June 20, 2007FINAL ACTION MINUTES
OF THE
SAN FRANCISCO
LANDMARKS PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY HALL
1 DR. CARLTON B. GOODLETT PLACE, ROOM 400
June 20, 2007
12:07 P.M. ROLL CALL
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Hasz, Martinez, Street
BOARD MEMBER(S) ABSENT: None
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Mark Luellen, Preservation Coordinator; Tara Sullivan-Lenane; Sonya Banks, Commission Secretary; Marlena Byrne, City Attorney
1. 2006.0747A (T. SULLIVAN-LENANE: 415/558-6257)
890 GROVE STREET, north side of Grove Street on the corner of Fillmore Street in Assessor's Block 797, Lot 019. Request is for Architectural Review Committee review and comment on a proposal to construct a vertical addition at the roof and to install a garage opening on the Fillmore Street façade. 890 Grove Street is Edwardian-style house constructed in 1917 and is a contributory building in the Alamo Square Historic District. It is located within an RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Speaker(s):
Mark Topetcher
BOARD COMMENTS
A Board member was concerned that the proposed project would be a big impact on the building and would change the characteristic of the building by adding the new addition. Board members questioned if the guardrails were visible and expressed concern with the location of the guardrails, the ceiling height, the garage door width, character of yard space. Board members asked if the proposed project conforms with Standard #2/#3 and if the windows align. Board members suggested lowering the ceiling height, setback of the guardrails, and 9ft for the garage width.
12:45 P.M. ROLL CALL
FOR FULL LANDMARKS BOARD CONSIDERATION
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Street
BOARD MEMBER(S) ABSENT: Dearman, Maley
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Mark Luellen, Preservation Coordinator; Tim Frye; April Hesik; Sophie Middlebrook; Tara Sullivan-Lenane; Viktoriya Wise; Sonya Banks, Commission Secretary; Marlena Byrne, City Attorney
PUBLIC COMMENT
Michael Levin: He stated that he was pleased that the façade of the Old Chronicle building was nearly completed.
Gee Gee Platt: She suggested rescheduling a hearing on the Landmark Board Work Program and how funds are spent from the budget next year. She feels that the Market/Octavia Plan is incomplete.
REPORTS
1. STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mark Luellen, Preservation Coordinator:
iHe announced Shelly Perdue, Tech Spec. for the Northwest quadrant. She holds a master degree in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania.
iThe Board of Supervisors initiated 1601 Larkin Street as a potential Landmark Designation. The potential designation is with the Land Use and Economic Development Committee and awaiting transmittal to the Planning Department.
iOn June 7th, the Planning Commission disapproved the proposed landmark designation of 55 Laguna Street. This announcement will be discussed on our agenda today.
iOn June 19th, the Planning Department's certification of the EIR for the Market/Octavia Plan was upheld by the Board of Supervisors.
iThe TDR database should be completed by mid July.
iThe Mills Act application for 1080 Haight Street was approved and signed by the Mayor and is now waiting for the contract to be signed.
iTwo senior planners, Paul Malzer, Environmental Officer and Neil Hart, Chief of Neighborhood Services will be retiring from the Planning Department in June 2007.
2. PRESIDENT'S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Vice President Cherny announced that President Maley would be returning to the Landmarks Board hearings beginning July 18, 2007.
3. MATTERS OF THE BOARD
Cherny
He announced that on Saturday, June 23, 2007, Richard Reutlinger will host a reception (at 824 Grove Street, S.F. from 4:00-6:30 p.m.) honoring Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board members Ina Dearman and Alan Martinez for their faithful service to the City of San Francisco.
Martinez
He requested to calendar, possibly for the July 18th hearing, a review of the survey methodology and how surveys are currently contracted. He feels that the 3 minute time limit for public comment at Planning Commission hearings is not fair and inappropriate if a Board member is speaking on behalf of a decision that was made. He suggested that a Board member should be allowed 5 minutes speaking time after Planning staff presentation at these hearings.
4. LANDMARKS WORK PROGRAM 2005-2007 UPDATE
- HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND UPDATE
The committee questioned whether the Planning Department was meeting the Historic Preservation Fund requirement for funding of the citywide survey. The Historic Preservation Fund Committee voted to fund $300,000 for the fiscal year. There is concerned about how the surveys are being done. The Committee is working with the applicant proposal for a context statement for African American history in San Francisco.
ACTION ITEM (S)
6. APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 6, 2007 DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Speaker(s):
None
Board Action:
It was moved by Board Member Street (seconded by Damkroger) to adopt the draft action minutes. The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley
DISCUSSION AND COMMENT
ITEM #7 WAS MOVED TO THE END OF THE AGENDA AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT WAS TAKEN.
7. General discussion regarding the Planning Commission's recent disapproval of the proposed landmark designation for 55 Laguna Street. Possible consideration of various courses of action, including filing an appeal to Board of Supervisors requesting them to overrule the recommendation, sending a letter to the Board of Supervisors about this matter, or sending a letter to the Planning Commission about this matter.
Speaker(s):
Gee Gee Platt
Board Action(s):
It was moved by Board Member Martinez (seconded by Damkroger) to accept the request to move/discuss item #7 to the end of the agenda.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley
It was moved by Board Member Martinez (seconded by Chan) to appeal to the Board of Supervisors the decision of the Planning Commission for their disapproval of the proposed landmark designation of 55 Laguna Street, formerly San Francisco Teachers' College. The Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board's letter of appeal to the Board of Supervisors should also indicate the possibility of a compromise approach, to landmark the four buildings that the project sponsor plans on preserving/retaining. The Landmarks Board will provide documentation regarding the basis for their appeal as soon as the material can be compiled and sent forward. The vote was unanimous. Motion passed on a roll call vote: 6-0
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley
NON-ACTION ITEM
INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION
- (S. MIDDLEBROOK: 415/558-6372)
88 5th Street, Old San Francisco United States Mint, Assessor's Block 3704, Lot 011, bounded by Mint Street to the north, 5th Street to the east, Mission Street to the south and Jessie Street to the west. The subject building is designated as San Francisco Landmark No. 236. It is zoned P (Public Use) District and is in a 40-X Height and Bulk District. The Old Mint, constructed between 1869 and 1874, has been vacant since 1994. The proposed project includes rehabilitation of the existing historic structure into the City History Museum and the addition of secondary uses that include retail, a restaurant, and offices. The Informational Presentation will focus on design schemes for the proposed rehabilitation and alterations.
Speaker(s)
Michael Cohen
Eric Christopherson
Tom Harry
Mike Dimeeco
Michael Levin
Board Action
It was moved by Board Member Hasz (seconded by Damkroger) to accept the recusal of Board Member Street from this item. The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley
RECUSED: Street
Board Comments
The Board members were concerned with how many windows were being altered, what would happen to the stone in the courtyard if the roof was sealed on all sides, with the banners (because they distort the form on the corner pavilions, suggested instead freestanding poles with banners in the recessed areas), asked about the plan for the bathrooms, suggested minimizing the canopy, would prefer straight stairs, and questioned if the panels were being proposed for removal. A Board member feels that the proposed alteration to Jessie Street is too large. A Board member encouraged the sponsors to put the flagpole in front of the building (because it is tall and can be use as an display) and to emphasize that this was a Federal building. A Board member suggested that the Landmarks Board members review the comments from OHP. A Board member wanted to recognize the improvements to the design particularly the courtyard space. A Board member suggested taking the comment of Michael Levin's into consideration regarding the building being the most important artifact on display (use the building itself in the exhibit as a way of discussing the time it was constructed and the time it was important in American history).
Tape No.: 1a and b
ACTION ITEM(S)
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
9. 2007.0005A (T. SULLIVAN-LENANE: 415/558-6257)
1531 GOLDEN GATE AVENUE, south side of Golden Gate Avenue on the corner of Scott Street in Assessor's Block 776, Lot 016. Request for Certificate of Appropriateness to install a new garage opening at the secondary façade on Scott Street. 1531 Golden Gate Avenue is one in a row of ten Italianate-style houses constructed in 1876 and is a contributory building in the Alamo Square Historic District. It is located within an RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
Speaker(s)
None
Board Action
It was moved by Board Member Damkroger (seconded by Martinez) to accept the request of Planning Staff member Tara Sullivan-Lenane for a continuance of this item indefinitely until the applicant receives a permit to remove the mature tree in the sidewalk in the path of the proposed garage opening. The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley
10. 2006.0003A (T. SULLIVAN-LENANE: 415/558-6257)
1368 MCALLISTER STREET, north side of McAllister Street between Pierce and Steiner Streets in Assessor's Block 775, Lot 012. Request for Certificate of Appropriateness to remove an approximately 15' wide by 26' high wooden trellis installed without permits, and to install a new 15' wide by 26' high metal trellis structure along the western side property line in the front of the property. 1368 McAllister Street is an Edwardian-style house constructed in 1909 and designed by Arthur J. Laib and is a contributory building in the Alamo Square Historic District. It is located within an RH-1 (Residential, House, One-Family) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
Speaker(s)
Tony Fifield
Matthew Wick
Michael Lyons
Rebecca O'Rorke
Rusty Hesthal
Board Action
It was moved by Board Member Martinez (seconded by Chan) to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness based on staff recommendations. The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley
Tape No.: 1b and 2a
11. 2007.0470A (A. HESIK: 415/558-6602)
239 GREENWICH STREET, south side between Montgomery and Sansome Streets, Assessor's Block 0085, Lot 026D. Request for Certificate of Appropriateness for landscaping, including new retaining walls, stairs, rails, brick path, and plantings. The roughly rectangular site consists of a 1,559-square-foot vacant lot and an approximately 400-square-foot portion of the Greenwich Street public right-of-way. The site is currently used as a private garden and is subject to an open-space easement held by the Garden Conservancy. The site is located within the Telegraph Hill Historic District and is within an RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions
Speaker(s):
Alida Blair
Board Action
It was moved by Board Member Martinez (seconded by Hasz) to continue the proposed project to an undetermined date pending the outcome of the pre-application meetings to be scheduled with DPW/DBI. The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley
12. 2006.0788A (T. FRYE: 415/575-6822)
1133 TENNESSEE STREET, in Assessor's Block 4172; Lots 028. The subject property is a contributing structure to the Dogpatch Historic District and is located within an NC-2 (Neighborhood/Commercial) District with a 50-X Height and Bulk limit. The proposal is a Request for Certificate of Appropriateness to add an additional unit to the two-flat structure, to include a horizontal rear addition and exterior rehabilitation.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions
Speaker(s):
Henry Karnilowicz
Linda Katron
Board Action
It was moved by Board Member Hasz (seconded by Chan) to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness with the conditionsthe project sponsor will work with Planning staff to clearly define, before approval of the permit, the large areas for the replacement of siding, reduction of the garage width to 8ft., detailed drawings for all the trims and balusters on the exterior. Planning staff will review and approve before issuance of the permit. The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley
REVIEW AND COMMENT
13. 2006.1389L (T. SULLIVAN-LENANE: 415/558-6257)
2870-2878 WASHINGTON STREET, aka, 2300-2304 DIVISADERO STREET, Tallant Flats, south side of street on the corner of Divisadero. Assessor's Block 979, Lot 018. Review and Comment to install a new garage opening at the Divisadero Street facade. 2870-2878 Washington Street, aka, 2300-2304 Divisadero, The Tallant Flats, was included in the 2006-2007 Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board Work Program, was listed in Here Today and in the 1976 Architectural Survey. The building is located within an RM-1 (Residential, Mixed) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Speaker(s):
Frederick Knapp
Bradley Weidmeyer
Joyce Lesapp
Board Comments
A Board member asked how would the proposed project impact the potential landmark designation. A Board member questioned if the telephone pole in front of the building would be relocated. A Board member supports the garage addition and feels that the elevator would not create a lot of noise.
Tape No.: 2a and b
ADJOURNMENT: 4:26 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sonya Banks,
Recording Secretary
ADOPTED: July 18, 2007
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