Board of Appeals upholds Historic Preservation Commission certificate for 945–947 Minnesota Street

The San Francisco Board of Appeals on May 8 denied an appeal of a Historic Preservation Commission certificate of appropriateness for 945–947 Minnesota Street, concluding the commission's approval was consistent with preservation rules and standards.

Corey Teague, zoning administrator for the Planning Department, told the board its authority in the matter was narrow: to determine whether the proposed renovations complied with Planning Code Article 10 and the Secretary of the Interior's standards for rehabilitation. Teague said the department and the Historic Preservation Commission had carefully reviewed the project and attached conditions to address the property's enforcement history.

Appellant Spencer Ghosh asked the board to revoke the certificate and limit the project's rear‑yard and deck work, arguing the change would further reduce already scarce mid‑block open space and was incompatible with the district's historic character. Ghosh read code excerpts and urged restoration of a larger yard depth consistent with neighboring properties.

Planning staff and the applicant's architect countered that prior approvals, historical Sanborn‑map evidence and the preservation review supported the certificate. The architect said the present footprint reflects historic maps and that the design had been found compliant with preservation guidelines.

After questions from commissioners about enforcement and whether approvals would reward past noncompliance, Commissioner Rick Swig moved to deny the appeal and uphold the certificate. The board voted 5'to'0 to deny the appeal.

The action preserves the Historic Preservation Commission's certificate of appropriateness as issued; any issues tied to building permits, addenda or future plan submissions remain subject to separate review.