December 05, 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
DECEMBER 5, 2001
12:40 P.M. ROLL CALL
FOR FULL BOARD CONSIDERATION
MEMBERS PRESENT: FINWALL, KELLEY, KOTAS (arr. @ 12:46 p.m.), MAGRANE, REIDY, SHATARA and SKRONDAL
MEMBER(S) ABSENT: DEARMAN and HO-BELLI
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
REPORTS
2. STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Neil Hart, Chief
Neighborhood Planning:
i Landmark designation of the Old Mint and Municipal Railway Car No. 1 is scheduled before the Planning Commission December 6, 2001.
i The adoption of the Dogpatch and Central Waterfront Surveys are scheduled before the Planning Commission December 13, 2001.
i The Landmarks Board hearing for January 2, 2002 will be canceled. A Public Communications Committee meeting will be scheduled on January 16, and a Special Hearing on Wednesday, January 23.
3. PRESIDENT’S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
4. MATTERS OF THE BOARD
None.
Tape No(s).: 1a
REGULAR CALENDAR ITEMS
5. APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 17, 2001 DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
October 17 – It was moved by Member Skrondal (seconded by Shatara) to approve. The vote was unanimous.
Tape No(s).: 1a
n Review and Adopt
5. (TULLY: 558-6372)
LANDMARKS PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD PUBLIC REVIEW PROCESS FOR CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY FINDINGS. Information on the proposed review process for owners of property within the boundaries of a cultural resource survey, who disagree with the National Register Status Code assigned by Planning Department staff to his/her property. A proposed system of criteria will be discussed for Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board's review, comment and recommendation. (Note: This item was heard at the November 7, 2001 Landmarks Board Hearing. The Landmarks Board requested changes to the language and asked that the item be continued to the next hearing.)
Speaker(s): Mark Paez
Board
Comments
and Actions:
i After Staff presentation, Board Member Reidy moved (seconded by Skrondal) approval of the resolution adopting the review process. The vote was unanimous -Finwall, Kelley, Kotas, Magrane, Reidy, Shatara and Skrondal; absent: Dearman and Ho-Belli.
6. (TULLY: 558-6372)
CENTRAL WATERFRONT SURVEY. Adopt a resolution and recommend to the Planning Commission, endorsement of the Central Waterfront Historic Resource Survey (California Department of Parks and Recreation Survey Forms – DPR 523A and 523B) and Central Waterfront Draft Context Statement. Boundaries of the Central Waterfront Survey are 16th Street to the north, Interstate 280 to the west, Islais Creek to the south and the San Francisco Bay to the east.
Speaker(s): Charles Chase
Mark Paez
Board
Comments:
i Stated that the survey is a valuable compendium of information – all the analyses and photographs, etc.
i Commented that if there were to be the resolution, just looking at the draft, suggested, therefore be it resolved, probably in the first resolution should also mention 651 Illinois, because this is the property that drops out (3201 3rd Street); and, it might be worth while, putting in some advice to Staff to work on the condition called the boiler plate, some comment about the visual appearance and condition of the building without having to dictate wording at this hearing.
i Commented adding a whereas - that comment has been made to the effect that clarification, a global clarification regarding the condition assessments on the forms should be appended to, all properties. Add another whereas – owners' objections to National Register Status Codes have been received from the following two properties; add a therefore – these two properties removed from current consideration and will be handled in accordance with the Adoptive Review Process.
Action: It was moved by Member Reidy (seconded by Finwall) to approve Staff resolution recommending to the Planning Commission, endorsement of the Central Waterfront Cultural Resource Survey and draft Context Statement, with the above bulleted qualifications, as discussed.
.
Ayes: Finwall, Kelley, Kotas, Magrane, Reidy, Shatara and Skrondal
Noes: None
Absent: Dearman and Ho-Belli
Tape No(s).: 1a
n Review and Comment
7. 2000.0965E (DEAN: 558-5980)
949 MARKET STREET. The proposed project is the demolition of the existing building at 949-961 Market Street, Assessor's Block 3704, Lot 71, consisting of a 40-foot-high former theater and a 66-foot-high former retail component, and construction of a new 12-story-plus-basement, 119-foot-tall, mixed retail-residential building with 152 dwelling units. Total new construction would be about 241,200 square feet. The approximately 23,400-square-foot project site is located in the middle of the block on the south side of Market Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets, is zoned C-3-G (Downtown General Commercial) District and is in a 120-X Height and Bulk District. The proposed project would require authorization by the Planning Commission pursuant to Planning Code Section 309, Permit Review in C-3 District, and Conditional Use authorization. The purpose of the hearing is to facilitate the formulation of the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board's comments on the adequacy of the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Speaker(s): Charles Chase
Board
Comments
and Actions:
i Board Members commented that the discussion of Historic Resources on page 28, which is based largely on a Historic Resource Study by Page & Turnbull, Inc, fails to clarify how it was determined whether historic fabric on the interior of the building has actually been removed, or is simply covered by alterations performed in 1925 and 1968.
i Both the DEIR and the Page & Turnbull report stat that it is undetermined how much exterior historic fabric has actually been removed, rather than simply being covered by modern accretions.
i Because of the uncertainty regarding the continued existence of so much important historic fabric, the Landmarks Board cannot agree with the conclusion reached by the DEIR that the building no longer possesses sufficient integrity for eligibility for listing in the National Register or the California Register. The Landmarks Board also cannot agree with the further conclusions of the DEIR, that 949-961 Market Street does not meet the definition of an historical resource under CEQA, nor that its demolition would not be considered a significant adverse environmental effect.
i Board members questioned the reasons for the building's exclusion from the Market Street Theatre and Loft District.
i Board members questioned the adequacy of the discussion of the building's association with Sid Grauman, a significant historic personage and a former owner of the building.
i The Landmarks Board believes an Alternative should be considered in which the existing building is upgraded and a vertical additional made to the present southern wing. It would appear this could provide adequate space to meet the project sponsor's objectives, while retaining the present building.
i The building's Visual Quality underestimates the contribution of the building to its streetscape by concentrating unduly on easily reversible characteristics such as awning colors. The Landmarks Board believes the building is a much stronger contributor to the surrounding streetscape than is concluded in the DEIR.
i The Landmarks Board believes that Historic American Building Survey (HABS) recordation should include documentation of the vaudeville players who performed in the theater prior to its conversion to motion pictures.
Tape No(s).: 1a & b
8. 2001.0898G (LIGHT: 558-6254)
333 SACRAMENTO STREET, south side between Front and Battery Streets. Assessor's Block 237, Lot 18. The subject building is a two-story-over-basement, early 20th Century modern reinforced concrete building with Sullivanesque detailing, is zoned C-3-O (Downtown, Office) District, is in a 75-X Height and Bulk District, and is located in the Front-California Conservation District. Request for a change in rating from a Category V building to a Category IV building under Article 11 of the Planning Code.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
Speaker(s): Theodore Brown
Action: Board Member Finwall moved (seconded by Magrane) to adopt the draft resolution and staff report recommending approval of the change in rating.
Ayes: Finwall, Kelley, Kotas, Magrane, Reidy, Shatara and Skrondal
Noes: None
Absent: Dearman and Ho-Belli
Tape No(s).: 1b
n Certificate(s) of Appropriateness
9. 2001.1100A (LIGHT: 558-6254)
1067 GREEN STREET, The Feusier Octagon House/Kenny Residence, Landmark No. 36, south side between Jones and Leavenworth Streets. Assessor's Block 126, Lot 22A. A three-story, poured concrete, single-family house with a cement or burnt lime, gravel and clay exterior, built in 1856. The subject property is zoned RH-2 (House, Two-Family) District and is in a 40-X Height and Bulk District. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to build a patio with a retaining wall in the back yard area.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
Speaker(s): None
Action: Board Member Skrondal moved (seconded by Shatara) to adopt the draft resolution and staff report recommending approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness.
Ayes: Finwall, Kelley, Kotas, Magrane, Reidy, Shatara and Skrondal
Noes: None
Absent: Dearman and Ho-Belli
Tape No(s).: 1b
10. 2001.0983A (SNYDER/HASTIE: 575-6891/558-6381)
3615 20th STREET, south side between Guerrero and Valencia Streets. Assessor's Block 3608, Lot 74. A vacant lot within the Liberty Hill Historic District, is located in the Valencia Street Neighborhood Commercial District and a 50-X Height and Bulk District. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a new four-story building that would contain six dwelling units over ground floor retail space.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
Speaker(s): George Hauser
John Barbey
Ed Davis
Action: Board Member Kotas moved (seconded by Shatara) to adopt the draft resolution and staff report recommending approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness.
Ayes: Kelley, Kotas, Magrane, Reidy, Shatara and Skrondal
Noes: Finwall
Absent: Dearman and Ho-Belli
Tape No(s).: 1b & 2a
n Informational Presentation
11. (TAM: 558-6325)
429 CASTRO STREET, the Castro Theatre, Landmark No. 100, east side of Castro Street between 17th and 18th Streets. Assessor's Block 3582, Lot 85. As requested by the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board, this is an informational presentation on the proposed renovation project for the Castro Theatre.
Speaker(s): John Barbey
Don Nasser
Al Martinez
Board
Comments:
i Board President Kelley stated that he would volunteer to work with the property owner on plans to help expedite whatever can be done to protect the marquee.
i Suggested sending a letter to the Department of Public Works regarding a sidewalk extension.
i President Kelley will write a draft letter of support for protection of the marquee and bring the draft letter back to the Landmarks Board at their next meeting for approval.
Tape No(s).: 2a
ADJOURNMENT: 4:05 P.M.
Adopted: March 20, 2002
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