Zoning Variance Hearing

Notice is hereby given to the general public that applications involving the properties/and or issues described below have been filed with the Planning Department for review as set forth in the City Planning Code.  The Zoning Administrator will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on these items and on other matters on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 408.

2016-008904VAR (Bridget M. Hicks) - 1786 San Jose Avenue, Lot 009 in Assessor's Block 6793 in a NC-1 (Neighborhood Commercial, Cluster) Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. Rear Yard Modification. The project proposes to demolish an existing two-story commercial building to construct a three-story mixed-use building with ground floor commercial and 5 dwelling units. Planning Code Section 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard of 20 feet 6 inches at grade level and each succeeding story. The proposal provides a 10-foot rear yard. Therefore, a rear yard modification is required.

2018-008787VAR (Bridget M. Hicks) - 4524 25th Street, Lot 014C in Assessor's Block 6503 in a RH-2 (Residential-House, Two Family) Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. FRONT SETBACK VARIANCE SOUGHT. The project proposes to reconstruct, in-kind, the front stairs and landing that were demolished without a permit. Planning Code Section 132 requires the subject property to maintain a front setback of 2 feet 5 inches. The proposed stairs and landing encroach 2 feet 5 inches into the front yard setback. Therefore, a variance is required.

2019-006762VAR (Bridget M. Hicks) - 1806-1810 8th Avenue, Lot 010 in Assessor's Block 2044 in a RH-2 (Residential-House, Two Family) Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. LOT SIZE VARIANCE SOUGHT. The proposal is to subdivide the existing vacant lot to create two lots that can each be developed. The existing lot is 50 feet wide and an average of 59 feet deep with an approximate lot area of 2,945 square feet. PLANNING CODE SECTION 121 requires the subject property to maintain a minimum lot area of 2,500 square feet. The proposed lots are approximately 1,490 square feet and 1,455 square feet. Therefore, the project requires a minimum lot area variance.

2017-010670VAR (Christopher May) - 421 Walnut Street, Lot 002 in Assessor's Block 1020 in a RM-1 (Residential-Mixed, Low Density) Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. REAR YARD VARIANCE SOUGHT. The project proposes one-story horizontal front and side additions as well as a second story vertical addition to the existing one-story single-family dwelling. Planning Code Section 134 requires the project to provide a rear yard of 45% of the lot depth, which is between 12 feet and 62 feet for this property. The existing building and the proposed additions are located entirely within the required rear yard, and therefore a variance is required.

2018-015482VAR (Christopher Townes) - 859 Elizabeth Street, Lot 023 in Assessor's Block 2829 in a RH-2 (Residential-House, Two Family) Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. REAR YARD VARIANCE SOUGHT. The proposal is to remove the existing exterior stair/railing at the rear façade of existing two-unit home and to construct a new 160 square foot 2nd floor rear deck with exterior spiral stair connecting 2nd to 3rd floor, and an exterior stair from the new deck to the rear yard. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a minimum rear yard of 45% of the lot depth (or approximately 51 feet 4 inches). The proposal would encroach up to 12 feet into the required rear yard. Therefore, a Variance is required.

2019-005924VAR (Kimberly Durandet) - 400 Crescent Street, Lot 043 in Assessor's Block 5810 in a RH-1 Zoning (Residential, House, One-Family) Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. REAR YARD VARIANCE SOUGHT. The proposal is to rebuild a previously unauthorized expansion and extend 2-stories of the rear portion of the building to construct new wash rooms and office space for the existing 2-story religious institution. The new addition would be approximately 3 feet from the rear property line. PLANNING CODE SECTION 242(e)(2) requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard of approximately 16 feet. The proposed rear addition would encroach approximately 13 feet into the required rear yard and result in a rear yard of 3 feet. Therefore, the project requires a variance.

2018-012611VAR (Laura Ajello) - 2101-2103 Vallejo Street, Lots 058 & 059 in Assessor's Block 0565 in a RH-2(Residential-House, Two-Family Dwelling) Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. REAR YARD VARIANCE SOUGHT. The proposal is to construct a vertical addition greater than 30 feet high that encroaches into the required rear yard. Planning Code Section 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard of approximately 16 feet. The height of the rearmost 10 feet of a building is limited to a height of 30 feet. The existing building has 100% lot coverage with a 10-foot 1-inch setback on upper floors. The proposed addition has a 10-foot 1-inch setback and is 40 feet high. Therefore, a rear yard variance is required."

2015-006747VAR (Linda Ajello Hoagland) - 202 Teddy Avenue, Lot 052 in Assessor's Block 6209 in a RH-1 (Residential-House, One Family) Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. LOT SIZE VARIANCE SOUGHT. The proposal is to demolish the existing single-family home, subdivide the lot into three lots, and construct three single-family homes. Lots A (corner lot) and B will have lot areas of 1,750 square feet, and Lot C will have a lot area of 1,500 square feet. Planning Code Section 121 requires each property to have at least 1,750 square feet if it's a corner lot, and at least 2,500 square feet if it's an interior lot. Proposed Lot C will not meet these minimum lot sizes. Therefore, a variance is required.

2017-009796VAR (Monica Giacomucci) - 1088 Howard Street, Lot 030 in Assessor's Block 3726 in a MUG (Mixed-Use, General) Zoning District and an 85-X Height and Bulk District. EXPOSURE VARIANCE SOUGHT. The proposal is to construct a vertical addition containing 24 dwelling units above an existing one-story commercial building. PLANNING CODE SECTION 140 requires all dwelling units in all Zoning Districts to face onto a public street or an open area at least 25 feet in every horizontal dimension. Eight of the 24 proposed dwelling units located at the rear of the development face onto an open area that is 19 feet 7 inches wide. Therefore, a variance from the Dwelling Unit Exposure is required.

2018-007602VAR (Nancy Tran) - 1030 LEAVENWORTH STREET, Lot 015 in Assessor's Block 0252 in a RM-4 (Residential-Mixed, High Density) Zoning District and a 65-A Height and Bulk District. REAR YARD VARIANCE SOUGHT. The proposal is to excavate and construct a horizontal addition at the basement and to legalize property-line walls within the required rear yard. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires a rear yard of 20 feet for the subject property. The project proposes to legalize property-line walls greater than 10 feet in height in the rear yard, and to construct the addition within the required rear yard. Therefore, a variance is required.

2018-004200VAR (Sharon Young) - 2828 Jackson Street, Lot 006 in Assessor's Block 0977 in a RH-2 Zoning (Residential, House, Two-Family) Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. FRONT SETBACK VARIANCE SOUGHT. The proposal is to construct a windscreen for an approximately 373 square foot front deck (terrace) located above a garage structure of an existing three-story, single-family building. The proposed windscreen will be constructed around the perimeter of the front deck at a height extending approximately 2 feet above the approximately 12 feet 6 inches high front deck. PLANNING CODE SECTION 132 requires the subject property to maintain a required front setback of approximately 13 feet 3 inches. The proposed 16-foot deep windscreen will extend approximately 13 feet 3 inches into the required front setback area. Therefore, the project requires a front setback variance.

To view the official Variance Hearing Agenda which includes the link to the site plans and elevations of the proposed projects, please visit the website:  https://sfplanning.org/hearings-zoning-variance. Persons who are unable to attend the scheduled Planning Commission hearing may submit written comments regarding these cases to the individuals listed for each case above at the Planning Department, 1650 Mission Street, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA  94103.

Corey A. Teague
Zoning Administrator
Planning Department
1650 Mission Street, 4th Floor
San Francisco, CA  94103

10/03/2019