Meeting Minutes

 

Commission Chambers - Room 400

City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

Thursday, January 25, 2001

1:30 PM

 

Regular Meeting

 

 

 

PRESENT: Baltimore, Chinchilla, Fay, Joe, Salinas, Theoharis

ABSENT: None

 

THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT THEOHARIS AT 1:38 p.m.

 

STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Gerald G. Green - Director of Planning; Larry Badiner - Zoning Administrator; Mary Woods; Kelley LeBlanc; Thomas Wang; Andrea Wong; Tim Woloshyn; Blake Washington; Nora Priego - Transcription Secretary; Andrea Green – Acting Commission Secretary

 

A. ITEMS PROPOSED FOR CONTINUANCE

 

1a. 2000.552X (LIGHT: 558:6254)

199 NEW MONTGOMERY STREET - East side between and with secondary frontages on Natoma and Howard Streets, Lot 21, in Assessor’s Block 3722 -- Request under Planning Code Section 309 (Downtown Code) for Determinations of Compliance and Exceptions, including an exception to the Separation of Towers requirement (Section 132.1(c)) and an exception to the Reduction of Ground Level Wind Current requirement (Section 148 (a)). The proposal is for the construction of a 15-story, 150-foot tall building that would contain approximately 48,520 gross square feet of office use, 100 dwelling units, 4,800 square feet of retail use, and 70 underground parking spaces to be located on the site of an existing commercial surface parking lot. The proposed project lies within a C-3-O (SD) (Downtown, Office) District and within a 150-S Height and Bulk District.

(Proposed for Continuance to February 15, 2001)

 

SPEAKER (S): None

ACTION: Continued to February 8, 2001

AYES: Baltimore, Fay, Joe, Salinas, Theoharis

ABSENT: Chinchilla

 

1b. 2000.552B (LIGHT: 558:6254)

199 NEW MONTGOMERY STREET - East side between and with secondary frontages on Natoma and Howard Streets, Lot 21, in Assessor’s Block 3722 -- Request under Planning Code Sections 320-325 (Office Development Limitation Program) for a 15-story, 150-foot tall building with up to 48,520 gross square feet of office space, approximately 100 dwelling units, 4,800 square feet of retail space, and 70 parking spaces, to be located on the site of an existing commercial surface parking lot. Pursuant to Planning Code Section 313, the Department has determined that the project would result in the net addition of approximately 48,520 square feet of gross floor area office use, requiring compliance with the Office of Affordable Housing Production Program. The proposed project lies within a C-3-O(SD) (Downtown, Office) District and within a 150-S Height and Bulk District.

(Proposed for Continuance to February 15, 2001)

 

SPEAKER (S): None

ACTION: Continued to February 8, 2001

AYES: Baltimore, Fay, Joe, Salinas, Theoharis

ABSENT: Chinchilla

 

1c. 2000.552C (LIGHT: 558:6254)

199 NEW MONTGOMERY STREET - East side between and with secondary frontages on Natoma and Howard Streets, Lot 21, in Assessor’s Block 3722 -- Request for a Conditional-Use authorization to allow non-accessory parking. The proposal is for the construction of a 15-story, 150-foot tall building that would contain approximately 48,520 gross square feet of office use, 100 dwelling units, 4,800 square feet of retail use, and 70 underground parking spaces, to be located on the site of an existing commercial surface parking lot. The proposed project lies within a C-3-O(SD) (Downtown, Office) District and within a 150-S Height and Bulk District.

(Proposed for Continuance to February 15, 2001)

 

SPEAKER (S): None

ACTION: Continued to February 8, 2001

AYES: Baltimore, Fay, Joe, Salinas, Theoharis

ABSENT: Chinchilla

 

1d. 2000.552V (LIGHT: 558:6254)

199 NEW MONTGOMERY STREET - East side between and with secondary frontages on Natoma and Howard Streets, Lot 21, in Assessor’s Block 3722 -- Request under Planning Code Section 140 for a Variance for dwelling unit exposure. The proposal is for the construction of a 15-story, 150-foot tall building that would contain approximately 48,520 gross square feet of office use, 100 dwelling units, 4,800 square feet of retail use, and 70 underground parking spaces, to be located on the site of an existing commercial surface parking lot. The proposed project lies within a C-3-O (SD) (Downtown, Office) District and within a 150-S Height and Bulk District.

(Proposed for Continuance to February 15, 2001)

 

SPEAKER (S): None

ACTION: Continued to February 8, 2001

AYES: Baltimore, Fay, Joe, Salinas, Theoharis

ABSENT: Chinchilla

 

2a. 2000.863BV (WONG: 558-6381)

2712 MISSION STREET - The subject property seeks an authorization for a proposed office development under the smaller building reserve, pursuant to Planning Code Section 321. The proposal is for a change of use from "Retail" to "Office" and for the renovation and expansion of an existing 27,831 gross-square-foot building into a 30,847 gross-square-foot building by enlarging a mezzanine within the existing structure. The subject property falls within a NC-3 (Moderate-Scale Commercial District) Zoning District and a 50-X/80-B Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Pending

(Continued from Regular Meeting of December 12, 2000)

(Proposed for Continuance to February 15, 2001)

 

SPEAKER (S): None

ACTION: Continued to February 15, 2001

AYES: Baltimore, Fay, Joe, Salinas, Theoharis

ABSENT: Chinchilla

 

2b. 2000.863BV (WONG: 558-6381)

2712 MISSION STREET - The subject property seeks a parking variance for the reduction of required off-street parking, pursuant to Planning Code Section 151. The project proposes to provide five parking spaces for the conversion of 30,847 gross square feet of office space on a site, which presently provides no off-street parking spaces. The subject property falls within a NC-3 (Moderate-Scale Commercial District) Zoning District and a 50-X/80-B Height and Bulk District.

(Continued from Regular Meeting of December 12, 2000)

(Proposed for Continuance to February 15, 2001)

 

SPEAKER (S): None

ACTION: Continued to February 15, 2001

AYES: Baltimore, Fay, Joe, Salinas, Theoharis

ABESENT: Chinchilla

 

3. 2000.964DDDD (MEHRA: 558-6257)

250 SEA CLIFF AVENUE, north side, west of 27th Avenue; Lot 1M in Assessor's Block 1307. Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 200006213244 proposing to construct a one‑story addition -- 391 square feet in size -- on the second floor on an existing deck adjacent to the master bedroom, above the garage on the east side of the property. The addition will accommodate an exercise room and a dressing room and will not encroach into the required rear or side yards. The property is in an RH‑1 (D) (Residential, House, Single‑Family, Detached) District and a 40‑X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Pending

(Proposed for Continuance to February 15, 2001)

 

SPEAKER (S): None

ACTION: Continued to February 15, 2001

AYES: Baltimore, Fay, Joe, Salinas, Theoharis

ABSENT: Chinchilla

 

4. 2000.1148C (BRESSANUTTI: 575-6892)

700-740 LE CONTE AVENUE AND 845 MEADE AVENUE - at Jennings Street, Lots 115 and 116 in Assessor’s Block 4991. Consideration of the possible revocation or modification of, or placement of additional conditions on, a prior conditional-use authorization (Case No. 86.229C for a planned unit development for up to 45 dwelling units), per Planning Code Section 303(f). As a condition of the original approval, Lots 133 and 134 were to be donated to the Recreation and Park Department and improved for use as a playground. There have been unresolved complaints from the Recreation and Park Department and the Office of the City Attorney that the owner of these two lots will not transfer title to the parcels to the Recreation and Park Department. The property is in a RH-1 (Residential, House, One-Family) District and an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) District, and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Pending

(Proposed for Indefinite Continuance)

 

 

SPEAKER (S): None

ACTION: Approved for Indefinite Continuance

AYES: Baltimore, Fay, Joe, Salinas, Theoharis

ABSENT: Chinchilla

 

B. COMMISSIONERS' QUESTIONS AND MATTERS

 

5. Election of Officers

NOMINATIONS FOR PRESIDENT: Anita Theoharis

ACTION: Approved

AYES: Baltimore, Chinchilla, Fay, Joe, Salinas

 

NOMINATIONS FOR VICE PRESIDENT: William W. Fay

ACTION: Approved

AYES: Baltimore, Chinchilla, Joe, Salinas, Theoharis

 

6. Commission Matters

Commissioner Theoharis:

- Thanked Andrea Green for her work while she was Acting Commission Secretary.

- The Cow Hollow Neighborhood is trying to institute their own neighborhood guidelines. She would like the department to assist these neighborhoods and interact with neighborhood associations.

 

C. DIRECTOR'S REPORT

 

7. Report on scheduling of Discretionary Review Hearings for dwelling unit removal applications.

- There are 16 dwelling unit merger cases in the Planning Department.

- He doesn't suggest that the Commission have a special hearing.

- Some of the cases are not ready to be heard at the Commission.

- As soon as they are ready they will be brought before the Commission.

 

8. (ALUMBAUGH: 558-6601)

Quarterly update on the Better Neighborhoods program, per the Commission's request.

 

SPEAKER (S): None

ACTION: None

(ALUMBAUGH: 558-6601)

9. Program and schedule for community planning and implement efforts for urban design improvements in the neighborhoods along the Third Street Rail corridor.

 

SPEAKER (S):

Fran Martin - Visitation Valley Neighborhood Alliance

- In February of 1999, Home Depot announced that it would build a mega store in Visitation Valley. The neighborhood decided to create it's own planning department to deal with how this would threat the community.

- The opening of this mega store would affect the neighborhood by creating more traffic and more pollution, the affect on the Third Street Cal Train station as well as the total degradation of the Valley.

- The Third Street Cal Train station would be very important to the neighborhood.

- A survey was conducted and various suggestions were made that were of importance to the neighborhood. For example: a town center, housing, daycare, an ESL extension for City College, neighborhood-serving stores, etc.

- She would like to have the Neighborhoods 2002 plan be started.

Linda McKay

- She lives in Little Hollywood, which is an area that is part of Visitation Valley.

- Visitation Valley is a gateway for tourists to come into San Francisco from the Airport.

- This area is a border between two cities: Brisbane and San Francisco.

- The area has spent 2 years organizing the community.

- These are the reasons why this neighborhood should be included in the Better Neighborhoods 2002.

 

ACTION: None

 

10. Director's Announcements

None

 

11. Review of Past Week's Events at the Board of Supervisors and Board of Appeals

BOA

None

 

BOS

None

 

D. REGULAR CALENDAR

 

12. 1999.217C (WOODS: 558-6315)

2222 BROADWAY - north side, between Webster and Fillmore Streets, with additional frontage on Vallejo Street, Lots 1, 23 and 24 in Assessor's Block 564. Request for Conditional-Use Authorization under Sections 209.3(g), 209.3(h), 303 and 304 of the Planning Code to permit a Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the expansion of the Schools of the Sacred Heart. The site consists of two private elementary schools and one private secondary school. The proposal is to demolish and remove the outdoor play yard and the two-story wood-framed classroom building on the southwest corner of Vallejo and Webster Streets, behind the existing Grant Building, and to construct a new four-story over basement approximately 39,000-gross-square-foot Fine Arts and Science building serving the existing elementary and secondary schools. The proposal would require modification of rear yard requirements, pursuant to Sections 134 and 304 of the Planning Code, in an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with conditions

(Continued from Regular Hearing of December 7, 2000)

 

SPEAKER (S):

(+) Don Clay - Chairman of the Board of Trustees

- The school has been located in the city for many, many years.

- There are 150 children from various denominations who attend the school.

- There are 3 schools on the site and all of these schools have separate administrations.

- This project is for a fine arts and science school which would be a state-of-the-art facility.

- This project has been in development for about 2 years.

- There have been various meetings with faculty, students, and neighbors.

- The architect has managed to keep the design of the school to keep the integrity of the neighborhood.

- He realizes that there are issues regarding events.

- All the buildings of the school require maintenance and cleaning, which are funded by the events the school has.

- The 48 events requested are essential for funding the schools.

(+) (did not state name) SMWM - Project Architect

- Displayed a picture of how the new facility will look like.

- Her firm has designed may schools in the City.

- This new addition will not make the school any bigger but at least it would solve some of the problems the school currently has.

- Over half of the school is being built underground.

- The design of the new addition will add to the look of the neighborhood.

(+/-) Karen Catz - Property Manager of 2288 Broadway

- There is no objection to the school becoming a school.

- Their only objection is for the school to become an event center.

- They agree with the compromise of 48 events per year.

- The noise of these events should be kept to a minimum.

- There were more speakers who were scheduled to come but because of the cooperation of the school many people decided to stay home.

(+/-) Brian Ramsey

- He lives across the street from the school

- He agrees that this school is a wonderful school.

- The party situation is very extreme.

- Because of the situation of the school, noises from the school carry far.

- Cutting back to 48 events is acceptable as well as the other conditions.

- He would like to make sure that the cleanup is done at an appropriate time.

- In the morning at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday loud noises are just not acceptable.

(+) Claudia Sagastume

- She is a Sophmore at the school.

- She is very proud to attend this school.

- She has been dancing since she has been 5 years old and would like to have an arts facility be constructed at the school.

- She would like the Commission to approve the project.

(+) Maria Sullivan

- She is a senior at the school.

- She has attended Sacred Heart since pre-school.

- The new arts facility would be a great asset in education for the students.

- The school has created various foundations to provide assistance to students.

(+) Julia Jara

- She is in the 7th grade.

- She represents the middle school of the Sacred Heart.

- It can be difficult for students to have to share classrooms and supplies. This new building will provide great opportunities for students.

- The students will be able to enjoy various artistic studies.

(+) Daniela Sabalvaro

- She is in the 4th grade.

- In the new facility, the students will be able to enjoy more space than there currently is.

- Several of the students are already interested in various arts and science classes.

(+) Fred Parkin

- They have lived across the street from the school.

- The school has been a good neighbor.

- The school has always been available to listen to the concerns of the neighbors.

- He is in favor of the school to expand their facilities.

(+) Claire Pesiri

- She has two children attending the school.

- This is a wonderful project for the school and the students.

- As a neighbor, the parties at the school have always been well maintained.

- The parking is an issue but this is San Francisco!

- She realizes that it is costly to maintain these beautiful buildings.

(+) Gary Gee

- The children attending kindergarten are the real heirs of the school.

- It is important for the students and the parents for this facility to be approved.

- The school has worked very hard in the negotiations with the neighbors.

- He would like to have more events scheduled but he is comfortable with the compromise.

(+) Molly Nelson

- She and her husband live across the street from the school. Although they don't have any children, they still participate in the school by attending the events.

- The meetings with the architect have always been geared towards the needs of the neighbors.

- She feels that the events issue has been tied to the construction issue.

(+) Donna Morgan

- She has been a neighbor and a homeowner across the street for 25 years.

- The school has always been a wonderful school.

- She works for the school for about 2 years.

- She has never had any complaints regarding the school and/or events at the school.

(+) Alan Harkomen

- He is in the 5th grade.

- When the new building is done, he will be able to use.

- He looks forward to having a nice science building.

(+) Darren Criss

- Read a statement from another student who is in support of the new facility.

- Daryn is student body president.

- The loves the school he attends and knows that when he goes to high school the transition will not be a difficult one.

(+) Rev. Arnold Townsend

- At his church he is the pastor.

- They have attended many events at the school.

- They developed a program where the kids from his school would be able to come to Sacred Heart School and enjoy of their facilities.

(+) Rev. Henry Davis

- They minister to various communities.

- They are grateful to God for the Sacred Heart School to open their doors to them and their students.

- This gives many kids a great opportunity.

(+) Erin Niehaus

- She lives across the street from the school.

- She has never had any problems with the noise of these events.

- There was only one instance where she had a problem with the school but the school was more than accommodating to her and her husband and was even apologetic.

- Every year she attends events at the school.

(+) Edward Zelinsky

- He lives on Broadway.

- His daughter attends Sacred Heart School.

- The Fine Arts and Science building will be a great asset to the current students and for generations to come.

(+) Diana Ward

- She lives 3 blocks away from the school.

- She only wishes that other of the neighbors were supportive of the school.

(+) Alex Saborit

- He is a resident of the school.

- He would like for the Commission to approve this project.

(+) Nicholas De Lancie

- His daughter attends the school.

- The facility will be highly beneficial for the curriculum of the school.

- The project has been design to take into consideration the needs of the school and the look of the neighborhood.

- Although the school has graciously restrained its events, it's not good to restrict someone to do what they want in their property.

(+) Marion McGovern

- She has 3 children who attend the school.

- She realizes that when there are events at the school, there is much more parking problems.

- There are parking issues already in the neighborhood.

- It doesn't seem fair to associate the events with the construction of the new facility.

(-) William Smith

- He lives on Pacific Street.

- His bedroom looks into the school.

- The school is a fine school the only problem he has is the noise from these events. It seems as if in the past years, the noise has become worse.

- Many times he has had to complain to the school. Although the school has tried to be very accommodating, there was one event that just got out of hand and no one was able to solve the problem.

(+) Jim Forbes

- He believes that 48 parties are going to be very expensive for the school in regards to maintenance.

- Forty-eight events are too little. He recommends at least 60.

(-) Judith Taylor

- She feels like the grinch for being here to speak against the project.

- She has nothing against the school. She feels that some monitoring should be established on these events.

 

ACTION: Approved
AYES: Baltimore, Chinchilla, Fay, Joe, Salinas, Theoharis
MOTION: 16082

 

13. 2000.967C (LEBLANC: 558-6351)

1717 POWELL STREET - west side between Columbus Avenue and Union Street; Lot 005 in Assessor’s Block 0101 -- Request for Conditional-Use Authorization for: (1) a business or professional service use on the ground floor, (2) a small self-service restaurant on the ground floor, and (3) a non-residential use 2,000 square feet or larger (but not more than 4,000 square feet) in the North Beach Neighborhood Commercial District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. The proposal is to convert the ground floor retail space in an existing three-story over basement building to a combination business/professional service, box office/retail and cafe space associated with the Muriel’s Theater project which is under construction next door at 1731-1741 Powell Street.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with conditions

 

Item taken out of order

SPEAKER (S):

(+) Joel Yodowitz

- He doesn't have any comments, only that the project sponsor is here to answer any questions.

(+) Name unclear

- He is a business owner in the neighborhood.

- He would like to know if the food will be prepared onsite?

 

ACTION: Approved as amended

AYES: Baltimore, Chinchilla, Fay, Joe, Theoharis

NAYES: Salinas

MOTION: 16081

 

E. SPECIAL DISCRETIONARY REVIEW HEARING

 

At the conclusion of the Regular Calendar, the Planning Commission will convene into a Special Discretionary Review (DR) Hearing to hear and act on Discretionary Review matters. Procedures governing Special DR Hearings are as follows: DR Requestor(s) are provided with up to five (5) minutes for a presentation and those in support of the DR Requestor(s) are provided with up to three (3) minutes each. The Project Sponsor is then provided with up to five (5) minutes for a presentation and those in support of the project are provided with up to three (3) minutes each. At the conclusion, each side (not each person) is provided with two (2) minutes for a rebuttal.

 

14. 2000.1016D (GORDON: 558-6309)

1775 QUESADA STREET - Building Permit Application No. 200012087607, Case No. 2000.354D, for the property at 1775 Quesada Avenue, south west side of the street between 3rd and Newhall Streets, Lot No. 034 in Assessor’s Block 5338. Request for Discretionary Review to revise Building Permit Application No. 9718416, for construction of two new dwelling units on two floors with a mezzanine level on a vacant lot. The proposed revisions would allow an increase in the overall height of the structure by 1.85 feet (from 27.65 feet), an increase in height at the front facade by 1.5 feet (from 27.5 feet to 29 feet), and an increase in the maximum roof elevation of the building by .85 (from 35.65 feet to 37.5 feet). The work proposed under Building Application No. 9718416 has been permitted by both the Planning Department and Department of Building Inspection, but not yet built. The project site is within a RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Take Discretionary Review; meet requirements of Building Permit Application No. 9718416.

 

SPEAKER (S): None

ACTION: Continued to February 8, 2001

AYES: Baltimore, Fay, Joe, Salinas, Theoharis

ABSENT: Chinchilla

 

15. 1999.998D (WANG: 558-6335)

583-587 CORBETT AVENUE - east side between Iron Alley and Glendale Street, Lots 110 and 111 in Assessor's Block 2717, proposing to construct a two-story-over-garage and basement single-family dwelling on each of the two vacant lots in an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the project as submitted.

(Continued from Regular Hearing of December 7, 2000)

 

SPEAKER (S):

(-) Ed Corvi

- He lives next to the proposed construction.

- There are special circumstances related to Corbett Avenue.

- Displayed a map of the blocks and lots.

- With the construction of the new homes, it would shut out everyone on the street and everyone on Greystone Avenue.

(-) William Rose

- Most of the houses are 1 story above the street.

- He has always known that he couldn't build up because it would take away the view of the neighbors.

- The new houses would block his view and impede sunlight in the morning.

- The houses will be out-of-character to the neighborhood.

(+) Jeremy Paul - representing project sponsor

- This is a project he has worked on a few years ago.

- He helped the owner get a variance to allow him to split the lot.

- The project sponsor owns a restaurant in the Haight-Ashbury area

- He and his family would like to live in these two homes.

- The area is a high-density neighborhood.

- There is a lot of building mass in the area.

- Other adjustments were made to make the homes neighborhood friendly.

(+) Mr. Michael Zhao

- He and his family have been working very hard for many years and hoping to build a home like the one that is being proposed today.

 

ACTION: Do not take DR, project approved as submitted.

AYES: Baltimore, Chinchilla, Fay, Joe, Salinas, Theoharis

 

16. 2000.1049DDD (WONG: 558-6381)

85 SYCAMORE STREET - Lot 045 in Assessor’s Block 3576, on Building Permit Application No. 2000.06.20.2307S. Request for a Discretionary Review for the construction of a new three-unit building in a RH-3 zoning and 50-X height/bulk-zoning district. The proposal is to remove the two existing, one-story structures (one two-unit building and one one-unit building) and to construct a new three-unit building with three legally independent parking spaces, accessed from Sycamore Street in a RH-3 zoning and 50-X height/bulk-zoning district.

Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve project as modified by applicant.

(Continued from Regular Hearing of January 18, 2001)

 

SPEAKER (S):

(-) Rob Weedn

- Would like to ask for a continuance of this project because not everyone in the neighborhood was aware of the changes to the plans.

- This building is out of character to the neighborhood.

- The neighborhood rental stock will be lowered and rents will be raised throughout the neighborhood.

- Sunlight will be block to various homes.

- There are various signatures on a petition from neighbors who agree on taking Discretionary Review.

- The neighborhood character will be changed.

- The second design is an improvement but the structure is still too large.

- He recommends a 3-story building and no condominium option.

(-) Christina Bar

- She has been a resident of the Mission District for more than 4 years.

- Although technology has improved the Bay Area, one should not forget about people who need to live in communities.

- Although the current building has no tenants and no one will be displaced, the new building will be too large. This will set a precedent for larger buildings and will create higher rents in the area.

(-) Linda (last name unclear)

- She was born in the neighborhood and has lived there all her life.

- The sunlight is the best thing in her building.

- She has had many operations to her back and hip and needs the sun because when it gets cold she has a lot of pain.

- She is very concerned about the height of the proposed building.

- She is very reasonable and some of the changes made to the previous design are good but she would still like the building to be modified to be lower.

(-) Ray Mascarenas

- He is one of the DR requestors.

- He owns a building on Sycamore since 1968.

- He has lived on this block as a tenant as well as a landlord.

- The proposed structure will be out of character to the neighborhood.

- He would like to preserve the cultural diversity of the neighborhood not have the building provide condominiums.

- The small businesses will suffer if the character of the neighborhood is changed.

- He would like the Commission to approve Discretionary Review and modify the design of the building.

(+) Jerry Agusta

- He is the project sponsor. His company, Buena Vista Builders is located in the Mission, about a block a way from the proposed site.

- He considers himself a good neighbor and a good builder.

- There have been many meetings with the neighbors and there have been revisions done to the design of the building.

- He bought the property and drug dealers immediately used it and a crack house was established.

- He called the police many times.

- The building really should be demolished and a new one constructed.

- Many buildings in the neighborhood are 3 stories over garage.

- The neighborhood is congested; therefore, he has allowed for up to 5 parking spaces in the building.

- He has filed a Notice of Special Restrictions on the deed.

- He has been very considerate to the neighborhood and asks for the project to be approved and not take Discretionary Review.

(+) Jonathan Pearlman – Project Architect

- He displayed drawings and designs of the proposed structure.

 

ACTION: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve project as modified.

AYES: Baltimore, Chinchilla, Fay, Salinas, Theoharis

ABSENT: Joe

 

Item called out of order.

 

17. 2000.1242D (WOLOSHYN: 558-6612)

2101 SCOTT STREET, northwest corner of Scott and Sacramento Streets; Lot 56 in Assessor’s Block 1003. Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2000.0925.1458S proposing to convert an existing Laundromat into expanded office space for a design business which currently occupies space elsewhere in the building. The project includes interior improvements, minor facade improvements and the addition of a basement. The subject property is within an RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Take Discretionary Review and approve project as modified by applicant and subject to conditions to be recorded in a Notice of Special Restrictions.

 

SPEAKER (S):

(-) Sidney Luscutoff, Esq.

- The project sponsor would like to request that the Commission vote to take Discretionary Review.

- The neighbors and the DR requestor do not want to have the Laundromat converted to office use.

- Any use of that space should be used for any type of business that supports the neighborhood.

- Certain conditions of the Planning Code have not been met.

- Please observe the needs of the neighbors.

(-) Cora Wang

- Her property side yard is connected to the proposed site.

- She has complained many times about disruptions in the back yard of 2101 Scott Street, which is connected, to her property.

- In the last 2 days, she has talked to many neighbors and has gathered signatures from these neighbors.

- She would like to have the Laundromat replaced with a neighborhood-serving business.

(-) Ian Berk – Pacific Heights Residents Association

- He is very concerned about the commercial use at residential neighborhoods.

- He lives in the neighborhood.

- They like the owner. The owner has a low-impact business.

- The neighbors oppose of this change.

- There should be restrictions to the hours of operation.

(-) Linda Colder- Upper Divisadero Improvement Group

- She does not support any more business intensification in her neighborhood.

- If this project is approved, they don't want to have any problems with parking.

(-) Jerry Klein

- He would like to speak on the parking issue.

- The parking spaces should not be removed.

- There was a unit, which had a parking space, but it was removed.

- The parking garage was never legally converted to office space.

(+) Brett Gladstone – Representing Project Sponsor

- He presented a permit to legalize the garage into office, which is Exhibit B in the brief.

- There are Notice of Special Restriction issues, which have been agreed to.

- The intensity of the use is being reduced since the Laundromat is used 7 days a week, the office is open 5 days; the laundry is 16 hours a day, the business is 9 hours a day; the Laundromat is used until after midnight on weekends, the office is not open on weekends; finally, there are only 7 employees who will be working in this office space.

(+) Tracy Teraoka Patel – Residential Care for People with AIDS

- There was a neighbor in support but had to leave earlier but wrote a letter which she submitted for the record.

- She is currently a Board member of My Tree.

- Her organization has been around for 13 years.

- She would like the Commission to approve this project.

(+) Mark Sacket

- His wife and he own the building where this project is proposed.

- He lives in the apartment upstairs.

- The Laundromat owner hasn't been good about maintaining it.

- There are neighbors who support this project.

- He is concerned about traffic as well and believes that this project will not intensify the neighborhood.

- He has lived in this building for 13 years and has no intension of moving.

ACTION: Take Discretionary Review and approve project as modified by applicant and subject to conditions to be recorded in a Notice of Special Restrictions.

AYES: Baltimore, Chinchilla, Fay, Joe, Salinas, Theoharis

 

18. 2000.1095DDD (TAM: 558-6325)

2424 CASTRO STREET - west side between Day and 30th Streets; Lot 14 in Assessor’s Block 7537. Request for a Discretionary Review to construct a second-story addition over the existing one-story-over-garage, single-family dwelling in an RH-1 (Residential, House, One-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Take Discretionary Review and approve the project with revisions.

 

SPEAKER (S): None

ACTION: Continued to March 8, 2001

AYES: Baltimore, Fay, Joe, Salinas, Theoharis

ABSENT: Chinchilla

 

19. 2000.1064D (B. WASHINGTON: 558-6263)

3720 21^ST STREET - Lot 016 in Assessor’s Block 3604. Request for Discretionary Review of BPA 2000/08/10/7546s to construct a one-story vertical addition to an existing single-family, two-story dwelling unit in an RH-1 (Residential, House, One-Family) District; and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the building permit application as submitted.

 

SPEAKER (S):

(-) Kevin Burk

- He lives across the street from the proposed project.

- He did not get notification of the permits and plans to renovate.

- The setback was not measured correctly.

- He met with the project sponsor and was able to agree on a few changes.

- The project sponsor asked him to withdraw the DR.

(-) Amy Powell - President of the Dolores Improvement Club

- She would like for the Commission to vote on taking Discretionary Review.

- She has received a number of inconsistent and incomplete information.

- She met with Mr. Kim last week so he could explain the design. She has been in shock to see how inconsistent the information is.

(-) Hans Colby

- He lives across the street from the proposed house.

- He will loose the character of the house he lives in if the project is approved.

- He was surprised to learn that the measurements on the design are wrong.

- Various calculations are wrong.

(+) (did not state name)

- He and his wife bought the house in 1980. They have lived there for 12 to 13 years.

- The house was originally built as a one-story house with a basement.

- The basement has low ceilings. The house is really not that large.

- He owns the shortest house on the block.

- He has always instructed the architect to be totally code compliant.

- Even after the renovation, the house will still be smaller than the other homes on the block.

- He has worked long and hard to meet with the neighbors -- about 25.

- He offered to pay for a skylight in the DR requestor's bathroom.

- He also offered to pay for trees that would block his view into the DR requestor's yard.

 

ACTION: Do not take DR and approve project as approved by staff.

AYES: Baltimore, Chinchilla, Fay, Joe, Salinas, Theoharis

 

F. PUBLIC COMMENT

 

At this time, members of the public may address the Commission on items of interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission except agenda items. With respect to agenda items, your opportunity to address the Commission will be afforded when the item is reached in the meeting with one exception. When the agenda item has already been reviewed in a public hearing at which members of the public were allowed to testify and the Commission has closed the public hearing, your opportunity to address the Commission must be exercised during the Public Comment portion of the Calendar. Each member of the public may address the Commission for up to three minutes.

 

The Brown Act forbids a Commission from taking action or discussing any item not appearing on the posted agenda, including those items raised at public comment. In response to public comment, the Commission is limited to:

 

(1) responding to statements made or questions posed by members of the public; or

(2) requesting staff to report back on a matter at a subsequent meeting; or

(3) directing staff to place the item on a future agenda. (Government Code Section 54954.2(a))

 

Jonathan Pearlman

Re: Bay Windows

- He is an architect in this City and runs into problems with the Planning Code regarding Bay Windows since people complain that they are very large.

- There is no interpretation from planners regarding the Planning Code and Bay Windows – this has become a problem to designers in San Francisco.

 

Adjournment: 7:00 p.m.

 

THE DRAFT MINUTES ARE PROPOSED FOR ADOPTION AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2001.