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SAN FRANCISCO
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Hearing Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
12:30 P.M.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chase, Damkroger, Johns, Martinez, and Wolfram
ABSENT: Hasz and Matsuda
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT CHASE AT 1:02 PM
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: John Rahaim –Planning Director, Keith DeMartini – Finance Manager, Alicia John-Baptiste – Chief of Staff, Isabelle Vulis, Moses Corrette, Tim Frye – Preservation Coordinator, and Linda Avery – Commission Secretary
A. PUBLIC COMMENT
SPEAKERS: None
B. STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Preservation Coordinator Frye announced and reported:
1. There would be a new and routine item of staff reporting back to the HPC on policies or actions the Planning Commission has taken. The following was the first such staff report of past events at the Planning Commission (PC):
· Cindy Woo, Community Planning Manager at the China Town Community Development Center, was sworn in to fill the seat previously occupied by Christine Olague.
· February 11, 2012 the PC heard and approved a request for Section 309 compliance for the SFMOMA expansion project.
· February 9, 2012 the PC heard Supervisor Chiu’s legislation and considered a proposal to divide the legislation into smaller parts for PC to review. The PC voted to continue the item to March 1, 2012.
· Feb 9, 2012, the PC granted Conditional Use for Metro Theater, Landmark 161, on 2255 Union Street, and incorporated the HPC conditions of approval.
· Feb 2, 2012, the PC discussed and responded to Article 10 & 11 of Supervisor Wiener’s proposal as amended by the HPC on Feb 1, 2012:
Article 10
- Section 1004.1, PC agreed with HPC’s reworded language on majority of property owners may submit an application which must be considered by the HPC;
- Section 1004.3, PC agreed to include occupants as part of the notification polling procedure for landmark district. PC retained the word “in writing”, and the language “The Department’s goal shall be to obtain the participation of at least half of all property owners in the proposed district”. PC acknowledged that the goal is lofty and may not be achieved, but still worthwhile to have as a goal outline in the code;
- Section 1006.6, PC agreed with HPC revised language regarding Standards. However, they did not believe it was necessary to remove the PC from the review with HPC on interpretations of the standards once they are vetted through public process. (Supervisor Wiener’s language was retained);
- 1006.6, Economic Hardship, PC felt the language in g and h were awkward but understood the concept, and asked the language be revised.
Article 11 amendments mirrored Article 10. The PC vote also mirrored those similar amendments in Article 10. There were two changes requested by the HPC, on that, the PC responded 1) section 1111.7a3, retained the language regarding demolition and 2) Section 1111.7, retained the language regarding inaction by the BOS.
2. Introduced Gretchen Hilyard. She has joined the Planning Department as a Preservation Planner.
C. MATTERS OF THE COMMISSION
2. President’s Report and Announcements - None
3. Consider new and/or reappointments to the Architectural Review Committee
President Chase reappointed Commissioners Martinez, Hasz, and Wolfram to the Architectural Review Committee.
4. Consideration of Adoption:
a. Draft minutes of the January 18, 2012 Regular Hearing
b. Draft minutes of the February 1, 2012 Regular Hearing
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved January 18, 2012 meeting minutes, and changed February 1, 2012 meeting minutes, on Page 5, Item 9, “…when the nomination is submitted by 51% a majority of property owners…”
AYES: Johns, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Hasz and Matsuda
5. Disclosures
Commissioner Johns received a letter from Coblentz, Patch, Duffy and Bass; had a telephone conversation with Duffy, and Mr. Zinger.
Commissioner Damkroger received a letter from Coblentz, and received emails about the Gold Dust Lounge from several sources.
Commissioner Martinez received one email about the Gold Dust Lounge
Commissioner Wolfram received a call from Pam Duffy but did not talk to her.
Commissioner Chase received a letter from Coblentz, and a number of local and international emails regarding the Gold Dust Lounge.
6. Commissioner Comments/ Questions
Commissioner Damkroger would like to 1) find out when the TDR Program would be scheduled for discussion; 2) follow up on the partnership with the DBI for the Soft Story Retrofit Program to insure provision of information about incentives; 3) requested through the Chair that Commission Secretary Avery help the Commission develop a process for reviewing and filling her position since she will be leaving at some point this year. Ms. Avery affirmed she would be happy to do so. Commissioner Martinez thought the HPC needs to discuss with the Planning Commission about whether the same or a different person should hold the commission secretary position(s) for the PC and the HPC. He also wanted to discuss qualifications for the HPC commission secretary position.
D. REGULAR CALENDAR
7. (TIM FRYE/KEITH DEMARTINI: 415/575-6822 / 415/575-9118)
FINALIZE YEARLY 2012-2014 DEPARTMENT BUDGET AND WORK PROGRAM – Review and approval of a balanced Fiscal Year 2012-2014 department budget and work program for submission to the Mayor’s Office (action item).
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved staff’s recommendation with the caveat expressed by Commissioner Martinez regarding the importance of Item 2E – the one FTE for HPC landmark designations, and Item 2F – the 0.05 FTE for Landmarks and Historic District Initiations (privately initiated) in Attachment 1 of the Work Program.
AYES: Johns, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Hasz and Matsuda
8. (ALICIA JOHN-BATISTE for ISABELLE VULIS: 415/575-9158)
INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION ON THE STATUS OF THE PERMIT AND PROJECT TRACKING SYSTEM (PPTS). This project replaces Planning's legacy system, and provides for enhanced system functionality, improved citizen access, and more transparent data.
SPEAKERS: None
Information only – no action
9. 2012.0118L (MOSES CORRETTE: 415/558-6295)
301 GEARY STREET aka 247 POWELL STREET, on the southwest corner of Geary and Powell Streets, Assessor's Block 0315, Lot 001. Consideration to initiate Landmark designation for the Gold Dust Lounge - This item was calendared at the HPC’s request following public comment at the Commission's regularly scheduled hearing on February 1, 2012. It is a consideration of initiation of the Gold Dust Lounge as an individual Article 10 Landmark and Departmental review of a case report/application submitted by a member of the public.
SPEAKER: Pamela Duffy, represented property owner Jon Handerly Family, and requested a continuance.
SPEAKERS in opposition to a continuance: George Domahue, Stefano Cassolato, Lee Houskeeper, Waren Hinkle, Joe Salinaro, and Stacy Fireman.
ACTION 1: Motion to continue to March 21, 2012
SPEAKERS: None
AYES: Johns and Wolfram
NAY: Martinez, Damkroger and Chase
ABSENT: Hasz and Matsuda
MOTION FAILED
ACTION 2: Motion to continue to March 21, 2012 after public comments and Commissioners’ discussion. Public hearing remains open.
SPEAKERS: None
AYES: Johns, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger and Chase
ABSENT: Hasz and Matsuda
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
SPEAKERS in favor of Designation: Sunny Angulo, Legislative Aide to Supervisor Jane Kim’s Office; Stacy [Fars], former colleague of Christopher VerPlanck; Stefano Cassolato; Catherine Hill; Rich Young, Musician of Gold Dust Lounge; Stella Lochman; Adriana Camarena; Joe O’Donoghue; Sherry Matza; Marcel Wilson; Joe Salinaro; Waren Hinkle; Preston Turner; Barbara Meskunes; Simon Thorp.
NOTE: The HPC heard the public, deliberated and expressed their concerns on the Item for the public and owner to address at the March 21, 2012 hearing.
ADJOURNMENT: 3:30 P.M.
The minutes was proposed for adoption at the Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger
ABSENT: Chase
