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After tense neighborhood hearings, Board of Appeals conditions approval of Twelfth Avenue extension and sends revised plans for findings
Summary
Christopher Olin’s application to extend the rear of his home at 662 Twelfth Avenue prompted heated testimony from neighbors about process and cumulative mid‑block impacts. After extended debate, the Board overruled the Planning Commission with conditions, asked for revised plans and findings, and scheduled the final vote after the sponsor submits modifications.
A long and contentious appeal over a proposed rear extension at 662 Twelfth Avenue ended with the Board of Appeals instructing the project sponsor to deliver revised plans and findings after the board indicated it would overturn the Planning Commission’s disapproval only if specific conditions were met.
Project sponsor Christopher Olin and his counsel argued the application had been reduced and redesigned to minimize above‑grade intrusion, move much of the expansion underground, and address light‑and‑air concerns. Neighbors and section‑14 parties said the sponsor repeatedly changed proposals, submitted late material and asked them to respond at the appeals stage rather than during planning. One neighbor summarized: “He lied to us,” an accusation the sponsor disputed strongly.
Planning staff and the zoning administrator explained the planning commission had disapproved after concluding the proposal risked an exceptional intrusion into a well‑defined mid‑block open space and because of the procedural record. Commissioners on the board discussed whether the newest reduced plan (referred to in testimony as a third or fourth version) should be allowed at appeals level or remanded for additional neighborhood review.
In a compromise the board allowed a modified version of the sponsor’s reduced plan to proceed with specific conditions — including additional side setbacks from the south property line, reconstruction of a shared porch for a neighbor, and a schedule for revised plans and findings to be filed within two weeks. The board said it would adopt final findings after reviewing the revised drawings and ensuring affected neighbors and section‑14 parties receive the documents.
What happens next: The project sponsor must submit revised plans and a draft findings report by the date set by the clerk; staff and affected neighbors will have an opportunity to review the papers before the board adopts findings and a final order.
