Zoning Variance Hearing

The hearing will be held online (expired link)

Phone Access: +1 (415) 655-0001 / Access code: 2481 462 7491

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, October 26, 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.

2021-000573VAR (KIMBERLY DURANDET) 40 ENCANTO AVENUE, Lot 021 in Assessor's Block 1115 located within the RH-1 Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District: REAR YARD: The proposal is to extend a rear facing deck above grade and to create a new stair to grade. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard of approximately 30 feet. The proposed deck and stair fall entirely within the required rear yard. Therefore, a variance is required.

2022-002214VAR (ALEX WESTHOFF), 122 ELSIE STREET, Lot 010 in Block 5618 in a RH-1 Zoning District, Bernal Heights SUD, and a 40-X Height and Bulk District: REAR YARD: The proposal is to replace two existing cantilevered rear. PLANNING CODE SECTION 242(e)(2)(A) requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard depth of at least 35%, which is 24.5 feet for this property. The decks are located within the required rear yard. Therefore, a variance is required.

2022-002766VAR (JEFFREY SPEIRS), 85 FARALLONES STREET, Lot 032A in Assessor's Block 7108 located within the RH-1 Zoning District, the Oceanview Large Residence Special Use District, and a 40-X Height and Bulk District: REAR YARD: The project proposes to legalize the construction of a two-story rear addition. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard of approximately 37 feet 6 inches. The proposed rear addition falls entirely within the required rear yard. Therefore, a variance is required.

2021-008051VAR (CHRISTY ALEXANDER), 3738 20TH STREET, Lot 013 in Assessor’s Block 3598 in a RH-3 Zoning District, Central Neighborhoods Large Residence SUD, and a 40-X Height and Bulk District: REAR YARD: The project proposes to renovate the interior of an existing two-story over basement, three-unit residential building, repair and expand an existing rear stairway, and construct new decks in the rear to allow the upper two floor units access to the rear yard and allow for some private usable open space at each level. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard of approximately 51 feet 4 inches. The proposed rear deck falls entirely within the required rear yard and encroaches into the required rear yard by approximately 21 feet 8 inches. Therefore, a variance is required.

2016-014233VAR (CHRISTY ALEXANDER), 1079 PLYMOUTH AVENUE, Lot 002 in Assessor's Block 6981 in a RH-1 Zoning District, Oceanview Large Residence SUD, and a 40-X Height and Bulk District: REAR YARD: The project proposes to legalize an existing detached one-story structure containing a second dwelling unit (Unit No.2), in the required rear yard, west of an existing one-story-over-garage single-family building. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard of approximately 33 feet 9 inches. The existing detached structure encroaches into the required rear yard by approximately 21-feet. Therefore, a variance is required.

2021-010314VAR (CHRISTY ALEXANDER), 366 VIENNA STREET, Lot 010 in Assessor's Block 6020 in a RH-1 Zoning District, and a 40-X Height and Bulk District: REAR YARD: The project proposes to repair and expand an existing rear exterior balcony that is 6 feet 6 inches above grade, and to replace the dry rot and expand the balcony under the bedroom window. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard of approximately 30 feet. The proposed rear balcony and stairs encroach into the required rear yard by approximately 8 feet 3 inches. Therefore, a variance is required.

2021-012060VAR (MONICA GIACOMUCCI), 744 RHODE ISLAND STREET, Lot 006 in Assessor's Block 4073, located within an RH-2 Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District: FRONT SETBACK: The proposal is to construct a one-story vertical addition to an existing two-story single-family building with a roof deck and elevator penthouse. PLANNING CODE SECTION 132 requires the subject property to maintain a front setback of approximately 8 feet 8 inches on the northern half of the lot. A portion of the building already exists in the required front setback, and the project would construct a vertical addition within the setback. Therefore, the project requires a variance.

2022-001515VAR (JEFFREY SPEIRS) 1312 18TH AVENUE, Lot 008 in Assessor's Block 1772 located within the Inner Sunset NCD Zoning District, and a 40-X Height and Bulk District: REAR YARD AND OPEN SPACE: The proposal is to convert the commercial spaces into two standard dwelling units, and one accessory dwelling unit. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard of approximately 15 feet. The proposed dwellings fall within the required rear yard. Therefore, a variance is required. PLANNING CODE SECTION 135 requires the subject property to maintain a common open space of approximately 266 square feet. The proposed open space does not meet the minimum dimensions for common open space or the required total amount of space. Therefore, a variance is required.

2022-003688VAR (DAKOTA SPYCHER) 38 SAMOSET STREET, Lot 008 in Block 5554 in a RH-1 Zoning District, Bernal Height Special Use District, and a 40-X Height and Bulk District: REAR YARD: The proposal is to infill an open area under an existing cantilevered room and deck at the rear. PLANNING CODE SECTION 242(e)(2)(A) requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard of approximately 24 feet 5 inches. The proposed infill will encroach 7 feet into the rear yard and result in a rear yard of 17 feet 5 inches. Therefore, the project requires a variance.

2014.0999VAR (ELLA SAMONSKY) 2750 19TH STREET, Lot 004A and Assessor's Block 4023, in the UMU Zoning District and the 68-X Height and Bulk District: HEIGHT EXEMPTION: The proposal is to construct an elevator penthouse that is 17 feet 7 inches above the height limit for the subject lot. PLANNING CODE SECTION 260(b)(1)(B) limits elevator penthouses to no more than 16 feet above a lot's designated height limit but allows the Zoning Administrator to grant a height exemption for an elevator penthouse for a lot in a height district of more than 65 feet. The subject lot is within the 68-X Height and Bulk District, and the proposed elevator penthouse is greater than 16 feet above the height limit. Therefore, an exemption is required.

2020-011739VAR (ELTON WU), 38 NEVADA STREET, Lot 015 in Assessor's Block 5629, in a RH-1 Zoning District, Bernal Heights SUD, and a 40-X Height and Bulk: REAR YARD: The proposal is to construct a new single-family building on the vacant lot. PLANNING CODE SECTION 242(e)(2) requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard no less than 35% of the depth of the lot, which is 24 feet 6 inches for the subject lot. The proposal includes structures within the required. Therefore, the project requires a variance.

2022-009282VAR (ELTON WU), 40 NEVADA STREET, Lot 016 in Assessor's Block 5629, in a RH-1 Zoning District, Bernal Heights SUD, and a 40-X Height and Bulk: REAR YARD: The proposal is to construct a new single-family building on the vacant lot. PLANNING CODE SECTION 242(e)(2) requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard no less than 35% of the depth of the lot, which is 24 feet 6 inches for the subject lot. The proposal includes structures within the required. Therefore, the project requires a variance.

2020-004486VAR (JEFFREY HORN), 820 LAGUNA HONDA BOULEVARD, Lot 014 in Assessor’s Block 2916, in a RH-1 Zoning District, and a 40-X Height and Bulk: REAR YARD: The proposal is to legalize a three-story, 10-foot by 25-foot rear building expansion and construct a new 184 square-foot deck at the rear of the existing single-family building. PLANNING CODE SECTION 134 requires the subject property to maintain a rear yard equivalent to 30 percent of the lot depth, which ranges from 23 feet 9 inches to 28 feet 7 inches for the subject property. A portion of the building proposed to be legalized extends into the required rear yard. The proposed deck would project an additional 8 feet into 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