Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The San Francisco Board of Appeals held its January 28, 2026 meeting, electing John Trezvina as president and Rebecca Saroyan as vice president. The board continued a street vendor permit revocation appeal (Xavier Mikolev) to March 11 for additional documentation on violation fines and legal authority. A variance appeal for a 6-foot fence at 20 Burnside Avenue was continued to March 4 for the appellant and zoning administrator to develop compromise findings addressing privacy and safety. The board granted an appeal at 678 Vermont Street requiring a rear deck reconstruction with a 3-foot setback on the northern property line for privacy and fire safety compliance. A kitchen renovation permit at 2198 Jackson Street was revised to specify the 1st floor location with electric-only appliances.
Key Decisions (5)
Board Officer Elections
John Trezvina re-elected as president (4-0 vote), Rebecca Saroyan elected as vice president (4-0 vote) for the Board of Appeals.
Street Vendor Permit Revocation Appeal - Xavier Mikolev
Appeal 25-040 regarding revocation of street vendor permit 2025-12 for Xavier Mikolev. DBI and Port documented 12 enforcement contacts making appellant the top non-compliant vendor among 517 contacts. Board continued matter to obtain detailed violation documentation, legal authority for fine discretion, and payment records.
Front Yard Fence Variance Appeal - 20 Burnside Avenue
Appeal 25-054 by Simon and Catherine Little appealing denial of variance for 6-foot solid fence in front setback. Property has no rear yard, is across from school, near Glen Canyon Park entrance, on Crosstown Trail. Zoning administrator denied citing residential design guidelines requiring 3-foot setback.
Rear Deck Reconstruction - 678 Vermont Street
Appeal 25-055 by Matthew Geiss and Sandra Groom against permit for deck at 678 Vermont Street. Permit holder demolished and rebuilt deck without proper permits. DBI confirmed deck was never legally permitted. Board required reconstruction with 3-foot setback on northern property line for neighbor privacy and firewall on southern property line for fire safety.
Kitchen Renovation Permit Revision - 2198 Jackson Street
Appeal 25-058 by Lauren Nemeth and Tim Fay against kitchen renovation permit at 2198 Jackson Street. Property has recorded restrictions limiting kitchens by floor. DBI determined permit was issued in error as it failed to specify floor location and included gas appliances prohibited in community kitchens under housing code.
Development Activity (2)
Rear Deck Reconstruction
Full replacement of existing rear deck, approximately 24 feet by 12 feet 3 inches, property line to property line. Required to include 3-foot setback on northern property line and firewall on southern property line.
Kitchen Renovation
In-kind kitchen renovation on 1st floor of property with 10 guest rooms (group housing) and one basement dwelling unit. Electric appliances only required per housing code for R2 occupancy.
Market Signals (3)
Housing Demand
Board expressed strong support for family-friendly policies, citing recent Board of Supervisors and Mayor agreement on zoning legislation with family-friendly amenities as guidance for variance decisions.
Sentiment
Multiple references to keeping families in San Francisco and making environment hospitable to young couples buying first homes, indicating policy priority for family retention.
Other
Street vendor program at Oracle Park continues to face enforcement challenges with lottery system for high-demand vending locations near ballpark.