Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Works topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board continues contested crane-permit appeal at Vallejo Street to March 5, asks DPW and others to appear
Summary
Neighbors and a homeowner appealed a temporary crane permit for work at 455 Vallejo Street, citing blocked driveways, parking impacts and fire-hydrant access; the board continued the matter to March 5 and asked Department of Public Works (BSM) and other departments to explain permit authority under Public Works Code §7.24.
The Board of Appeals continued a contested appeal over a temporary crane permit for 455 Vallejo Street to March 5 and directed staff to request attendance from the Department of Public Works Bureau of Street-Use and Mapping (BSM) and other relevant departments.
Appellant Sandeep Hingarani said the crane would block his driveway, obstruct fire-hydrant access, and reduce parking for tenants; he said earlier placements of a large crane had caused property damage and required buyouts. Hingarani asked the board to deny the permit or relocate the crane. Neighbors described difficulties entering and exiting driveways and expressed safety concerns.
The permit holder (representative of Shidi/Sheeti/Sheedy Crane & Rigging) said permitting typically involves both DPW and Department of Parking and Traffic approvals, argued the placement had been approved by a fire department assistant chief during earlier work, and said moving the crane to Broadway or Montgomery would either be infeasible or create larger public disruptions.
Deputy City Attorney Catherine Barnes and several commissioners noted a potential statutory issue under Public Works Code §7.24, which appears to limit such permits to owners or lessees fronting the portion of sidewalk or street to be blocked. Commissioners also requested clarification on whether other permits had been issued that might supersede the board’s suspension. Given those unresolved legal and operational questions, the board continued the item to March 5 and asked staff to contact BSM and other departments for explanations of standards and practice.
Next steps: The board expects DPW/BSM and, if appropriate, Department of Parking & Traffic and the Fire Department to appear on March 5 to explain permit standards, any emergency or substitute permitting processes, and whether the permit as issued complied with §7.24.
