SAN FRANCISCO
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Hearing Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
12:30 P.M.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Buckley, Matsuda, Hasz, Martinez and Wolfram
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Chase and Damkroger
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY ACTING CHAIR MARTINEZ AT 12:35 P.M.
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Tina Tam – Preservation Coordinator, Joy Navarrete, Brett Becker, Ben Fu, Don Lewis, Lisa Gibson, Pilar LaValley, Shelley Caltagirone, and Linda Avery – Commission Secretary
A. PUBLIC COMMENT
SPEAKERS:
Bradley Wiedmaier – Architectural Historian & District 6 resident, re: Requested HPC to write a letter supporting the appellant regarding 2750 Vallejo Street to the Board of Appeals.
Katherine Howard – re: Golden Gate Park soccer field improvement plan violates stated purpose of the western end of the Golden Gate Park as specified in the Golden Gate Park Master Plan.
B. STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Preservation Coordinator Tina Tam:
The Certified Local Government (CLG) Report is 75% complete and a copy of the report will be included in your packet material for the 1/20/10 hearing. After final approval from Planning Department management, a copy will be sent to the State Historic Preservation Office.
Music Concourse, Landmark No. 249 – after discussion with Zoning Administrator, Larry Badiner, it was determined that the proposed vending carts would be a 5-year long term lease. While they are not a permanent structure themselves, they do not constitute as temporary uses and would require a Certificate of Appropriateness. An informational presentation is scheduled on January 20 and a representative from Recreation and Park has been requested to come to the hearing to present details of the contract and the design of the vending carts.
HPC’s 2010-2011 Budget Discussion is scheduled on January 20. This is the opportunity for this Commission to voice your thoughts, goals and objectives in relation to the Planning Department’s work program.
C. MATTERS OF THE COMMISSION
1. President’s Report and Announcements - None
2. Commission Comments/Questions
Commissioner Buckley asked how best to prepare for the budget discussion and how to communicate ideas with each other. [In response: the commission should discuss all ideas, concerns and questions with staff and each other in the public arena, at the hearing.]
Commissioner Martinez asked if the budget item needed to be an action item to make HPC views known to the Planning Commission. - Preservation Coordinator Tam responded that the item on the calendar is to receive HPC comments. This does not have to be the only discussion. There could be a series of hearings and the HPC could request the Planning Department to come back. HPC will receive all memos from Planning Director Rahaim that have already been sent to the Planning Commission. HPC will be included in receive any further budget material. In addition to the FY 2010/2011 budget discussion scheduled before this commission on January 20, 2010, we hope to set up a joint hearing with Planning and HPC.
Commissioner Hasz asked if there is a document to inform applicants that they would be required to present their projects when/if their item is pulled off the Consent Calendar - Preservation Coordinator Tam and Commission Secretary Avery responded that the language in the Consent Calendar has a disclaimer that there is a chance that anyone could pull an item off the Consent Calendar and the applicant would need to present “at this or a future hearing”. Planning Department staff is also good about informing all parties involved in the case on either side that they need to be prepared to present.
Commission Martinez:
· Requested that 2750 Vallejo Street be agendized to discuss whether or not HPC should/would write a letter reflecting the opinions of the HPC to the Board of Appeals.
· Wanted to find out if the soccer field improvements near the Murphie Windmill are under HPC jurisdiction since the Windmill is a historic feature of Golden Gate Park.
D. REGULAR CALENDAR
3. 2007.0946E (J. Navarrete: 415/575-9040)
Candlestick Point - Hunters Point Shipyard Phase II Development Plan (Project) Draft Environmental Impact Report - The Project site is located on approximately 702 acres in the southeastern portion of San Francisco and includes both Candlestick Point and HPS Phase II. Commission Review and Comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report. The Project proposed includes a mixed-use community with a wide range of residential, retail, office, research and development, civic and community uses, and parks and recreational open space. A major component would be a new stadium for the San Francisco 49ers National Football League team. Additionally, new transportation and utility infrastructure would serve the Project including a bridge across Yosemite Slough. The Project proposes development of 10,500 residential units; 885,000 gross square feet (gsf) of retail; 150,000 gsf of office; 2.5 million gsf of Research & Development uses; a 220-room, 150,000-gsf hotel; 255,000 gsf of artist studio space and arts center; 100,000 gsf of community services; approximately 240 acres of new parks, sports fields, and waterfront recreation areas, as well as approximately 97 acres of new and improved State parkland; a 69,000-seat 49ers stadium; and a 10,000-seat performance arena. In addition, a 300-slip marina would be provided. Shoreline improvements would also be implemented to stabilize the shoreline. The Project would include structured and on-street parking and various infrastructure improvements to support the development.
NOTE: The Draft Environmental Impact Report was published on November 12, 2009. The project may result in the destruction or degradation of historical resources. The Draft EIR identifies this as a significant and unavoidable environmental effect of the proposed project, and identifies mitigation measures to lessen this effect, though not to a level of insignificance.
This public hearing is intended to assist the Historic Preservation Commission in its preparation of written comments on the Draft EIR. Comments made by members of the public at this hearing will not be considered comments on the Draft EIR and may not be responded to in the Final EIR. The Redevelopment Agency Commission and the Planning Commission held public hearings to receive comments on the Draft EIR on December 15 and December 17, 2009, respectively. Another Redevelopment Commission public hearing is scheduled for January 5, 2010. Written comments on the Draft EIR will be accepted at the Planning Department until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 12, 2010.
Preliminary Recommendation: The Commission may direct staff to draft written comments of the Commission.
(Continued from December 16, 2009 Hearing)
SPEAKERS: None
PRESENTERS: Tiffany Bohee – Mayor’s Office of Economic and Work Force Development, Teres Brecky – Lanar
ACTION: Public hearing on the DEIR and no action is required for this item. Staff was directed to expand Commissioner Damkroger’s comment letter to include additional comments made at today’s hearing for submittal to the Environmental Review Officer.
AYES: Buckley, Hasz, Martinez, Wolfram, and Matsuda
ABSENT: Chase and Damkroger
4. 2005.0963E (B. Becker: 415/575-9045)
Crystal Springs Pipeline No.2 Replacement Project Draft Environmental Impact Report – Commission Review and Comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is proposing the Crystal Springs Pipeline No. 2 (CSPL2) Replacement Project. The Project proposes to upgrade and replace portions of the CSPL2, which extends (south to north) from the Crystal Springs Pump Station at the base of Lower Crystal Springs Dam in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County, through the Town of Hillsborough and the cities of San Mateo, Burlingame, Millbrae, San Bruno, South San Francisco, Brisbane, Daly City, and into the City and County of San Francisco, terminating at the University Mound Reservoir in southeastern San Francisco. The SFPUC has identified 19 sites along the 19-mile CSPL2 alignment where improvements are proposed to meet seismic reliability level-of-service goals. The improvements include pipeline rehabilitation and seismic retrofit activities at 15 sites and general improvements to protect the pipeline from corrosion and exposure at 4 sites. In addition to these improvements, the SFPUC proposes to install new cathodic protection equipment at 9 locations and insulated flange joints (referred to as electrical isolation) at 31 locations along the CSPL2 alignment to further protect the pipeline from corrosion.
This public hearing is intended to assist the Historic Preservation Commission in its preparation of written comments on the Draft EIR. Comments made by members of the public at this hearing will not be considered comments on the Draft EIR and may not be responded to in the Final EIR. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the Draft EIR on January 14, 2010. Written comments on the Draft EIR will be accepted at the Planning Department until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 25, 2010.
Preliminary Recommendation: The Commission may direct staff to draft written comments of the Commission.
SPEAKERS: None
PRESENTERS: Sheryl Davis – SF Public Utility Commission Environmental Project Manager; Brett Becker – Planning Department Staff; Brad Bruceter – Environmental Scientist Associates, Planning Department Cultural Resource Consultant on the DEIR
ACTION: Public hearing on the DEIR and no action is required for this item. Directed staff to study whether or not the trees along El Camino Real were a historic landscape and a cultural resource.
AYES: Buckley, Hasz, Martinez, Wolfram, and Matsuda
ABSENT: Chase and Damkroger
5. 2009.0173E (B. Fu: 415/558.6613)
353 San Jose Avenue - located on the east side between 25th and 26th Streets, in Assessor’s Block 6531, Lot 022. Request for review pursuant to the Eastern Neighborhoods Interim Permit Review Procedures for Historic Resources. The proposed project is to demolish the existing building and construct a new four-unit, four-story, 40’-0” tall, residential building within RM-2 (Residential, Mixed, Moderate Density) District, in a 40-X Height and Bulk District, and within the Mission Area Plan. The Department is reviewing an Environmental Evaluation application and Historic Resource Evaluation Report for the project.
Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt Motion
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Adopted staff recommendations and included a minor modification to reduce the setback on the 4th floor to 12’-4”. Staff was instructed to continue working with the sponsor on front fence design.
AYES: Buckley, Hasz, Martinez, Wolfram, and Matsuda
ABSENT: Chase and Damkroger
MOTION #: M0041
6. 2008.1395E (D. Lewis: 415/575.9095)
1501 – 15th Street - southwest corner of South Van Ness Avenue and 15th Street, in Assessor’s Block 3553, Lot 054. Request for review pursuant to the Eastern Neighborhoods Interim Permit Review Procedures for Historic Resources. The proposed project is to demolish a parking lot (formerly a gas station), and construct a new 58’ tall, six-story, mixed-use building within the UMU (Urban Mixed Use) District, in a 58-X Height and Bulk District, and within the Mission Area Plan. The Department is reviewing an Environmental Evaluation application for the project. Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt Motion
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Adopted motion with comments by Commissioner Martinez that the project does not have an impact on the potential historic resources
AYES: Buckley, Hasz, Martinez, Wolfram, and Matsuda
ABSENT: Chase and Damkroger
MOTION #: M0042
7. 2009.0903A (P. LaValley: 415/575.9084)
4701 – 3rd Street (a.k.a 1601 Newcomb Avenue) - southwest corner of 3rd Street and Newcomb Avenue, in Assessor’s Block 5311, Lot 036. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove existing front stair and construct new accessibility ramp and stair, add new ADA-accessible restrooms and interior wall, and provide seismic support for the existing interior balcony. The subject property, known as Bayview Opera House, is City Landmark #8. The property is within a P (Public) District with a 40-X Height and Bulk limit.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with conditions
SPEAKERS: None
PRESENTER: Romell Taylor – Project Architect and Project Manager with the Department of Public Work’s Bureau of Architecture
ACTION: Approved project as proposed with the additions that staff is to review the turn back at the bottom two risers; the section of the secondary entrance; and the final working drawings.
AYES: Buckley, Hasz, Martinez, Wolfram, and Matsuda
ABSENT: Chase and Damkroger
MOTION #: M0043
8. 2009.1054A (S. Caltagirone: 415/558.6625)
1000 Great Highway, Golden Gate Park Music Concourse - between John F. Kennedy Drive, Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and Music Concourse Drive. Assessor’s Block 1700, Lot 001. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to restore four fountains, to install new concrete block paving around the perimeter of the fountains; and to install a new drinking fountain. The Golden Gate Park Music Concourse is Landmark No. 249. It is zoned P (Public) District and is in an Open Space Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
PRESENTER: Rick Thall – Recreation and Park
SPEAKERS: Bob Cherney – Former Landmark Board Member and Historian, re: Expressed his full support of the proposed project; Catherine Howard – Friends of Music Concourse, re: expressed her support of the renovation work and looks forward to its completion.
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Buckley, Hasz, Martinez, Wolfram, and Matsuda
ABSENT: Chase and Damkroger
MOTION #: M0044
Adjournment: 3:22 P.M.
The minutes was proposed for adoption at the Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday, February 3, 2010
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Chase, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez
ABSENT: Buckley, Wolfram, Matsuda
