Planning Commission Approves Modified Plans for 1336 Shotwell Street ADU, Narrowing Dispute Over Roof Deck and Stair

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Planning Commission unanimously approved modified discretionary-review plans for a proposed accessory dwelling unit at 1336 Shotwell Street on March 14, 2024, concluding a follow-up hearing that focused on roof‑deck size, stair placement and open‑space rules.

David Winslow, a staff architect, told commissioners the commission’s prior direction requested three changes: maintain the gabled rear roof; reduce the roof deck to the minimum code-required 125 square feet; and move the deck and stair away from neighboring property lines where feasible. Winslow said sponsor drawings responsive to that direction were submitted before the hearing.

A neighbor and requester presented an alternative scheme and criticized the sponsor, saying the sponsor had made "minimal" changes and kept the stair at the property line. The requester argued an interior stair would allow a smaller exterior deck and avoid a variance; the requester also said "there is actually no requirement for private outdoor space for the proposed ADU because it is a state law ADU."

Architect Mason Kirby, representing the sponsor, said the team studied interior and exterior stair options and reduced the deck to 125 square feet. Kirby said an interior stair would convert the rear yard to common open space, triggering minimum common-open-space dimensions and a 300 square‑foot area requirement and would reduce the ADU area by about 10–15%.

Planning staff clarified that when a ground‑floor unit qualifies as a state ADU it is not required under the local code to have private open space; however, shared or "common" open space carries minimum dimension and area requirements (15 feet in every direction and a 300 square‑foot minimum) if the space becomes common to multiple units. The zoning administrator said the revised plans addressed the commission’s variance concerns and were supportable from a variance perspective.

Commissioner Brian moved to take discretionary review and approve the revised plans dated March 11, 2024; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously, 6–0. Conditions discussed by commissioners included awareness of noise rules, neighbor communication, and assurances the revisions would avoid adding penthouse massing or required rescue ladders under current building code interpretations.

— Staff architect David Winslow, project requester, and architect Mason Kirby presented to the commission on March 14; the commission approved the discretionary-review plans and the corresponding variance pursuant to the revised March 11 drawings.