precita.org

Mission Local has a good piece on the Cesar Chavez Redesign:

The first phase, which is likely to start this summer, involves redoing the sewage system to reduce flooding.

Above ground, the second phase will involve planting more trees, using energy-efficient street lights and converting the three lanes of traffic in each direction to two lanes. With concerns over safety, a 14-foot tree-lined median and widened curbs will be paved to decrease the time needed for pedestrians to cross the intersection. Bicyclists will also be able to enjoy the additional street space through permanent bike lanes.

More at Mission Local. It's all part of the Mission Streetscape Plan.

Labels: Cesar Chavez, News, Planning, traffic calming

Tmobile has installed a microcell on a PG&E utility poll at Mullen and Peralta. Most people notice it not so much because of the antenna at the top of the pole, but because of all the equipment that was mounted on the pole. And as the neighbors near it say, the noise from the cooling system for the electronics is really, really loud, and it's mounted on a pole less than 8 feet from the adjacent home's front door.

The neighbors also say that there was no advanced notice that this equipment would be installed, nor any information on who was installing it.

At least Tmobile did try to address appearance issues- the equipment is all painted the same color as the telephone pole and isn't a glaring grey box. But they should be required to make something that operates almost silently. We could understand if it was a very hot day that perhaps the fans might run more loudly; but after dark when it is 50 degrees out and the fans in it are blowing away loudly. And it's making this sound 24 hours a day.

From a design perspective, this is not called for.

Hopefully, Tmobile will deal with the issues of this installation.

Tmobile Microcell Noise Issues from Team Precita on Vimeo.

Labels: Planning, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn, Zoning

Demece Garepis sends us this:


Supervisor David Campos/Precita Valley Neighbors

CALL TO ACTION ALL PRECITA PARK NEIGHBORS!

Saturday, October 3rd, 9:00am – Noon

at Childrens’ Playground in Precita Park

AGENDA:

1. Supervisor Campos will help us clean up the Childrens’ Playground and Precita Park: a) Sign Installation in the Childrens’ Playground b) Clean up of rubber tiles in Childrens’ Playground c) Painting benches and picnic tables d) Trash removal in Precita Park e) Painting Benches in Precita Park f) Butterfly Garden and park flowers maintenance

2. Supervisor Campos will be presented our letters to liquor stores owners and SFPD demanding a modification on local liquor licenses to stop selling alcohol after midnight.

3. Show Supervisor Campos Precita traffic calming is not working despite our best efforts, especially along the Precita Park perimeter and our solutions.



REFRESHMENTS: water and pastries will be provided for all volunteers

Labels: Planning, Precita Park, Precita Valley Neighbors, traffic calming

We received some updated information on 55 Manchester from David Herring, Housing Inspector, SF DBI:

The building at 55 Manchester was built in 1912 as a 2 family building. In 1943 Permit Application #71899 converted the building to an apartment building with 6 apartment units. DBI research has verified that the 1943 permit was finalized and the plans showed 6 apartment units. Since the 1943 permit, the legal use has not been changed by any permit, so the current legal use in 6 apartment units.

On of the main concerns that neighbors have is the parking- because 55 Manchester currently has no off-street parking.

Labels: construction, Planning, Precita Valley Neighbors, real estate

In a response to neighborhood complaints of traffic and pedestrian hazards at Precita and Alabama, the SF Planning Department has told us that the City will realign the crosswalk and stop signs at the south end of Precita and Alabama to maximize visibility.

Labels: Planning, Precita Park, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn, traffic calming

Some neighbors have been concerned that the allegedly "well-connected to the planning department" owner of 55 Manchester may be sneaking a six-family apartment into a two-unit building.

What we do know for certain: the building was sold on 9/18/2008 to the current owner. It had been unoccupied since before 2003 when there were multiple complaints filed with the Department of Building Inspection. The building has 13 rooms and 6 bathrooms according to the Assessor's rolls. The building characteristics were changed in August of 1999 according to real estate databases. But we don't know what those changes were.

We spoke to someone at the planning department who said there appears to be some discrepancies in the permits for 55 Manchester, as the assessors office does indeed show that it is a 2-unit building now, but there are also past references to it being a 6-family unit.

Further online research finds this building inspection report for 55 Manchester:

Permit and old file research reveals that this property was originally a 2 unit building. In 1943 permit #71899 was obtained to convert building to an apartment house of an unknown number of units (at least 4) but this permit was aparently never finalized. In 1964, permit #301752 was obtained to legalize as 6 units, but permit was cancelled. In 1966 permit #330310 was obtained to legalize as 6 units, but permit was cancelled. Several records from the 1960's in microfiche indicate that the Department personel belived the building to be a legal 5 unit building. I assume that this is based on permit #71899 from 1943, but that permit does not appear to have been finilized and there is no CFC. HIS Input Form shows 6 legal apartments and 1 dwelling. This is incorrect, an apartment is a dwelling so this would mean 7 dwellings. It appears from inspections done that there were never more than 6 dwelling units in the building.
It appears that there were 6 apartments in this building at one time. Several of these apartments no longer have full kitchens but it appears that they once did.

The current owner is in the process of of improving the property and has several building permits approved. Some of the permits reference complying with notices of violation for dilapidated housing, unsafe stairs, hazardous building.

The property is Zoned as a RH-2 (residential- house, two family).

We'd like to hear from neighbors who oppose this! You can leave an anonymous comment (link below). In the mean time, we do know that there was a complaint filed over "Exceeding scope of permit 200809192095: Shoring installed and building has been raised.". [Editor's note: An additional permit 200811045805 does allow the shoring to be installed.]

Here are most of the permits for the property:

Permit 200809192095 issued 9/19/2008: remove lath & plaster, rewire, repair plumbing, install gyp board, install new doors & windows @ rear install new trim & casing. Remodel kitchens (2) & baths(4) . Repair dryrot, paint comply w/nov#2000338855 items 2.3.4.5. Reroof

Permit 200811045805 issued 11/04/2008: temporary shoring for dry-rot repair

Plumbing permit pp20081015138 issued 10/15/2008: 1, 2, & 3rd floors: remodel 2 kitchens, 4 baths, 2 laundry. Repipe entire bldg.

Permit 200902061555 issued 2/9/2009: install 28 head fire sprinkler system in basement stairs & hallway

Electrical permit E200810152481 issued 10/15/2008: 1, 2, 3 floors: 24 lights, 20 switches, 42 receptacles, 4 fans, 2 dishwasher, 2 garbage disposal, microwaves, 2 gas ranges, 2 hydro-massage tubs, 8 smoke detectorsl remodel 2 kitchens, 4 baths, 2 laundry, 6 bedrooms , and 2 living rooms. Rewire entire building and 2 new meter panels, 1 house meter. Rough and finish inspections.

Electrical permit E200810313185 Issued 10/31/2008: Roof: roof: 8 roof-mounted solar pv modules; 230 watts per module; 1 interactive inverter; 3300 kw power ratings (each); total no. Of ratings: 2 kw; additional comments: 2 identical systems

Search for Permit and Complaint Info here

Labels: construction, Planning, Zoning