Board agrees to continue 725 Folsom appeals after DBI asks for technical review

The board of appeals continued two appeals related to 725 Folsom to June 18 after the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) asked for more time to review technical concerns.

DBI Chief Building Inspector Lawrence Kornfield told the board that the appeals raise “specific technical issues” that require equipment review and revised noise studies, including potential noise and vibration from commercial equipment, the appropriate termination location for a Type 1 hood and duct system, and the adequacy of proposed exhaust scrubbing systems. “I am not, at this time, able to assure the board that that is entirely met,” Kornfield said, urging a brief continuance so revised plans and final reports can be reviewed.

Representatives for the two appellant groups said they would not oppose the continuance. Scott Lane, representing a residential compliance committee, asked the board to allow two seven-minute presentations because the HOA and the grassroots committee raise different arguments. Permit holder Chris Pastina said he would work with DBI and had no objection to the continuance.

After discussion about timing and bylaw limits on shortening allotted times, the board set a schedule: permit-holder revised plans and DBI reports are due two Thursdays before the June 18 hearing (due June 5), appellants’ update briefs are due one Thursday before the hearing (due June 12), and each appellant will have seven minutes with a three-minute rebuttal at the continued hearing. President Garcia moved to continue the matters; the motion passed 3–0.

The board also said it would consider, on June 18, whether further time is necessary after DBI reviewers present their findings.