40 letters and/or e-mails opposed, in opposition to this application. and also the staff visit reveals that the circumstances surrounding the subject property in this neighborhood do not appear to have changed since a similar proposal was submitted in 1998. and they subsequently relinquished by the same subject property owner. this concludes the staff presentation. i'm happy to answer questions. thank you. >> thank you. project sponsor. put it on the bench, the rail there. thank you.

is the image on the screen? how do we do that? >> i'll do that. go ahead, start talking. good evening, commissioners. i'm the architect for this project. this is our proposal for 70 crestline. one thing i want to clarify is that i was hired to design this project from scratch in 2007. this project is not the 1998 submittal that was withdrawn, and i have no relationship to that project whatsoever.

can you hear me from here? our site is at the base of twin peaks. it is unique in the sense that it's adjacent to vista lane shown in red. this is a right-of-way which [speaker not understood] allows the public to come up through the neighborhood and to the base of the twin peaks natural area. our proposed project is a four-family infill, a small development that is [speaker not understood] to the fabric of the existing neighborhood. and it will be framing the vista lane steps in a similar

manner as the other buildings down here from vista lane. the steps [speaker not understood] and the setbacks match the existing buildings as you can see in this model. and there is a side yard separating our building from the neighbors. so, there is no interference with light, air, or privacy for the neighbors. also space for the steps is 19 feet wide which is practically similar to the other spaces that cover the stairs through the neighborhood. this is our building is seen from [speaker not understood] drive. it is among the existing

buildings and these are the steps going up the hill. this project follows all the design guidelines, residential design guidelines for the planning. it doesn't require any variance. and actually, we worked for four years with staff, collaborating to fine tune this project until we were informed that actually it was not appropriate for the site. this is how the building is seen from the above crestline. as you see, it has no interference whatsoever with public views from the hill, and it's a very minor intervention within the you areurban [speaker not understood] formed by existing neighboring buildings. so, the entrance to three of the four units is directly from

the steps. so, our presentation was to open up as much as allows the facade overlooking the steps. and, so, the idea is that with generous openings in the building, especially with terraces -- sorry, accessible terraces would allow the contact [speaker not understood] safety, [speaker not understood] contact between the public and the building. this is how the space is now. as you can see, the steps are not very well maintained. this is the open space and this triangle here -- i'll finish in one minute. this triangle here is our site,

is covered by brush, by nonnative plants. it is not accessible, not usable space. this is our vision for the [speaker not understood] steps going through. what we are offering is a family [speaker not understood] and open space that is safe, that is landscaped, and that [speaker not understood] the architecture. and is going to be maintained in perpetuity by the owner. we all have been joined by the office of [speaker not understood] fletcher, a landscaped architect -- >> thank you. they are going to explain the strategy for landscaping next. thank you very much. >> thank you. good evening,

commissioners. [speaker not understood] from fletcher studio landscape architecture. there is another exhibit on the screen. in the plan we foresee planting a verdent fern growth [speaker not understood]. additionally, the the slope below will be planted with perennial shrubs and contribute to the existing of the habitat locations for the blue butterfly and habitation for [speaker not understood] spawning and mature growth in that spot. the wrote et has the potential to enhance the connectivity of the neighborhood in the city, twin peakses, adding additional

lighting, safety erosion control to the hillside. * peaks. thank you. >> thank you. okay. opening it up for public comment, i have some speaker cards. don vermin. okay. patricia -- that might be you. brian brown berger. and frank [speaker not understood]. good evening. i'm patricia [speaker not understood]. i live at 70 crestline drive. i'd like to share with you some pictures. actually these are ones that were produced in 1998 and i'm pleased to say that they're so much better [speaker not

understood] to generate the open space. so, can this be switched on? oh, here we go, okay. i can manipulate them. they're not very good, but nevertheless what you can see in the area here -- >> you might want to speak into the microphone there. i'm sorry, i can do both of those. that's the space we're talking about where there are the steps where you can see the figure. and to the right would be the place for the new building, which i might add is a very lovely one. and it takes up that amount of space. so, if you look at the bottom picture there, a little closer, i think you'll see it will take up quite a considerable amount of space right to the edge of the public stairway whether maintained well or not is an issue between us and the city.

it is an important place for people to use. i'll show it to you in this fashion, [speaker not understood]. there it is, that's what it would look like. actually it's been de nuded recently. it's open brush habitat. it's a public stairway and it contributes [speaker not understood]. * and it's connected with a whole series of other stairways or what goes way down the hillside. what you can see in the left there is actually the building itself that is being -- next to it, adjacent to the building. here we are at the top of the stair, the top of the stairs. that's the view up there. and here's the side of the building. and i think you can see here

these are the -- these would be windows and there's even other windows lower down that actually are indeed blocked by this new -- very beautiful edifice blocked. i guess that's it. i don't have any more time. >> thank you. next speaker, please. hi, my name is brian brown berger and i live on park ridge drive which is right below crestline for over 21 years. and i want to share briefly an experience i had two months ago. i jog in the morning and as i was coming up the smaller set of bottom stairs leading to the bigger upper stairs, when coming from the under brush of this contested lot, i saw a coyote. i've seen racoons, pos onlies and yes, skunks, but this was the first time i had ever seen

a coyote less than 50 fetus from me. we stared at each other out of shock or astonishment. i knew it was a coyote. a woman had photographed a coyote at twin peaks. she had an art show at the presidio and i went and saw those remarkable pictures. of course, this is a minor miracle that there would be any coyotes still able to sub survive in san francisco today. just as i was standing there in total awe and amazement, two tourists, i believe a couple speaking german, were starting to come down the stairs from the top and noticed the coyote and stopped dead in their tracks and they gripped each other's arms when they realized what they were seeing and there were tears in their ayes. all four of us, including the coyote just stood there in a silence i can only describe as sacred or spiritual. i am an ordained roman catholic deacon, and i know a holy

moment when i experience it. and then the coyote vanished back in the thicket on that contested land. i would say this wondrous incident crystallizes the vision of the developers [speaker not understood]. they have a very small piece of open land where human beings and nature can encounter each other and we're reminded there is something bigger than ourselves. it is so precious and rare because it speaks to our better nature and our higher ideals. every single open space however small has been developed on corbett and burnett. this in san francisco is the one remaining track where that quiet tranquility which nurtures our souls is still possible in this bustling and noisy city. i take the corbett bus which is increasingly becoming like a tourist bus because so many foreign visitors arrive to climb the stairs to the top of twin peaks to witness that

gorgeous panoramic view of san francisco and the entire bay area. many of them walk down the stairs on their way back to catch the 37 corbett at the bottom of park ridge and their last glimpse of the beauty revealed to them was the once pretty brush and wild plants and shrubbery cover on this contestedth land. about a month and a half ago, all thes are berry vines and lovely bushes and trees were brutally removed by the owner of 70 crestline. all that remains is dirt and debris. i don't know whether it will show up. * but anyway, for the long hard rainy season predicted this could potentially cause a mud slide. >> sir, your three minutes are up. i hope you will reject this proposal. thank you. >> thank you. good evening, commissioners. [speaker not understood] here to speak on behalf of this project. one thing that i really wanted to do tonight with my time was

emphasize that this is not the same project that was submitted in 1998. that project was withdrawn. you can see that on the overhead here. this is most definitely not that project. the project team, having faced difficulty with this design, they failed to choose approval for their variance. they scrapped it and came back with a new design. you are seeing that design tonight. everyone has talked about it. but i just want to remind you that this is not the same project. the project architect worked very closely with planning staff over the course of four years to come up with the design that is before you today. this is in my opinion a good

design. it does not require a variance. it is an excellent example of well design infill which we desperately need in san francisco. after four years of design work, the team was informed that this project was not compatible with the site because of the open space that it provided. however, the open space is not part of the original design of the 1965 vista francisco development. we have done the title search. there are no srs on this property. we searched all the records. no open space was established as a condition of approval for the original construction in 1965. we believe that this project is a good infill project. it is well designed. the design team worked closely with planning staff to come up with this project.

and we urge you to approve this project. thank you. >> thank you. additional public comment, tim colin and todd david. good evening, commissioners. tim colin on behalf of the housing action coalition. and i should say that i believe the project sponsors came to us in july and presented a project. this is sort of one of the surprises. we don't normally get involved in projects like this. we generally have a threshold of 10 units or greater. but they asked to present to us and we agreed to review it. and on behalf of the members of the endorsement committee, they liked the project. they liked it an awful lot. felt that it's exactly what you heard, it's good urban infill. it's good use of scarce land in san francisco. and, in fact, felt that this is a good looking design.

and putting this development at this location to our members was a higher use of the land than preserving a 1960s land use pattern that is not very intensive. it doesn't make much sense any more. it is not an architecturally distinguished area there. this is a far better design. so, what our members said was we would support this project and endorse it subject to two conditions. that a landscaping plan be adopted and it looks like there is a well qualified landscape architect involved in this. number one. and number two, that the owner made the commitment to maintain the stairs, maintain the open space and the landscapings as it was a condition of approval of the project. it's not perceptible. the images you've seen, it doesn't disrupt the skyline, it did you tellxction obstruct anybody. this is a good use of the land and i think it should be supported subject to those two conditions.

* >> go ahead. good evening, commissioners. my name is todd david and i am the co-founder of the san francisco parent political action committee. often in san francisco there is a lot of discussion of family flight and earlier this year, in fact, supervisor farrell held a hearing on why families leave and why families stay in san francisco. and the san francisco parent political action firmly believes there are basically four things needed to keep families in the city. one is great public schools. two is great rec and park programs. three is jobs. and four is housing for families. this project provides two multi-unit -- excuse me, two

multi-bedroom units that is perfect for families. i believe there's a three bedroom unit and a four bedroom unit. and, so, to me if we are serious about keeping families in san francisco and creating a city where families can thrive, this is where the rubber meets the road. it's projects like these that families can live in. -- that allows for families to stay in san francisco. thank you very much. * hello, commissioners. shelly bradford bell and i am here supporting this project for a variety of reasons. one is it is very good infill housing. we have done a lot of looking at that on the east side of the city and it's been problematic on the west side of the city. and i think with this type of thoughtful project that makes

infill housing a good idea. this development was built in the '50s. it's 60 years of having not seen change and i totally understand why neighbors would be concerned. that's why i think this project, this particular project the way it's stepped up the hill, the way it was landscaped, it has rooftop gardens, it has hanging gardens on it, it's to ensure that there is still that sense of open space that is there. now, the property that it's on, as you know, is part of the existing 70 crestline. it will not impact at all the public right-of-way and there is every intention of ensuring that that is landscaped. and why have a derelict piece of open space when you can have a real landscape piece? this is going to be more inviting to the german tourists and the other tourists that wander up and down the hill and go to twin peaks because it's going to be safer.

right now, you've seen the pictures of the area and the fact that it's overgrown and hanging. it brings about the possibility of all kinds of scary criminal elements. i do believe that by landscaping it we make it more inviting to not only the community, but to the tourists who come to twin peaks. we make it easable so that the residents who park at the top of the hill feel a nice safe way of coming down the hill. and i think we have to start to really balance things. our environmental review said that there was no impact on open space, said there was no impact on any plant species or animal species by this development. yet from a design perspective, the open space was an issue. and i believe that you're seeing a building that is not only well designed and even staff said if it were anyplace else in the city, they would love it.

and i think you're seeing a building that is not only well designed, but one that fits perfectly into that one piece of infill and really starts to change the character of an old development and really start to bring in a new, more energized look that does continue to bring people through that walkway. so, i hope that you will not take dr and you will approve this project. thank you. good evening, commissioners. my name is rodrigo sanchez, construction engineer for the project. this is a beautiful well designed landscaping. one of the thoughts the planning staff said this could potentially set a precedent, that it may create typical pattern of new infillmore than the wedges of the other buildings. commissioners, this is the only wedge where you can actually

build a building that will meet residential architectural planning guidelines, the only location we can do this. even after we build this four-unit building, we will have a gap between buildings that is wider than some of the gaps that exist within the older development. wider than two locations, we will have at least 2-1/2 feet, more than we have in the other open space. in addition to that, my client is willing to rebuild the concrete stairs, landscape it, maintain it, create a passage -- several people in opposition have discussed the issue of using that right-of-way and passage. of course. they're preserving it. we're putting lights, we're making it safer. we're making it structurally sound.

and we will maintain it. and if we need to make it creative [speaker not understood], we will make it. but we are committed to preserving the right-of-way. this is a beautiful design, landscaping. we have been working on this for four years. i have a great deal of respect for mr. wang. i've worked with him for years. he suggested some changes. we incorporated everything that planning suggested for us. our team has responded to every single suggestion that was made by planning. please, support this wonderful infill project and help families stay in san francisco. thank you. >> any additional public comment? okay. seeing none, the public comment portion is closed. commissioner antonini.

>> thank you. as a west side resident, i drive through here frequently. when i'm coming across town, i think this is a very good project and it starts to help us to meet some of the housing demand in a very small way. and we are limited in the number of sites we have available, but i've talked to tim colin in the past about taking a trip. there are some, there are some opportunity sites and if you say you're losing your open space, all you have to do is look at the rendering across the street that shows a huge area on the other side of garden side where there is nothing built. and even if some additional structures were ever built there, you've got the whole area of twin peaks that is adjacent to twin peaks boulevard and garden side and other streets that are open space. and, so, i think this has been very well done. as was pointed out, there is a

19-foot wide space where the steps are and a fairly, more generous space than was the case with the other developments on the other side. and, so, i think that -- and it does provide some good infill housing, a couple of which are larger units. so, i think this would be a good addition to the area. and the landscaping and the improvement of the stairway there would make it a lot more friendly because at night it is a little bit, you know, there isn't a lot of lighting in there and it would help to make it a little more inviting for pedestrians who might be walking along in there. >> commissioner wu. >> what what the interaction with the project sponsor on this project and how did we get to the point the project sponsor worked with the department four years but now there is a suggestion to disapprove? >> the reason is that when we

send out notice of building permit -- incomplete submittal and the applicant did not respond immediately. that's why there is a lapse in time. >> and i might add, commissioner, there had been communication with the project sponsor. and we had expressed -- the department expressed concern about this is a potential infill and our inability to support that. after doing research and the history of the property, previous applications had come through, they had -- the original proposal was presented to senior management and they came back with some alternatives. we essentially told them if they were continuing to pursue the project, that's fine. but we insist that they put their best foot forward. whatever we were taking to the

commission, even though we did not support the project, that it was the best project that they could present to the commission. there had been a series of lag i guess with a lack of response on earlier communications on this application, 2009 building permit application. >> okay, thank you. >> commissioner antonini. >> well, unless there are other comments, i would move to not take dr and approve the project. >> second. >> commissioner moore. >> i'd like to get a slightly better understanding what the residential design team used as an argument to not support the project. i see a lot of references to light and air, which is basically not within the purview of what we normally decide on. we're being told over and over again that is not an argument. i do not really see that as the only one. is there something in the history