Zoning Variance Hearing

The hearing be held online (expired link)

Phone Access: +1 (415) 655-0001 / Access code: 187 849 1556

Please be advised that the notices provided below may not represent a complete list of items scheduled to be considered at a public hearing. For a complete list of items scheduled to be considered at a particular public hearing, please refer to the posted agenda.

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 onWednesday, February 24, 2021, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Please be advised that due to the COVID-19 emergency, the Zoning Administrator will conduct this hearing remotely using videoconferencing technology. Additional information may be found on the Department's website.

2019-012637VAR (David Weissglass) 943-951 Greenwich Street, Lot 034 in Assessor's Block 0092 in an RM-1 Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. Rear Yard SOUGHT: The proposal is to demolish an existing garage structure facing Valparaiso Street on a through-lot and replace it with a 4-story-over-basement detached residential building with two dwelling units. The project also includes the addition of a staircase to the main building fronting Greenwich Street, which will be located in the public right-of-way. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard between the two buildings of at least 25% of the total lot depth, or 30 feet. The proposed residential building at the rear of the lot will result in a rear yard of approximately 17 feet 4 inches between the buildings. Therefore, a rear yard variance is required.

2020-007448VAR (Stephanie Cisneros) 919 Sanchez Street, Lot 039 in Assessor's Block 3627 in an RH-2 Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. Rear Yard and Exposure SOUGHT: The proposal is to add a 3rd Story, add a dwelling unit at the ground floor behind the garage, and to slightly increase the height of the roof of an existing portion of the building that projects into the required rear yard. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard equal to 45% of the lot depth or the average of the two adjacent properties. The subject property is required to provide a 28-foot 4-inch rear yard. The rear popout at the 2nd floor will increase in height by approximately 2 feet 7 inches. Therefore, a variance is required. PLANNING CODE SECTION 140 requires that new dwelling units face onto a public street, public alley at least 20 feet in width, or a qualifying open space. The proposed new ground floor dwelling unit will not face directly on any such space. Therefore, a variance is required.

2017-005700VAR (Bridget Hicks) 4200 18th Street, Lot 052 in Assessor's Block 2648 in the Castro Street Neighborhood Commercial District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. Rear Yard Modification and Exposure SOUGHT: The proposal is to convert the third floor of an existing three-story building from office space to 5 dwelling units. The ground floor will remain retail and garage and the second floor will remain medical office spaces. Additionally, the project proposes to demolish the northwest corner of the third floor to provide exposure for unit number 5, and to add a roof deck to provide useable open space for the dwelling units. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard of approximately 18 feet 9 inches at the second floor and above. The existing building has full lot coverage. Therefore, the project requires a rear yard modification.  PLANNING CODE SECTION 140 requires each dwelling unit to face directly onto a qualifying street, yard, or open area. The project includes one dwelling unit that will not meet this exposure requirement. Therefore, the project requires a variance.  

2020-010468VAR (Gretel Gunther) 2407 Sacramento Street, Lot 032 in Assessor's Block 0636 in an RM-1 Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. Rear Yard SOUGHT: The project proposes to infill a small area at the southwest corner of the building and add a small juliet balcony at the second level on the rear façade. The infill at the southwest corner will add an additional 17 square feet and extend out to the western property line. The project also proposes to remove several existing building features on the rear façade including an exterior staircase, a cantilevered chimney enclosure, and a cantilevered portion of the existing roof deck. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard equal to 45% of the lot depth, or 37 feet 2 inches for the subject lot. The existing building already extends to within nearly 9 feet of the rear property line. While the project will reduce the total obstruction into the required rear yard, the proposed infill will be wholly within the required rear yard. Therefore, a variance is required.

2020-007562VAR (Michael Christensen) 2693 22nd Street, Lot 038 in Assessor's Block 4152 in an RM-1 Zoning District, the Calle 24 SUD, and 40-X Height and Bulk District. Rear Yard SOUGHT: The project proposes to demolish and rebuild an existing set of stairs at the rear of the building, including modifying the stairs to create access to the roof level of the attached garage structure and construction of a roof deck. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to provide a rear yard equal to 45% of the lot depth, or that equal to the adjacent building, but no less than 25%. The subject property's required rear yard is approximately 45 feet. The proposed stairs will obstruct nearly 15 feet into the required rear yard. Therefore, a variance is required.

2019-021198VAR (Claire Feeney) 2607 Folsom Street, Lot 012D in Assessor's Block 3639 in an RH-3 Zoning District, the Calle 24 SUD, and 40-X Height and Bulk District. Rear Yard sought: The proposal is to comply with DBI NoV No. 201966381 to modify and legalize work completed beyond the scope of previously approved permits. The previous wooden staircase extended into the rear yard and connected the third-floor deck to ground level. The Project proposes to remove the three-story external staircase that extends into the required rear yard and to retain and enlarge the second and third floor decks. A fire wall will be added along the property line for each deck and the decks will retain their existing dimensions, each increasing from approximately 144 to 168 square feet, as space that is currently part of the staircase will be used for decking. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard equal to 45% of the lot depth, or the average of qualifying adjacent buildings. The required rear yard for this property is approximately 55 feet. The rear decks encroach 13 feet 9 inches into the rear yard, matching the extension of the neighboring building. Therefore, a variance is required.

It is strongly recommended that persons submit their comments in writing in advance of the hearing. Written comments may be submitted via email directly to the case planner.

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 hearing may submit written comments regarding these cases to the individuals listed for each case above via email or at the Planning Department, 49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94103.

Corey A. Teague
Zoning Administrator

02/04/2021