precita.org

Big pothole on 24th near Bryant. So big a delivery truck got stuck in it!

Not only is it deep, but it has undermined the street near it. 24th is currently closed. You can't tell so much from these pictures because we couldn't get close enough, but the hole is actually much bigger than the break in the pavement above it. It goes down about 3 feet, and the pavement is only a couple inches thick.

Labels: construction

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

As part of the "Safe Routes to School" project, bulb-outs are being installed on all corners of Folsom and Precita (north part).

You've seen the construction going on for the last 2 weeks in front of the bus stop. It's been taking a while because the rain slows things down, makes it too wet to finish the project. Once the first corner is done, they start on the next corner.

It's safe to think that it could be 4 more weeks at least, probably more like 8 before it's finished.

Labels: construction

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

Mr. G tips us off about this: ``A private contractor team came down Alabama Street (from Ripley to Precita) on Friday 1/30/09 and drilled holes in the street about every ~ 4-10 feet.``




We did some further investigation and found that the hole drilling actually goes from the 100 block of Bernal Heights Blvd (near Bradford), heads north/downhill to Esmerelda towards Alabama, and all the way down Alabama to Precita, where they turn East and go down Precita to Bryant.

All along this way, there are also underground survey markings for all the underground water, gas and electrical services.

It is very similar to the path that the Bernal Hills Water Pipeline takes under Bernal Hill. This is the same pipeline that was replaced over the last 18 months, and terminated at Alabama and Ripley.

Alabama street is already a major "right of way" for other utilities. There are several fiber optic lines going down Alabama (ATT, Qwest, MFN, Level 3 and CCSF/City of San Francisco's fiber ring are all ones that have manhole covers up and down the street with their names on them). We're trying to track down more details on who what the project is, and how long it will be tearing up Alabama.

Labels: bernal hills pipeline, construction, precita, water main

Saturday, February 7th, 10am – 11:00am at
Charlie’s Deli, 3202 Folsom Street -Folsom at Precita

David Robinson (285-5957) and Demece Garepis (641-0507) Co-Chairs.

AGENDA:

1. Andres Power, Project Manager in the SF Planning Dept for the Cesear Chavez Design Project, will hear our priorities for Cesar Chavez Design Review and requests we have to minimize increased traffic flow to NW Bernal.

2. 55 Manchester – another misuse of permit application by a former DBI inspector to build housing inconsistent with current zoning laws?

Labels: Cesar Chavez, construction, Precita Valley Neighbors

The city is installing a new catch basin at the intersection of Precita (North side) and Folsom, as well as replacing the sewer lines from around 343 Precita to Folsom. There will be no parking during working hours for the first 2 weeks in February along that stretch of Precita. Additionally, there is no parking along Folsom near Precita.
This is part of a more complex project that will also involve the building of "bulb outs" at Precita and Folsom, financed as part of the 'Safe Routes to School' project.

So expect there to be some parking issues around the park for the next few weeks, but the impact is expected to be less severe than most street cleaning times.

Labels: construction, News, Precita Park, Precita Valley Neighbors, traffic calming

There has been some strong neighborhood opposition to a building permit for a restaurant at Harrison and Precita. There has also been some support for a restaurant, so this was a lively topic at the Precita Valley Neighbors meeting last Saturday.

We were brought up to date with the history of this property: about 35 years ago, the ground floor was used as a small store, but for the last 35 years it has been used as a residence by artists Susan Cervantes (of Precita Eyes) and her late husband. The property was not used as a gallery, as alleged by the current property owners, and therefore should not be considered a commercially zoned space. (Someone stated that Cervantes never even took part in Open Studios, but the location is listed in the October 2006 Open Studio guide. [pdf]) Cervantes was evicted in 2005, and eventually came to a settlement with the building owner.

Several immediate neighbors have expressed concerns about increased traffic, parking issues as well as problems from rodents, smells and fire dangers to the surrounding homes. Others are upset at the processes the owner of the building has used to

One of the neighbors that lives one door down from the location stated that she's not opposed to having a restaurant there, but "It's chinese food, it's all fried, which is different than having a sandwich shop." This offended one of the attendees who then walked out of the meeting, saying he would vote for the restaurant just because of her statement. She then clarified and said "We don't know enough about what they're planning on putting in there to make a judgement."

After a heated discussion, it was moved that "The organization [PVN] object to the application as filed because it falsely states that the proposed restaurant space is a commercial use where as it has in fact been residential for more than 30 years, and therefore any commercial use would require rezoning." A majority of the attendees supported this.

There was much more to discuss and time had run out, so it was suggested that a second meeting happen next week to discuss the issues of traffic calming on Stoneman more.

Labels: construction, parking, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn, Zoning

Please attend the meeting of Precita Valley Neighbors this Saturday at 10am, at Charlie's Deli on Folsom and Precita.

Two important issues will be covered:

Restaurant at Harrison and Precita- a building permit has been granted for a restaurant at Harrison and Precita (398 Precita / 3200 Harrison). Several neighbors are opposed to this, others support development of this site, which is currently a blight on the neighborhood. Please come to discuss the ramifications of a restaurant here.

Stoneman Traffic Calming- there are concerns that there is traffic traveling much too fast down Stoneman, and neighbors will discuss methods to slow down traffic while not impacting available parking on the street.

Also:

Andres Power, Cesar Chavez Street Traffic Planner from the SF Planning Department will present the most current design of Cesar Chavez. There has been neighborhood concern that adding bike lanes and reducing traffic lanes will force more traffic onto Precita.

Demece Garepis will give an update on "Solar Panel District 9 Aggregate Organizing Results" and PVN's plans for the Community Matching Funds for installation of solar panels in Precita Park Children’s Playground.

Precita Valley Neighbors Monthly Meeting
Saturday, January 24th, 10am – 11:00am at the
Charlie’s Deli
3202 Folsom Street -Folsom at Precita

Labels: construction, parking, Precita Park, Precita Valley Neighbors, pvn, real estate, traffic calming, Zoning

You've probably noticed the water leaks on Harrison just uphill of Precita. DPW on Friday was trying to locate the exact underground location of the leak, but the leak hasn't been fixed yet.



This is the second leak of that kind in the last year that we know of, the last one was up the hill a bit more.

The SF Water Department staff told Precita.org that the water line the 3200 block of Harrison is almost 100 years old. One house on Harrison still has the original building permit to connect to the water main dated 1910.

The water main will need to be replaced at some point in the future, else residents will be getting a lot more visits from DPW to repair the leaks the spring up. The water line is a 3" pipe going up the street. It's amazing that it has lasted as long as it has!

In the mean time, if you see any more instances of water seeping up from the street, please call 311 and report it.

Labels: construction, water main

The SF Water Department will be doing some construction on Harrison near Precita. We don't have any more details at this time.

UPDATE: work has begun. [1/16/09]

Labels: construction

Demolition has begun on the former Kelly Moore paint store site at Mission and Cesar Chavez.

Labels: construction

On Harrison, above Precita, there has been water leaking from the curb area for a couple weeks. Some neighbors called 311 about it, and the water department came out and replaced the water line that feeds fresh water to the house by the leak.

Mary Ann from Bernal Hill Realty sent us some pictures of the work:

Labels: construction, water main

In the last few days, a lot of underground survey marks have popped up on Treat from Precita to the South end of Treat. Tonight, we encountered some PG&E employees marking/surveying gas lines, and asked them if they knew what was up.

``The city is going to do construction to fix the pot holes.`` Was the response. ``Not us, the City``.

You may remember, between October 2003 and Feb 2004, the city replaced the sewer line going down Treat ave. They opened up a 2 foot trench in the middle of the street, replaced the sewer lines, repaved the street and also replaced the curbs on the street.

Apparently, they didn't do something right when they closed up the trench in the middle of the street, because it has been sinking. There are numerous potholes, including the rather large one that appeared in January 2008, so hopefully the construction will be done properly this time.

However, we might be in for another 2 months of Treat being under construction again, like it was in last 2003.

(Here are some pictures from the 2003/2004 sewer replacement on Treat)



The photo below shows a cross-section of the street after it was cut through. Notice the old cobblestones/ bricks under the asphalt.





The new sewer line. They would rip out the old pipes, and immediately replace it with the new pipes.







The new pipes were laid in a bed of gravel, our understanding is because that gives the pipes a bit of room to move during an earthquake.



If you know anything more about this construction, post a comment. Calls to 311 were directed to a voicemail number for DPW, who didn't return our call.

Labels: construction, precita

If you drive from Precita up to Bernal Hill on Alabama, you'll see a lot of construction. It's the "Bernal Heights Pipeline", which is being replaced by digging a tunnel under Bernal. Tikirobot has some good pictures and more information about this.

Construction Update: Affholder Construction, the tunneling contractor continues boring work within City property through Bernal Hill. The closure of Powhattan Street between Nevada & Nebraska (the "tunnel head") continues until October. Work continues at Cortland Avenue and Nebraska Streets. Some parking has been temporarily removed at Alabama & Ripley and traffic patterns have slightly changed. The storing of some materials and equipment is located at Powhattan & Nebraska and also at Bernal Heights Boulevard near Bradford Street.

The target completion date for this project is October 2007.

Work has now started at Ripley and Alabama, another "tunnel head". Apparently, the tunnel goes directly under some homes. The old tunnel went directly under some homes, but the new tunnel is trying to avoid going under homes. (This is what I've been told, but don't have a reference to back it up.)

Here's a map of the San Francisco water system. You can see this main on the upper left side of SF.

Labels: bernal hills pipeline, construction, water main