SAN FRANCISCO
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Hearing Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
12:30 P.M.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Hasz, Martinez, Damkroger, Chase,
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Buckley, Matsuda, Wolfram
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT CHASE AT 12:36 P.M.
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Tina Tam – Preservation Coordinator, Shelley Caltagirone, Pilar Lavalley, Aaron Starr, Tim Frye, Erika Lovejoy, Kelley Amdur – Director of Neighborhood Planning, Linda Avery – Commission Secretary
A. PUBLIC COMMENT
SPEAKERS:
[Name] – He asked HPC to focus on getting Golden Gate Stables and the Grand Stand Facility rehabilitated with Historic Preservation Funds.
B. STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Review and Comment on Draft Motion of the Mission Dolores Neighborhood Association Survey (T. Tam: 415/558-6325)
Preservation Coordinator Tam:
Draft Motion for Mission Dolores Neighborhood Survey – Because the original draft motion presented by Planning Department was different from what the HPC has adopted, Ms. Tam highlighted the following points to ensure there was no outstanding issue: 1) The HPC adopted the boundaries proposed for the Mission Dolores 1906 Fire Survivors and reconstruction of historic district as prepared by Carey & Company, and not the boundaries as recommended by the Planning Department; 2) The HPC approved the DPR 523B forms for seven properties prepared by Kelley and Company, i.e. 666-668 Church Street; 690, 700, 740 Church Street; and 207, 215, 223 Dorland Street; 3) The new draft motion reflects HPC desire to see the Mission Dolores neighborhood 1906 Fire Survivors and reconstruction district be nominated for official designations; 4) The HPC recommended research be done to expand historic district boundaries to consider additional properties within the neighborhood such as the Golden Fire Hydrant, and buildings constructed in the 20s and 30s, like the public schools; 5) The new draft motion includes HPC 2nd motion concerning Dolores Street cultural landscape and it identified components; 6) There is sufficient information contained in the survey itself to conclude Dolores Street median in Mission Dolores Park has deep historic cultural association with potential historic resources for the purposes of CEQA; and 7) the new draft motion clarifies in order to finalize the Mission Dolores survey the Project Sponsor, Mission Dolores Neighborhood Association, shall make the technical edits and changes as stated in the 3/17 hearing, and the revisions to the context statement incorporated the information from Jonathan Lammers. Commissioner Martinez – asked where in the new draft is language about endorsing the boundaries of the historic district as proposed by Carey and Company. Preservation Coordinator Tam – responded that it is in the fourth “Whereas” on page 2, and can add to that sentence “as proposed by the Carey & Company in their survey.” Commission Secretary Avery – stated that HPC actually took an action that is very different from what staff has presented. Staff wanted to be very careful and make sure HPC had a chance to weigh in on what staff have drafted before actually finalizing the motion. This would be the only thing she could see the HPC and Carey and Company could comment on. They can’t change the substance of the already adopted motion.
Revival of the Survey Advisory Group – Tam announce the need to work with the HPC and understand HPC’s definition and criteria for establishing a historic district. Tam suggested re-establishing the Survey Advisory Group a group with participation from the previous Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board. She asked through the Chair for either an appointment or a volunteer from the HPC. Commissioner Damkroger volunteered.
Leave of Absence Transition – This was the last hearing Ms. Tam will be participating in before returning in late summer or early fall. She designated Tim Frye and Sophie Hayward to cover her responsibilities as a Preservation Coordinator. Mr. Frye will be attending the HPC hearings, reviewing case reports and working with Ms. Avery on agendas and the advance calendar. Ms. Hayward will be working in the area of historic resource evaluations, historic resource evaluation responses, and reviewing projects. Collectively, they will be co-managing the survey program of the Planning Department.
Letter from Planning Director, John Rahaim, to HPC - Mr. Rahaim is interested in attending the HPC hearings on a more frequent and regular basis. He plans to attend the May 5th hearing for the discussion on rules and regulations, and general HPC policies and other non-project related items.
SPEAKERS:
Peter Lewis – President of Mission Dolores Neighborhood Association, re: He brought up an email received from Carey and Company which stated Dolores Park and the median are contributory resources to the district, which is contrary to Planning Department’s new draft motion on page 2, paragraph 4 that stated research and evaluation is required to determine Dolores Street, central median and Dolores Park are contributory properties to the historic district.
Dawn Kamalanathan – Director of Policy and Public Affairs of SF Recreation and Parks, re: She urged HPC to do an in-depth evaluation of the Mission Dolores Park. The evaluation could be used to inform SF Recreation and Parks potential role and obligations for their massive renovation.
NOTE: The HPC directed staff to correct the motion to include additional research on the cultural landscape portion, and the boundaries language that were made in the motion from the last hearing.
C. MATTERS OF THE COMMISSION
2. President’s Report and Announcements
Commissioner Chase
He received a letter dated April 7th from the Planning Director, John Rahaim, about attending the HPC’s May meeting on rules and regulations, and the need to better understand the establishment of district. He said HPC looks forward to Mr. Rahaim’s presence.
3. Consideration of Adoption:
a. Draft minutes of Regular Hearing of March 3, 2010
ACTION: Approved as corrected, Page 3, Item 5, point 2) – National LandAlliance Preservation Commission
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley, Wolfram, Matsuda
SPEAKER: None
4. Disclosures
Commissioner Damkroger spoke briefly with Kathy Howard about the UTube file of the Golden Gate Park
Commissioner Chase communicated with Bessie Flagg and Kathy Howard about Golden Gate Park Fields.
5. Commission Comments/Questions
None
D. CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS PROPOSED FOR CONTINUANCE
6. 2009.1180TZ (T. Sullivan: 415/558-6257)
680 California Street, aka Old St. Mary’s Church – Amending San Francisco Zoning Map ZN01 to change the zoning of Block 0241, Lots 011 & 012 from Chinatown Mixed Use District to C-3-O and amendments relating to Planning Code Section 128 to require that proceeds from the sale of transferable development rights from certain Transfer Lots be spent on the rehabilitation and maintenance of the Transfer Lot property. Ordinance that would amend the San Francisco Zoning Map ZN01 to change the use district of 680 California Street, aka Old St. Mary’s Church from Chinatown Mixed Use District to C-3-O and to amend Planning Code Section 128 (Transfer of Development Rights in C-3 Districts) to require that the proceeds of transfer development rights from a Transfer Lot which contains a designated landmark pursuant to Article 10 of the Planning Code be spent on the rehabilitation and maintenance of the landmark building; making environmental findings and findings of consistency with the General Plan and priority policies of Planning Code Section 101.1.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval.
(Continued from March 17, 2010)
(Proposed for Continuance to April 21, 2010)
SPEAKER: None
ACTION: Continued as proposed
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley, Wolfram, Matsuda
7. 2008.0312A (S. Caltagirone: 415/558-6625)
280 Divisadero Street, east side between Haight and Page Streets. Assessor's Block 1238, Lot 023 - Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to convert the carriage house located at the rear of the subject property to a residential unit, resulting in a de facto demolition of the existing building per the demolition standards set forth in Section 1005(f) of the Planning Code and the construction of a new residential building with attached garage. The carriage house is a contributing feature of the Charles Hinkel House property, San Francisco Landmark No. 190. The site is zoned NC-2 (Small-Scale Neighborhood Commercial) District and is in a 40-X Height and Bulk District.
(Proposed for Continuance to May 19, 2010)
SPEAKER: None
ACTION: Continued as proposed
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley, Wolfram, Matsuda
E. 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.
8. 2010.0160A (S. Caltagirone: 415/558-6625)
2727 Pierce Street, west side between Vallejo and Green Streets. Assessor’s Block 0560, Lot 005. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove and replace failed portions of the retaining wall that wraps around three sides of the residence. The Casebolt House is designated San Francisco Landmark No. 51. The site is zoned RH-1 (Residential, House, Single-Family) District and is in a 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
SPEAKER: None
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley, Wolfram, Matsuda
MOTION: M0057
9. 2010.0077A (P. LaValley: 415/575-9084)
601 Townsend Street (aka 700-768 7th Street, southwest corner of Townsend and 7th Streets, in Assessor’s Block 3799, Lot 001. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install two internally-illuminated tenant signs at the northeast corner of the building just below the cornice. The subject property, formerly known as the Baker & Hamilton Building, is City Landmark #193. The subject property is located in an UMU (Urban Mixed Use) District with a 68-X Height and Bulk limit. Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
SPEAKER: None
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley, Wolfram, Matsuda
MOTION: M0058
10. 2010.0146A (P. LaValley: 415/575-9084)
1 South Park Avenue, southwest corner of South Park Avenue and 2nd Street, Assessor’s Block 3775, Lots 001. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install one indirectly-illuminated primary tenant sign and one non-illuminated secondary tenant sign on the 2nd Street façade of the building. The subject property is a contributing structure to the South End Historic District and is located within an SSO (Service/Secondary Office) District with a 65-X Height and Bulk limit.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
SPEAKER: None
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley, Wolfram, Matsuda
MOTION: M0059
11. 2010.0172A (A. Starr: 415/558-6362)
1027 Hayes Street,south side between Pierce and Steiner Streets. Assessor’s Block 0823, Lot 014 - Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish a portion of the structure at the rear of the lot constructed between 1946 and 1947. The Queen Ann-style, two-story over basement, four-family residence is a part of the Alamo Square Historic District. It is located within an RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
SPEAKER: None
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley, Wolfram, Matsuda
MOTION: M0060
F. REGULAR CALENDAR
12. Athletic Fields in Golden Gate Park (T. Tam: 415/558-6325)
Informational Presentation by Recreation and Park staff on the proposed renovation of the existing athletic fields, parking lot, and restroom facility at the western portion of Golden Gate Park.
PRESENTER: Dan Mauer – gave a presentation of the Beach Chalet Athletic Fields.
SPEAKER IN AGAINST:
Janet Gracyk – Historic American Landscape Survey, Northern California Chapter; Mary Nelson - Historic American Landscape Survey Group; Ed Yarbrough – Architectural Historian in SF; Kelley Watts – Local soccer players in SF; Alex Bevk – SF Architectural Heritage; Nancy Wuerfel – Resident of Sunset District and Citizen [Advocate] for Preserving Places of Historic Values and Open Space in the City; Cathy Garrett – President California Preservation Foundation & Founding Co-chair Historic American Landscape Survey Group, Northern California; Gregg Miller – Resident of SF; Betsy Flack – Landscape Architect and Worker for Garden Conservancy; Katherine Howard – Golden Gate Park Preservation Alliance
SPEAKER IN FAVOR:
Toby Rappolt – Soccer Players; Jeff Staben – Soccer Player, Jill Lounsbury – Soccer Coach; Jim Ketcham – High School Athletic Director; Rich Fern – President of Soccer Referee Association; Lindsay Kauffman – Serve on the Board of SF Co-ed Soccer League and President of Golden Gate Soccer League; Raul Garza – Resident of SF; Scott Burry – SF Referee Association; John Keleher – SF Referee Association; John Keleher – Resident of SF and Soccer Referee; John Zwolinski – Resident of Outer Sunset
ACTION: No action required for this Item – Information only.
NOTE: Commissioners requested calendaring this item on 4/21/10 hearing as an Action Item.
13. 2010.0108A (A. Starr: 415/558-6362)
2113-2115 Bush Street, - south side between Fillmore and Webster Streets. Assessor’s Block 0677, Lot 032 - Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to add new exterior lighting fixtures and deck heaters to the rear of the subject building; security cameras on the subject building and within the rear yard; add corrugated metal weather protection to the underside of the existing deck joists; add additional wood lattice screening to the existing rear deck; add new wood cladding over existing steel fire escape; and a new in-deck hot tub. The Italianate-style, two-story over basement, two-family residence is a part of the Bush Street - Cottage Row Historic District. It is located within an RM-1 (Residential, Mixed, Low Density) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
SPEAKER: Jeff Staben – He asked how to determine when C of A of major and minor hearing notification be sent to neighborhood. He opposed the project; Alex Bevk – SF Architectural Heritage, re: We were not reviewing the project for the easement
ACTION: Approved as amended that the lattice not be added above the existing 3-feet level at the deck.
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley, Wolfram, Matsuda
MOTION: M0061
14. 2006.0536E (E. Lovejoy: 415/575.9026)
Lower Crystal Springs Dam Improvements Project Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) - Commission Review and Comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) proposes to implement the Lower Crystal Springs Dam Improvements (LCSDI) project to lift the operating restrictions on Crystal Springs Reservoir imposed by the California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD), and to restore the reservoir’s historical storage capacity. Proposed improvements to the dam and spillway would enable floodwater associated with the Probable Maximum Flood and other very large and infrequent floods to pass safely over the Lower Crystal Springs Dam. In addition, following completion of the proposed improvements, the SFPUC proposes to modify operations of Crystal Springs Reservoir such that the maximum normal water surface elevation would be 287.8 feet, which is 4 feet higher than the currently restricted level and 4 feet lower than the historical maximum level. All project components are located in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County on lands owned by the City and County of San Francisco.
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 April 8, 2010. Written comments on the Draft EIR will be accepted at the Planning Department until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2010.
Preliminary Recommendation: The Commission may direct staff to draft written comments of the Commission.
PRESENTERS: Tasio Mavroudis – PUC Project Manager, re: He presented an overview of the project; Brad Brewster – EAS Consultants
SPEAKER: None
ACTION: Directed staff to draft a letter listing the comments made by the HPC to the Environment Review Officer of the Planning Department.
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley, Wolfram, Matsuda
ADJOURNMENT: 3:44 P.M.
The minutes was proposed for adoption at the Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday, April 21, 2010
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley, Wolfram, Matsuda
