May 20, 2009
San Francisco
Historic Preservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
Commission Chambers – Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
12:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chase, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Matsuda
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT CHARLES CHASE AT 12:33 P.M.
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: A. John-Baptiste – Director's Assistant, Tina Tam – Preservation Coordinator, Pilar LaValley - Planner, Tim Frye – Planner, Shelley Caltagirone – Planner, Tara Sullivan- planner, Angela Threadgill – planner, and Linda Avery – Commission Secretary
President Chase introduced Diane Matsuda to the Commission and gave a brief presentation on her background.
PUBLIC COMMENT
At this time, members of the public may address the Historic Preservation Commission on items of interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Historic Preservation Commission except agenda items. Public comment will be taken on each agendized item. Each member of the public may address the Commission for up to three minutes. If it is demonstrated that comments by the public will exceed 15 minutes, the President or chairperson may continue Public Comment to another time during the meeting.
The Brown Act forbids a commission or board from taking action or discussing any item not appearing on the posted agenda, including those items raised at public comment. In response to public comment, not on an agendized item, the Commission is limited to:
(1) briefly responding to statements made or questions posed by members of the public, or
(2) requesting staff to report back on a matter at a subsequent meeting, or
(3) directing staff to place the item on a future agenda. (Government Code Section 54954.2(a).).
SPEAKER(S):
None
REPORTS
1. STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. Permit Tracking System Update (A. John-Baptiste: 415/558-6547)
John Baptiste, along with Sam Kwong of DBI reported on the status of the Permit Tracking System.
SPEAKER(S):
Gee Gee Platt, Cynthia Servetnick, and Joe Butler
No action taken.
b. 1268 Lombard Street (T. Tam: 415/558-6325)
T. Tam along with Ed Sweeney of DBI reported on the permit and landmark history of the property. VP Damkroger recommended writing a letter to Director Day and Rahaim about pursuing further investigation into any possible wrongdoing on the part of the property owner regarding the dilapidated state of the property as well as put forth some ideas on how to improve protection of historic properties at risk of demolition as a result of an emergency order. Damkroger also brought up the issue about who can do the engineering report and advocates for a more nonpartisan selection / requirement process. Martinez asked the City Attorney to report back at the next HPC hearing from her office on the idea of further investigation.
T. Tam informed the Commission about the upcoming PC hearing (June) on Supervisor Chiu's proposed legislation to create an inspection process for abandoned or vacant properties and suggested to bring the legislation to the HPC first for review and comment. The Commission agreed and instructed staff to schedule the item on the June 3rd calendar.
SPEAKER(S):
Edie Marwadell, Joe Butler, Alexander Leigh Keinker, Cynthia Servetnick, and Gee Gee Platt
No action taken.
2. PRESIDENT'S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Chase requested staff to schedule a hearing on a discussion about what the HPC would like to see or not see.
Due to the absence of many commissioners, the July 1st hearing is cancelled.
3. MATTERS OF THE COMMISSION
SPEAKER(S)
NONE
ACTION: Commissioner Damkroger (seconded by Commissioner Martinez) motion to approve the minutes as the February 18 minutes has been corrected and the comment letters drafted
AYES: Chase, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Matsuda (+5, 0)
· Adoption of Commission Draft Minutes Regular Meeting of 2/4, 2/18, 3/4, 3/18/2009
Commissioner Martinez wanted to see clarification of the 2/18 minutes about the statement he made regarding what happens to landmark designations after LPAB review but before CPC during which the HPC was seated.
· VP Damkroger wants to see their comment letters (i.e. review and comment of DEIRs and M&O) after President Chase signs them.
CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed hereunder constitute a Consent Calendar, are considered to be routine by the Historic Preservation Commission, and will be acted upon by a single roll call vote of the Commission. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Commission, the public, or staff so requests, in which event the matter shall be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered as a separate item at this or a future hearing.
SPEAKER(S)
Gee Gee Platt: Requested to remove items 5 and 6 from the consent calendar.
TAPE IB
4. 2009.0236A (P. LaValley: 415/575-9084)
35 Stanford Street(aka 634 2nd Street), is located in Assessor's Block 3788, Lot 038. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove roll down door and install new storefront system and tenant signs within one bay of the 634 2nd Street façade. The subject property, formerly known as the Crane Company Warehouse, is a contributing structure to the South End Historic District and is located within a MUO (Mixed Use Office) District with a 65-X Height and Bulk limit.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
ACTION: Commissioner Hasz (seconded by Commissioner Martinez) motion to approve item 4 as proposed.
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Damkroger, Chase, Matsuda (+5, 0)
REGULAR CALENDAR
5. 2009.0257AC (T. Frye: 415/575-6822)
900 Sansome Street, Southwest corner of Sansome and Broadway Streets, Assessor's Block 0142; Lot 003. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the non historic ground-floor storefront systems. The subject property is within a C-2 (Community Business) District with a 84-E Height and Bulk District, the Washington-Broadway #1 Special Use District, and within the Northeast Waterfront Historic District. The Planning Commission will hear a related Request for Conditional Use approval to change the legal use of the property from commercial store to off-street parking facility.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions
The architect for the project explained why his clients prefer to not follow the conditions set forth by Planning Staff. Relying on a historic photograph, the Commission agreed with Planning Staff's recommendation about the two conditions.
SPEAKER(S)
Michael Kass from Huntsman Architectural Group
Gee Gee Platt
ACTION: Martinez (seconded by Hasz) motion to approve with recommendation by staff 1) Provide true divided lights on the ground floor, 2) Clear glass for the ground floor level.
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Damkroger, Chase, Matsuda (+5, 0)
6. 2009.0248A (S. Caltagirone: 415/558-6625)
1190 FILLMORE STREET, east side between Golden Gate Avenue and Turk Street. Assessor's Block 0756, Lot 001 - Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the shed addition at the east elevation of the substation building. The property is designated as Landmark No. 105: Market Street Railway Substation. It is zoned P/NC-3 (Public/Moderate-Scale Neighborhood Commercial) District and is in a 50-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
SPEAKER(S)
Gee Gee Platt
Gail Armstrong, SF Redevelopment Agency
Alice Carey, Carey and Company
VP Damkroger agreed with Commissioner Martinez that conditions are needed to ensure the building will not further deteriorated while in the process of being transferred and awaiting a new use. The Commission felt strongly about the need to seal the building from outside elements.
ACTION: Damkroger (seconded by Martinez) motion to approve with conditions that require a preservation planner visit and review the building after demolition and prior to the transfer and to repair any masonry scarring and defects due to the demolition work. President Chase requested that the contractor whoever do the demolition understands these conditions.
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Damkroger, Chase, Matsuda (+5, 0)
Tape 1B AND 2A
7. 2008.1008T (T. Sullivan: 415/558-6257)
Amendments to Planning Code by amending Appendix K of Article 10: Bush Street/Cottage Row Historic District [Board File No. 08-0778]. Recommendation on proposed amendments to landmark designation, sponsored by Supervisor Mirkarimi, to amend to Appendix K of Article 10 of San Francisco Planning Code: Bush Street/Cottage Row Historic District, by adding a new Section 7 to set forth additional requirements for Certificates of Appropriateness; and adopting findings, including Section 302 findings, and findings of consistency with the General Plan and the Priority Policies of Planning Code Section 101.1.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
SPEAKER(S)
None
Commissioner Martinez was concerned about the lack of provisions pertaining to landscape features. Specifically, he was concerned that bamboo can grow easily taller than a fence.
SPEAKER(S)
Gee Gee Platt
ACTION: Damkroger (seconded by Hasz) motion to approve as amended to regulate any hardscape and landscape features which would change the understanding of the spatial and physical relationship of buildings and open space within the Bush Street/ Cottage Row historic district.
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Damkroger, Chase, Matsuda (+5, 0)
8. 2008.0467A (A. Threadgill: 415/558-6602)
1648 PACIFIC AVENUE, (also known historically as Engine Company No. 8, Truck Company No. 4 Firehouse, 1640 Pacific Avenue), located on the north side between Van Ness Avenue and Polk Street, Assessor's Block 0574, Lot 011. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow the rehabilitation of the building's facades, ground floor entries and transoms, rear facade window fenestration, to allow an addition to the existing third floor, and for the approval of a business signage program. The subject property is Landmark No. 188. The property is zoned Polk Neighborhood Commercial District (NCD) and is in a 65-A Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions
SPEAKER(S)
Alice Carey, Carey and Company
Theresa Nitoli, property owner
Sarmaneh Nili, architect of project
The property owner presented to the Commission her reasons why she can not to follow the conditions set forth by the Planning Department – 1) use a more contemporary light fixtures at the front of the building and 2) Repair and/or reconstruction of the parapet and hose drying rack on the rooftop.
Contrary to Planning Staff's opinion, VP Damkroger and Commissioner Martinez both felt the salvaged light fixtures are appropriate and are not conjectural. Regarding the parapet and hose drying racks, the Commission did not believe it was necessary for the property owner to keep them. Commissioner Hasz commented that he has seen them (when the building was on sale) and felt they were in very bad physical condition and were unsafe. Damkroger recommended there be documentation (including photographs) and an interpretation within the building about the building.
hasz: hose rack collapse hazards. Recommended to take it down. In supp
damkroger, agree in drying rack. Intetp as oppose to reconstruction. text or photograph. salvage lamp should be ok
Martinez: curious drying rack how did they use it. Racks are missing. Enclosure is left, and need to be braced (expensive). Taking of 4 ft about half of the wall.
Issue about lights – not conjectural (not the right light)
Matsuda:
Damkroger photo
ACTION: Commission Damkroger (seconded by Commission Hasz) motion to approve the project with the following conditions that the salvage light lamps are appropriate as proposed, that the drying rack be documented, and interpretation of the building be provided in the building (including the drying rack), that the drying rack can be partially removed. The person performing this work shall be a qualified historian (meeting the professional qualifications under the Secretary of the Interior Standards).
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Damkroger, Chase, Matsuda (+5, 0)
Adjournment: 3:32 P.M.
The minutes was proposed for adoption at the Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday, June 17, 2009.
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Chase, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Madsuda
