about the waivers, and i notice each of these comes with of waiver. i would like to know what qualifies for a waiver, and the you have information on what percentage of the total of pills are submitted and with the weavers bowman -- total of appeals are submitted with waivers? >> we submit all of these directly to the planning department, and i suggest you add that to the list. we hand over the checks once they are filed within the time, so what happens is the waivers that it submitted is actually done through the planning department. we do not kick information on our end.

each is specifically made out to the planning department. >> the question is to the planning department. is it on an hourly basis? and a cost recovery model for these appeals. >> i do not know how much fear received of the filing fees. i do not have that information this evening. as far as the planning commission, i do not know how many hours they took to make

these determinations. >> i am sorry to interrupt you. the waiver is submitted by the planning department? >> we submit a waiver and the check to the planning department, and none of that actually filters back to the office. >> thank you. >> i would like everyone to know that they have asked that we speak more clearly into the microphones. >> there are a variety of different appeals. one is the discretionary revere

-- review it is one of the best ways to protest a project. i think it is around $30,000 to compel the profit to be held before the mission. it does not recover staff time. they can often take many hearings and many hours to prepare an analysis and review and analysis. with respect to fee waivers, i believe there are two different ones. one is for individuals but are extremely important. the second is unique to

discretionary reviews, perhaps even to see if overviews. -- seat " reviews -- cequa reviews. >> we are not going to bring up the process tonight. we will bring via a of of the next meeting -- bring that up but the next meeting. public comments? seeing none. >> no public comments. we can move on to item 5, discussion of the procedure and process for a permit pertaining to sidewalk improvements and up graves. a presentation by the bureau of men -- improvements and to upgrade its.

>> i would like to disclose to them that i am an employee of the department of public works very good -- of public works. >> good evening, commissioners. i am the department -- i want to thank the commission for the process. and i have prepared a quick presentation for the commission.

the department of public works provides a variety of permits to the public for the construction in the streets. the department particularly requires these permits related to many building permits. the question from the commission was under what conditions would the department require a permit. this has a station within the department of building inspection, and we are one stationed in the process. in the course of seville during project, the department of public works will review the proposed work and make a determination if there is an impact.

we evaluate entrances and exits islam -- and exit relating to the compliance. the department will also evaluate whether there are new utilities that need to be installed in the sidewalk, and finally, they will evaluate the condition of the sidewalk for the property. is the public works permit integrated? it is part of the process, and it is well-integrated. we tried to evaluate the situation as soon as we get

them. there is a question as a degree -- as it relates to the completion of permits from public works. within the building department, the department of public works is one station within its. for over the counter permits, when applicants come to us, we tried to review the application of immediately. we make sure if there are any conditions, that the applicant be informed and apply to the permit and get it approved. typically if there are no specific issues we can identify in the public right away, we will release it so we can move

to the next station within the department. there are situations where a building permit will come to us, and we will determine it will take more than an hour review. in those cases we will request a to a permit in take so we will have more time to do this. and we will not create a situation where there is a backlog for other applicants waiting. please note these situations are very infrequent and rare. in the review, if the department identifies their needs to be working right away, we will require very is a permit and -- various permits. this will include a minor sidewalk encroachment, utility

permanency -- permits. at other times the department may identify the final inspection may be required of the department and will require an inspection right away for conformity. this will allow the inspectors to come out to the property of the end of construction, inspect the sidewalk to make sure the conditions are adequate and constructed to city standards. there are a variety of permits issued by the department. once an applicant has submitted who -- we will be required to hold the building permits until

the applicant submits the appropriate public networks permit -- public works permit. the department has established time frames for review of the permanencits. once the applicant has submitted the appropriate plans, we will release the building permit and not delay the beginning of construction. on average, once public works has begun reviewing a permit, it will typically take us between a week or two for review.

this assumes the application and or architect responds in a timely manner. furthermore, it takes six to 12 weeks currently to process. however, this should not delay the impact sioux businesses as it relates to improvements or new construction -- the impact to business as it relates to improvements are new construction. the sidewalk work comes at the end of construction, which is years if not months away. within the department, i currently have a full-time staff running over 30 different programs.

currently the staff will be supplementing as necessary dependent upon the work load. five other staff members are currently reviewing infrastructure improvements has identified earlier that relates to building construction. that includes the briefing i provide. i am here to be able to respond to any questions the commission may have. commissioner walker: thank you for explaining this process. do you deal with bike lanes in the same fashion? there was recently of a project on seventh street, and it close

the sidewalk and a bike lane and put both of them -- i think you have to go to the other side of the streets for a pedestrian, and a bike lane was not there. do you have a process for that? there are a lot of bike lanes in the city. >> typically, the department to issue an occupancy permit for contractors to occupy the sidewalk and the parking lane, but we will not typically allow them to operate. in order for a contractor to take service, they would have to coordinate which is the mta -- with the mta board to another action. a good example would be the current building located at the

corner with golden gate, where they need to take the bike lane, of a coordinated to find an alternative to location on an adjustment that can be made on these cases. >> thank you this 6 to 12 weeks is the reason for the delay in -- is that staff shortage for when things get easy it is going to go from 12 weeks to 12 months to two years? >> in these cases, currently we have a backlog. it has been an issue.

we always have someone of a shortage as it relates to staffing. we are trying to find a way to process permits. >> i understand that, but how much time is spent on processing the regular 25-foot sidewalk in san francisco. i a understand there are projects on the sides of hills. let's say for a guy doing a simple renovation, may be putting a garage in, building a single-family house, i do not understand why that would take all the time to process.

>> one of the challenges we are faced with is photography is typically hilly, and when we normally ask for improvement plans, we are typically asking for elevation. we can match everything up, make sure it is constructed of appropriately. the experience we have is comparing to the officials flow of history. -- officials slope of the street. there will be situations where the applicant will have a sidewalk but does not match official maps. in some cases we have applicants suggested they have a six-foot sidewalk, when there is a 15- foot sidewalk. there are a variety of issues we have to go back and either work

with the applicant, architect, or engineer and make sure the plan is submitted in such a way it is clear, they can be inspected by the inspector. >> it seems like we are trying to reinvent the wheel here. either the north side, south side, east side, west side, that does not change, but why all of this certification you need it? >> many times plans will receive an elevation of zero on one end of the property and zero of the other end of the property, and that isn't saying vulnerable -- that is saying the whole place is flat when it is on the hill. we have gone back and tried to educate the architect and the

engineer who do the drawings and say this does not make sense. the water flows into the gutter, and you are suggesting it is flat. it is educational at times to get the appropriate information, provide a visit to see what is going on out there, and provide the appropriate plans for the department to give a thorough review. >> i am not sure you answered any might not -- of my questions. i still think this is a ridiculous 6 to 12 weeks to get this approved. i hear horror stories. i have heard of one instance where somebody build a building, and shame on him for not getting his plans in when he started the building process. he brought them in kind of late,

and he had his building in escrow sold. he lost that, and he ended up sitting on the killing for two years because of sidewalk and permits. -- on the sidewalk for -- on the building for two years because of sidewalk permits. it is not fair. >> thanks for coming to speak to us. i lis the commercial space on chestnut street. -- lease the commercial space on chesnutt since been -- chestnut street. >> could you speak more into the -- >> about a year and a half ago, we came to work, and there were markings on the sidewalk and

notices on people's doors that they had until this date, but there was no explanation as to how to go about doing it, work permits required? was it a fee associated? i think -- there was a lot of confusion about how to proceed with the notice, and in the information would be helpful. >> of believe what you are describing is sidewalk construction repair program, which is a systematic process for the city would inspect all the sidewalks throughout the city and provide notices. our inspectors would to a preliminary posted on property, saying these markings represent

areas you need to make repairs on, that a letter needs to be sent to the property owner within 30 days, and the letter which typically have, this is the work you need to do, here is where you go to get a permit, or alternatively, the city hires a contractor to do the work. here are the quotes for the prices you need to do and provide an option for either you get a permit for having the contract for i ask the city to do it, in which case, the cost could either be paid at the time or rolled into the tax bill. >> i have a question on the role in major projects. they are doing a lot of work in the neighborhood where i live.

they are running gas lines or replacing gas lines. it seems like there was a lot of clarity among some businesses. some of the small businesses are talking about how difficult it is to get permits. it seems they do not have of problem. all of the parking spaces are gone in one or to block such a time. i was wondering if there was notification for property owners. some had to coach their own

properties on hold. there was no use if they were going to dig it up anyway. >> we do have multiple meetings with the agencies and sister city agencies. we have a five-year plan. you describe the pg&e gas line. it needs to be provided so we know about this ahead of time so we can coordinate this so we do not have a case where it is immediately and doug op. we want to be made sure to minimize any impact.

in the excavation of over a thousand feet, they will be required to provide a mailing to all of the property owners in the area, informing them of the upcoming work. they need to tell how long they expect it to take. if there are inquiries as it relates to construction, not knowing what is going on, please feel free to contact the department. commissioner clyde: thank you for your presentation. i live on lower 24 street, and

it is impacted by trees. it is currently being surveyed, and i would like to know are the small property owners being responsible for these sidewalks. >> under the public works co, the property owner is responsible for the sidewalk and his drive for it. the only exception is if the trees -- and his driveway. the only exception is if the trees are maintained by the department of public works. if not, the responsibility would fall on the property owner. >> a couple questions. one i talked about with the staff before the meeting, but

maybe the committee would like to know. i was approached by somebody who had suddenly that i'll leave behind their building had a gate on it, -- the alley behind their building had a gate on it, so it would be nice to know what the process is for coding and gave up, when is it -- for putting a gave up. the second is what is the process for someone who wants to use the sidewalks and outdoor benches to have coffee, not just temporary but on going? >> as it relates to the gate in the alleyway, currently state law prohibits the blocking of public alleyways. that would grant access, unless there is a finding from the

city. we have another situation i know of where somebody put up a gate without telling anyone. they are going to purchase the alleyway. when it becomes a private property they are going to fend sloot off a. >> they can do that without permits -- they are going to fend cut off. >> they can do that without permits the? do they need a permit to do the gate? >> that would be a function that can best be answered by the building department. related to the second portion, cafe tables and chairs to display martin days -- merchandise -- on our web site

there are links that would provide information related to requiring permits for displaying merchandise, and what is allowed, what the fees are, what needs to happen. you can always come to the office in these cases. >> i know we talked a little bit about the department's sidewalk repair program where inspectors will go out into the neighborhoods to inspect and make sure the sidewalks are savfe, and i know you made a presentation were a sidewalk is replaced and we have to review clarence -- to review plans, but i probably know the answer to this question,