A concerned neighbor has requested that the proposed permit for 945 Minnesota Street be withdrawn from the Historic Preservation Commission’s (HPC) calendar, asserting that it doesn’t comply with the San Francisco Planning Code (SFPC).
“It is not allowable to use illegal construction at the adjacent property to justify building in the Required Rear Yard and Mid-Block Open Space, as this project is proposing,” former Planning Department employee Spencer Gosch wrote in an email. “I request that the project be withdrawn from the Historic Preservation Commission calendar until an SFPC-complying design is requested, preferably by a different Planner, and provided.”
“Our staff have been working with the Applicant to appropriately document the existing conditions and work on the site,” responded the Planning Department in an email. “Right now, we’ve directed the Sponsor to update the drawings to reflect the latest conditions on the site.”
The Department intends to bring the project to HPC at a February 21 hearing. Planning believes it’s compliant with code because legislation adjusted the rear yard obligation for properties in 945 Minnesota Street’s zoning district. The new requirement is that the rear yard can equal up to 30 percent of the total depth lot.
“I don’t mean to suggest that I’m second-guessing the HPC or any subsequent body if this is heard on appeal, which we imagine it will be, but our reading here is this is ready for a hearing and that’s what we anticipate will happen later in February,” said Planning Department Chief of Staff Dan Sider.
