Neighbors, owner fail to resolve window/privacy dispute; Board of Appeals continues Cesar Chavez appeal to July 20

Neighbors appealing the approval for a 4‑story rear extension at 4221 Cesar Chavez told the Board of Appeals the plan’s new windows would radically increase direct sightlines and erode privacy, while the property’s representatives said the project was fully vetted and offered an alternate window layout.

"We were in the process of negotiating," Biana Schickman, an adjacent neighbor, said, describing a revised plan the permit holder’s architect provided on May 2 that reduced the count from 24 to 19 windows but left privacy concerns. She said the respondents’ brief contained inaccuracies and that the appellants had tried in good faith to resolve matters before filing an appeal.

The permit holder’s counsel, Steve Williams, and the project team said the design was originally discussed in 2015–17, planning and DBI approved the project, and they offered an alternate window configuration to address neighbor concerns. Williams said there was no record-based evidence showing planning erred and described the appellants’ on‑screen claims as "appeal by ambush."

Planning staff said the proposed windows are set back about 5 feet from the side property line, that side‑facing windows are common in the city and that the project complies with planning code and design guidelines. DBI and planning recommended denying the appeal.

Rather than rule tonight, Vice President Anne Lazarus moved to continue the item to July 20 to allow the parties to negotiate possible permit revisions — specifically to address the window configuration — and permitted a one‑page double‑spaced brief (plus exhibits) due the Thursday before the continued hearing. The motion carried 4–0.

The board’s continuation leaves open the possibility of a revised permit but requires any changes to be submitted to and reviewed by planning and DBI.