Board continues 17th Avenue permit protest to March 25 for planning re‑review

The Board of Appeals continued to March 25 an appeal of a building permit for 2475 Seventeenth Avenue after neighbors alleged the permit drawings omitted existing interior stairs and rooms that, if present, would affect the permit’s compliance with the rooms‑down matrix.

Appellant Reagan Lee told the board he believed the permit holder’s drawings omitted a rear interior staircase and other ground‑floor elements, and that the changes could permit future conversion of the ground floor into an in‑law unit or multi‑occupancy use. Owner Owen Guan said he purchased the property in November and that some prior, undocumented alterations predated his ownership; he said inspectors had reviewed the site and that his permit was consistent with code.

Planning Department representative Tina Tam told the board the permit had been approved over the counter under the rooms‑down matrix, but that, based on the appellant’s materials, Planning was concerned the drawn layout did not match existing conditions and recommended a closer review. The Board voted unanimously to continue the item to March 25 and directed Planning to re‑examine the ground‑floor configuration and the applicability of the rooms‑down matrix.

President Fung said the re‑review should be focused and expeditious so it did not unduly delay the project sponsor, who said he is carrying mortgage costs while work is paused. The Board emphasized the continuation was to allow Planning time to verify the existing conditions and the appropriateness of the permit.