RUSSIAN HILL NEIGHBORS
DESIGN ZONING AND LAND USE COMMITTEE
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO BOARD MEETING 9‐8‐14
The DZLU Committee met on Tuesday 8-26-24.
Issues discussed included:
AT&T U-Verse Boxes – (Sarah Taber)
No new threats of boxes on Russian Hill since DPW rejected AT&T’s box proposed for 998
Lombard Street and the Board of Supervisors passed new restrictive legislation re: AT&T
“surface-mounted facilities” (U-verse sidewalk boxes), signed into effect by the Mayor
6-28-14 (for which AT&T is suing the City).
Francisco Reservoir / Park (David Crimmins, Bob Bluhm)
Nothing new since the Board of Supervisors voted last month to allow transfer of the
property to Rec. and Park. The Fay Park Conservacy has been incorporated.
1045-1061 Broadway / 1000 Block of Broadway Tree Removal (Carol Ann Rogers)
Over 8 years ago, RHN was the appellant protesting the removal of trees on Broadway
and the long-postponed Board of Appeals hearing has been scheduled for 10-29-2014.
Unfortunately, Broadway neighbors declined to meet with RHN; no action until hearing,
but we plan to take a strong position that if these trees must be removed, they must be
replaced by trees no smaller than 48” sized tree boxes and of a type recommended by
our arborist (NOT eucalyptus!)
1137 Green Street (Lydia Pugliese, Tyson Dirksen)
Tyson tried to reach out to both Planning and DPW regarding the appearance of the
visable meters, loose wires, and exposed conduit pipes on the historic wall. Possible
follow-up with Historic Preservation Commission and/or DPW re: lack of encroachment
permit.
1338 Filbert Street — Cottages (Leah Freiwald)
The project continues to progress with yet another large concrete pour.
Macondray Lane Wooden Stair Maintenance (Bob Bluhm)
Bob continues to pursue information from DPW to find a solution to maintaining these
stairs that connect Macondray Lane and Taylor Street. The abutting neighbor (by City
decree) has averaged approximately $1,000/year in costs to maintain the stairs and
we’re hoping to bring them up to a code standard whereby the City would agree to
take over their maintenance (towards which goal DZLU may someday ask RHN for a
monetary contribution.)
Short Term Rentals (Tyson Dirksen)
The issue of short-term rentals has been much in the news lately and DZLU has had at
least one inquiry regarding the potential benefits and/or problems due to “casual”
rentals of less than thirty days. Tyson has been following David Chiu’s legislation
(approved so far by Planning) which, among many other things, would require hosts be
in residence at least 275 days/year, cannot rent for more $ than they pay, and must
keep records for at least 2 years.
Undergrounding Utilities (Anne Brubaker)
The SFCUU (San Francisco Committee to Underground Utilities) continues to pursue
eliminating the visual blight caused by the myriad of still existing overhead wires in our
City. Their successes this last month include endorsements from two more
neighborhood groups, EIN, Articles of Incorporation and 501c4 applied for and new
members.
Roof Deck Policy
Under Carol Ann’s and Bob’s leadership, DZLU is exploring the possibility of developing a
set of guidelines to help prevent excesses in roof deck design by owners/developers in
Russian Hill construction projects.
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