February 21, 2007FINAL ACTION MINUTES
OF THE
SAN FRANCISCO
LANDMARKS PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY HALL
1 DR. CARLTON B. GOODLETT PLACE, ROOM 400
February 21, 2007
12:38 P.M. ROLL CALL
FOR FULL LANDMARKS BOARD CONSIDERATION
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chan, Cherny, Dearman, Hasz, Maley, Martinez, Street
BOARD MEMBER(S) ABSENT: Damkroger
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Mark Luellen, Preservation Coordinator; Rana Ahmadi; Alicia John-Baptiste; Moses Corrette; Dan DiBartolo; Michael Smith; Sonya Banks, Commission Secretary; Marlena Byrne, City Attorney
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
PUBLIC COMMENT WAS RE-OPENED AFTER ITEM #1 (STAFF REPORT)
Edward Suharski: He believes there were several inaccurate comments made regarding the TDR during the staff report. He is concerned with the value of TDRs, and if the value isn't high enough owner won't have the incentive to subject their building to TDRs. He suggested a modification to the code. He is happy that the Landmarks Board will be agendizing a discussion on TDRs.
REPORTS
1. STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mark Luellen, Preservation Coordinator:
iThe amendment to Article 10 to include language regarding the designation of privately owned interiors that the Board will hear today has been scheduled before the Planning Commission on March 1, 2007.
iThe categorical exemption appeal for 2130 Golden Gate Avenue also known as 350 Masonic Avenue will be heard before the Board of Supervisor on March 20, 2007.
iThe Review and Comment on the Draft EIR for 55 Laguna that will be heard by the Landmarks Board today has been schedule to be heard before the Planning Commission on March 8, 2007.
iThe disapproved Certificate of Appropriateness for 1306-1310 McAllister Street will be heard before the Planning Commission on March 15, 2007.
iProvided an update on the Mission Armory. He stated that the new owners are removing graffiti, cleaning exterior masonry, have developed a landscape plan (to include trees on Mission, 14th and Julian Streets), plan to install exterior lighting and repair and replace historic windows.
Criag Nikitas, Planning Staff
i He provided a review on the recent development on the transferable development rights market. He provided copies of the Planning Code Section 128 – Transfer of Development Rights in C-3 Districts. Recently the code has been modified to enable the City to transfer development rights from City properties that are within public districts as long as they are adjacent to a C-3 district and funds obtained will be used to upgrade, preserve and seismically protect City buildings with historic merit. There has been a study that would enable the City to sell TDRs from some of the properties at Civic Center. The City is contemplating rezoning around the Transbay Terminal area that will increase heights in that district, as well as considering increasing the supply TDRs to meet that demand. The proposal for the city to enter the TDR market does not require any changes to the Planning Code. A Supervisor will introduce legislation that will enable to city to sell and negotiate the price of these TDR's.
2. PRESIDENT'S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
None at this time.
3. MATTERS OF THE BOARD
Robert Cherny:
i Requested an update on the Rincon Center Murals. He stated there are no signs that the owner has addressed the issues of the water damage on the mural. He requested to agendize a discussion on TDR's.
4. LANDMARKS WORK PROGRAM 2005-2007 UPDATE
ACTION ITEM(S)
6. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 7, 2007 DRAFT ACTION MINUTES:
Board Action
It was moved by Board Member Cherny (seconded by Hasz) to adopt the draft action minutes with correction (changed Board Member Street vote from yes to recused on item #8). The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Dearman, Hasz, Maley, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Damkroger
INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION
- (MACRIS/JOHN-BAPTISTE: (415) 558-6547)
PLANNING DEPARTMENT'S PROPOSED WORK PROGRAM AND BUDGET FOR 2007-2008 – Informational presentation on the Planning Department's Proposed Work Program and Budget for Fiscal Year 2007-2008.
Board Questions
Suggested that the Planner II job description should include helping coordinate community groups to apply for grants, to raise funds and survey work. Regarding the IT Resource Management position, since the funding is reduced does that mean that the work would be bid out? Is any part of the survey charged to permit processing? Will there be a monetary contribution by project sponsors to assist in mitigating the loss of historic resources?
Tape No.: 1a
ACTION ITEM(S)
ITEM #9 WAS HEARD NEXT
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
8. 2006.0468A (M. SMITH: 415/558-6322)
1201 ORTEGA STREET, The Infant Shelter, Assessor's Block 2115, Lots 002, 003, 004, 035, 036, and 037, located on the south side, between 19th and 20th Avenues. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to rehabilitate the existing historic structure into the Lycee Francais La Perouse, a private combined elementary and secondary school. The subject building was designated as San Francisco Landmark No. 242. The property is split zoned RH-1 (Residential, House, One-Family) District and RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) District and is in a 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with conditions
Speaker(s):
David Marlatt
Board Action
It was moved by Board Member Cherny (seconded by Chan) to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness with the condition that the existing balcony remain as is, with no reflective glass to be added.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Dearman, Hasz, Maley, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Damkroger
Tape No.: 1b
9. 2006.1225A (D. DiBARTOLO: 415/558-6291)
301 SUTTER STREET, The Hammersmith Building, southwest corner of Sutter Street and Grant Avenue, Assessor's Block 294, Lot 001. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for modifications to a partially-original storefront on the ground floor of the subject landmark building. The subject structure is a three story with mezzanine level, mixed-use building, steel frame construction in an Art Nouveau style, designed by architectural firm Landburg and Joseph and constructed in 1907. The subject property is Landmark Number 117 under Article 10, and Category I (Significant) under Article 11 of the Planning Code. The landmark is located within the C-3-R (Downtown Retail) District and is in a 80-130-F Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
Speaker(s):
Homer Perez
Board Action
It was moved by Board Member Chan (seconded by Dearman) to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness with the condition that the project sponsor will work with planning staff on a color scheme that is appropriate to the building. The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Dearman, Hasz, Maley, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Damkroger
Tape No.: 1a & b
ACTION ITEM(S)
10. 2002.0809F (M. CORRETTE: 415/558-6295)
340-370 VALENCIA STREET, Valencia Street Gardens Public Housing Project
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City and County of San Francisco, Mayors Office of Housing and the California State Historic Preservation Officer regarding the demolition and reconstruction of Valencia Gardens Public Housing Project stipulated that a publicly accessible interpretive display area be developed. The MOA requires that the Landmarks Board review and approve the interpretive display prior to the issuance of a final certificate of occupancy for the project.
(Continued from 12/6/06 and 2/7/07)
Speaker(s):
None
Board Action
It was moved by Board Member Cherny (seconded by Hasz) to accept the recusal of Board Member Street from item 10.
It was moved by Board Member Cherny (seconded by Chan) to approve the interpretive display with the following change it is estimated that 3,000 people died that day to it is estimated that 3,000 people died .
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Dearman, Hasz, Maley, Martinez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Damkroger
RECUSED: Street
Tape No.: 1b
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE HEARD IN THIS ORDER: ITEM 12, 11 AND 13
LANDMARK DESIGNATION
11. (B. MALEY)
55 LAGUNA STREET, 5.8-acre project site located north of Market Street on two city blocks 857, Lots 1 and 1a, and Block 870, Lots 1, 2, and 3, bounded by Haight Street to the north, Laguna Street to the east, Hermann Street to south, and Buchanan Street to the west in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco at the former University of California Berkeley Extension Campus. Consideration of initiation of landmark designation and adoption of a resolution initiating designation of the former San Francisco State Teachers' College site.
Speaker(s):
Charles Chase
Jack Robertson
Elisabeth Gunther
Peter Weinstein
Tim Coleman
Frederick Knapp
Steven Vettel
Fred Mulick
BOARD ACTION
It was moved by Board Member Hasz (seconded by Dearman) to continue this item to the next Landmarks hearing for further information can be obtained. The motion fails 1-5.
AYES: Dearman
NOES: Cherny, Hasz, Maley, Martinez, Street
ABSENT: Chan, Damkroger
It was moved by Board Member Cherny (seconded by Dearman) to initiation the landmark designation of 55 Laguna Street. The Landmarks Board believes that the proposed landmark has a special character and special historical, architectural and aesthetic interest and value; and that the proposed designation would be in furtherance of and in conformance with the purposes and standards of Article 10. The motion passes 5-1.
AYES: Cherny, Dearman, Maley, Martinez, Street
NOES: Hasz
ABSENT: Chan, Damkroger
Tape No.: 1b, 2a & 2b
INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION
12. (R. AHMADI: 415/558-5966)
55 LAGUNA STREET, Assessor's Block 857, Lots 1 and 1a, and Block 870, Lots 1,2, and 3) in San Francisco's Hayes Valley Neighborhood. An informational presentation on the proposed project that will involve the demolition of some of the existing building, remodeling of some of the existing buildings, and construction of seven new buildings ranging in height from three to eight stories on the former site of the University of California Berkeley Extension Campus. The proposed project would accommodate up to 450 residential units including approximately 85 units in the open house building, approximately 10,000 sq. ft. of community facility space, and up to 5,000 occupied sq. ft. of retail space.
Speaker(s):
Jack Robertson
Fred Mulick
Elisa Skaggs
Frederick Knapp
Tape No.: 1b
NOTE: BOARD MEMBER CHAN LEFT THE HEARING AT 4:00 P.M.
ACTION ITEM(S)
13. (R. AHMADI: 415/558-5966)
55 LAGUNA STREET, Public Hearing to assist the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board to prepare a comment letter on the Draft Environmental Impact Report. The project site is located at 55 Laguna Street in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco on the two city blocks bounded by Haight Street to the north, Laguna Street to the east, Hermann Street to the south, and Buchanan Street to the west. The proposed project would include new construction as well as renovation of most of the vacant buildings on the former University of California Berkeley Extension Campus to provide residential, community facility, retail space, open space and parking. The project site currently contains four buildings that were formerly occupied by educational uses, including Woods Hall, Woods Hall Annex, Richardson Hall and Middle Hall. The project site also contains the UCSF dental clinic that is currently in use.
The Planning Department has determined that all buildings on the project site which include Richardson Hall, Woods Hall, Woods Hall Annex and Middle Hall qualify as historical resources for CEQA purposes. These buildings as well as remnant landscape features and the retaining wall facing Laguna and Haight Streets would contribute to a potential historic campus district that also qualifies as a historic resource for CEQA purposes.
The project would renovate Woods Hall, Woods Hall Annex, and most of Richardson Hall to be used for residential and community facility space. Middle Hall would be demolished as would the Richardson Hall Administration wing, a small single-story portion of Richardson Hall located at the north end of the building. New infill construction would include the development of seven new residential buildings ranging in height between three and eight stories. The tallest building, at a maximum height of 85 feet, would be built by an organization called open house, specifically for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender seniors (hereinafter referred to as the open house building). The dental clinic would remain unaltered and would continue in its current use.
The proposed project would accommodate up to 450 residential units including approximately 85 units in the open house building, approximately 10,000 sq. ft. of community facility space, and up to 5,000 occupied sq. ft. of retail space. The project would provide a variety of open spaces, including a privately owned, publicly accessible park, which would be located along the Waller Street alignment. The project would provide approximately 352 on-site parking spaces, including 51 spaces for the dental clinic and up to 10 spaces for a car share organization primarily within four below ground garages, and a small amount of above-ground parking.
The project would require a change in the zoning district from P (Public) to RTO (Residential-Transit Oriented) and NCT-3 (Neighborhood Commercial Transit Moderate Scale Mixed-Use), new zoning classifications proposed for the vicinity of the project in the Market-Octavia Area Plan or Mixed-Use Special Use District. The dental clinic would remain in a P zoning district. The project would also require an adjustment in the height and bulk designations of the site from 40 X and 80-B to 40-X, 50-X and 85-X. The proposed project would also require an amendment to the San Francisco General Plan to allow the change from a public/institutional use designation to residential mixed-use designations, and to allow an increase in building heights.
NOTE: The Draft Environmental Impact Report (SCH No. 2005062084) was published on January 27, 2007. The Draft EIR identifies significant unavoidable effects associated with historic resources in three areas: 1) the substantial alteration or demolition of existing structures which qualify as historic resources under CEQA (Administration Wing of the Richardson Hall, Middle Hall and the Laguna Street retaining wall); 2) the project site may not be eligible as a potential campus historic district after completion o the project; and 3) the rezoning of the project site would have significant impacts to historic resources that are similar to those of the proposed project. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the Draft EIR on March 8, 2007. This hearing is intended to assist the Landmarks Board such that the Board may prepare written comments on the Draft EIR to submit to the Planning Department. Written comments on the Draft EIR will be accepted at the Planning Department until 5:00 p.m. on March 12, 2007.
Speaker(s):
Charles Chase
Steven Vettel
BOARD COMMENTS
The Board requested changes to: Section 3E10 – as of January 2003& to as of January 27, 2007& , Section 3E15 – statement regarding project impact is confusing, Section 3E9 – incomplete statement regarding Middle Hall. The Board requested a clear statement as to why the component (Dental School) could not be used. The Board would like for the project sponsor to coordinate with the National Park Service to see if this project should be a HABS submittal because it is an educational/public site. Recommended sending to Library of Congress through the HABS program if warranted. Encourage sponsor to landmark the buildings that will remain on the site and include a mitigation measure. Does not feel that the historic district is the correct approach for this site; it's a collection of buildings that are connected by use and planned on a single site. Would like to see clarification of that discussion in the EIR. Suggested adding the heading San Francisco Landmarks. Recommended that testing be performed to ensure the mural is not underneath the current layer of stucco over the northwest entrance. The Board requested that the interpretive display provide enough information about the murals on the site. Encouraged the sponsor to respect the historic use of the property when naming the streets and buildings. The Landmark Board concurs with the Planning Department findings of historic significance, which in some details don't agree with the Page & Turnbull report. Suggested keeping the Sacred Palm tree in place during construction. The discussion regarding the impact on the historic resources was brief; board members suggested providing more details. The Board feels that Middle Hall should be considered as a historic resource.
BOARD ACTION
It was moved by Board Member Cherny (seconded by Dearman) to approve preparing written comments on the Draft EIR for 55 Laguna to submit to the Planning Department. The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Cherny, Dearman, Hasz, Maley, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Chan, Damkroger
Tape No.: 2a
DISCUSSION
14. (B. MALEY)
The Landmarks Board will discuss the Planning Department's current CEQA Review Procedures for Historic Resources (Preservation Bulletin 16), the suggestions in the Planning Director's letter of January 12, 2007 date, the Department's 311 procedures and any conflicts with the Planning Department's Preservation Bulletin 16, and immediate and future recommendations for revisions to the Bulletin.
BOARD ACTION
It was moved by Board Member Street (seconded by Martinez) to continue this item until the March 7, 2007 hearing. The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Cherny, Dearman, Hasz, Maley, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Chan, Damkroger
Tape No.: 2a
ADJOURNMENT: 4:30 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sonya Banks, Recording Secretary
ADOPTED: March 7, 2007
N:\LPAB\MINUTES\m2.7.07.doc
