HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-22 Email_Redacted2
i am confused.
after nearly 30 years in the building trade, i am always willing to learn something new.
in my professional experience, when a stop work order is issued for a job, work is supposed to
stop. when all issues are acknowledged and resolved then typically a permit is issued. in the scope of a
new building or improvement all aspects are typically reviewed. these items include drainage,
landscape, setbacks, enviromental conditions, project heights etc. each department has it review and
input according to code and regulations.
i have spoken with people from, building, planning, engineering and code enforcement. they are all very
cooperative and knowledgeable. each one has been able to answer my questions about specific codes
and regulations. when i mention 667 howard st and the apparent violations to the stated rules they all
react like i am carrying the plague! to a one they all recite the same chorus “we cannot talk about that
because it is an enforcement issue.”
yesterday i spoke with someone from your department. my question was when does a retaining wall need
permitting? the answer when it is 4 feet tall. however when a fence is to be placed atop the wall it needs
permitting. no matter the wall height.
i then ventured the same challenge. at 667 howard st they are planning to put a fence atop a retaining
wall, when do they need a permit? “i can’t speak to that, it is an enforcement issue.”
the subcontractor installing the wall, is probably the most straight forward and stand up guy in this
process. he has stated repeatedly that he is only placing a concrete retaining wall. the owners have a
fence contractor who is going to core drill the wall to do the installation.
these are stated facts, not hypothetical.
to the experienced and also the untrained observer it appears the owners and their contractor are
trying to accomplish an end run around current codes and rules by breaking up the process. a process
that continues in spite of a stop work order.
my confusion comes from what the staff states the codes and rules are and the contradiction that
enforcement seems to be allowing during review of a project not yet permitted.
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please help me to understand, how this can continue without complete review and permitting.
thank you and happy holidays