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SAN FRANCISCO
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Hearing Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
12:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting
_______________ ______________
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Damkroger, Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram
COMMISSIONER ABSENT: Chase
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY VICE PRESIDENT DAMKROGER AT 1:12 PM
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: John Rahaim – Planning Director, Pilar LaValley, Joshua Switzky, Richard Sucre, Tim Frye – Preservation Coordinator, and Linda Avery – Commission Secretary
A. PUBLIC COMMENT
SPEAKERS: Bill Sugaya, Planning Commissioner, congratulated the HPC on having done a great job on Articles 10 & 11 of the Planning Code with perseverance and integrity.
B. STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Director’s Report
2. Preservation Coordinator Frye gave a Review of Past Week’s Events at the Planning Commission (PC).
· There was no PC meeting on May 31st, as it was the 5th Thursday of the month;
· On May 24th, PC adopted the Transit Center District Plan, and held a joint hearing with Recreation and Park Commission on the Beach Chalet Athletic Field Renovation;
· As part of the public outreach for the proposed Article 10 landmarking of the Twin Peaks Tavern, Planning staff conducted two History Happy Hours there on May 24 and 26, 2012. Information gathered would be used to supplement the designation report. The next one scheduled would be on June 21st. Staff will come back in the summer to request HPC to initiate.
C. MATTERS OF THE COMMISSION
3. President’s Report and Announcements - None
4. Consideration of Adoption:
a. Draft minutes of the May 16, 2012 Regular Hearing
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram Damkroger,
ABSENT: Chase
5. Disclosures
Vice President Damkroger talked briefly with Kathy Howard who requested calendaring an item requesting HPC to write a comment letter on the appeal of the Beach Chalet EIR.
6. Commissioner Comments/ Questions
Commissioner Wolfram asked when would be the spring 2012 update on the HPC Designation Program. Mr. Frye responded that at the June 20th hearing HPC will receive a quarterly update.
Commissioner Martinez asked whether there were conversations between the Planning Department and the Department of Building Inspection about the Police Station on 20th and 3rd Streets. He was curious about the origin of the fire and wondered if the law against maintenance by neglect applies in this case. Mr. Frye will report back to the HPC at the next hearing.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
7. 2012.0154A (R. SUCRE: 415/575-9108)
3415 21ST STREET, southeast corner of 21st and Ames Streets, Assessor’s 3618, Lot 066. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace and enlarge an addition and deck on the rear facade, install a new garage entrance along Ames Street, and construct one off-street parking space. The subject property is a contributing resource to the Liberty-Hill Historic District and is located within the RM-2 (Residential, Mixed, Moderate Density) Zoning District with a 40-X Height and Bulk Limit.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram Damkroger
ABSENT: Chase
MOTION: M0159
E. REGULAR CALENDAR
8. 2011.0918A (P. LAVALLEY: 415/575-9084)
20-22 DARREL PLACE – east side at mid-block on dead end street, Assessor’s Block 0085, Lot 017. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior alterations to the existing residential building. Proposed work includes removing existing asbestos shingles and vertical siding and installing horizontal wood siding, replacing existing aluminum windows with wood sash windows, replacing rear decks and installing wood railings, installing two new window openings on south (side) elevation and three windows/doors on east (rear) elevation, infill of an existing lightwell at the south (side) elevation, and interior renovation to provide additional habitable space. The subject property is a non-contributing structure to the Telegraph Hill Historic District and is located within a RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) District with a 40-X Height and Bulk limit. At a future variance hearing, the Zoning Administrator shall consider a variance for reconstruction of the existing rear decks, which are non-conforming features in the required rear yard.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
PRESENTER: Joe Butler, Project Architect
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger
ABSENT: Chase
MOTION: M0160
NOTE: Commissioner Martinez commended the Architect and the Project Sponsor for working with everyone in a way that was exemplary.
9a. 2007.0558MTZ (J. SWITZKY: 415/575-6815 & P. LaValley: 415/575-9084)
TRANSIT CENTER DISTRICT PLAN – Review and Comment on proposed Ordinances amending the San Francisco General Plan, Planning Code, and Zoning Maps associated with the Transit Center District Plan. The result of a multi-year public and cooperative interagency planning process that began in 2007, the Transit Center District Plan is a comprehensive vision for shaping growth on the southern side of the Downtown to respond to and support the construction of the new Transbay Transit Center project, including the Downtown Rail Extension. In addition to laying out policy recommendations to accommodate additional transit-oriented growth, sculpt the downtown skyline, improve streets and open spaces, and expand protection of historic resources, the Plan would result in the potential to generate over $575 million for public infrastructure, particularly the Downtown Rail Extension project. Public workshops were held throughout 2007-2009 and a Draft Plan for Public Review was published in November 2009. In April 2012 the Planning Department published a Draft Plan Addendum.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
SPEAKERS: G G Platt commented that more time should have gone into the historic buildings in the Plan Area, especially those within the Transit Center area. She felt those are potentially the most threatened and it would be better to list them separately. She stated the Department’s TDR meeting was helpful but it was difficult to say what sort of impact TDR may have.
ACTION: Recommended adoption of the Transit Center District Plan with Commissioner Wolfram’s comment on correcting the height map on Natoma and 2nd Streets so that it is part of the 150 foot zone.
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram Damkroger
ABSENT: Chase
RESOLUTION: R679
9b. 2007.0558MTZ (P. LaValley: 415/575-9084)
TRANSIT CENTER DISTRICT PLAN – Request for a Boundary Change to the New Montgomery-Second Conservation District to include twenty-six (26) additional properties, primarily along Mission, Natoma, and Howard Streets. A requested expansion of the existing New Montgomery-Second Conservation District is recommended by the Planning Department in the Draft Transit Center District Plan and is supported by the Area Plan survey findings. The existing New Montgomery-Second Conservation District is designated pursuant to Appendix F of Article 11 of the Planning Code. The Historic Preservation Commission shall consider recommendation to the Board of Supervisors regarding proposed amendments to Planning Code Section 1103.1 and Appendix F of Article 11 for a boundary change to the New Montgomery-Second Street Conservation District and change of name to the New Montgomery-Mission-Second Street Conservation District, and adopting findings, including environmental findings, and findings of consistency with the General Plan and the Priority Policies of Planning Code Section 101.1.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
SPEAKERS: Same as those listed for item 9a
ACTION: Recommended approval to the Board of Supervisor.
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram Damkroger
ABSENT: Chase
RESOLUTION: R680
9c. 2007.0558MTZ (P. LaValley: 415/575-9084)
TRANSIT CENTER DISTRICT PLAN – Request to Designate and to Change Designation pursuant to Planning Code Section 1106 – The Planning Department proposes Designation of forty-three (43) properties in Categories I (Significant) through Category V (Unrated) and to initiate change of designation for two (2) properties from Category III (Contributing) to Category IV (Contributing) as recommended in the Draft Transit Center District Plan and supported by the Area Plan survey findings. Sixteen (16) of the forty-three (43) properties would be classified as Category V (Unrated) for which no amendment to the Planning Code is necessary. The Historic Preservation Commission shall consider recommendation to the Board of Supervisors regarding proposed amendments to Appendices A, C, and D of Article 11 to designate twenty-seven (27) properties (two (2) properties as Category I (Significant), thirteen (13) properties as Category III (Contributing), and twelve (12) properties as Category IV (Contributing)) and to change designation for two (2) properties from Category III (Contributing) to Category IV (Contributing), and adopting findings, including environmental findings, and findings of consistency with the General Plan and the Priority Policies of Planning Code Section 101.1.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
SPEAKERS: Same as those listed for item 9a
ACTION: Approved with Vice President Damkroger’s recommendation to change status of 133 2nd [Street] from Category IV to Category I.
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram Damkroger
ABSENT: Chase
RESOLUTION: R681
NOTE: Items 10a and 10b were heard together.
10a. 2011.0420A (R. SUCRE: 415/575-9108)
VETERANS BUILDING, 401 VAN NESS AVENUE, located on the southwest corner of McAllister Street and Van Ness Avenue, Assessor’s 0786A, Lot 001. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior alterations including, but not limited to: rehabilitation/repair of the existing steel-sash windows; replacement of the roof membrane, roof panels, and mansard roof; replacement of the existing skylights; repair of terracotta architectural elements; and installation of new rooftop equipment. The subject property is Landmark No. 84 and is also a contributor to the Civic Center Historic District. It is located within a P (Public) Zoning District, the Civic Center Special Sign District, and a OS/96-X Height and Bulk Limit.
(Continued from 4/4/12 HPC hearing)
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions
PRESENTER: Tara Lamont, DPW Project Manager for Veterans Building Seismic Upgrade and Improvements Project, Nancy Goldenberg, Project Preservation Architect from Carey and Company
SPEAKERS in opposition to Item 10b: Nelson Lum, Chair of the War Memorial Commission; Jerry Sapiro, American Legion Post 33 and War Memorial Commission; Paul Cox, American Legion Post 315, War Memorial Commission & Civil Engineer; Mario Benfield, District 8 Commander; Roger Dong, American Legion District 8 & American Legion War Memorial Commission, Rudy Asercion, Executive Director for a non-profit serving San Francisco; John Caldera, Commander and President of Veteran’s Affair Comission; Ervest Gaudreau, American Legion Post 448; Thomas Brown, American Legion, Alexandra Crichlow, SF Veterans’ Affair Commission, ANVETS, American Legion; Eddie Ramirez, Native American, American Legion Post 244, Fulton Hoskin, Vice Commander of the New Post 198; [Unidentified Speaker], US Navy stationed at the San diego Navy Hospital; Commander Sammuel Patterson, Jr., New Post 198; John Forrett, Finance Officer for Post 448 and incoming District Commander for District 8; [Unidentified Speaker], Veteran of the Vietnam War; Robert Velasquez, Concern Citizen, Merv Silverberg, AFA/SFNE, Jim [Durancott], served in the Navy in the Vietnam War era.
SPEAKERS: Beth Murray, Managing Director for the War Memorial Performing Art Center, spoke in favor of the project; Leo Medrid, Artist and Curator, held a neutral position and encouraged the parties to work together, Paula [Barish], nearby resident of the project, commented on the construction noise and exhaust that might be generated by the project in the future.
ACTION 1: Motion to approve with conditions as recommended by staff
AYES: Johns, Wolfram, and Damkroger
NAYS: Martinez and Matsuda
ABSENT: Chase and Hasz
MOTION failed (+3,-2)
ACTION 2: Continued to July 18, 2012 to hear concerns from all parties on pursuing interior alterations. Public hearing remains open.
AYES: Johns, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger
ABSENT: Chase and Hasz
MOTION passed (+5,-0)
10b. 2011.0420U (R. SUCRE: 415/575-9108)
VETERANS BUILDING, 401 VAN NESS AVENUE, located on the southwest corner of McAllister Street and Van Ness Avenue, Assessor’s 0786A, Lot 001. Request for Review and Comment, pursuant to Article 10, Appendix J, Section 8 of the Planning Code, on the interior alterations associated with the proposed project. The proposed project consists of exterior and interior alterations, including a seismic upgrade, facility modernization improvements, accessibility improvements, upgrades to the Herbst Theater, reorganization of existing offices and meeting rooms on each floor, and renovation of the fourth floor to accommodate the San Francisco Opera. Proposed exterior work is subject to Historic Preservation Commission Review and Approval under Case No. 2011.00420A. The subject property is Landmark No. 84 and is also a contributor to the Civic Center Historic District. It is located within a P (Public) Zoning District, the Civic Center Special Sign District, and a OS/96-X Height and Bulk Limit.
(Continued from 4/4/12 HPC hearing)
Preliminary Recommendation: The Historic Preservation Commission may draft comments to the San Francisco War Memorial Trust regarding the proposed project’s interior alterations.
ACTION: Continued to July 18, 2012 to hear concerns from all parties on pursuing interior alterations. Public hearing remains open.
AYES: Johns, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger
ABSENT: Chase and Hasz
MOTION passed (+5,-0)
ADJOURNMENT: 3:57 PM
The minutes was proposed for adoption at the Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
