Board allows Baker Street roof deck with privacy concessions: grill relocated and rails set back

The San Francisco Board of Appeals on March 21 approved a disputed roof‑deck permit for 2754–2756 Baker Street but imposed site‑specific conditions to reduce privacy and light impacts on adjacent neighbors.

Neighbors said the proposed rail at the north light well would block a narrow but valuable sliver of daylight and raised concerns that a grill positioned near the light well could create smoke and odor impacts into bedrooms below. Mark Strasburg, the south‑facing neighbor, asked the board for “a simple teeny solution, which is move it back just a couple of feet.” Designer Kelly Condon told the board that maintenance access — not regular recreational use — drove the placement of a second door and stair and that “we're never gonna go out there unless something's wrong with the roof.”

After examining egress, railing fire‑rating, and code clearance questions raised by DBI, commissioners negotiated a compromise: the applicant will relocate a planned fixed gas grill to the penthouse west wall (or use a moveable Weber style grill), and the north and south railing segments that front the adjacent light wells must be set back up to 1.5 feet, provided the move maintains a minimum 36‑inch egress clearance. DBI staff said the guardrail height requirement is 42 inches and noted a landing and door swing details must be reconciled by the applicant. The motion to uphold the permit with these conditions passed 4–0.

Next step: Permit holder to submit revised details showing relocated grill, revised railing setbacks that preserve egress, and any required landing adjustments to DBI for final approval.