Commission approves revised 3452 Jackson Street addition after privacy and safety negotiation

A narrow, two‑story rear 'notch‑fill' addition at 3452 Jackson Street (case 2006.0687D) was approved by the Planning Commission on Sept. 7 after staff‑brokered revisions and a compromise to address a neighbor's privacy and safety concerns.

The neighbor who filed the discretionary‑review request argued the proposed rear balustrade and an uncovered opening would create a "de facto deck" and raise fire‑safety and privacy issues. His counsel urged the commission to scrutinize the opening and the cumulative impacts of multiple nearby projects. Architect David Teeters and project sponsor Matthew Righetti described design revisions made after neighborhood meetings, noting removal of property‑line windows and a chamfered corner to preserve sightlines.

Teeters said the project team negotiated changes with the adjacent neighbor’s representatives and added a 4‑foot chamfer at the corner to better preserve views. The architect framed the balustrade as a classical design element and noted it improved the rear elevation; opponents viewed it as a potential platform.

To resolve the disagreement, commissioners required the removal of the balustrade and asked that the project use a fire‑rated roof detail that would make an elevated deck infeasible; staff characterized that option as a reasonable mitigation. After a motion that included those conditions, the commission voted to take discretionary review and approve the revised project with conditions; the motion passed by recorded tally.

Staff directed the sponsor to implement the agreed revisions and to document compliance with building and fire code standards as the project proceeds to permit review.