Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Neighbors and open-space advocates challenge rear-yard variance for 1321 Dehara; board orders additional plans and continues to Nov. 3
Summary
Community groups including Potrero Boosters and Star King Open Space opposed a rear-yard variance for 1321 Dehara Street, saying the proposal would encroach on private open space, increase shadows and violate prior findings. The applicant and planning staff said the site’s steep topography and lack of vehicular access create exceptional circumstances. The board continued the appeals to Nov. 3 to allow submission of the planning materials underlying the variance decision.
The Board of Appeals heard consolidated appeals on Oct. 6 challenging a zoning administrator decision granting a rear-yard variance for 1321 Dehara Street, a steep, landlocked lot overlooking Star King Open Space. Opponents — neighborhood boosters, open-space stewards and adjacent residents— warned the proposed three-unit building would be visually dominant, increase shadowing on the open space and run counter to prior decisions on the lot.
Christopher Cole, representing Potrero Boosters, and Steve Williams, representing Star King Open Space, both pointed to a prior variance decision from a 1989–1993 proceeding and argued the earlier denial and subsequent findings should weigh heavily in the board’s review. "Precedent is important," Cole…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
