Board of Appeals adopts revised plans, grants permit condition for Sixteenth Street alteration

The San Francisco Board of Appeals on June 7 granted appeal 23-004 and ordered that the related alteration permit be issued only with revised plans dated May 1, 2023, adopted as a condition. The 5–0 vote follows a narrow technical fix proposed by the Department of Building Inspection that the parties agreed would restore a compliant egress.

Deputy Chief Building Inspector Matthew Green told the board that the architect’s revised drawings call for moving the wall that encloses a washer and dryer about 6 inches, which would allow an existing door to close and avoid obstruction of the required exit. "They’re just going to move the wall that encloses the washer dryer about 6 inches and that should allow the door to close," Green said, and added he was "willing to recommend adopting these plans."

The permit holder, Jay Davidson, confirmed that Inspector Kevin Birmingham’s site visit on April 26 led to the solution and that the plans reflect those recommendations. When the absent appellant, Jim Reid, was contacted by phone and asked to state his position for the record, he said, "The plans are acceptable to me."

Commissioner Alex Lemberg moved to grant the appeal and require adoption of the revised plans; the motion carried unanimously with Vice President Jose Lopez, Commissioners John Trezwina and JR Epler, and President Rick Swig voting aye. The board noted there remains a rehearing period and that a written decision and follow-up instructions on submitting revised plans will be issued.

Background: the appeal challenged an alteration permit (permit number 202301230604) for an existing three‑unit building at 3420–3424 Sixteenth Street to modify a lower unit entry and create a laundry alcove. The board’s action accepts a narrowly scoped construction detail intended to preserve a legal means of egress while allowing the tenant improvements to proceed.

Next steps: the board will issue the written decision and rehearing information; parties are permitted to file revised plans consistent with the May 1 set adopted by the commission.