June 06, 2001
Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board (LPAB)
FINAL ACTION MINUTES
OF THE
SAN FRANCISCO
LANDMARKS PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY HALL
1 DR. CARLTON B. GOODLETT PLACE, ROOM 400
JUNE 6, 2001
12:43 P.M. ROLL CALL
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
MEMBERS PRESENT: FINWALL, KELLEY, MAGRANE (arr. @ 1:22 p.m.) and SHATARA
MEMBER(S) ABSENT: KOTAS
1. 2000.0723A (M. SNYDER: 575-6891)
639 SECOND STREET, east side between Brannan and King Streets. Assessor's Block 3789, Lot 5. A non-contributing property to the South End Historic District. This vacant property is currently being used as an open parking lot. It is within an SSO (Service, Secondary Office) District, a 50-X Height and Bulk District, and a Mixed-Use Housing Zone. Request for Architectural Review Committee review and comment on a proposal to construct a new building containing approximately 49,950 square feet of office use, nine dwelling units, and 100 parking spaces.
ARC comments and recommendations:
Speaker(s): Aston Periera
Jim Reuben
i Asked for more photographs of the surrounding buildings
i Questioned why the setback?
i Concerned with the building carrying a theme of office building as oppose to warehouse (because of the number of windows)
i Appreciated the separation of floors
2. 1999.0432A (M. SNYDER: 575-6891)
699 SECOND STREET, The California Warehouse, northeast corner of Second and King Streets. Assessor's Block 3989, Lot 4. A contributing property to the South End Historic District, the California Warehouse has also received a B rating from San Francisco Heritage. The two-story-over-basement brick and concrete structure was originally used as a warehouse, has been used as a parking garage, and is currently used as an office building. It is within an SSO (Service, Secondary Office) District, a 50-X Height and Bulk District, and a Mixed-Use Housing Zone. Request for Architectural Review Committee review and comment on a proposal to alter the façade and add a vertical addition. The resultant building would include approximately 49,950 square feet of office space, 9,000 square feet of retail or restaurant use, and approximately 100 parking spaces.
ARC comments and recommendations:
Speaker(s): Charles Chase
Aston Pereira
i Commented that the historic resource has not been adequately done
i Had concern with additions to the historic buildings
i Felt that there was too much glass
i Supported Heritage suggestion of using wood frame on the windows on the lower level
i Expressed that the design is successful, but a little too crisp; explore more materials
1:40 P.M. ROLL CALL
FOR FULL BOARD CONSIDERATION
MEMBERS PRESENT: DEARMAN, FINWALL, HO-BELLI, KELLEY, MAGRANE, REIDY, SHATARA and SKRONDAL
MEMBER(S) ABSENT: KOTAS
PUBLIC COMMENT
Alan Martinez: 1800 Market Street
Betty Traynor: Redstone Building/Labor Temple at 16th and Capp Streets
Ruach Graffis: Redstone Building
REPORTS
1. DEPARTMENT REPORT
None
2 STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Elizabeth Gordon
Preservation Coordinator:
§ Filbert Street Cottages timeline – scheduled before the Planning Commission June 14th , but maybe continued at the request of the property owner.
§ In response to a request made by Member Finwall, regarding legislation that was being passed through the State and signed by the President regarding rehabilitation of historic buildings – information was obtained through the California Preservation Foundation President's Report regarding this legislation and was given to Member Finwall.
Tape No.: 1a
3. PRESIDENT’S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Kelley:
i Discussions he has had with representatives of the Carnegie Libraries and MUNI. Landmark designation of the Mission and Chinatown branch libraries will be brought forward at the next Landmarks Board hearing. Another meeting is scheduled with MUNI representatives seeking a resolution for their support in landmarking MUNI Car No. 1 and the Laguna Honda MUNI Station.
4. MATTERS OF THE BOARD
Board Member
Finwall: i MUNI Geneva Car Barn status of work plan/funding.
i Arts Commission – Caretaker for the MUNI Substation at Turk and Fillmore.
Tape No(s).: 1a & b
REGULAR CALENDAR ITEMS
5. APPROVAL OF THE MAY 16, 2001 DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
It was moved by Member Magrane (seconded by Shatara) to adopt the minutes with one typographical correction on page 5. The vote was unanimous. (Absent: Kotas)
n Certificates of Appropriateness
6. 2001.0373A (M. SNYDER: 575-6891)
112 LIBERTY STREET, north side between Dolores and Guerrero Streets. Assessor's Block 3607, Lot 43. A contributory building to the Liberty Hill Historic District. Built in 1884, this well intact two-story-over-garage Italianate structure was originally and is currently used as a single-family residents. It is within an RH-2 (House, Two-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to add a three story addition to the rear of the building, raise the house by 1.5 feet, and make other renovations to the front façade. (Note: Item is continued from the May 16, 2001, Landmarks Board hearing)
Preliminary Recommendations: Approval
Speaker(s): None
Action: It was moved by Member Finwall (seconded by Shatara) to adopt the draft resolution and staff report recommending approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness, with the addition to ask for more concrete to be taken out and add more landscape in the front.
Ayes: Dearman, Finwall, Ho-Belli, Kelley, Magrane, Reidy, Shatara and Skrondal
Noes: None
Absent: Kotas
Tape No(s).: 1b
7. 2001.0543A (KOMETANI: 558-6478)
1051 TAYLOR STREET, Grace Cathedral, west side between Sacramento and California Streets. Assessor's Block 246, Lot 1. A reinforced concrete church building built in 1933. The subject property is City Landmark No. 170, is zoned RM-4 (Mixed Residential, High Density) District and is in a 65-A Height and Bulk District. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for an exterior lighting scheme.
Preliminary Recommendations: Approval
Speaker(s): None
Action: It was moved by Member Finwall (seconded by Skrondal) to adopt the draft resolution and staff report recommending approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness.
Ayes: Dearman, Finwall, Ho-Belli, Kelley, Magrane, Reidy, Shatara and Skrondal
Noes: None
Absent: Kotas
Tape No(s).: 1b & 2a
n Informational Presentation
8. 2000.272CX (LE BLANC: 558-6351)
185 POST STREET, southeast corner Post Street at Grant Avenue. Assessor's Block 310, Lot 18. A six-story, 88-foot-tall Category V (Unrated) office and retail building in the Kearny-Market-Mason-Sutter Conservation District. The proposal is to demolish the existing building and construct a new 10-story, 130-foot tall building with approximately 6,800 square feet of retail space for the West Coast headquarters and retail store of the apparel company, Prada USA, 4,400 square feet of office space and one dwelling unit. The primary façade material would be stainless steel.
Speaker(s): Joel Yodowitz
Ole Scheeren
Lisa Sullivan
David McAldeen
After the informational presentation was given, the majority of the Landmarks Board expressed their approval of the building; with two members strongly opposing the building and its location.
n Review and Comment
9. 2000.272E (NAVARRETE: 558-5975)
185 POST STREET. The project site is one block east of Union Square in downtown San Francisco, at the southeast corner of Post Street and Grant Avenue. Assessor's Block 310, Lot 18. The 3,600 square foot project site, situated within the Kearny-Market-Mason-Sutter Conservation District, is occupied by a vacant six-story-plus-basement structure that consists of approximately 15,400 square feet of retail space and 10,800 square feet of office space. The proposed project would consist of demolition of the existing 26,200 square-foot building and construction of a new ten-story-plus-basement, 130-foot tall building that would serve as the West Coast headquarters and retail store of the apparel company Prada USA. The new structure would contain approximately 39,300 square feet with part of the basement serving as storage and mechanical equipment space, display space and a reception area on the ground floor, retail space on the second through fifth levels, open space on the sixth level, showroom space on the sixth and seventh levels, office space on the eighth and ninth levels, and a private residential space on the top floor. In total, the project would provide approximately 4,400 square feet of office space, 6,800 square feet of retail space, 1,500 square feet of showroom space, 1,700 square feet of residential space, 2,250 square feet of open space, and 22,650 square feet of storage and other space. The proposed structure would be 42 feet taller than the 88-foot tall structure currently on the project site. The site is within the C-3-R (Downtown Retail) District and is in an 80-130-F Height and Bulk District. The Landmarks Board will receive public testimony and discuss the EIR in order to frame their written comments on the Draft EIR. Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board review and comment on the adequacy of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Board
Comments:
i The majority of the Landmarks Board (six members) believed that the DEIR presented a well reasoned and articulate discussion of the potential impacts the project could have on Historic Architectural Resources. It also provided a helpful summary of the considerations the Landmarks Board and Planning Commission must take into account in considering the project.
i The Landmarks Board supported the conclusions of the DEIR that the proposed project would be consistent with guidelines for the Conservation District in terms of massing, proportioning, compositional rhythm, and scale.
i The Landmarks Board agreed also with the DEIR's conclusion that the innovative design may be seen to conflict with established standards relating to overall composition and surface material. However, they felt that the proposed building would be, nevertheless, a compatible addition to the Conservation District – one that expresses in a contemporary vocabulary a sophisticated and sympathetic understanding of the essential architectural qualities of the District.
i The Landmarks Board concurred that no significant cumulative effect upon the Conservation District would occur if the proposed project were built. In this regard, it is also important to note that the project departs from traditional structures in the District in choices of style and design only – it does not attempt to alter the character of the District, nor simply to maximize the building envelope. Thus, the precedent it sets does not promote a negative trend.
i The general feeling of the Landmarks Board was that the DEIR provided a clear and accurate discussion of the pertinent considerations regarding this project – and that the project itself would be an asset to the City. The Landmarks Board felt it would provide a valuable contemporary interpretation of the historic architectural qualities that Article 11 seeks to support.
i Two Landmarks Board members expressed strong opinions in opposition to this project. Although they felt the DEIR presented a reasonable and well written discussion of the potential impacts the proposed project is expected to have on the Conservation District and its historic resources with several exceptions, they simply disagree with many findings as stated and feel the project is inappropriate to the spirit and intent of a conservation district. They felt it did not meet the minimal standards as set forth in Article 11. The project makes a mockery of issues of massing, proportion, rhythm and scale. The felt that the building will serve only purpose, to be a signature for PRADA. It will not be a building that will create a setting that complements the qualities of more significant structures in the area. The PRADA building adversely impacts each historic resource in the conservation district.
ADJOURNMENT: 4:00 P.M.
ADOPTED: August 1, 2001
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