June 18, 2003

4. Discussion and consideration of the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board (Landmarks Board) authorizing an advisory committee to advise the Landmarks Board with respect to revisions of the structure and operation of the Landmarks Board as governed by Article 10 of the Planning Code. (Kelley)

Speaker(s): None

Comments:

• President Kelley informed the Landmarks Board and members of the public, he reason for initiating a committee. It amounts to believing that maybe the Landmarks Board should give the City something like a post-occupancy review, as they approach what maybe the end of their terms. It would be valuable to make some recommendations as to how the functioning of preservation in the City could possibly be improved. The Landmarks Board should try to make a recommendation that would strengthen preservation in the City.

  • Commented that this task should not be done entirely at this Board. It would be beneficial to have the value of advice from people who have expertise in the field. The Board could then take the advice and discuss and deal with it from that point.

  • There was a question of a difference between two possible types of bodies - 1. a policy body (would be created by the Landmarks Board, subject to all of the Sunshine Ordinance and Brown Act requirements; which would require some staff time. 2. a passive body which can be appointed by the President and would have more freedom and would essentially not be subject to the requirements of a policy body. But, could act like it was complying with the Sunshine Ordinances, etc.

  • The majority of the Landmarks Board members endorsed the idea of creating an advisory committee.

    • For the record President Kelley asked Staff to comment on the staffing situation.

5. 2003.0610A (T. TAM: 415/558-6325)

2301 SAN JOSE AVENUE, the San Francisco and San Mateo Railroad Co. Office Building (a.k.a Geneva Car Barn), is on the southeast corner of San Jose and Geneva Avenues. Assessor's Block 6272, Lot 36. The subject property is a brick clad, two-story over basement office building (Office Building) that was constructed ca. 1901 and added at the rear with a one-story substation (Powerhouse) in 1904. The Geneva Car Barn, comprising of both the Office Building and the Powerhouse, is on the National Register of Historic Places, rated 3 out of a possible 5 for overall architectural significance in the 1976 Citywide building survey, and has been designated by the City as Landmark No. 180 pursuant to Article 10 of the Planning Code. It is zoned P (Public) and in an 40-X/105-E Height and Bulk District. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the existing metal roof and conduct permanent roof structure repair and temporary seismic stabilization, as well as install temporary protection for all windows and doors and a new security fence.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with conditions

Speaker(s): Dan Weaver

Charles Chase

John Funghi (sp.)

Charlie Duncan

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

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

Noes: None

Absent: Cherny, Dearman, Kotas and Samuels

Tape No(s).: 1a & b

6. 2003.0537A (M. SNYDER: 415/575-6891)

34 HILL STREET, north side between Guerrero Street and Valencia Street. Assessor's Block 3617, Lot 57. A contributory structure to the Liberty Hill Historic District, this Italianate style house was also included in Here Today and the Planning Department's 1976 architectural survey. The house was constructed as a single-family house and is currently used as a single-family house. The house is within an RH-3 (House, Three-family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to alter a portion of the rear of the house to change an enclosed sitting room to an open porch.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval

Speaker(s): Clint Mitchell

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

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

Noes: None

Absent: Cherny, Dearman, Kotas and Samuels

Tape No(s).: 1b

7. (M. SNYDER: 415/575-6891)

48 COLIN P. KELLY, a Contributory Structure to the South End Historic District. Review and comment on the proposed façade improvements to the ground floor, as part of the redevelopment of the property. The property is located within the Rincon Point - South Beach Redevelopment Area. The project includes removing a portion of the brick wall at the ground level to provide space for an ADA compliant entry and storefront, and enclosing the existing unoriginal entry recess with a new glass storefront. The purpose of this hearing is to present the project to the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board for their review and comments, as required by the Owner Participation Agreement with the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency.

Speaker(s): Larry Mock

Board

Comments:

• The Landmarks Board believed that removing the brick portion of the left side of the façade to provide a new entry recess and storefront and enclosing the existing recess on the right side of the building could be deemed appropriate and consistent with Article 10 of the Planning Code, as well as the Secretary of the Interior's Standards.

• Commented that they understood the programmatic and circulation constrains of the interior that were forcing the reestablishment of the entry to the left side of the building. However, the Landmarks Board felt that instead of simply using plate glass for the storefronts, the project sponsor should consider a heavier timber sash window system to provide more visual eight. Such a design modification would mitigate the removal of the brick surface, which provides the building with a sense of solid, heavy mass, typical of warehouse structures in the South End Historic District.

• The Landmarks Board also suggested moving the reception desk further away from the window to provide a stronger sense of transparency.

Tape No(s).: 1b

ADJOURNMENT: 2:55 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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