SAN FRANCISCO
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Hearing Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
12:30 P.M.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Hasz, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
COMMISSIONER ABSENT: Buckley
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT CHASE AT 12:33 P.M.
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: John Rahaim – Planning Director, Tim Frye - Acting Preservation Coordinator, Aaron Starr, Tina Tam, Don Lewis, Michael Jacinto, Matt Weintraub, Tara Sullivan, and Linda Avery Commission Secretary
A. PUBLIC COMMENT
SPEAKERS: Katherine Petrin, from the San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation to address the Metro Theater said that the Foundation would prefer the theater facade remain intact and be consistent with the Secretary of Interior Standards; that the [window] openings for light be minimized to retain more of the historic fabric than the scheme that was presented; and that the theater hold its original theater use or look for other good adaptive reuse options and schemes if the project sponsor returns to the Architectural Review Committee of the Historic Preservation Commission in the future; and Katherine Howard – read a resolution passed by the San Francisco Neighborhood Council regarding the proposed Recycle Treatment Plant in Golden Gate Park.
B. STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Report on 900 Innes (T. Frye: 415/575.6822)
Tim Frye, Acting Preservation Coordinator
900 Innes – Since the report of fire by an Innes neighbor on 9/15/10 at the HPC hearing, the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) has visited the site and listed it on the vacant building list sited under the Vacant Building Ordinance. DBI Inspector Clancey stated the building needs a new roof and Supervisor Maxwell’s Office is facilitating a meeting between the owner - the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, and the community. The community is interested in repairing and stabilizing and working out the details of liability and insurance to access the building.
Preserve America Grant – The Department received the grant and it will be used to fund designations, reports on landmark designations within the Market/ Octavia survey area, and to develop promotional and educational material regarding benefits of landmarking/designation for the area.
C. MATTERS OF THE COMMISSION
2. President’s Report and Announcements - None
3. Consideration of Adoption:
a. Draft minutes of Regular Hearing of September 1, 2010
b. Draft minutes of Regular Hearing of September 15, 2010
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley and Matsuda
4. Disclosures - None
5. Commissioner Comments/Questions
Commissioner Damkroger asked if staff could report back on the Certificate of Appropriateness (C of A) for 590 Pacific.
Commissioner Wolfram asked when the Landmark Work Program would be calendared. Mr. Frye responded that the Department is working on developing a reporting structure and hopes to have it presented before the end of the year.
Commission Martinez asked 1) the status of the HPC letter for the Beach Chalet Soccer Field; 2) the C of A on the Water Facility; and 3) the cumulative impacts on the Music Concourse at Golden Gate Park. Mr. Frye stated he would give a report at the next hearing. Deputy City Attorney Byrne answered two of the questions: In regards to the Soccer Field, the Department rescinded its Categorical Exemption for that project and is now undergoing preparation of an Environment Impact Report (EIR). The substance of the letter at this point would then be moot and the HPC will see the Draft EIR as it impacts a historic resource in the City. In regard to the Water Treatment Plant, she believes that the only part of Golden Gate Park that is a City designated landmark is the Music Concourse. Because of that, HPC would not be getting the Water Treatment Plant as a C of A application. However, HPC would be seeing the Draft EIR as part of its standard review and comments. Commissioner Damkroger thought that HPC’s intent of the letter was to inform how alternatives are created that could benefit the EIR research at the front end of the environmental review process.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
6. 2010.0865U (A. Starr: 415/558-6362)
150 OTIS STREET, west side between Gough and Mc Coppin Streets, in Assessor's Block 3513,Lot 007. Request for Review and Comment on the nomination of the San Francisco Juvenile Court and Detention Home to the National Register of Historic Places. The subject property is located within a P (Public) District and an 85-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Send comments of support to the State Historic Preservation Officer
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley and Matsuda
RESOLUTION NO: R655
7. 2010.0866U (A. Starr: 415/558-6362)
116 NEW MONTGOMERY STREET, south side between Mission and Minna Streets, in Assessor's Block 3722,Lot 071. Request for Review and Comment on the nomination of the Rialto Building to the National Register of Historic Places. The subject property is located within a C-3-O (Downtown Office) District and a 150-S Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Send comments of support to the State Historic Preservation Officer
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley and Matsuda
RESOLUTION NO: R656
8. 2009.1100CH (T. Frye: 415/575-6822)
1095 MARKET STREET - Northeast corner of Market and 7th Streets, Assessor’s Block 3703; Lot 059 and historically know as the Joseph D. Grant Building. Request for a Permit to Alter for exterior rehabilitation pursuant to City Charter Section 4.135; including reconstruction of the historic cornice based on pictorial evidence and the installation of canopies, signage, and awnings. A request for Conditional Use Authorization pursuant to Section 216(b) of the Planning Code to convert the subject building from office to a hotel/hostel with up to 94 rooms with associated restaurant, bar, and nightclub uses will be noticed and heard at the regularly scheduled Planning Commission hearing on October 14, 2010. The subject building is a Category I (Significant) Building under Article 11 of the Planning Code. The subject property is within the C-3-G (Downtown General Commercial) Zoning District and a 90-X Height and Bulk District. The property is also located in the Market Street Theatre and Loft National Register Historic District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approve with Conditions
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley and Matsuda
MOTION NO: M0080
9. 2010.0864H T. Frye: 415/575-6822)
33 MAIDEN LANE AKA 28-36 GEARY STREET (TIM FRYE 415/575-6822)
Assessor’s Block 0310; Lots 008, between Kearny Street and Grant Avenue and historically known as the Rosenstock Building. The subject building is a Category I Building within the Kearny-Market-Mason-Sutter Conservation District. It is located within a C-3-R (Downtown Retail) District with an 80-130-F Height and Bulk limit. The proposal is a request for a Minor Permit to Alter to replace the existing non-historic storefront system with a new system, signage, and exterior lighting.
Recommendation:Approve with Conditions
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley and Matsuda
MOTION NO: M0081
E. REGULAR CALENDAR
10. 2010.0128E (D. Lewis: 415/575.9095; T. Tam: 415/558.6325)
42 – 48 HARRIET STREET – southwest side of Harriet Street between Folsom and Howard Streets, in Assessor’s Block 3731, Lots 101 and 102. Request for Review and Comment pursuant to the Eastern Neighborhoods Interim Permit Review Procedures for Historic Resources. The proposed project is to demolish a vacant surface parking lot and construct a new 45-foot-tall, four-story, residential building within the MUG (Mixed Use General) and RED (Residential Enclave Districts), and a 45-X Height and Bulk District, and within the East SOMA subarea of the Eastern Neighborhoods Area Plan. The Department is reviewing an Environmental Evaluation application for the project.
Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt Motion
PRESENTER: Carla Hauser – Project Sponsor
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved as modified to address the proposed color of the panels above the first floor to be lighter in tone.
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley and Matsuda
MOTION NO: M0082
11. (T. Frye: 415/575-6822)
Identification and Delegation of Minor Permits to Alter for Significant and Contributory Buildings & all buildings with Conservation Districts regulated under Article 11 of the Planning Code to the Planning Department pursuant to City Charter Section 4.135.
(Continued from regular hearing of 9/15/10)
Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt Motion
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved with modifications 1) to change 11x17 sheet to a minimum of one 11x17 sheet; 2) to change minimally visible set back to read that the mechanical equipment is set back to the extent that less than 50% of one story is visible from the realm of public right-of-way; 3) to rework the language about the 20 day and 10 day period for notification; 4) under window replacement, to have a 20% or less of window area; 5) one story and/or 12 feet, whichever is less, and the 12 feet doesn’t include the elevator override; 6) under Item 2, the addition of the word “repair” to address repair and deterioration; and 7) Item 6 to list the addresses.
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley and Matsuda
MOTION NO: M0083
12. 2008.0968E (M. Jacinto: 415/575-9033)
North beach library and joe Dimaggio playground master PLAN
Public Hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Report – 701 Mason Street, southeast corner of Lombard Street and Columbus Avenue (Assessor’s Block 74, Lot 1); a portion of the Mason Street roadway between Lombard Street and Columbus Avenue; and 2000 Mason / 661 Lombard Street, the entire block bounded by Lombard, Powell, and Greenwich Streets and Columbus Avenue (Assessor’s Block 75, Lot 1). The project sponsors, the San Francisco Public Library and Recreation and Park Department, propose to demolish the existing North Beach Branch Library and construct a new library and upgrade recreational facilities at the Joe DiMaggio Playground. The project would involve vacation (closure) of a 195-linear-foot portion of Mason Street to vehicular traffic, landscaping improvements in the Mason Street right-of-way, construction of a new 8,500-square-foot (sf) branch library on the 701 Lombard Street parcel and a portion of the right-of-way, demolition of the existing library and excavation, renovation and reorganization of the playground features. The project would result in a total net increase of approximately 3,200 sf of library floor area and about 12,010 sf of new open space. The project would require rezoning of Block 74, Lot 001 to a Public (P) use designation or Conditional Use authorization for a library in the North Beach Neighborhood Commercial zoning district; General Plan and Priority Policy conformity findings; as well as approval by the Library and Recreation and Park Commissions, Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors.
NOTE: This public hearing is intended to assist the Commission in its preparation of comments on the Draft EIR (DEIR). Comments made by members of the public at this hearing will not be considered comments on the DEIR and may not be responded to in the Final EIR. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the DEIR on October 7, 2010. Written comments on the DEIR will be accepted at the Planning Department until 5:00 p.m. on October 12, 2010.
Preliminary Recommendation: The Historic Preservation Commission will discuss the Draft Environmental Impact Report and may provide oral comments or may direct staff to prepare written comments on the adequacy of the DEIR, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
SPEAKERS against the adequacy of the draft EIR: Joan Wood, June Osterberg, Sal Busalacchi – Coalition for Better Library, Mike Buhler – San Francisco Heritage, Howard Wong – Friends of Appleton Wolfard Libraries
ACTION: HPC comments will be put in writing to the Environment Review Officer. Commissioners Damkroger and Wolfram will develop the comment letter and Commissioner Martinez will make a substantive presentation before the Planning Commission tomorrow.
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley and Matsuda
LETTER NO: L0002
13. 2010.0505U (M. Weintraub:415/575-6812)
SOUTH MISSION HISTORIC RESOURCES SURVEY, Informational presentation. The survey consists of: a Historic Context Statement; field survey of approximately 3,752 individual properties, including 2,099 Primary Records (DPR 523A forms) and comprehensive property database; and Multiple Property Documentation that identifies 988 historic properties and 13 historic districts. The survey area includes approximately 100 blocks and covers the southern portion of the Eastern Neighborhoods Mission Area Plan. The general boundaries of the survey area are 20th Street to the north (as well as several blocks north of 20th Street between Florida Street and Potrero Avenue), Cesar Chavez Street to the south, Potrero Avenue to the east, and Guerrero Street to the west.
Preliminary Recommendation: No action required.
PRESENTER: Historian at Page and Turnbull
SPEAKERS: John Barbey – Liberty Hill Neighborhood Association, commented that the survey is a good report but far from perfect; Beth Freeman – Resident of the Mission District, commented that the report is missing important elements such as retaining walls, trees, vegetation and rear yard characteristics; Bonnie Feinberg – Homeowner, asked for the protection of side spacing between buildings, trees and landscape features.
NOTE: 1) There was a discussion about eligibility for designating local districts under Article 10 in all National Registered Districts. The discussion led to Director Rahaim’s recommendation about developing HPC’s owns criteria for designating local districts instead of using the National Register criteria; 2) The HPC recommended including the character defining features such as retaining walls, landscaping, open space and side yards that was brought up during Public Comment today and incorporate them in the survey; and 3) Commissioner Chase asked that reference on each map be accurate.
INFORMATION ONLY, NO ACTION REQUIRED
14. 2010.0080T (T. Sullivan: 415/558-6257)
Amendments to the Planning Code, including but not limited to Sections 121.2, 136.1, 151, 185, 186, 201, 204.2, 205, 205.1, 205.3, 207.2, 209.3, 209.8, 217, 249, 303, 309, 311, 340, 317, 602.25, 602.26, 607.1, 790.44, 803.2, 803.3, 3 890.133, 890.44, 703.2, and various sections of Articles 7, 10, and 11. Ordinance sponsored by the Planning Department that would amend the Planning Code. The proposed amendments are mainly clerical clean-up in nature, with Sections 121.2, 136.1, 151, 185, 186, 201, 204.2, 205, 205.1, 205.3, 207.2, 209.3, 209.8, 217, 249, 303, 309, 311, 340, 317, 602.25, 602.26, 607.1, 790.44, 803.2, 803.3, 3 890.133, 890.44, 703.2, and Articles 7, 10, and 11 being amended. The focus of this hearing will be on Article 10, Section 309, and parts of Article 11.
(Continued from regular hearing 9/15/10)
Recommendation: Approval of Proposed Ordinance with modifications to Board of Supervisors.
ACTION: Approved with modifications after the Commissioner deliberation and acted on by voice vote.
RESOLUTION NO: R657
ADJOURNMENT: 4:34 P.M.
The minutes was proposed for adoption at the Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday, November 3, 2010
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Buckley
