April 16, 2003

4. 2002.0782E (J. NAVARRETE: 415/558-5975)

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES PROJECT, Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). The California Academy of Sciences (CAS) is in Golden Gate Park, Assessor's Block 1700, Lot 1, along the easterly edge of the Music Concourse within a P (Public Use) District and an OS (Open Space) Height and Bulk District. An informational presentation on the proposed project, which would include demolition of 11 of the 12 existing buildings, and the removal of approximately 73 existing parking spaces.

Speaker(s): Gordon Chung

Kyle Glen

Chris Duderstadt

Amy Kramer

Board

Comments:

• Asked about the replacement of the Steinhart.

• Asked if it has been considered to reuse any of the original pieces (doors, frames).

• Asked for clarity on the reconstruction of the California Hall.

• Asked to explain the reason for the decision to demolish and then rebuild the California Hall, rather than leaving it where it is, and remodeling it as necessary.

• Asked if the North America Hall will be reduced in size.

Tape No(s).: 1a & b

5. 2002.0782E (J. NAVARRETE: 415/558-5975)

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES PROJECT, Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). The California Academy of Sciences (CAS) is in Golden Gate Park, Assessor's Block 1700, Lot 1, along the easterly edge of the Music Concourse within a P (Public Use) District and an OS (Open Space) Height and Bulk District. The project would be to build a new CAS (Academy) on the site of the existing facilities. The project would include demolition of 11 of the existing 12 buildings, and the removal of approximately 73 existing parking spaces. The project would retain and rehabilitate Simson African Hall in place. The Academy would retain its general location and orientation. The new facility would include three main levels above grade, two levels below grade, and a loading area at the southwestern portion of the project site. The new Academy building would be approximately 460 feet long and 280 feet wide, with the edges of the roof extending to approximately 520 feet long by 335 feet wide. The building would feature a landscaped roof, the base height of which would be less than 40 feet. Above the base, the landscaped roof would undulate to accommodate the Academy's major programmatic components beneath, with the two peak elements over the planetarium and rainforest exhibits reaching a height of about 67 feet, or approximately 13 feet beyond the highest existing point (Morrison Planetarium). These two peaks would be set back approximately 150 feet from the roof's edge along Academy Drive. Trellised portions of the roof would extend beyond the perimeter walls. The floor area would increase from approximately 350,000 sq. ft. to approximately 390,000 sq. ft. The footprint would decrease from approximately 240,000 sq. ft. to approximately 205,500 sq. ft. This increase in area on a smaller footprint is possible because the plans significantly increase basement level areas. 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): Gordon Chung

Amy Kramer

Board

Comments:

• The Landmarks Board concurred that the description of the project is adequate and accurate in the Report.

• The Landmarks Board concurred that the project would have no negative effect on visual qualities of the project.

• The HABS recordation should be extended to the entire assembly as a mitigation/improvement.

• Encouraged the maximum, feasible reuse of existing fabric and specifically encourage the retention of the star projector on site.

• Finds that Chapter 5 (p. 178), Significant Environmental Effects that Cannot be Avoided, to be adequate.

• Basically, the Landmarks Board concurs with the findings of the Draft EIR, with the exception of the additions as noted regarding the reuse of fabric and the star projector.

Tape No(s).: 1b

6. 2002.0809E (AHMADI: 558-5966)

VALENCIA GARDENS HOPE VI PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT . The project site is located at 340-370 Valencia Street on the block bounded by Valencia, Guerrero, 14^th, and 15^th Streets in the Mission District of San Francisco. An informational presentation on the proposed project, which would include demolition of the existing Valencia Gardens, a public housing project of 22 three-story residential buildings containing 246 rental units and 82 surface parking spaces that was found to be an historical resource and replacement construction of new public housing.

Speaker(s): Kenneth Jones

Lisa Pagon

Paul Fritz

Steve Haynes

Gabriel Companella

Board

Comments:

• No comments made on the informational presentation.

Tape No(s).: 1b

7. 2002.0809F (M. CORRETTE: 415/558-6295)

VALENCIA GARDENS HOPE VI PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT. The project site is located at 340-370 Valencia Street, west side of Valencia Street, north side of 15th Street, and the east side of Guerrero Street. Assessor's Block 3546, Lot 2. The proposed project involves the demolition of the Valencia Gardens public housing project (246 units). The project also proposes the new construction of up to 290 public housing units; a community center (5,400 sq. ft.); a child care center (3,500 sq. ft.); a computer learning center (3,000 sq. ft.); an outdoor child play space (2,300 sq. ft.); other semi-public community open space; and 86 surface parking spaces. The Mayor's Office of Housing is conducting a section 106 review of the proposed project, and has requested the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board (Landmarks Board) to review and comment on the materials it has prepared for the section 106 review. A letter containing the comments of the Landmarks Board will be addressed to the Director of Planning. The Director will then forward the comments of the Landmarks Board and the comments of the Planning Department to the lead Federal Agency (Department of Housing and Urban Development), and send copies to the California Office of Historic Preservation, Mayor's Office of Housing, and any other interested parties.

Speaker(s): Kenneth Jones

Board

Comments:

• The Landmarks Board concurs with all staff recommendations as contained in the Case Report presented at this hearing.

• In general, the Landmarks Board believes this is a worthy and necessary project, and that it should proceed as expeditiously as possible. However, the Landmarks Board also finds the Section 106 Documentation submitted is incomplete and inadequate in several areas. It fails to consider the extremely consequential issues of social history that pertain to public housing both nationally and locally. The material submitted shows evidence of inattentive development and preparation. These deficiencies must be rectified prior to completion of the project, although they should not be allowed to delay its commencement.

• The Statement of Significance for Valencia Gardens should be augmented by a scholarly examination of the social history of the housing development, including how social thinking has changed so that the buildings are now considered inappropriate as housing, as well as an exploration of racial exclusionary policies over the history of these buildings, and how that too has changed.

• Recommended that a copy of the original plans be donated to the San Francisco History Room of the Public Library.

• Recommended that the Statement of Significance for the area immediately surrounding the project be supplemented to include the context of the effect of the construction of Valencia Gardens on its original character.

• Proposed mitigations, as discussed in the Cultural Resources Report of February 25, 2003 and elsewhere in the Section 106 Documentation and the Memorandum of Agreement should include the following specific requirement:

  "The Project Sponsor will provide a publicly accessible

  interpretive display area on the project site, to include interpretive materials such as photographs, oral histories, architectural drawings and site plans, and written histories documenting the lives of, and events associated with, past occupants of the Valencia Gardens Housing Project. The documentation report, non-archival photographs, and interpretive display shall be submitted to the San Francisco Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board for review and approval prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the project. Copies of all interpretive materials shall also be donated to the History Room of the San Francisco Public Library. The Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board may appoint a liaison to work with Project Sponsor in directing the research on the interpretive materials."

• The Memorandum of Agreement should be amended in the following places:

  A. Stipulations (2): The last sentence should read "The Planning Department and LPAB will have forty five (45) days to review the drawings and specifications and to submit comments to the Sponsors."

  B. Stipulations (5): Should be amended using the language cited above.

  C. Stipulations (8): Should be amended to read "...the Agency Official shall take the objection into account and consult with the objecting party, the Planning Department and the President of the LPAB, as deemed necessary..."

Tape No(s).: 1b & 2a

8. 2002.0809E (R. AHMADI: 415/558-5966)

VALENCIA GARDENS HOPE VI PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT. The project site is located at 340-370 Valencia Street on the block bounded by Valencia, Guerrero, 14^th, and 15^th Streets in the Mission District of San Francisco. The proposed project would be the demolition of the existing Valencia Gardens, a public housing project of 22 three-story residential buildings containing 246 rental units and 82 surface parking spaces that was found to be an historical resource and replacement construction of new public housing. The new construction would consist of 15 three-story buildings and two four-story buildings containing 290 residential units, a community center; a childcare center; a computer learning center; an outdoor child play space and other semi-public community open space; and 86 surface parking spaces. The approximately five-acre site which is Lot 2 occupies most of the block on Assessor's Block 3546. The proposed project would require Conditional Use authorization from the Planning Commission to determine qualification as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) under Section 304 of the City Planning Code. 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): None

Board

Comments:

• The Landmarks Board concurs with the Project Description, the description of Alternatives, and the assessment of impacts on identified Historic Resources.

• In general, the Landmarks Board believes that it is a worthy and necessary project, and it should proceed as expeditiously as possible. However, the Landmarks Board also finds the documentation submitted is incomplete and inadequate in several areas. Most importantly, it fails to consider the extremely consequential issues of social history that pertain to public housing both nationally and locally, and that are essential points to be understood about the demolition of Valencia Gardens. The material submitted shows evidence of inattentive development and preparation. These deficiencies must be rectified prior to completion of the project, although they should not be allowed to delay its commencement.

• It was suggested that the Statement of Significance should be augmented by a scholarly examination of the social history of the housing development, including how social thinking has changed so that the building are now considered inappropriate as housing, as well as an exploration of racial exclusionary policies over the history of the buildings, and how that too has changed.

• It was recommended that a copy of the original plans for Valencia Gardens be donated to the San Francisco History Room of the Public Library.

• It was recommended that the Statement of Significance for the area immediately surrounding Valencia Gardens be supplemented to include the context of the effect of the construction of Valencia Gardens on its original character.

• Proposed mitigation #3 (p. V-3) for the identified significant unavoidable impact of demolition of Valencia Gardens should be amended to include the following specific requirement:

  "The Project Sponsor will provide a publicly accessible

  interpretive display area on the project site, to include interpretive materials such as photographs, oral histories, architectural drawings and site plans, and written histories documenting the lives of, and events associated with, past occupants of the Valencia Gardens Housing Project. The documentation report, non-archival photographs, and interpretive display shall be submitted to the San Francisco Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board for review and approval prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the project. Copies of all interpretive materials shall also be donated to the History Room of the San Francisco Public Library. The Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board may appoint a liaison to work with Project Sponsor in directing the research on the interpretive materials."

Tape No(s).: 2a

9. (N. HART: 415/558-6338)

Proposed Programmatic Agreement Among the Federal Highway Administration, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the California State Historic Preservation Officer, and the California Department of Transportation Regarding Compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as it pertains to the Administration of the Federal-Aid Highway Program in California. The Federal Highway Administration, California Division requests the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board (Landmarks Board) review and comment on a proposed Programmatic Agreement (Agreement) developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and local agencies to use to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing regulations, 36 CFR Part 800. This process will be used in lieu of current Section 106 compliance procedures for considering historic and archaeological resources during the environmental review for State highway and local roads projects that have FHWA funding or other FHWA approval action. It is expected that these procedures will streamline project delivery for the majority of such projects. A letter containing the comments of the Landmarks Board will be sent to FHWA.

Speaker(s): None

Board

Comments:

• The Landmarks Board stated that they find the proposed process to be substantially similar to the existing process, and agrees that the Section 106 review process will be streamlined by allowing Caltrans staff to consult directly with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and to transmit materials directly to the SHPO.

Tape No(s).: 2a

10. 2003.0163A (M. LUELLEN: 415/558-6478)

57 POST STREET, Mechanics Institute Building, Landmark No. 134, south side of Post Street between Montgomery and Kearny Streets. Assessor's Block 311, Lot 13. The nine-story, steel frame with brick and sandstone curtain walls, mixed-use building was designed by Albert Pissis and constructed in 1909. The building is also a Category I (Significant) Building under Article 11 of the Planning Code, and appears eligible for individual listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The landmark is located within the C-3-0 (Downtown Office) District and is in a 250-S Height and Bulk District. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a projecting sign identifying the library on the second floor. (Note: Continued from March 19, 2003 Landmarks Board Hearing, per request of project sponsor.)

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval

Speaker(s): None

Action: It was moved by Member Shatara (seconded by Finwall) to recommend approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness based on Staff Findings. The vote was unanimous.

Ayes: Cherny, Finwall, Ho-Belli, Kelley and Shatara

Noes: None

Absent: Dearman, Kotas, Samuels and Skrondal

Tape No(s).: 2a

ADJOURNMENT: 3:30 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE

ROLL CALL: Chair: Jeremy Kotas

Ex-Officio: Tim Kelley

Committee Members: Ina Dearman, Paul Finwall, Elizabeth Skrondal

REPORT

CHAIR'S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

N/A

PUBLIC COMMENT

N/A

ADJOURNMENT

Adopted: August 20, 2003

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