Rahim Kassam asked me to pass along this message. He is travelling to visit family for Thanksgiving.
Jim Strozier
President, Consensus Planning, Inc. and Nob Hill resident
As the developer of the project at Aliso and Copper, I would like to meet with the neighbors to show you the project. I also want to take a moment to clarify some of the information in the email that was sent out by Veronica Salinas and Govinda Haines regarding my project:
1. When I originally met with the city over 2 years ago, they informed me that the height limit for the property was 54 feet and allowed for 4 stories as this property was located in the CCR-2 zone. I worked with the city during those 2 years developing a plan for this site which is in a designated metropolitan redevelopment area. I went through 3 PRT's, 1 DRT and the building permit process. During that time I worked with the city in good faith to come up with an aesthetically pleasuring design that worked within their guidelines. It was the interpretation of the City Planning Department that the allowable height for this lot is 54 feet with up to an additional 5% for parapet variation & and additional 20% for other design elements.
2. My building is slightly over 40 feet including the parapet with 4 smaller stories. I also have a stepback staring at the third floor. During this entire time I was never told that there was a different interpretation of the maximum building height.
3. I had no intention of building to the maximum height allowed, but rather designed a shorter, 4-story building with a stepback in order to provide for an appropriately scaled building to the street. The seasoned architect on this project came up with an innovative double townhouse design.
4. In addition, the project does not maximize the density allowed. The project is designed for 12 dwellings even though I was told at an earlier PRT that the site could allow for 24 units.
5. I have always felt that this project will enhance the neighborhood. It was formally a boarded up motel and then an empty lot next to a liquor store and is now being transformed into something that the city and the Nob Hill Neighborhood can be proud of. I have attached a rendering showing the project (prior to lowering the height).
6. After working with the City, I made an application for a building permit, which was approved and I started construction.
7. The neighborhood brought the city’s error to their attention. However, even after that I had a meeting with the planning department determined that 54 feet and four stores was allowed. When the City brought their error to my attention and red tagged the project, I met with them and determined the best way to proceed. I modified the building plans and cut down the third floor (at considerable expense) to lower the overall height to 39 feet with the allowable parapet slightly above that. The modified height is consistent with the requirements of the Nob Hill Sector Plan.
8. The project is designed with rear (alley) access garages which come at a higher cost than unsightly surface lots.
9. I applied for and received an administrative approval, as provided for in the zoning code, for a change to allow a 4 story building within the allowable 39 foot height limit. The City’s carefully considered decision is also attached. Part of the city’s reasoning was that the height of this project would be the same as a three-story project allowed in the old Nob Hill Sector Development Plan. It’s important to note that with the passage of the IDO, the allowable height is now 42 feet with no setback at all.
10. I have been asked, why didn’t you just sue the city when they placed a red tag on your project after it was already permitted? That is not my style. I prefer to try and work with everyone to come up with a solution.
I am a small, independent developer who previously lived in this neighborhood starting from the age of three. I love Nob Hill and want to see the best happen for it. I think I have designed a beautiful, small, infill project that will greatly enhance the neighborhood. I would like to meet with the community to show you the project and review the design and the changes that have been made.
Sincerely,
Rahim Kassam
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Neighbors:
The development under construction on the southwest corner of Copper and Aliso has exceeded the 39 ft. height limitation specified in the Nob Hill Highland Sector Development Plan. Per our sector plan, construction in this parcel is limited to 3 stories and 39 ft. in height, measured from grade to the top of the parapet. The building is currently 4 stories and at least 42 ft. high.
I spoke with the developer on Saturday, November 18, and he stated that the building measures 39 ft. from floor level to the roof deck. When the height of the parapet and the distance from grade to the floor level are included, the building is at least 42 ft. high. Why is the city allowing construction to continue?
When the city red-tagged the project in September, they knew that the building already measured 22 ft. from the sidewalk to the top of the second story and that it would be nearly impossible to squeeze another 2 stories plus the parapet into the remaining 17 ft. Defying reason, the city approved a special exception for a fourth story, knowing full well that the final building would likely exceed the 39 ft. height limit.
Now the building does not comply with the 3 stories AND it does not comply with the 39 ft. maximum height. It is also likely that it does not comply with the required stepback at 26 ft. on the Copper side.
The neighborhood has made our concerns known to city Code Enforcement. Even the developer admits that the building does not comply with zoning height limits. What does it take to get the city to enforce the zoning code?
-Govinda Haines, Nob Hill