Board of Appeals denies rehearing request in Folsom Street permit-suspension case

The San Francisco Board of Appeals on a 4–0 vote declined a rehearing request from permit holder Michael Turon in a dispute over suspended building permits for 2722–2724 Folsom Street.

Appellant counsel Ryan Patterson told the board the case involved “the suspension of lawfully issued permits after Mr. Turon performed more than $400,000 of construction work in reliance on those permits,” and urged the panel to grant rehearing because the permit holder had relied on the city’s prior actions. Engineer Matt Coelho said reinstating an earlier kitchen would require demolition and “structural work alone would likely be into the six figures,” arguing the work was neither simple nor inexpensive.

Scott Sanchez of the Planning Department asked the board to deny the rehearing, saying he had not heard any new material that was not presented at the July hearing and noting that many arguments are legal questions better resolved in court. Deputy City Attorney Brad Russi explained the rehearing standard, saying the board may grant rehearing only on extraordinary grounds such as new facts or to prevent manifest injustice.

After public comment from neighbors who described the Turons as long-time community members and urged leniency, Vice President Rick Swig moved to deny the rehearing request on the ground that no new evidence or manifest injustice had been demonstrated. Commissioners Jose Lopez, Anne Lazarus and Tina Chang voted "Aye," and the motion carried 4–0.

The board’s decision preserves the prior denial; the parties retain other legal options noted in the hearing record.