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SAN FRANCISCO
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Hearing Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
12:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting
_______________ ______________
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Hasz, Johns, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
COMMISSIONER ABSENT: Martinez
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT CHASE AT 12:40 PM
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: John Rahaim –Planning Director, Pilar LaValley, Mary Brown, Shelley Caltagirone, Richard Sucre, Gretchen Hilyard, Tim Frye – Preservation Coordinator, and Jonas P. Ionin – Acting Commission Secretary
A. PUBLIC COMMENT
SPEAKERS: Richard Rothman, urged the HPC to save the Mother’s Building and its interior murals, to agendize and to follow through the designation of the building as a city landmark. He also asked what plan the Recreation and Park and the Art Commission have to preserve and safe the building; Michael Levin questioned why the two balconies are still there at the 1 Kearny Street Project when a motion which stated their removal was passed by the Planning Commission in 7/20/06.
B. STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Review of Past Week’s Events at the Planning Commission
Preservation Coordination Frye had no past week’s events to report to the HPC and would answer any questions the commissioners might have.
Commissioner Damkroger asked about Duboce Park.
Commissioner Johns asked about the balconies at 1 Kearny Street Project. Mr. Frye responded that he would review previous approvals and report back to the HPC.
C. MATTERS OF THE COMMISSION
2. President’s Report and Announcements
President Chase had no formal reports or announcements but would like to reserve some time to speak to the commissioners before the conclusion at this hearing.
3. Consideration of Adoption:
a. Draft minutes of the November 21, 2012 Regular Hearing
b. Draft minutes of the December 5, 2012 Regular Hearing
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved the November 21 and December 5, 2012 draft minutes.
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Matsuda Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Martinez
4. Disclosures
Commissioner Johns received a number of emails on the Duboce Park item and communicated with Mr. Marquez and Mr. Reuben.
Commissioner Wolfram received emails on Duboce Park and communicated with Mr. Marquez and Mr. Hornberger regarding the New Mission Theater and the Renoir Hotel, respectively.
Commissioner Damkroger spoke with Frederick Knapp and communicated with Mr. Marquez.
President Chase received a telephone call from Mr. Hornberger but did not communicate with him.
5. HPC Review of Future Agenda Items and Requests
Commissioner Damkroger thought the Mother’s Building to be an important building and would like to form a partnership with the Planning Department, the Department of Recreation and Park, and a representative from the Zoo to discuss issues as they relate to the HPC Landmark Designation Work Program.
The Commissioners would like to have a hard copy of the Advance Calendar in their packets and at the hearing.
6. Commissioner Comments/ Questions - None
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
7. (SHELLEY CALTAGIRONE: 415/558-6625)
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE DOCUMENTATION, DESIGNATION, AND INCENTIVES - Discussion of the development of incentives associated with the documentation and designation of social and cultural resources. The Commission’s discussion may include the Department’s current work in the Japantown and West SOMA communities related to social and cultural heritage.
(Continued from December 5, 2012)
NOTE: On December 5, 2012, following public testimony, the Commission closed the public hearing and adopted a Motion of Intent to Adopt a Resolution endorsing the letter submitted by Commissioners Matsuda and Martinez, recognizing that more work needs to be done and that the Historic Preservation Commission would like to be the forum for that work; and continued the item to December 13, 2012 by a vote of (+6 -0). Commissioner Matsuda was absent.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approve
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Matsuda Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Martinez
RESOLUTION NO: R698
E. REGULAR CALENDAR
8. 2011.0683L (MARY BROWN: 415/575-9074)
DUBOCE PARK LANDMARK DISTRICT - BOUNDED BY wALLER sTREET, sTEINER sTREET, SCOTT STREET, AND THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY OF DUBOcE PARK. Consideration to recommend approval of Landmark designation of the 87 properties located in Assessor’s Block 0863, 0864, 0865, and 0866 and the three interior block park entrances at Carmelita, Pierce, and Potomac Streets as an Article 10 Landmark District pursuant to Section 1004.2 of the Planning Code. The HPC initiated designation of the Duboce Park Landmark District at its December 5, 2012 hearing. If the HPC recommends approval of the designation, it will refer the proposed designation to the Planning Commission. Consideration by the Board of Supervisors will occur at a public hearing and will be noticed separately for a future date.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval.
SPEAKERS: Jonathan Goldberg said the proposal is not popular nor the community is in favor of it. He stated the neighborhood identified problems, 1) the cost of the proposal would cost future upgrade of residences, 2) unclear what the tax benefits are, and 3) uncertainty to the entrances of the Park; Victor Marquez spoke on behalf of Peter Strauss that he supported the proposed designation; Jon Shambray, resident of 75 Pierce Street for 25 years, agreed with speaker Goldberg in opposing the proposal. He added there are already Planning processes in place that adequately protect houses in the neighborhood.
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Matsuda Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Martinez
RESOLUTION NO: R699
9. 2012.0874A (SHELLEY CALTAGIRONE: 415/558-6625)
1470-1484 MCALLISTER STREET, north side of the street between Scott and Pierce Streets. Assessor’s Block 0776, Lot 035 - Request for Certificate of Appropriateness to subdivide the subject lot into two lots, to rehabilitate the historic three-family, three-story-over-basement house, and to construct a new three-family, four-story house on the vacant eastern portion of the lot. The existing house is a contributing building within the Alamo Square Landmark District. The building was designed by W. O. Banks and constructed in 1902 by builder John G. Adams in the Edwardian style. The property is zoned RM-1 (Residential, Mixed, Low-Density) District and is in a 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions
SPEAKERS: Gavin [Coons], asked when and who made the determination on the decks on the side of the historic properties.
ACTION: Approved with conditions as recommended by staff.
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Matsuda Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Martinez
MOTION NO: M0182
10. 2006.0494A (RICH SUCRE: 415/575-9108)
NEW MISSION THEATER, 2554 MISSION STREET, located on the west side of Mission Street between 21st and 22nd Streets, Assessor’s Block 3616, Lot 007. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for interior and exterior alterations associated with a change in use from a single-screen theater to a five-screen theater and restaurant (d.b.a Alamo Drafthouse). The exterior alterations include, but are not limited to: repair and restoration of the marquee and blade sign; repair of concrete exterior; infill of non-visible openings on the secondary facades; and re-roofing. The interior alterations include, but are not limited to: a seismic retrofit; subdivision of the main auditorium from a single screen into five screens; extension of the scalloped edge of the historic balcony; reconstruction of historic elements within the promenade lobby; conversion of the projection booth into a bar for theater patrons; and, preservation and repair of decorative plasterwork and other character-defining features. The subject property is Landmark No. 245 and is located within the Mission Street NCT (Neighborhood Commercial Transit) Zoning District and a 85-X Height and Bulk District. This item is tentatively scheduled for Conditional Use Authorization before the Planning Commission on January 10, 2013.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions
RECUSSED: President Chase
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
PRESENTERS: Victor Marquez, Project Sponsor for the Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, Toby Morris, Architect;
SPEAKERS in favor of the project: Roberto Hernandez, Resident of the Mission District and the Vice President of the 24th Street Merchant Association; Sam Ruiz, Executive Director of Mission Neighborhood Centers; Jonathan Yorba, CEO of the Mexican Museum.
ACTION: Approved with conditions as recommended by Staff, including 1) the correction of grammatical errors, and 2) allowing the side exiting doors to be removed and replaced with solid walls that include reveals indicting their original location.
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Matsuda Wolfram, Damkroger
ABSENT: Martinez
MOTION NO: M0183
11. 2012.1123H (PILAR LAVALLEY: 415/575-9084)
1100 MARKET STREET, at the gore-corner of Market and McAllister Streets, Assessor’s Block 0351, Lots 001. Request for a Permit to Alter to construct a one-story vertical addition and roof deck with glass guardrail, install compatible storefronts and transom windows, rehabilitate existing projecting marquees at hotel entrances, repair and clean exterior masonry, terra cotta, and wood windows, and interior remodeling and seismic upgrades as part of the rehabilitation of the existing seven-story tourist hotel. The subject building is a Category I (Significant) Building located within the C-3-G (Downtown General) Zoning District with a 120-X Height and Bulk limit.
Recommendation: Approval with conditions.
PRESENTER: Mark Hornberger, Architect
SPEAKERS in favor of the project: Ellen Parker, from the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development; Michael Levine
ACTION: Approved with conditions as recommended by Staff, including 1) requiring the storefront paneling to accommodate glazing on top and glass or wood on the bottom; and 2) that the windscreen result in no physical damage to the cornice.
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Matsuda Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Martinez
MOTION NO: M0184
12. 2012.1326H (GRETCHEN HILYARD: 415/575-9109)
1 KEARNY STREET - north side of Market Street between 3rd Street and Grant Avenue, Assessor’s Block 0312, Lot 031. Request for a Permit to Alter for exterior signage, door and canopy replacement, and window alterations. Constructed in 1902 by William Curlett, 1 Kearny Street (historically known as the Mutual Savings Bank Building) is a twelve-story office building designed in the Renaissance/Baroque architectural style. The building features an annex, designed in 1964 by the firm of Clark & Beuttler with Charles W. Moore as lead architect; and a contemporary addition by Charles Bloszies in 2009. The subject property is located within the C-3-O (Downtown-Office) and 80-130-F Height and Bulk Limit, and is a Category I (Significant) building under Article 11 of the Planning Code.
(Continued from November 21, 2012)
Recommendation: Approval
RECUSSED: Commissioner Hasz
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
PRESENTER: Lada Kocherovsky, Associate Principal from Page and Turnbull
SPEAKERS: Michael Levine, commented the appearance of the glass on the second level and the removal of balconies.
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Johns, Matsuda Wolfram, Damkroger, Chase
ABSENT: Martinez
MOTION NO: M0185
NOTE: Before adjourning the hearing, President Chase spoke to his fellow commissioners that this was his last appearance as a Commissioner for the HPC. He no longer qualified for the seat he occupied due to a change of his residency. He thanked his fellow Commissioners for the opportunity to chair the Commission over the last four years. He thanked them for their diligence, enthusiasm and energy in dealing with some difficult matters over the last four years, particularly over Articles 10 and 11. He thanked Director Rahaim, Mr. Frye, and Preservation Planning Staff for bringing a level of diligence and accuracy to the items the Commission deliberated. He thanked the Commission Secretaries Ms. Linda Avery-Herbert and Jonas Ionin who have helped them through the particulars of the process of public hearing. He was honored to serve and would miss these times and looked forward to hopefully seeing the Commissioners on government television some days or in other venues.
Following the farewell remarks, Acting Commission Secretary Ionin announced the HPC would meet at Tres Agaves, at 130 Townsend, after 5:30 PM this evening for the Holiday Gathering.
ADJOURNMENT: 4:00 PM
The minutes was proposed for adoption at the Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday, January 16, 2013.
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Martinez, Matsuda, Wolfram, Damkroger
