Batari family seeks extension to resolve Oakland property violations

The City of San Francisco held a meeting on July 4, 2025, to address ongoing issues related to property violations and the enforcement process. The meeting featured a presentation from Mr. and Mrs. Vatari, who have been dealing with violations on a property they purchased in foreclosure in 2014.

Mr. Vatari began by explaining the challenges they faced since acquiring the property, noting that they were unaware of any violations until inspections were conducted in 2017 following the Oakland fires. He expressed frustration over the complexity of the violation process, stating that they had engaged a consultant to assist them until 2020 when the consultant could no longer help due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the Vataris have taken matters into their own hands, working with city planning to resolve the issues.

During their presentation, Mr. Vatari requested a 60 to 90-day extension to complete necessary plumbing work, which they have already begun by pulling a new permit. He also asked for consideration regarding the associated fees, emphasizing that the violations were not due to their actions.

Mrs. Vatari echoed her husband's sentiments, highlighting the confusion they experienced navigating the city's departments. She noted that communication delays from city officials have hindered their ability to resolve the issues promptly.

Following their testimony, Chief Hernandez from the Department provided a rebuttal, clarifying that the main violation concerning the change of use for the building is currently on hold as the Vataris are in the planning process. He acknowledged that the department had allowed ample time for the owners to obtain the necessary permits.

In response, Mr. Vatari reiterated the lack of guidance they received from their city consultant, which contributed to their prolonged uncertainty regarding the resolution process.

The meeting concluded without public comments, and the Vataris were left awaiting further instructions on how to proceed with their case. The discussions highlighted the ongoing challenges residents face when dealing with property violations and the complexities of city regulations.