Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The San Francisco Board of Appeals granted three appeals with modifications or dismissals. A fence variance appeal at 20 Burnside Avenue was administratively dismissed after discovering the fence location was in the public right-of-way, requiring a minor encroachment permit instead. A deck privacy wall dispute at 205 Fairmount Street was resolved with the parties agreeing to a 42-inch solid wall instead of the originally proposed 6-foot wall. An alteration permit appeal at 45 Prospect Avenue was granted with conditions requiring revised plans to eliminate property line encroachments.
Key Decisions (4)
Administrative Dismissal of Fence Variance at 20 Burnside Avenue
Appeal 25-054 by Simon Little regarding a 6-foot fence variance was administratively dismissed. The zoning administrator and appellant had reached a compromise design, but it was discovered the fence location was approximately 3 feet into the public right-of-way, not on private property. The variance was denied on jurisdictional grounds as a minor encroachment permit through Department of Public Works is the appropriate approval instrument.
Deck Privacy Wall Modification at 205 Fairmount Street
Appeal 26-001 by Simon Scott regarding an alteration permit for Daniel Guinaso was granted with modifications. The parties agreed to reduce the privacy wall from 6 feet to 42 inches above the deck surface, with no additional privacy screen above that height. The wall will be solid, opaque, and fire-rated along the side abutting the appellant's property.
Permit Recommencement Appeals at 1077 Fell Street
Appeals 25-049 and 25-050 regarding recommencement of four expired permits for Stephen Wong were continued to March 11, 2026. A new revision permit (2026) was issued the day of the hearing, and the board determined it needed more information about how this new permit impacts the underlying permits before proceeding.
Alteration Permit Revision at 45 Prospect Avenue
Appeal 26-004 by Gregory Weselowski regarding an alteration permit for Mark Sherry was granted with conditions. The original permit contained an unintentional 4-inch footing encroachment onto the neighboring property, plus fill and drainage over the property line. Revised plans dated 02/27/2026 eliminate all encroachments with zero-encroachment footings and independent drainage.
Zoning Changes (1)
20 Burnside Avenue, San Francisco
Simon Little
Development Activity (2)
Kitchen/Bathroom Remodel and Attic Conversion
Remodel existing kitchen and bathroom, add new bathroom and master bathroom, add three new dormers, convert attic into habitable space, new foundation
Rooftop Deck Addition
Second floor deck extension, third floor new deck over addition, new closet at existing rear office to become new bedroom
Market Signals (2)
Housing Demand
Multiple residential renovation and addition projects proceeding in San Francisco, including attic conversions and deck additions, indicating continued investment in existing housing stock.
Sentiment
Board of Appeals expressed strong appreciation for parties reaching compromise solutions independently, suggesting regulatory preference for collaborative dispute resolution over adversarial proceedings.