Board upholds cancellation of permits for 245 Marina Boulevard, citing noncompliance with design guidelines

The San Francisco Board of Appeals denied an appeal from property owner Dr. Pretam Subharwal regarding the cancellation of two permits for work at 245 Marina Boulevard, finding the latest plans remain inconsistent with planning code and the neighborhood’s residential design guidelines.

Planning department position

Tina Tam, deputy zoning administrator for the Planning Department, summarized the department’s review of submissions spanning 12 years and said the December plans reduced some rooftop features but still did not comply with height, massing and front‑façade compatibility standards for the historic district. She asked the board to deny the appeal and uphold the cancellation.

Appellant testimony and board questions

Dr. Subharwal described a long‑running “San Francisco Butterfly Angels” project and said changes had been made in response to planning comments. Commissioners pressed planning staff on whether revised plans had been submitted after the board’s December hearing; Planning said the last plan set submitted in December was the one reviewed and remained inadequate.

Board decision

After questioning and deliberation, the board voted unanimously to deny the appeal and uphold the department’s cancellation of the permits on the basis that the proposed changes still failed to meet the residential design guidelines and code requirements.