Decision Over Fate of Controversial Lake Street Property Delayed

by Bobby Wilson

Is the house too big to fit in the neighborhood?

That is a question the SF Planning Commission was unable to determine.

Kenneth Lew and his wife Monique own a 900-square-foot, two-story home at 1725 Lake St., between 18th and 19th avenues. They want to add two floors to the building, expanding it to 2,800-square-feet.

Larry Minnich, who lives next door at 1727 Lake St. in a three-story abode, is opposed to the Lew's proposal because it is "monstrous."

On Thursday, Aug. 16, the Lews and Minnich argued their points before the planning commission as to whether or not the project constituted a demolition. The Lews, debating their neighbor's claims before the commissioners, said their proposal will not require ripping down the house. But Minnich and other neighbors objected as they lined up in front of the microphone to explain why they are opposed.

Kenneth Lew explained to commissioners that he and his wife purchased the home because it was affordable. They want to expand the building's height from 23 feet to 40 feet to accommodate their plans for having children and to have enough room to follow the Asian tradition of having their parents live with them when they are too old to take care of themselves.

"When we first started looking for a house this is all we could afford," Lew said of the small property. "We love the neighborhood."

Minnich called the Lews "nice people," but he said their plan to build a four-story home "is too big and doesn't fit into the character of the neighborhood." Minnich has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years. "It's not sensitive to the scale of the neighborhood," he said.

Minnich believes the Lews plans for a four-story house would threaten affordable housing in the neighborhood. If the City allows the Lews to build a residence of this magnitude, then sooner or later the entire neighborhood will mirror that, he said.

"We need to preserve housing in San Francisco," Minnich said. "1725 Lake St. is currently sound, affordable housing."

The planning department's report disagreed with Minnich, saying the project will not affect the character of the neighborhood because "the majority of buildings on the block-face are three stories." The report also refutes Minnich's claim that the design would block sunlight and air from neighboring yards.

Myrna Limm, a member of the planning commission, agreed with Minnich and neighbors that the Lews' plan for a four-story home is too big.

"They were right," Limm said. "The Lews haven't listened to the concerns of the neighborhood."

This is not the first proposal the planning commission has heard for 1725 Lake St. In 1998, previous owners wanted to divide the house into two condominiums with four floors, which would have required demolishing the building. The same neighbors brought the action before the commission and the commissioners agreed with their complaints and denied the owner permission to proceed.

The planning commission will re-hear the case Sept. 20. For questions or more information related to the planning commission, call Linda Avery, commission secretary, at (415) 558-6407.