DBI: demolition crews clear scaffolding after Octavia construction fire; unpermitted rooftop structure at 1355 Market removed

Assistant Director Christine Gasparek, filling in for Director O'Riordan, updated the Building Inspection Commission on two safety and compliance incidents.

She described an Aug. 1 fire at a housing development under construction at 300 Octavia (Hayes Valley) that destroyed work in progress and closed portions of Octavia Boulevard. DBI issued a notice of violation and later an emergency order to require faster mitigation. Gasparek said the property owner hired a contractor, obtained a demolition permit and crews brought damaged scaffolding down to a safe height; Octavia Boulevard was reopened before noon on the Friday following the fire and demolition and debris removal continued through the weekend. "As always, our main concern is to ensure public safety," Gasparek said, and she thanked on-call inspector Trevor Byrne for overseeing the demolition work.

Gasparek also reported that DBI opened a complaint after staff were informed of an unpermitted illuminated structure on the roof of the Twitter building at 1355 Market Street on July 28. An inspector initially could not access the building; because the structure was visible from the street DBI issued a notice of violation. After subsequent access to a viewing area, staff observed the structure being removed, and the owner later obtained a demolition permit to address investigation fees and abate the violation.

Gasparek closed by reading praise from a permit customer about Acting Chief Building Inspector Kevin Birmingham's handling of permit reviews and clearances.