Zoning Variance Hearing

The hearing will be held online.

Phone Access: +1 (415) 655-0001 / Access code: https://sfplanning.org/sites/default/files/agendas/2022-04/20220427_cal…

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 intends to hold a PUBLIC HEARING on these items and on other matters on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, beginning at 9:30 a.m. or later. Please be advised that due to the COVID-19 emergency, the Zoning Administrator may conduct this hearing remotely using videoconferencing technology or in-person at City Hall. Additional information may be found on the Department’s website.

2022-000047VAR (ELLA SAMONSKY) 4801 3RD STREET, Lot 001 in Assessor's Block 5322 in an NC-3 Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District: STREET FRONTAGE (145.1) SOUGHT: The project proposes to construct a single-story commercial building for a restaurant. PLANNING CODE SECTION 145.1 requires the subject building to be fenestrated with transparent windows and doorways for no less than 60 percent of the street frontage at the ground level. The subject property has street frontages on three sides; the restaurant frontages on Mendell Plaza, Oakdale Avenue, and Third Street are more than 40 percent non-transparent wall. Therefore, a variance is required.

2021-005412PRJ (ELLA SAMONSKY) 2975 CESAR CHAVEZ STREET, Lot 009 in Assessor's Block 5506 in an RH-2 Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District and Bernal Heights SUD. REAR YARD SOUGHT: The proposal is to legalize a horizontal addition at the first and third floors, legalize a roof deck and staircase to the rear yard, and remodel the interior of a two-family residence. PLANNING CODE SECTION 242(e)(2)(B) requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard of approximately 36 feet 4 inches. The horizontal addition and rear stairs encroach approximately 11 feet 7 inches into the required rear yard. Therefore, a variance is required.

2021-001687VAR (MICHELLE TAYLOR) 2900 BROADWAY, Lot 002 in Assessor’s Block 0957, in the RH-1(D) Zoning District and a 40-X Height & Bulk District. SIDE YARD (SEC. 133) AND REAR YARD (SEC. 134) SOUGHT: The proposal is to construct a three-story rear addition to an existing single-family building that includes a new deck with retaining walls above a garden storage room. The proposal will also add terrace steps and planters in the rear and side yards. PLANNING CODE SECTION 133 requires that the subject property maintain two side yards of 4 feet each. The proposed planter will encroach the full width of the west side yard. Therefore, the project requires a side yard variance. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard of approximately 41 feet. The proposed rear addition will encroach approximately 13 feet into the required rear yard and result in a rear yard of approximately 28 feet. Therefore, the project requires a variance.

2021-006702VAR (LAURA AJELLO) 2872 PINE STREET, Lot 016 in Assessor's Block 1029, in a RH-2 Zoning District, and 40-X Height and Bulk District. REAR YARD SOUGHT:  The proposal is to construct a 3-story horizontal addition at the rear of the three-story, one-family building. Two existing decks will also be reconstructed. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires properties in the RH-2 Zoning District to maintain a rear yard equivalent to 45 percent of the total lot depth at grade level and at each succeeding story of the building, unless reduced to the average of qualifying adjacent rear building walls. The subject property, with a lot depth of approximately 137.5 feet, has a required rear yard of 62 feet. However, the existing building has a rear yard of only 43 feet 4 inches. The proposed addition will extend approximately 18 feet 8 inches into the required rear yard. Therefore, a variance is required.

2021-000876VAR (ELTON WU) 3340 SAN BRUNO AVENUE, Lot 037 in Assessor's Block 6172, in a RM-1 Zoning District, and 40-X Height and Bulk District. REAR YARD SOUGHT: The proposal is to establish four off-street parking spaces in the rear yard with a fence and gate as screening. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard equal to 45% of the total depth of the lot. Planning Code Section 136(c)(30) clarifies that parking is not permitted in required yards. The four off street parking spaces will be located within the required rear yard. Therefore, a variance is required.

2021-011183VAR (MONICA GIACOMUCCI) 325 CAPP STREET #B, Lot 061 in Assessor's Block 3590, in an RTO-M Zoning District, and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. REAR YARD AND DWELLING UNIT EXPOSURE SOUGHT. The proposal is to construct a small rear addition to a single-family residential building located at the rear of the lot. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard of approximately 55 feet. The proposal would result in a rear yard of approximately 30 feet. Therefore, a variance is required. PLANNING CODE SECTION 140 requires all residential units to face onto a code-compliant rear yard area or other qualifying open area. The project would intensify the existing building's non-compliant rear yard, which provides the dwelling unit its only exposure. Therefore, a variance is required.

2021-004934VAR (MATT DITO) 62-64 WEBSTER STREET, Lot 022 in Assessor's Block 0869, in a RH-2 (Residential, House - Two-Family) Zoning District, and a 40-X Height & Bulk District. REAR YARD SOUGHT: The project proposes to demolish and re-construct a third-floor deck and stairs at the rear of the property. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the property to maintain a rear yard equal to 45% of the lot depth, or th qualifying average depth of adjacent buildings. The subject property has a required rear yard, using the alternate averaging method, of 23 feet 11 inches. The existing deck and stairs are located in the required rear yard. The re-constructed deck and stairs would be located in the rear yard as well. Therefore, a variance is required.

2021-004974VAR (GABRIELA PANTOJA) 4018 CESAR CHAVEZ STREET, Lot 009A in Assessor's Block 6564, in a RH-2 Zoning District, and 40-X Height and Bulk District. FRONT SETBACK SOUGHT: The proposal is to demolish, reconstruct, and expand an existing garage structure and add a horizontal expansion to the existing three-story, single-family building. PLANNING CODE SECTION 132 requires the subject lot to maintain a front setback equal to the average front setback of the adjacent properties. The require front setback for the subject property is 1 foot 1 inch. The proposal will demolish, reconstruct, and expand a one-story garage structure into the require front setback. Therefore, a variance is required.

2021-007629VAR (NILOUFAR KARIMZADEGAN) 382 BRIGHT STREET, Lot 042 in Assessor's Block 7070, in a RH-1 Zoning District, the Oceanview Large Residence Special Use district, and 40-X Height and Bulk District. REAR YARD SOUGHT: The proposal is to construct a rear deck measuring approximately 8 feet tall, 19 feet wide, and 10 feet deep. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard of at last 30% of the lot depth, which is 22 feet 6 inches for this property. The proposed rear deck will be located within the required rear yard. Therefor a variance is required.

2021-009356VAR (GRETEL GUNTHER) 2845 FILLMORE STREET, Lot 004 in Assessor's Block 0558, in an RH-2 Zoning District, and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. REAR YARD SOUGHT: The proposal is to construct an approximately 80 square foot horizontal addition at the ground floor of the southwest corner of the existing single-family building. The project also proposes to add a spiral staircase from the second-floor rear deck to the ground floor. The project will reduce the overall nonconformity of the existing second floor rear deck by 3 feet. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires properties in the RH-2 Zoning District to maintain a rear yard equivalent to 45% percent of the total lot depth. The subject property, with a lot depth of 137.5 feet from Fillmore Street, has a required rear yard of nearly 62 feet. The proposed horizontal addition and spiral staircase will be entirely within the required rear yard. 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