee, and upheld a final-inspection renewal for 1858 Green Street (DBI to complete inspections).
The San Francisco Board of Appeals handled a bundle of administrative appeals and procedural items at its May 16, 2012 meeting following the high-profile hearing over a wireless permit.
The board approved the rescheduling of appeal 12-041 (651–655 Geary Street) to July 25, 2012 on the parties’ joint request (vote 5–0). It adopted the April 25 minutes (vote 5–0).
On Item 5 (395 Arkansas / 1566 Nineteenth Street), parties reported a settlement and submitted revised plans. Architect Matt Baron summarized changes — bay window configuration, rear roof height, landscaping and opaque glazing at the property line — and DBI confirmed it could process the revisions. The board voted 5–0 to uphold the permit with the agreed modifications and to accept the revised plans as the basis for the modified permit.
On Item 6 (270 Montana Street), appellant Maria Cartagena asked the board to reduce a DBI penalty assessed for work without a permit, saying work predated her purchase and she could not afford the full penalty. DBI explained the penalty was applied as a 9× multiplier on the value of work but left discretion to the board. The board reduced the penalty to the minimum allowable (2× the regular fee) by unanimous vote 5–0.
On Item 7 (1858 Green Street), counsel for the permit holder and DBI presented documentation that five of six related permits were finalized previously; DBI explained the process for renewing an expired permit and the need for any outstanding special-inspection reports. After discussion the board denied the appeal and upheld the renewal permit, noting DBI will complete any required inspections prior to issuing a final certificate (vote 5–0).
Quote: “If there’s any problems… call DBI and file a complaint,” DBI inspector Joseph Duffy told neighbors concerned about future adherence to revised plans.
Ending: Board staff will place the written findings for the NextG appeal on a future agenda; DBI will process the revised plans and finalize required inspections for the other matters.
