Board rejects neighbors' appeal of over‑the‑counter permits for 734 Vermont Street

Neighbors of 734 Vermont Street appealed several over‑the‑counter (OTC) permits that authorized interior reconfiguration, a modest First‑Floor infill and decks set within the buildable area. Appellants said the project had been handled in a piecemeal way, that extensive interior sheetrock removal and dumpsters showed a de‑facto gutting, and that proposed new decks and rooftop access would harm privacy and neighborhood character.

Attorney Ryan Patterson, representing permit holder Ohad Kalaora, said the permits were appropriately reviewed: prior permits were on file (some originating in 2018), planning reviewed and requested revisions, and DBI inspectors who examined the site on Dec. 29, 2021 confirmed the permit reflected conditions and lifted a stop‑work requirement after inspection. Senior Building Inspector Matthew Green and Planning Deputy Tina Tam explained the OTC criteria: decks within the buildable area, set back three feet from side property lines and under 10 feet in height, may be processed without neighborhood notification. DBI said the interior framing remained intact and that removed sheetrock did not constitute structural demolition warranting a different application.

Appellants urged a single comprehensive permit so neighbors could evaluate the full scope and asked the board to restrict or deny rooftop access. The board asked DBI to review expired 2018 permits in the tracking system; DBI staff said they would expire stale entries and apply an expanded compliance list for contractors with repeated violations. After discussion, the board denied the appeal, finding the permits complied with code and OTC procedures.