Board asks parties to work out privacy screening for Ulloa stair deck, continues item to Nov. 10

The San Francisco Board of Appeals on a unanimous procedural vote continued an appeal over a proposed rear stair and landing at 4341 Ulloa Street to November 10 to allow the neighbors and permit holder to negotiate and submit revised plans.

Appellant Jean Mondeaton, represented at the hearing by her daughter, said the proposed stair landing would extend to within about 5 feet of her bedroom window and asked that a permanent, opaque 3–4-foot privacy shield be provided. The permit holder’s agent, Chris Erczyk, offered during the hearing to provide screening at the landing and a portion of the stair, saying he expected to use opaque materials (frosted glass or metal) and to extend the screening to the bottom of the railing.

Scott Sanchez of the Planning Department called the on-the-record compromise reasonable, said screening could be included as a condition on the permit and noted the element would need to be within the buildable area and shown on revised plans. Senior Building Inspector Matthew Green said the approved plans show the stairs 3 feet 8½ inches from the property line and requested details of how the lattice or screen would be attached for safety.

Commissioner Anne Lazarus moved to continue the item to Nov. 10 to let the parties confer and, if they resolve the issue, submit plans for review. Commissioners Jose Lopez, Tina Chang and Vice President Rick Swig voted "Aye." The board asked parties to submit any revised plan the Thursday before the continued hearing if possible.