Monday, December 17, 2018

How San Francisco deals with illegal teardowns


From KPIX5:

The San Francisco Planning Commission made an unprecedented ruling against a developer this week, demanding that he rebuild a replica of a famous house he had illegally demolished.

The residence — known as the Largent House — was in San Francisco’s Twin Peaks neighborhood. It was built in 1936 and designed by one of the most important modern architects, Richard Neutra. Among the unique features of the 1,300-square-foot house was an indoor swimming pool.

The owner, Ross Johnston, bought the property last year. The planning department gave him a permit to renovate the house, but they did not give him the permission to demolish it.

The city believes he wanted to build a 4,000-square-foot mansion on that lot and flip it for a profit.

Earlier this week, the planning commissioners voted 5-0 to order Johnston to build the exact replica. They also want him to put up a sidewalk plaque that would let people know the original Neutra house was demolished.

Johnston’s lawyer declined to comment on our story. The city says even if he tries to sell the property, whoever buys the lot will have to build the replica.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, SF must have some secret recipe for preventing the developer from instantly declaring bankruptcy and starting a new company that then has no responsibility for the teardown.

ron s said...

An obvious solution that NYC doesn't have the brains or resolve to establish. Probably won't have to do this more than once.

Anonymous said...

Good ruling. Bravo, San Francisco. It's how you really stop this crap. Take a lesson New Yorkers!

Anonymous said...

Whomever buys the property will have to restore the building that was torn down?

Genius!

m66249 said...

Excuse me, but were now going to look for advice from a city where people defecate in the streets , no thanks

Anonymous said...

who cares about sf are you kidding me grow up

Anonymous said...

Mr. Ryan, you need to take a stroll around good ol' NYC. You're spending too much time indoors at the computer. It's out there brother!

(sarc) said...

All the communists are again cheering again for the abolition of private property rights!

In Congress, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America...
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Pursuit of Happiness includes the fruits of ones' labor and PROPERTY.

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and SEIZURES

Amendment V
...nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

remember:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

and then your dead or in the gulag...

Anonymous said...

I live in San Francisco,don't believe this nonsense

Anonymous said...

"First they came..."

Looks like they came For the Crapper.
MIA.

Anonymous said...

None of you can afford SF,Who cares. Have you ever been? I have . Not so great.
Get some stories that matter to the area.
Happy New Year.

Anonymous said...

Has the movement ended?

So sad. :(

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Crappie, and to all readers -- keep your eyes open. There's Crap all around you.

We do miss you, Crappie!!

Anonymous said...

San Francisco is not a model for New York to deal with overdevelopment, its actually even worse than New York.

Anonymous said...

Hi Crappy,

Hope you are well.
Loved checking the blog daily and sad to see nothing new posted.

Hope everything is okay with you on a personal level and that you're just taking a break.

Happy New Year and Best wishes for 2019!

Anonymous said...

RIPQQ

Anonymous said...

Hi Crappy,

Just wishing and hoping you are well. We all miss you. Hope you have a Happy, Healthy and Wealthy New Year and hope 2019 finds you well enough to come back to us soon. All the Best!

Sandy Hamilton said...

Miss postings. Hope you are just taking a break and that nothing is wrong. Happy New Year to all.

Anonymous said...

Missing your posts! Hope all is well.

Anonymous said...

Crappy? Where are you?

Unknown said...

I hope this isn't the end. This site performed a valuable function and provided more than a little levity and entertainment.

Anonymous said...

We miss you Crappy the vox of Queens.