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BOARD OF APPEALS

CITY & COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

AGENDA FOR REGULAR MEETING - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2005

5:00 P.M., CITY HALL, ROOM 416, ONE DR. CARLTON B. GOODLETT PLACE

 

(1)     ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

 

(2)         PUBLIC COMMENT

At this time, members of the public may address the Board on items of interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board except agenda items.  With respect to agenda items, your opportunity to address the Board 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 Board has closed the public hearing, your opportunity to address the Board must be exercised during the Public Comment portion of the calendar.   Each member of the public may address the Board for up to three minutes.   If it is demonstrated that comments by the public will exceed 15 minutes, the President may continue Public Comment to another time during the meeting.

 

(3)     COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS & QUESTIONS:

 

(4)   INCOMPATIBLE ACTIVITES STATEMENT

Public hearing, discussion and adoption of the Board of Appeals’ Incompatible Activities Statement as required by the San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code § 3.218.  Copies are available at the Board office.  Please address comments to Executive Secretary Robert Feldman, Board of Appeals, 1660 Mission Street #3036, SF, CA 94103.  Telephone (415) 575-6880, fax (415) 575-6885, or email at robert.feldman@sfgov.org.

 

(5)   ADDENDUM ITEMS None.

 

(6)  APPEAL NO. V04-135

STEPHAN SMITH & ALEX AGBAY, Appellant(s)

                        vs.

 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR, Respondent

 

 

23 Eureka Street.

Protesting the granting on September 24, 2004, to Holger Menendez (Subject Property Owners Nancy & Patrick Hamill), Rear Yard Variance (proposal is to raise by 5’-6” the rear building that encroaches into the required rear yard to create habitable area at the ground floor).

VARIANCE CASE NO. 2004.0070V.

FOR HEARING TODAY.

 

(7)  APPEAL NO. 04-162

PATTY LOO, Appellant(s)

                        vs.

DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS

BUREAU OF URBAN FORESTRY, Respondent

19 Loyola Terrace. 

Appealing the conditions placed on a Permit to Remove and Replace One (1) Tree. 

ORDER NO. 174,999.

FOR HEARING TODAY.

 

ITEMS (8A) & (8B) SHALL BE HEARD TOGETHER:

(8A)  APPEAL NO. 04-147

ESTHER LAU, Appellant(s)

                        vs.

DEPT. OF BUILDING INSPECTION, Respondent

 

 

454 – 17th Avenue.

Protesting the issuance on October 1, 2004, to Curt Sigfstead & Lara Witter, Permit to Alter a Building (on single-family house: master bath addition; bathroom renovation on 3rd floor to comply with NOV No. 200453961).

APPLICATION NO. 2004/10/01/5795.

FOR HEARING TODAY.

(8B)  APPEAL NO. 04-174

ESTHER LAU, Appellant(s)

                        vs.

DEPT. OF BUILDING INSPECTION, Respondent

 

 

454 – 17th Avenue.

Protesting the issuance on November 12, 2004, to Curt Sigfstead & Lara Witter, Permit to Alter a Building (on single-family house: dry rot framing and siding repair, refer to Building Permit Application No. 2004/10/01/5795 and NOV No. 200455119).

APPLICATION NO. 2004/11/12/9044.

FOR HEARING TODAY.

 

(9)   APPEAL NO. 03-154

ULYSSES NAPURI

dba “LAST STOP SOUVENIR”, Appellant(s)

                        vs.

DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS

BUREAU OF STREET USE & MAPPING,

                                                        Respondent

498 Beach Street.

Appealing the denial on May 5, 2003, of a Sidewalk Display Merchandise Permit.

ORDER NO. 174,098.

JURISDICTION GRANTED ON 9/17/2003.

PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON 12/10/2003.

FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION TODAY.

 

(10)   APPEAL NO. 04-076

JOHN & LESLIE WOODWARD, Appellant(s)

                        vs.

DEPT. OF BUILDING INSPECTION, Respondent

 

 

 

65 Caselli Avenue.

Protesting the issuance on June 30, 2004, to Stewart Oaten, Permit to Alter a Building (on 2-unit building: replace existing deck, extend approximately 4’0” and new stairs).

APPLICATION NO. 2004/06/30/7682.

PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON 12/01/2004.

FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION TODAY.

 

(11)  APPEAL NO. 04-132

ALISON JOSEPH, Appellant(s)

                        vs.

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR, Respondent

 

 

 

1244 – 1268 Sutter Street.

Appealing a determination dated September 17, 2004, addressed to Alison Joseph, that the proposed office expansion at 1268 Sutter Street requires a Planning Code § 321 application for office space and a Conditional Use (CU) application for change of use above the ground story.

PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED ON 12/15/2004.

FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION TODAY.

 

ITEMS (12A) & (12B) SHALL BE HEARD TOGETHER:

(12A)  APPEAL NO. 04-105

MITCHELL SCHOENBRUN, Appellant(s)

                        vs.

DEPT. OF BUILDING INSPECTION,

                                             Respondent

 

1401-1409 Castro Street.

Protesting the issuance on August 2, 2004, to Isa Muhawieh, Permit to Alter a Building (on apartment building with commercial:  storage room into laundry room at ground floor). 

APPLICATION NO. 2004/08/02/0401.

FOR HEARING TODAY.

(12B)   APPEAL NO. 04-166

MITCHELL SCHOENBRUN, Appellant(s)

                        vs.

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR, Respondent

 

Subject Prop. Owner(s): ISA MUHAWIEH

 

1401-1409 Castro St. & 395 Jersey St.

Appealing a revised determination dated October 20, 2004, addressed to Mitchell Schoenbrun, which reiterates the determination of October 13, 2004, and adds the following: that the permit history for the subject property is limited and provides no clear evidence that the space at 1401 Castro Street was legally subdivided to create 1403 Castro Street with a dwelling unit contained therein.

FOR HEARING TODAY.

 

(13)  APPEAL NO. 04-119

YIM HO & CHEUNG KAM LEUNG, Appellant(s)

                        vs.

DEPT. OF BUILDING INSPECTION, Respondent

PLANNING COMMISSION DISAPPROVAL

 

§ 14 Parties:  CLEMENT CHEUNG

                      & PING WONG

331 Girard Street.

Appealing the denial on September 3, 2004, of Permit to Alter a Building (on single-family house: repair fire damage; interior alteration; add one story plus rear addition; and one more unit).

APPLICATION NO. 2003/12/01/1345S.

FOR HEARING TODAY.

 

(14)  APPEAL NO. 04-120

1776 SACRAMENTO STREET

HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION, Appellant(s)

                        vs.

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR, Respondent

 

Subj. Prop. Owner(s):   AMERICAN BUDDHIST

                                     CULTURAL SOCIETY

 

 

 

1750 Van Ness Avenue.

Appealing a determination dated August 30, 2004, addressed to Stephen Williams, that because Planning Code § 243(c)(8)(D) references use limits prescribed under § 243(c)(8)(A), and since § 243(c)(8)(A) specifically identifies “non-residential uses” to which the use limitation would be applicable, a use is considered nonconforming only when the ratio of specified residential uses to the specified non-residential uses is not met; and that those uses not specifically listed under “non-residential uses” and which do not meet the prescribed ratio would not be considered nonconforming uses provided they are permitted by the underlying zoning controls of the Van Ness Special Use District. 

FOR HEARING TODAY.

 

(15)  APPEAL NO. 04-140

ALICE LAM, Appellant(s)

                        vs.

DEPT. OF BUILDING INSPECTION, Respondent

PLANNING DEPT. APPROVAL

 

2549 Post Street.

Protesting the issuance on September 24, 2004, to Paul Basaillon, Permit to Alter a Building (on 24-unit apartment building: remodeling top floor; change roof above living room).

APPLICATION NO. 2004/09/24/5144.

FOR HEARING TODAY.

 

(16)   APPEAL NO. 04-155

ZHANG PING GAO dba

“LOTUS FLOWER HEALTH CENTER”,

                                               Appellant(s)

                        vs.

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR, Respondent

 

3800 Noriega St. / 1789 – 45th Ave.

Appealing a Health Permit Zoning Referral (Acupuncture, Acupressure & Massage) dated October 4, 2004, addressed to Zhang Ping Gao, that Planning Code § 710.51 prohibits the use of a second floor in an NC-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) zoning district for a medical-related business purpose, and that Planning Code § 204 only allows a massage business in an NC-1 zoning district as a secondary use on the premises, which has another primary permitted use.

FOR HEARING TODAY.

 

(17)  APPEAL NO. 04-163

J.A.W. CLAYES, Appellant(s)

                        vs.

DEPT. OF BUILDING INSPECTION, Respondent

PLANNING DEPARTMENT DISAPPROVAL

 

2721 Pacific Avenue.

Appealing the denial on October 20, 2004, of Permit to Alter a Building  (on 2-unit residential building: remove stove (kitchen) & gas access from lower level (ground level); “maid’s apartment”; non structural).

APPLICATION NO. 2004/07/09/8394.

FOR HEARING TODAY.

 

(18)  APPEAL NO. 04-164

RICHARD BUCKLEY

& ROBERT BENTEL, Appellant(s)

                        vs.

DEPT. OF BUILDING INSPECTION, Respondent

PLANNING DEPARTMENT APPROVAL

2998 – 22nd Avenue.

Protesting the issuance on October 18, 2004, to Karen Wong, Permit to Alter a Building (on single-family house: interior modification to existing building; rear addition to 11 feet long; vertical addition of 3rd story).

APPLICATION NO. 2001/10/09/0234S.

FOR HEARING TODAY.

ADJOURNMENT.

Note: Each item on this agenda may include the following documents: 1) Appellant's Preliminary Statement of Appeal and Brief; 2) Permit holder's, Respondent’s or Other Parties’ Brief; 3) Appellant’s Reply; 4) Department decision, order, permit, determination, resolution, or Notice of Violation; and 5) Correspondence.  These items are available for review at the Board's office, 1660 Mission Street, Room 3036, front counter.  Please call 415-575-6880 if you have any questions concerning this agenda. 

Date posted:  January 27th, 2005

 

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS

               

                                    HISASHI B. SUGAYA                       VICE PRESIDENT

                                    FRANK FUNG                                    COMMISSIONER

                                    RANDALL KNOX                              COMMISSIONER

                                    SABRINA N. SAUNDERS                  COMMISSIONER

 

CLAUDINE WOEBER  -  OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER  415-506-0430; THE PRESIDING OFFICER WILL CALL A RECESS AT 6:30 P.M. & WHENEVER NECESSARY FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE COURT REPORTER.

 

PROCEDURE AT HEARINGS

The order of presentation of an appeal shall be as follows: In the case of appeal of denials, revocations and suspensions the representatives of the department, board, commission or person from whose order the appeal is taken shall speak first and shall be allowed seven minutes for their presentation and three minutes for rebuttal.

The appellant whose permit has been denied, revoked or suspended shall be allowed seven minutes for oral argument and three minutes for rebuttal.

In the case of protest appeals, the protestor shall speak first and shall be allowed seven minutes to present oral argument and three minutes for rebuttal, and the permit holder shall be allowed seven minutes to present oral argument and three minutes for rebuttal.   The Board may request a departmental response at its own discretion.

Other persons desiring to speak before the Board on an appeal may speak once for up to three minutes, unless the presiding officer further limits time uniformly. 

SPECIAL NOTES

Mailed notices of public hearings on appeals are sent to all parties at least five days prior to the date of hearing.   In the event that a matter is continued to a specific date by the presiding officer and announced to the parties in the hearing room, no additional mailed notice will be sent.  Please call the Board office at 575-6880 for scheduling or other information during regular business hours, or visit our website at www.sfgov.org/boa

Briefs are limited to twelve pages, excluding exhibits, which should be tabbed for easy reference.  The complete Rules of the Board are available for review at the Board office.

Material submitted by the public for Board review prior to a scheduled hearing before the Board, should be addressed to the Board President, and be received at the Board office, 1660 Mission Street, Room 3036, no later than 4:00 p.m. the Thursday (six days) prior to the scheduled public hearing.  Persons unable to attend the scheduled public hearing may submit written comments regarding a calendared item to the Board office.  Comments received before noon on the day of the hearing will be made a part of the official record and will be brought to the attention of the Board at the public hearing.   For complete distribution to all Commissioners of the Board, necessary staff and case files, submit an original and ten copies.

Pursuant to Government Code § 65009, if you challenge, in court, the approval of a variance or development permit, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Board of Appeals at, or prior to, the public hearing.

Calendared items are sometimes withdrawn or rescheduled to a later date prior to hearing, or are taken out of order to accommodate special needs.  The Board urges all parties to be present in the hearing room from 5:00 p.m. so that everyone has an opportunity to participate in the relevant public hearing when it is called.

PROHIBITION OF SOUND-PRODUCING ELECTRONIC DEVICES

The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting.  Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic devices.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

American sign language interpreters and/or sound enhancement system will be available upon request by contacting Catherine Johnson at 575-6882 at least 48 hours prior to the hearing.  Individuals with severe allergies, environmental illness, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities should call the accessibility hotline at 554-8925 to discuss meeting accessibility.   In order to assist the City's efforts to accommodate such people, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical-based products.   Please help the City to accommodate these individuals.  The closest accessible BART station is the Civic Center station located at the intersection of Market, Hyde and Grove Streets.  Accessible curbside parking has been designated at points along McAllister Street.  Accessible MUNI lines serving City Hall are the 42 Downtown Loop, 9 San Bruno and 71 Haight/Noriega and the F line.  Accessible MUNI Metro lines are the J, K, L, M, and N.  For more information regarding MUNI accessible services, call (415) 923-6142.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE

Government's duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public.  Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people's business.  This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people's review.

For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance (Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code) or to report a violation of the ordinance, contact the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force:  Adele Destro by mail to Interim Administrator, Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, City Hall, Room 244, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102-4689; by phone at (415) 554-7724; by fax at (415) 554-7854; or by e-mail at sotf@sfgov.org.    Citizens interested in obtaining a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance can request a copy from Ms. Destro or by printing Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code on the internet at www.sfgov.org/sunshine/.

LOBBYING ACTIVITY

Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance [SF Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code § 2.100] to register and report lobbying activity.  For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the San Francisco Ethics Commission at 30 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 3900, San Francisco, CA 94102; telephone (415) 581-2300; fax (415) 581-2317; web site www.sfgov.org/ethics.

SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY

The Board welcomes suggestions from the public regarding improvement of the efficiency of its operations.  Please direct your comments and suggestions to Robert Feldman, Executive Secretary, at 415-575-6880 or fax 415-575-6885.  A customer satisfaction survey form is available at the meetings, the office, and on the web site.

TAPES & TRANSCRIPTS OF MEETINGS & HEARINGS

Transcripts of hearings may be obtained from the Official Court Reporter, Claudine Woeber.  Please telephone 415-506-0430 for information.

Audiotapes of meetings may be obtained from the Board office.  Please telephone 415-575-6880 for information. 

Videotapes of meetings may be obtained from SFGTV, Channel 26.  Please telephone 415-554-4188 for information.

Note: Each item on this agenda may include the following documents:  1) Appellant's Preliminary Statement of Appeal and Brief; 2) Respondent’s or Permit holder's Response Brief; 3) Appellant’s Reply; 4) Department decision, order, permit, determination, resolution, or Notice of Violation; and 5) Correspondence of public and parties.

These items are available for review at the Board's office, 1660 Mission St., Rm. 3036, front counter.