SUPPORT of Appeal No. 26-019 (659 Union)

May 14, 2026

Board of Appeals

May 14, 2026                         

Board of Appeals
City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 416
San Francisco, CA 94103
(Via email: boardofappeals@sfgov.org)

(Via email: boardofappeals@sfgov.org)

RE:     SUPPORT of Appeal No. 26-019 (659 Union)

Dear President Trasviña and Board of Appeals Members,

            On behalf of the Telegraph Hill Dwellers and its more than 500 members, we strongly urge the Board of Appeals to GRANT the above-cited Appeal No. 26-019. We fully support the Appellant’s brief, particularly the following:

“…Appellant respectfully requests that the BOA grant this appeal and direct the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) and the Planning Department to condition any subsequent demolition permit on (1) the tenants’ Right to Return, and (2) requiring that the replacement structure adhere to the Project Sponsor’s 2023 plans which enjoyed widespread community support.”

            The Verdi Building is at the heart of our shared history of North Beach. It is a key anchor on Washington Square, a part of what makes North Beach so special, and why we all love it so much. Comprised of members who live, work, and recreate in the vicinity of Washington Square and in the historic neighborhoods of North Beach and Telegraph Hill, THD has a profound interest in the proposed project. Specific to this project site, THD was instrumental in the enactment of the area’s 40-foot height limit, the North Beach Neighborhood Commercial District, the landmark designation of Washington Square, and the identification of the subject building as a contributor to the California Register Washington Square Historic District.

            The community has been concerned about this project for more than seven years, over which time the Project Sponsor has proposed a series of dramatically different alternative plans. Finally, though, a plan was proposed (2023 Plan) (Figure 1) that retained the historic façade and had neighborhood support. As an example of that support, three years ago on April 5, 2023, THD sent a letter to the Project Sponsor stating:

“THD is pleased to support the currently proposed project and want to see a successful

project moving forward with all due speed to restore the exterior of the historic Verdi

Building and to return residents and small business to this strategically located building on

Washington Square.”

The Project Sponsor, however, now proposes a new building (2025 Plan) (Figure 2) that will be far larger and more massive than the current Verdi Building. We are concerned that by casting shadows on Washington Square Park, the new building will override the voter initiative Proposition K shadow ban adopted in 1984, more than four decades ago. For reference, Figure 3 shows a shadow fan prepared by Planning for a comparably-sized 92-foot-high building proposed by the Project Sponsor in 2019. Since the 2025 Plan’s 96-foot-high building is comparable to, or even more massive, than the 92-foot-high building in the 2019 Plan, it is likely that similar or even worse new shadow impacts would result from the 2025 Plan.

            Consistent with the Appellant’s brief, we ask the Board of Appeals to grant this appeal and direct the DBI and the Planning Department to condition any subsequent demolition permit as follows:

1. Honor displaced tenants’ right to return. We understand that some previously displaced tenants may want to return to their former homes following completion of the project. We ask that the Project Sponsor be required to provide such former tenants with an opportunity to return at affordable rent-controlled rents.
2. Replace building structure to adhere to 2023 Plan. We ask that the Project Sponsor be required to return to his 2023 Plan.
3. Eliminate new shadowing on Washington Square Park. We ask that the Project Sponsor be required to redesign any proposed new building to eliminate any new shadowing that would occur on Washington Square Park.
4. Conduct a public design review process. We ask that a process be required that would provide public review and comment on the design of the proposed new building and its historical contextual appropriateness given its historic location.
5. Save original bricks and incorporate into new building design. We ask that original bricks remaining from the demolition be saved and incorporated into the design of the proposed new building.

Once history is lost, it is lost forever. Two fires couldn’t bring down the Verdi Building, but the bulldozers will. Unless you stop it.

We urge the Board of Appeals to GRANT the appeal and direct DBI and Planning to condition any subsequent demolition permit as discussed above.

Sincerely,

Telegraph Hill Dwellers

cc:        President and Members, Board of Appeals  boardofappeals@sfgov.org

            Julie Lamarre, Executive Director   julie.lamarre@sfgov.org

            Correy Teague, Zoning Administrator  corey.teague@sfgov.org

            Andrew Perry, Senior Planner  andrew.perry@sfgov.org

            Carey McElroy, Department of Building Inspection  carey.mcelroy@sfgov.org

            Theresa Flandrich, Agent for Appellant  tflandrich@yahoo.com

Figure 1.  View of New Building Proposed by Developer (as of June 23, 2023)

Figure 2.  View of New Building Proposed by Developer (as of October 1, 2025)

Figure 3. Shadow fan prepared by Planning (SUD Plan, 92-ft high building, 2019)