Council presses applicant to shift gate and fence at 401 Golden Gate, continues item

The council engaged in extended questioning of a revocable-license proposal at 401 Golden Gate Ave that would place a gated access and stone steps in the public right of way and screen a new transformer behind a 6-foot gate. Several council members raised concerns that the proposed gate and fence—if put in the revocable-license area—would further entrench a nonconforming fence and risk turning public space into private frontage.

Jeff Dorso, representing the applicant, said the goal was to "improve the facing in the neighborhood" and to place the transformer on private property to screen it from the street. "We feel like the landscaping and the improvement of the street infrastructure benefits the neighborhood," Dorso said. Architect Alpna (Walker Workshop) explained that PG&E requires an 8-foot clearance in front of the transformer for maintenance access; she said it should be possible to adjust the transformer location or grading to meet both PG&E requirements and the council's preference for moving the gate closer to the property line.

Council members asked whether the gate and fence could be jogged back to the property line while keeping steps or landings in the right of way; the applicant and architect said that was feasible with additional grading and adjustments. Several council members recommended the applicant revise the drawings to push the fence back toward the property line (not merely "toward" it) and to provide a clear plan for where stairs and a landing would be placed. The council agreed it would be appropriate for the applicant to return with the revised plan—potentially placed on consent if staff confirms the modifications—rather than approve the current design tonight.