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SAN FRANCISCO
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Hearing Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
12:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting
_______________ ______________
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
COMMISSIONER ABSENT: Matsuda
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT CHASE AT 12: 35 PM
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Shelley Caltagirone, AnMarie Rodgers, Bill Wycko, Environmental Review Officer, Tina Tam, Glen Cabreros, Corey Teague, Rich Sucre, Tim Frye – Preservation Coordinator, and Jonas P. Ionin – Acting Commission Secretary
A. CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS PROPOSED FOR CONTINUANCE
1. 2012.0811A (GRETCHEN HILYARD: 415/575-9109)
705-729 SANSOME STREET - west side of Sansome Street between Pacific Avenue and Gold Street, Assessor’s Block 0175, Lot 003 – A Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a 1,409 square foot rooftop addition, excavating the basement and extending the existing seismic bracing on the interior of the building. Constructed in 1906 by an unknown architect, 705-729 Sansome Street is a three-story commercial building designed in a 20th Century Commercial architectural style. The subject property is a “contributory altered” building within the Jackson Square Landmark District, which is locally designated under Article 10, Appendix B of the Planning Code.
Recommendation: Approval with Conditions
(Proposed for continuance to November 21, 2012)
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved as proposed
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Matsuda
2. 2012.0486A (GRETCHEN HILYARD: 415/575-9109)
19 ALTA STREET - south side of Alta Street between Montgomery and Sansome Streets, Assessor’s Block 0106, Lot 024 – A Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for interior and exterior alterations including infilling two existing balconies on the south façade and creation of new windows openings on the upper floors. Constructed in 1988 by an unknown architect, 19 Alta Street is a three-story over garage residential building designed in the Postmodern architectural style. The subject property is a “contributory altered” resource to the Telegraph Hill Landmark District, which is locally designated under Article 10, Appendix G of the Planning Code. An Italianate residence was originally constructed on the site in 1876 and was heavily modified by the time of designation in 1986.
Recommendation: Approval
(Proposed for continuance to November 21, 2012)
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved as proposed
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Matsuda
3. 2011.0617A (PILAR LAVALLEY: 415/575-9084)
1 JONES STREET (FORMER HIBERNIA BANK) – northwest corner of Jones and McAllister Streets, Assessor’s Block 0349, Lot 003. A Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for seismic, fire/life-safety, and accessibility upgrades associated with a potential new “assembly” use for the existing vacant building. Proposed exterior work includes two new stair penthouses, replacement of the existing elevator penthouse, enlargement of three existing window openings for new exit doors at north and west elevations, removal of portion of the existing wrought iron gate at west elevation, installation of exterior seismic strengthening in perimeter granite walls, at roof, and at parapet, and rehabilitation of existing windows, steel roll-up security grilles, and granite. At the interior, new shear walls and an elevator will be installed, a fire suppression system will be installed, portions of the existing teller counter will be removed and stored on site, and character-defining features and materials such as the extensive decorative marble, plaster, and stained glass will be protected in place and cleaned and repaired only as necessary. The subject building, historically known as Hibernia Bank, is Landmark #130, is a contributing resource to the National Register-listed Market Street Theater Loft Historic District, and is a Category I (Significant) Building in the C-3-G (Downtown General Commercial) District and the 80-120-T Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation:
(Proposed for continuance to December 5, 2012)
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved as proposed
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Matsuda
B. PUBLIC COMMENT
SPEAKERS: None
C. STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
4. Director’s Report - None
5. Preservation Coordinator Frye reported the following past week’s events:
· Planning Commission unanimously approved the Conditional Use Authorization to convert a single screen theater at 1127 Market Street into a 299 seat live entertainment theater for the American Conservatory Theater. The proposed project includes the rehabilitation of the character defining features in the main theater space and the exterior. The Planning Department has determined the building to be individually eligible for the California Register under the Architecture Criterion and as an example of an early 20th C. combination theater. Period of significance is from 1917 – 1921.
· The Planning Department, in collaboration with Supervisor Wiener and the Duboce Triangle Association, hosted the 9th and final community meeting for the Duboce Park Historic District. They discussed Mills Act application, Administrative Certificate of Appropriateness, requirements to bring a case forward to the HPC, and gauged the support/opposition for the proposed district from the community.
· The Sunset Neighborhood Walking Tour was scheduled for Saturday, November 10, at 2 PM. and would meet at the corner of 36th Avenue and Kirkham. Staff would share with the community what they discovered during their survey and the context statement. The survey would be presented to the HPC for adoption early next year, 2013.
· Update on pending designations at the Board of Supervisors (BOS)
- Twin Peaks Tavern was introduced to the BOS on 11/6/12 and not yet scheduled at the Land Use Committee
- Henry Doelgers Sales Office Building would be introduced to BOS on 11/20/12 and not yet scheduled at the Land Use Committee
- Market Street Masonry Discontiguous District was introduced to BOS on 10/23/12 and might be scheduled to Land Use Committee on 11/19.
- Sam Jordan’s Bar was introduced at the BOS on July and was scheduled to the Land Use Committee on 11/26
· The City Attorney reviewed the appeal on the CEQA determination for the War Memorial Veterans’ Building and determined that it was not timely. The appeal would not move forward to the BOS. The Board of Appeals approved additional modifications to what the HPC had approved on the C of A and charged the Planning Department to review a mock-up of the skylight and terra cotta repair and replacement for the windows.
· Announced that the HPC Advance Calendar is closed as of today for the rest of the year.
SPEAKERS: David [Pilpel] asked whether RSVP for the Sunset Neighborhood Walking Tour is required and requested the Advance Calendar be placed in the public packet.
D. MATTERS OF THE COMMISSION
6. President’s Report and Announcements
President Chase appointed Commissioner Hasz to the Permit and Project Tracking System Committee of the Planning Department to provide input during the process development stage.
7. Consideration of Adoption:
a. Draft minutes of the October 24, 2012 Regular Hearing
SPEAKERS: David [Pilpel] deferred taking action on the minutes because of date discrepancy.
President Chase deferred taking action on the minutes until next the hearing.
8. Disclosures - None
9. HPC Review of Future Agenda Items & Requests
Vice President Damkroger might want Item 11 on today’s agenda to come back to the HPC for another hearing.
Commissioner Martinez reminded staff to provide and use the Japantown document as part of the discussion regarding cultural resources on the 12/5 HPC hearing.
10. Commissioner Comments/Questions
Commissioner Hasz announced Metro Theater’s ground breaking would be on Tuesday, November 13th, at 9 AM.
E. REGULAR CALENDAR
Item 11 was heard after Item 12.
11. 2012.1329U (ANMARIE RODGERS: 415/558-6395)
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SAN FRANCISCO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, CHAPTER 31 – The Commission will consider a proposed Ordinance amending the San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 31 to update and clarify certain procedures provided for in Chapter 31 [Board File No. 121019] introduced by Supervisor Wiener. The Commission may take action to make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
Preliminary Recommendation: Pending
PRESENTER: Supervisor Wiener introduced the legislation to amend local procedures for CEQA he sponsored.
SPEAKERS: David [Pilpel] was concerned about 1) Section 31.16c3, the part that the proposed legislation will no longer stops the clock for project approvals when an appeal is filed, 2) the draft resolution on page 3, item 7 that refers to proposed replacement project, 3) how one finds out about Exemption Determinations, 4) encouraged discussion to continue meeting with interested persons on how CEQA process currently operates and what the changes are in the proposed legislation; Mike Buhler, SF Architectural Heritage, noted the proposed legislation is different from the 2010 legislation that was moved forward to the BOS, and highlighted some of the key substantive changes of the proposed legislation that 1) starts the clock for an appeal after the first discretionary review, 2) eliminates the right to appeal an EIR before the BOS, 3) doesn’t really provide the City or the BOS to respond to objections when they are raised before the Land Use Committee and 4) the concerns that he has about the definition of historic resources, and public notification on the website only.
ACTION 1: Recommended adoption of the ordinance as proposed.
MOTION FAILED: There was not a second.
ACTION: 2: Recommended adoption of the proposed ordinance to the Board of Supervisors with the following modifications: 1) that the HPC requested additional time for review and comments of the proposal; 2) that the Planning Department consider additional submittal time frame; 3) that there’ll be consistent appeal period of at least 30 days; 4) that the first entitlement definition be clarified; 5) that the website posting be clear and easily accessible through links/buttons on the website; 6) that the discretion of the Environment Review Officer be extended to all historic resources found on adopted surveys.
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Matsuda
RESOLUTION: R694
12. (TINA TAM: 415/558-6325/GLENN CABREROS: 415/558-6169)
HISTORIC REVIEW AND RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES – Informational Presentation given by the Planning Department on the application and review process associated with the Residential Design Guidelines, in particular Chapter VII, Special Guidelines for Alterations to Buildings of Potential Historic or Architectural Merit.
SPEAKERS: None
Information only – no action required
13. 2012.1355E (SF PORT – MARK PAEZ: 415/705-8674)
PIER 29 - The Embarcadero between Sansome and Chestnut Streets, Assessor’s Block 9900 Lot 029, within the Northeast Waterfront. Informational Presentation by Port staff on the proposed repair/ reconstruction of the bulkhead building and pier shed. Pier 29, a contributor to the Port of San Francisco Embarcadero Historic District listed in the National Register of Historic Places, was damaged by a four alarm fire on June 20, 2012. Pier 29 is located within an M-1 (Light Industrial) District, Waterfront Special Use District No. 1 and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.
PRESENTERS: Mark Paez, SF Port; Wendy Proctor, SF Port Architect; Nancy Goldenberg, Historic Preservation Architect from Carey and Company
SPEAKERS: None
Information only – no action required
14. 2008.0877EMTZU (COREY TEAGUE: 415/575.9081/RICH SUCRE: 415/575.9108)
WESTERN SOMA COMMUNITY PLAN – The Commission will consider proposed Ordinances amending the San Francisco General Plan, Planning Code, and Zoning Maps associated with the Western SoMa Community Plan. The result of a multi-year public and cooperative interagency planning process that began in 2004, the Western SoMa Plan is a comprehensive vision for shaping growth in the western portion of the South of Market neighborhood. Public workshops and other community outreach were conducted throughout 2005-2008 and a Draft Plan for Public Review was published in September 2008. An updated plan was published in October 2011. The Commission may take action to make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
SPEAKERS: Francisco [DeCosta], Worker of Presidio of San Francicso, noted that more research is needed to include the First People, the Muwekma Ohlone, and the African American community that existed before the Filipino and LGBTQ communities and urged the HPC to incorporate the historical, cultural and archeological elements in the Plan; Jim Meko, Chair of Western SoMa Citizens Planning Task Force, expressed his despair for the prolonged adoption of the Western SoMa Community Plan and on developing the Social Heritage District. He enumerated benefits of the Plan and stated the Task Force’s persistence for slow growth has gained support from Supervisor Kim, and a land use attorney in the City. He urged the HPC’s support to bring this process to an end.
ACTION: Recommended the Plan to the BOS with comments made by Commissioners Damkroger and Martinez.
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Matsuda
RESOLUTION: R695
ADJOURNMENT: 4:15 P.M.
The minutes was proposed for adoption at the Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday, November 21, 2012.
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger
ABSENT: Chase
