Board overturns zoning administrator, grants rear‑yard variance for 61530 Eighth Avenue

The San Francisco Board of Appeals voted unanimously to overturn the zoning administrator’s denial and grant a rear-yard variance for a proposed two-story addition at 61530 Eighth Avenue.

Planning staff, represented by Tina Tam, had recommended upholding the zoning administrator’s denial on the grounds that the applicant had not demonstrated the extraordinary and exceptional circumstances required for a variance; staff also cited the planning code’s protections for mid‑block open space and said similar lots near street intersections are typically shorter in depth. Tam presented Sanborn maps and explained that plans did not show an adjacent building’s light well.

Appellant Jeff Wu described his family’s long occupancy of the house and said the additional space was needed for children and an incoming father‑in‑law. Project designer Michael Lin and counsel Brett Gladstone argued the alternatives proposed by staff (such as excavating the ground floor) were impractical or costly and that the requested addition would add about 150 square feet of usable space. Counsel provided draft findings for the board to consider if it overturned the zoning administrator.

Commissioners discussed the precise amount of encroachment and the tradeoffs between side setbacks and mid‑block open space. Several commissioners noted the absence of neighborhood opposition and weighed the policy goal of preserving mid‑block open space against the applicant’s hardship. After deliberation a motion was made to overrule the zoning administrator, grant the variance and adopt findings at a later date; the Board voted 5-0 in favor.

The board’s formal findings will be prepared for adoption at a later meeting as required for variances.