By Rob Eshelman

San Francisco property owners could have a much easier time demolishing their buildings if building inspection commissioner Roy Guinnane gets his way. And if he's successful, San Francisco renters may have fewer apartments to choose from.

Guinnane scheduled an agenda item for the Building Inspection Commission's Aug. 16 meeting that requested "discussion and possible action regarding the consideration of the procedures of governing applications or requests for emergency demolition."

The fact that Guinnane provided no written proposal for review by the public or his colleagues on the seven-member board, which oversees the Department of Building Inspection, perplexed many.

Commissioner Noelle Hanrahan emphasized the need for input from as broad a spectrum of interests as possible: "Historically, there is a need to include voices not usually represented in the process – that is, not just developers and homeowners but voices from the whole San Francisco community."

Concern over process isn't the only criticism of Guinnane's proposal. Housing activists are suspicious that the commissioner could be creating a loophole for property owners to purposefully neglect property – or even commit arson – in order to circumvent city law.

Currently, in order for a property owner to receive approval to demolish a building, he or she must gain approval from the city's Planning Commission. According to the City Attorney's Office, an application must be filed with the Planning Department that specifies what will be constructed in place of the demolished structure. In cases where a building is in imminent threat of collapse, a written request must be made to the Department of Building Inspection. Once this request is made, a city inspector or structural engineer conducts a site visit and makes a determination that must be approved by the department's director.

For Guinnane, this is where the process needs to be reformed. "I've looked at numerous buildings where a structural engineer or inspector has approved a demolition and the request was denied by the director."

Guinnane's proposal would require the DBI director to issue a response to a request for demolition within 15 days. The request would be automatically approved unless the director denies the proposal. Denials could be appealed to the Building Inspection Commission within 15 days.

During public comment, Joe Butler pointed out that the proposal might have unintended consequences. "Fires are not always acts of God," he said.

"Let's be honest," former building inspection commissioner Debra Walker said later during the comment period, "vacant property is worth more in San Francisco then property with rent-controlled units."

No action was taken at the Monday hearing; however, the item will be heard at a future commission meeting.