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Planning Commission approves merger of two units at 146 Funston Avenue, 5–1
Summary
The commission voted 5–1 to allow the owners to convert a two‑unit 1912 house at 146 Funston into a single family residence, rejecting staff’s suggested conditioned retention of a small second unit; owners said the property is functionally one home and presented neighborhood support.
The San Francisco Planning Commission voted 5–1 to approve a dwelling‑unit merger at 146 Funston Avenue, restoring a 1912 single‑family house that had been converted into two units over time.
Owners Allison Fong and Andrew Nakahata told commissioners they bought the property as an "affordable fixer" and presented documentation that the house has a single water meter, one furnace and a configuration that has not functioned as two independent rental units for decades. "We bought it vacant," Nakahata said, adding the family aims to create a multigenerational home.
Department staff recommended discretionary review with a requirement to preserve two units either by retaining a second unit or by creating a small studio at the back of the ground floor. Commissioners debated the policy balance between preserving rental‑unit diversity and restoring single‑family stock. Commissioner Antonini favored approving the merger without the conditioned second unit, citing the building’s narrow lot and the high cost of creating two fully independent units. After a motion carried 5–1, Commissioner Alexander cast the lone dissenting vote.
The commission’s decision restored the property to single‑family use as the owners requested; staff noted the parcel is within an RH2 zoning and has a heritage rating listed in the department’s survey. The decision was procedural (discretionary review) and does not itself change the zoning code. Members of the public and neighborhood groups had submitted letters of support that were included in the project packet.
Next steps: the approval allows the owners to proceed with design and permit steps consistent with the commission’s action and with any applicable building‑code requirements.
