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, but could you talk a little bit about how a resident or a property owner or a tenant who wants to replace their sidewalk in front of their building business. new they have to go through the process?

>> to answer the question, when someone is voluntarily replacing their sidewalk and there are no associated building permit with the property, they are doing it voluntarily by themselves, they can get a sidewalk repair permits. they can get its death of a building department at 1616 mission street on the fifth -- they can get its act of building department at 1616 mission street on the fifth floor. the cost is approximately $17 per 100 square feet of sidewalk replacement. during construction you would need to occupy the sidewalk or the street, and there is associated fee for occupancy

that is separate. >> today have an approach on sustainable category -- to they have an approach on a sustainable category for a more absorbent sidewalk that would allow for water to go into the ground as opposed soto running off the current system? >> we are in the process of reviewing and identifying materials that cann be used for city projects. also, we want to be able to identify and materials to provide to the public as an option they can use. typically what the department

receives is a request from a property owner, and we evaluate it as a separate permit to make sure whatever is put down is accessible by the public, and if that is the case, we will issue a separate permit allowing the applicant to install these facilities. >> there is not not a policy other than on a project by project basis that it is being reviewed? is in courage? -- is it in courage? is it only where the property owner is in -- where in the directions to reduce by reducing storm water runoff, especially by sidewalks? >> of this point, given they

have recently passed the ordinance that requires a certain amount of ground water infiltration to minimize flow, we are working with the public utilities commission to identify materials that can be used for these. we are in the process of working that out. we're also in the situation and never an investor will come to assess, and it will -- come to us, and it will cease -- it will be evaluated accordingly. >> your slides are very useful, and we thank you for that.

one thing that prompted me to put this on the agenda is dealing with people who require permits on a regular basis, as far as i know right now there are permits that come in around november that are still not assigned to a planner, and that is a little bit scary, not withstanding the fact that you made a valid statement earlier had said if we have a project that is going to take up to six months and this work is at the end of the project, it is common sense we do not sweat on that, sense we do not sweat on that, and we do not lock everybody