SAN FRANCISCO
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Hearing Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
11:30 A.M.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chase, Damkroger, Buckley, Hasz, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT CHASE AT 11:40 A.M.
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Kelley Amdur – Director of Neighborhood Planning, Thomas DiSanto – Chief Administrative Officer, Chelsea Fordham, Michael Smith, Shelley Caltagirone, Tina Tam, Moses Corrette, Pilar LaValley, Mary Brown, Tim Frye – Acting Preservation Coordinator, Jonas Ionin - Acting Commission Secretary
A. CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS PROPOSED FOR CONTINUANCE
1. 2010.0486U (M. Corrette: 415/558.6295)
SOMA HISTORIC RESOURCES SURVEY, Consideration to adopt, modify, or disapprove the findings of the historic resource survey. The survey consists of: a Historic Context Statement (previously adopted); Primary Records (DPR 523A forms), Building Structure and Object Records, (DPR 523B forms), District Records (DPR 523D forms) and comprehensive Survey Inventory Database. The survey area includes approximately 60 blocks and covers the Eastern Neighborhoods East SoMa Area Plan and the Western SoMa Community Plan. The general boundaries of the survey area are Mission and Folsom Streets to the north; Bryant and Townsend Streets to the south, The Embarcadero to the east, and 13th and 7th Streets to the west.
Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt the SoMa Historic Resources Survey Primary Records (DPR 523A forms); Building Structure and Object Records, (DPR 523B forms), District Records (DPR 523D forms) and Survey Inventory Database.
(Continued from 12/1/10 hearing)
(Proposed for Continuance to 2/16/11)
RECUSED: Martinez
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Continued to 2/16/11
AYES: Buckley, Hasz, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
B. PUBLIC COMMENT
SPEAKERS: Suzanne Dumont showed a video on Stow Lake Boathouse hoister in action; Joe Butler requested HPC to calendar a hearing for 226 Cabrillo Street.
C. STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
2. (M. Brown: 415/575-9074)
Status Report on Golden Gate Park Article 10 Designation
PRESENTER: Dawn [Cumberland] – Park and Recreation Staff
SPEAKERS: Susan Wuerfel – Park and Recreation Committee and Chair of Open Space Committee of Coalition for SF Neighborhoods; Martha Ehrenfeld – SF Tennis Coalition, re: The Coalition are working on some changes to the Tennis Club and asked HPC not to landmark it; Suzanne Dumont, re: Support the nomination; Karen Goodwill – Executive Direction of National Park Trust, re: She hopes to ensure that recreation uses can change and be part of this long history of change; Joseph Butler, re: The Boat House deserves landmark status; Larry – SRO Resident, re: More security is needed in Golden Gate Park.
Commissioner Buckley was concerned about how the additional staff time required for Golden Gate Park designation fits in the relationship with the Department’s current staffing pattern.
Commissioner Damkroger suggested to have an HPC member attend the Recreation and Park (PROSAC) and Capital Committee meetings; she asked if staff has looked at other larger city parks’ models and the timeline for the designation process. Ms. Brown responded she did look into other cities’ model but each has its uniqueness not similar to Golden Gate Park; for the designation process, it would come back to HPC on 2/16/11 for initiation, and in April or May for a full case report. If HPC approved and adopted a motion, it would go to the Planning Commission, where there is a 45-day review period, and then to the Board of Supervisors (BOS).
Commissioner Martinez commented that the proportion of meadows to woodlands is important and staff is heading in the right direction.
Commissioner Wolfram stated that it is important to understand the history of the park, the changes that happened over time - while some good and others not so good, and to acknowledge that some existing conditions of the park may not be the historic condition we want to preserve. He wanted to make sure that this nomination is created with the understanding that allows flexibility and changes to the park.
Commissioner Matsuda asked what would be the review process over the sculptures and monuments in the Park since the San Francisco Art Commission and the HPC have the same jurisdiction.
D. MATTERS OF THE COMMISSION
3. President’s Report and Announcements - None
4. Minor Permits to Alter: In accordance with HPC Motion No. 0083 the following Minor Permits to Alter have been delegated to the Planning Department and are pending approval. The HPC may request to review one or all of these items at a future hearing.
a. 120 Ellis Street (aka 101 Powell Street), Case No. 2010.0983H
b. 785 Market Street, Case No. 2010.1027H
c. 180 Sutter Street, Case No. 2011.0015H
d. 731 Market Street, Case No. 2011.0016H
e. 701 Sutter Street, Case No. 2011.0022H
f. 117 Post Street, Case No. 2010.0982H
SPEAKERS: None
NOTE: Commission Chase directed staff to approve the permits since there were no expressed comments or concerns by the public or commissioners.
5. Consideration of Adoption:
a. Draft minutes of Hearing of December 15, 2010
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Buckley, Hasz, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
6. Disclosures
Commissioner Damkroger corresponded by email with Martha Ehrenfeld regarding the tennis court; with Joe Butler regarding 226 Cabrillo; and with Aaron Goodman who sent an email regarding the dates.
Commissioner Wolfram received a call from Mulley Lambert, consultant from Architectural Conservatory regarding the Alexandria Theater Project.
7. Commissioner Comments/Questions
Commissioner Martinez asked whether HPC would review and comment on 490 South Van Ness – next door to the Red Stone Building.
Commissioner Wolfram commented that HPC’s earlier idea of developing an interpretive program for historic districts and landmarks was not going to move forward because the Planning Department (Department) had decided not to apply for a National Endowment for the Arts Grant. Acting Preservation Coordinator Frye responded that the Preserve America Grant the Department received has an educational component that could potentially be used specifically for the Market/Octavia Survey Area if the HPC and the Department could come up with an idea on how to use that money.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
8. 2010.0934A (P. LaValley: 415/575-9084)
280 UNION STREET, north side between Montgomery and Sansome Streets, Assessor’s Block 0106, Lot 065. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to legalize existing property line windows at third floor of east (secondary) elevation. The subject property is a non-contributing structure to the Telegraph Hill Historic District and is located within an RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) Zoning district and a 40-X Height and Bulk district.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Buckley, Hasz, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase.
MOTION NO: M0096
F. REGULAR CALENDAR
9. Election of Officers
Pursuant to the Rules and Regulations of the Historic Preservation Commission, Article II, Section 1, the Commission shall elect a President and Vice-President at the first Regular meeting of the Commission held after the first day of January each year or may vote to continue this item to a specific date.
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Without hearing, continued to February 2, 2011
AYES: Buckley, Hasz, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase.
Item 10 followed item 11
10. FY 2011-12 Budget – Draft Department Goals and Work Program and Discussion of Historic Preservation Budget Options (T. DiSanto: 415/575-9113)
Planning Director Rahaim reported that the department’s budget is solid this year. There are no layoffs for the coming fiscal year and the Department has received some grant funds allowing us to increase resources to the HPC and to the Department.
He highlighted the Department’s accomplishments this year -
· the departmental reorganization,
· the implementation on the Revised Developmental Review Process
· the receipt of $9 M in grants and work orders, of which $3 M will come to the Department.
On major development projects -
· this year’s Better Street Plan,
· the 3rd Street Corridor Plan,
· the Housing Element’s Environmental Report (EIR).
Unfunded and mandated work activities -
· the creation of a Health Care Master Plan,
· the America’s Cup EIR and its related urban design work. It is anticipated that the funds for the America’s Cup will come from a number of private sources who are in charge of raising funds for that effort.
The Department will be moving ahead with -
· the implementation of the Action Plan,
· the EIR on Jefferson Street Improvement Project in the Fisherman Wharf Plan,
· the completely funded Cesar Chavez Project Street Improvement Project,
· the continuing regional efforts on Sustainable Community Strategy related to SB375
· the high-speed rail project
· the Civic Center Sustainable Resource District which received a grant through the Public Utility Commission.
Chief Administrative Officer DiSanto presented FY 2011-2012 Budget Development and went through the proposed Work Program for each division of the Department. The Department proposed to come back to the HPC on 2/2/11 to present several options on how to balance the budget from revenues and expenditure estimates.
Acting Preservation Coordinator Frye continued the presentation and went over the Historic Preservation proposed Work Program line items.
Commissioner Martinez asked about the separation of Market/Octavia Designation in Item I from Item E or F. Mr. Frye responded that Item I is grant money which expires in two years and the Department wants to keep track of it from the allocated one FTE. He offered to share the grant reporting structure of the trust with the HPC.
Commissioner Wolfram asked whether the Port’s preservation staff would be doing some of the America’s Cup work. Mr. Frye responded that a planner and the Sr. Historic Preservation planner would be working with Mark Paez of the Port to develop historic resource preservation evaluations or evaluating the impacts for the EIR.
SPEAKER: Anonymous speaker, Representative from the Center for Preserva-tion of Driving Horses in Golden Gate Park and around San Francisco, gave a brief history of Golden Gate Park Stables and the dilapidated conditions of the Stables from 10 years of non-use and neglect.
11. 2011.0006U (M. Smith: 415/558-6322)
4701 – 4705 THIRD STREET, east side between Newcomb and Oakdale Avenues, in Assessor's Block 5311, Lot 036. Request for Review and Comment on the nomination of the South San Francisco Opera House (A.K.A. Bayview Opera House), Landmark No. 8, to the National Register of Historic Places. The subject property is located within a P (Public) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Send resolution of findings recommending to SHPO to approve nomination of the subject property to the National Register
RECUSED: Commissioner Chase
PRESENTER: Matthew Davies, Architectural Resources Group, Inc.
SPEAKERS in support of the project: Judy Nemzoff – San Francisco Arts Commission, Barbara [Arco] – Interim Director of Bayview Opera House
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
NAY: Buckley and Matsuda
RESOLUTION NO: R662
NOTE: The period of significance for the National Register nomination for this building ended in 1965. Commissioners Buckley and Matsuda strongly supported the recognition of the entire history of the building to be included for this nomination by adding an amendment to the draft resolution. While all the commissioners believe that there are important events and social history associated with the building after that date, some commissioners felt that they could be included and be dealt with by expanding the nomination on a local level later. They believed there are practical issues to consider - economy of the building, continuing the building’s use, saving the building’s structures, improving the maintenance of the building, and most importantly - not to derail the nomination. After a long and in-depth discussion, the HPC voted on the motion to approve the draft resolution as supplied by the Department.
12. 2010.1144U (S. Caltagirone: 415/558-6625)
3232 PACIFIC AVENUE, north side between Arguello and Presidio Avenues, in Assessor's Block 0966, Lot 002. Request for Review and Comment on the nomination of the Julian Waybur House to the National Register of Historic Places. The subject property is located within a RH-1 (Residential, House, Single-Family) District and an 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Send resolution of findings recommending to SHPO to approve nomination of the subject property to the National Register
PRESENTER: Marisa Brandon, Property Owner and Architect
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Buckley, Hasz, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
RESOLUTION NO: R663
13. MISSION DOLORES NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEY (T. Frye: 415/575-6822)
Adoption of additional findings in support of the March 17, 2010 determination, HPC Motion No. 0056, to adopt the Mission Dolores Neighborhood Survey in order to clarify that the Dolores Park Median and Dolores Park are included within the survey findings as contributors to the identified historic district. The survey area is generally bound by Market Street to the North, 20th Street to the South, Dolores Street to the East, and Church/Sanchez Streets to the West.
Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt Additional Findings
SPEAKERS: Lucia Bogatay from Mission Dolores Neighborhood Association (MDNA), re: Dolores Street Median and Park; Peter Luis, President of MDNA, re: Dolores Street Median and Park; Ted Olson – read into record a letter by McNeil from Carey and Company; James Mclaren; Karen Montebroderick – Deputy Director of Planning at Recreation and Park Department, re: Thanked the staff for the work and would take the information to do its own HRER for the Park.
ACTION: Adopted the additional findings
AYES: Buckley, Hasz, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
MOTION NO: M0097
NOTE: Commissioner Martinez stated that when the Eastern Neighbor-hood Survey comes to the HPC this spring, perhaps HPC can talk about where the proper district of the eastern side of Mission Street might end up being finally.
14. (M. Corrette: 415/558-6295)
INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION ON THE FINDINGS OF THE MARKET AND OCTAVIA SURVEYS AND DISCUSSION OF HPC WORK PROGRAM Informational presentation to discuss historic resources identified within the Market & Octavia Surveys and their potential to be included on the HPC’s Landmark Designation Work Plan pursuant to Section 4 of Ordinance 72-08 of the Market & Octavia Area Plan. The Commission may direct staff to schedule a future hearing to include properties on their Landmark Designation Work Plan.
The Historic Preservation Controls set forth in Section 4(F)(2) of Ordinance 02-08 of the Market & Octavia Area Plan state: "[Following] survey adoption, the Department shall present any, if any, proposed, identified, eligible districts as recorded on DPR 523D District Records, and 523A and 523B, individual building inventory forms, to the [Historic Preservation Commission (Commission)]. Upon receipt, the Commission may: (1) initiate formal listing as outlined in Article 10 of the Planning Code; and/or (2) nominate all California or National Register-eligible districts with the California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP)."
(Continued from 12/15/10 hearing)
SPEAKERS: Peter Lewis, President of MDNA, would like Mission Dolores Neighborhood to be recognized as a potential historic district, not as an overlay of any other neighborhood; Lucia Bogatay, from MDNA, urged for coordination in the Octavia Plan with the areas south of Market to make sure the two areas are internally consistent; Ted Olson, Secretary of Market/Octavia Plan’s Community Advisory Committee, was surprised that some buildings that are obviously in the Mission Dolores Neighborhood Survey are also included in the Market Octavia Survey’s mapping.
NOTE: The Planning Department felt designating the 23 resources and the one District identified in the Market/Octavia surveys could be accomplished through the Preserve America Grand and the one FTE allocated. Commissioner Martinez felt they should have at least one more hearing to discuss a game plan that includes all the districts and individual resources, sort out priorities, be informed about the kind of resources Planning Department has, and what private resources there may be. Commissioner Chase concurred. Commissioner Hasz brought up the concern echoed by the speakers and tried to confirm that there is no disrespect in the Mission/Dolores neighborhood. Commission-er Martinez requested clarity, stating that it would be useful that in the future, presentations of plans and maps should include all other existing districts or potential districts that overlap the Market/Octavia boundary.
ACTION: None – Informational presentation only; no action required
15. 2010.2776 (M. Brown: 415/575-9074)
INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION ON EXISTING LANDMARK DESIGNATIONS AND REPORTING RELATED TO THE 2010/2011 HPC LANDMARK DESIGNA-TION WORK PROGRAM. Informational presentation based on a request by the HPC for the Department to review trends in the location, property types, social history, cultural associations, and construction dates of existing Landmarks. Informational presentation to include budget and task related estimates in order to inform prioritization of the 2010/2011 Work program. Informational presentation to include a proposed quarterly reporting structure to monitor resource allocation for Landmark designations
(Continued from 12/15/10 hearing)
NOTE: Commissioner Wolfram encouraged that the gaps on the maps that show under-represented historic preservation communities in the City be filled in. Commissioner Martinez requested an informational hearing to basically prioritize what HPC thinks ought to be pursued, and to subsequently calendar an action item for consideration for initiation. Commissioner Chase concurred. He added that HPC would need to talk about the resource merits based on location, property types, styles and era of the nominations, and the implication of not only the value of recognition of those resources but also recognize the implication of what future development may pose for those particular sites. Commissioner Wolfram would like some public outreach to the preservation communities for their input. Mr. Frye informed the HPC that the earliest for this informational hearing is March and proposed that half of this hearing be devoted to this discussion. He would send notices to interested parties.
SPEAKERS: Gee Gee Platt reminded the HPC of its immense workload ahead and urged HPC to quickly move.
ACTION: Informational presentation only; no action required
16. 2010.0996A (P. LaValley: 415/575-9084)
500-512 VAN NESS AVENUE, northeast corner of Van Ness Avenue and McAllister Street, Assessor’s Block 0766, Lot 006. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace ground floor storefronts on the Van Ness and McAllister façades, install transom windows, and install signs for new commercial tenant. The subject property is a contributing structure to the Civic Center Historic District and is located within a C-2 (Community Business) Zoning district and a 70-X Height and Bulk district.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with conditions
RECUSED: Commissioner Martinez
SPEAKERS: None
PRESENTER: [Shue Aljetah], Project Sponsor, presented the project’s history.
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Buckley, Hasz, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
MOTION NO: M0098
17. (C. Fordham: 415/575-9071)
5400 GEARY BOULEVARD, Assessor's Block 1450, Lot 008, north side between Montgomery and Kearny Streets. Request for Review and Comment on the proposed Planned Unit Development (PUD) including adaptive reuse of the Alexandria Theatre building and construction of a new mixed-use building and subsurface parking on the adjacent parking lot. . The HPC may direct staff to draft written comments of the Commission to be forwarded to the Environmental Review Officer (ERO). The subject building has been identified as a historic resource for the purposes of CEQA project site is located in the NC-3 (Neighborhood Commercial, Moderate Scale) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District in the Inner Richmond neighborhood.
(Continued from 12/1/10 hearing)
PRESENTER: Jonathan [Perlman], Project Architect, presented an overview of the project.
SPEAKERS: Alexandra Bevk, SF Architectural Heritage, supports the restoration of the exterior and infill construction proposed but has a concern about the mezzanine level. She suggested the mezzanine level be pulled back from the original screen so that a significant portion of the historical volume be maintained.
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Buckley, Hasz, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
NOTE: HPC directed staff to draft a comment letter of the discussion.
18. 900 INNES LETTER (T. Frye: 415/575-6822)
Finalize letter to the property owner regarding outstanding violations at 900 Innes. The subject building is the Shipwright’s Cottage, City Landmark No. 250.
PRESENTER: Matt McFarland, represented property owner Randy Shaw from Tenderloin Housing Clinic
NOTE: Tenderloin Housing Clinic has 30 days to get the maintenance work done. Commissioner Hasz was appointed to provide information on National Trust for a grant and SF Heritage as mediator to Matt McFarland. If there was no positive direction within the 30 days, Commissioner Chase would make a recommendation to encourage the Department and other agencies to take whatever steps necessary to maintain the landmarked Shipwright’s Cottage.
ADJOURNMENT: 4:45 P.M.
The minutes was proposed for adoption at the Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday, March 2, 2011.
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Chase, Damkroger, Hasz, Matinez, Matsuda, Wolfram, Johns
