Board of Appeals adopts rule updates and schedules six‑month review

The San Francisco Board of Appeals on May 29, 2024 adopted a set of proposed rule changes intended to modernize the board’s procedures and better reflect current practice, voting 5–0 to approve the posted revisions and to require an item to review feedback no later than six months after adoption.

Board members described most amendments as administrative and aimed at improving clarity and public responsiveness. Commissioner John Trezvina and others said recommended edits were incorporated; examples discussed included shifting to email communications where appropriate while preserving mail for residents who rely on it.

Commissioners acknowledged public concerns about the speed of the process and the need for ample time to review changes to rules that had not been updated in roughly 14 years. President Jose Lopez and several commissioners said they supported adoption while leaving open the opportunity to refine the rules after further public input.

On a motion discussed and moved from the dais, the board adopted the posted revisions and directed the executive director to accept feedback from commissioners and the public and to agendize a review no later than six months. Vice President Alex Lemberg, Commissioners Rick Swig, John Trezvina and JR Epler joined President Lopez in the unanimous vote.

The board’s action does not prevent amendments before the six-month review; it was described by members as a way to bring the rules up to date while preserving an oversight mechanism to capture additional changes requested by commissioners or the public.