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SAN FRANCISCO
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Hearing Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
12:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting
_______________ ______________
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Hasz, Hyland, Johnck, Johns, Pealman
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Matsuda, Wolfram
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY ACTING COMMISSION SECRETARY IONIN AT 12:31 PM
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Jeff Joslin - Current Planning Director, Shelley Caltagirone, Rachel Schuett, AnMarie Rodgers, Sarah Jones, Kelly Wong, Tim Frye – Preservation Coordinator, and Jonas P. Ionin – Acting Commission Secretary
Mr. Ionin, Acting Commission Secretary, announced that HPC currently does not have a President or Vice President to chair the hearing and advised the Commissioners to elect a Chair. Commissioner Johns moved to select Commissioner Hasz by order of seniority to chair the meeting.
ACTION: Elected Commissioner Hasz as the Chair for the March 20, 2013 HPC hearing
AYES: Hasz, Hyland, Johnck, Johns, Pearlman
ABSENT Matsuda, Wolfram
A. PUBLIC COMMENT
SPEAKERS: Richard Zelman, Owner of Landmark No.190 at 280 Divisadero Street, was denied permission to renovate the Carriage House behind the main Victorian House a few years ago by the HPC on a 4 to 3 vote, suggested a change in the length of time allowed for the applicant to speak to be at least doubled the 10 minutes currently allotted when requested.
B. STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Director’s Report
Preservation Coordinator Frye, on behalf of Director Rahaim, announced 1) that the Department’s 2011 - 2012 Annual Report is now available online for review; and 2) the Department’s public event on the new Permit and Project Tracking System would be held today at the Department from 4:00 – 5:30 PM. The survey is also on line for the review and feedback.
2. Review of Past Week’s Events at the Planning Commission (PC).
Preservation Coordinator Frye, on behalf of the Department, welcomed Commissioner Pearlman who occupies the Architectural Historian Seat, and Commissioner Johnck who occupies the Preservation Professional Seat. He looked forward to working with them.
On past week’s events, he reported:
· the Land Use Committee had heard and unanimously approved the proposed land marking of the Doelger Building last Monday, March 18, 2013. The designation was forwarded to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) to be heard on March 26, 2013.
· Commission Chair Hasz had signed the revised letter of support for the City Hall Preservation Fund proposed legislation introduced by Supervisor Farrell. With no further edit, Mr. Frye would forward the letter to the BOS.
· On the Shipwright’s Building at 900 Innes, Landmark No. 250, the Department would prepare an update for the HPC at the next hearing on April 3, 2013.
· On March 7th, the PC gave a final recommendation to the BOS to rezone 901 Tennessee Street from a Public Zoning District to an Urban Mixed Use District.
· On March 14th, the PC voted +6 to -0 in support of a proposed amendment introduced by Supervisor David Chiu that would exempt a change in copy on an existing sign from being considered a new sign provided that the non-complying sign has no other alterations to the sign. The amendment would not be applicable to Article 10 and 11 buildings; any new sign, including a change in copy, would require a Certificate of Appropriateness or a Permit to Alter to ensure compatibility with the designated property.
· On March 14th, the PC unanimously approved an in-kind agreement for pedestrian and streetscape improvements at the intersection of Dolores and Market Streets. This agreement allows the developer of the adjacent 2001 Market Street project to satisfy a portion of its impact fees required by the Market-Octavia Area Plan. The proposed project creates a pedestrian refuge adjacent to the historic monument and median at the entry of Dolores Street, but would be physically separated from the median, so not to disturb the historic fabric.
· Patrick McGrew who served on the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board for 15 years passed away last week. Mr. Frye gave a brief history of Mr. McGrew’s accomplishments and asked the HPC to adjourn the hearing today in his memory.
· Kelly Wong joined the Department as the newest Preservation Planner and would be presenting today. Kelly received her undergraduate degree in architecture from the University of California at Berkeley and her master’s degree in historic preservation from the University of Pennsylvania. She worked as a Preservation Project Manager for The Presidio Trust in San Francisco and with Architectural Resources Group for eight years where she worked in both the architecture and conservation groups.
C. MATTERS OF THE COMMISSION
3. Historic Preservation Fund Committee Member Appointment
(Continued from 2/20/13 HPC hearing)
SPEAKER(S): None
ACTION: Continued to April 3, 2013
AYES: Hasz, Hyland, Johnck, Johns, Pearlman
ABSENT: Matsuda, Wolfram
4. Consideration of Adoption:
a. Draft minutes for the March 6, 2013 Regular Hearing
SPEAKER(S): None
ACTION: Adopted
AYES: Hasz, Hyland, Johnck, Johns, Pearlman
ABSENT: Matsuda, Wolfram
5. Disclosures
Commissioner Johns traded messages with Supervisor Wiener and received emails regarding the CEQA Item on today’s agenda.
Commissioner Hyland had conversations with Supervisor Wiener, Mr. Buhler at SF Heritage, and received emails regarding the CEQA legislation.
Commissioner Pearlman had conversation with Andres Power at Supervisor Wiener’s Office regarding the CEQA legislation.
Commissioner Johnck talked with Supervisor Wiener about the CEQA legislation.
Commissioner Hasz received emails from several different parties.
6. HPC Review of Future Agenda Items and Requests
Commissioner Pearlman would not be able to attend the April 3rd HPC hearing when the Election of Officers and other Committee appointments are scheduled and would like to know how he could participate in those conversations.
Commission Johnck had just learned about the goals of the Historic Preservation Fund Committee, asked should HPC members be ready for its election on the next HPC hearing?
Acting Commission Secretary Ionin responded that discussions on the Roles and Rules of the HPC, the Election of Officers, ARC member appointment and the Preservation Fund Committee have been continued to the April 3, 2013 HPC hearing.
7. Commissioner Comments/Questions - None
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed hereunder constitute a Consent Calendar, are considered to be routine by the Historic Preservation Commission, and will be acted upon by a single roll call vote of the Commission. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Commission, the public, or staff so requests, in which event the matter shall be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered as a separate item at this or a future hearing.
8. 2012.1338A (SHELLEY CALTAGIRONE: 415/558-6625)
2245 WEBSTER STREET, west side between Washington and Clay Streets. Assessor’s Block 0612, Lot 001D - Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to (1) create an 8’-wide by 7’-tall garage opening at the basement level of the front façade; (2) fill in the existing side notch on the south side of the building at all three levels; and, (3) replace the rear deck at the first floor level. The subject property is a contributor to the Webster Street Landmark District. The property is zoned RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) District and is in a 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions
(Continued from 3/6/13 HPC hearing.)
SPEAKER(S): None
ACTION: Approved with Conditions
AYES: Hasz, Hyland, Johnck, Johns, Pearlman
ABSENT: Matsuda, Wolfram
MOTION: M-0190
E. REGULAR CALENDAR
9. 2011.0119E (RACHEL SCHUETT: 415/575-9030)
200-214 6th STREET (HAYSTON APARTMENT BUILDING) AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH GROUND-FLOOR RETAIL PROJECT DRAFT EIR - Southwest corner of 6th and Howard Streets; Lot 001 Assessor’s Block 3731 - Commission Review and Comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report. The proposed project includes demolition of the existing four-story vacant building at 200-214 6th Street. The proposed demolition is necessary to construct a new nine-story mixed-use building, which would accommodate sixty-seven affordable housing units and ground floor commercial space. The project site is located in the SOMA NCT (Neighborhood Commercial Transit) Zoning District and an 85-X Height and Bulk District.
The Draft EIR concluded that implementation of the proposed project would result in a project-level and cumulative significant unavoidable environmental impact to historic architectural resources. The 200-214 6th Street building is a contributing resource to the 6th Street Lodginghouse Historic District, which is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Given that the 200-214 6th Street building is significant as one of the larger-scale buildings located on a prominent corner within the eligible historic district; demolition of this building would result in a significant unavoidable impact on the historic district. The construction of the new residential building would have a less-than-significant impact on the district since the new construction would be generally compatible with the character of the historic district.
The 200-214 6th Street building is also the site of a temporary art installation called “Defenestration.” This art installation was installed by Brian Goggin in 1997. No historical importance has been attached to the Defenestration installation, and it is not associated with the historical context of the building itself, therefore the installation is not eligible for listing on the California Register. The Defenestration installation would be removed prior to demolition of the existing building.
This public hearing is intended to assist the Commission in its preparation of comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). Comments made by members of the public at this hearing will not be considered comments on the DEIR and may not be responded to in the Final EIR (FEIR). The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the DEIR on April 4, 2013. Written comments on the DEIR will be accepted at the Planning Department until 5:00 p.m., April 15, 2013.
Preliminary Recommendation: The Historic Preservation Commission will discuss the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) to frame their written comments on the adequacy of the DEIR, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
(Continued from 3/6/13 HPC hearing. Public comment remains open.)
SPEAKER(S): None
NOTE: Commissioners Pearlman, Hyland, Johnck commented on the preservation alternative and the design of the new building relative to the historic buildings on either side in the DEIR. Chair Hasz directed Staff to draft a Comment Letter and allow the HPC to review before forwarding it the Environmental Review Officer of the Department. Public comment was closed.
Comment Letter: L-0018
10. 2012.1329U (ANMARIE RODGERS: 415/558-6395)
The Commission will consider a proposed Ordinance amending Administrative Code Chapter 31 to reflect revisions in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and to update and clarify certain procedures provided for in Chapter 31, including without limitation: codifying procedures for appeals of exemptions and negative declarations; providing for the Board to make the final CEQA decision on projects requiring Board legislative action, negating the need to file formal CEQA appeals; revising noticing procedures for environmental impact reports and negative declarations for plan area projects exceeding 20 acres; expanding noticing requirements for certain exempt projects; and clarifying existing noticing requirements for exempt projects.
Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt a Recommendation for Approval with Modifications
PRESENTER: Supervisor Wiener from District 8; Sara H. Jones, Acting Environmental Review Officer of the Planning Department; Andres Powers, represented Supervisor Wiener’s Office.
SPEAKERS: Paul Page, Member of the San Francisco Tomorrow, commented that Supervisor Kim’s proposed legislation is an evolution of what Supervisor Wiener has proposed, and urged the HPC to support it; Eric Brooks, represented the San Francisco Green Party, was not in favor of first approval trigger; Hiroshi Fukuda, Chair of the Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhood Land Use and Housing Committee, commented that the first approval trigger was confusing and that the notices on the Department’s website is not users’ friendly; Mike Buhler, San Francisco Architectural Heritage, was concerned about 1) the change in the definition to historic resource, 2) the first discretionary approval trigger, 3) the inconsistency regarding the trigger for the appeal period in Section 31.04 and Section 31.08; Howard Wong, San Francisco Tomorrow, commented on the process, noticing of meetings, and on the final approval that would enable people to agree on a better design; Tazewell Bourne, Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council, commented on the final approval be the final appeal point, and on the 30-day window appeal is asking a lot from the public. She also asked the HPC to look at Supervisor Kim’s legislation; Roland [Savardo], San Francisco Consortium, commented on the process and asked HPC to look into Supervisor Kim’s legislation; Rose Hilson commented on noticing on 20 acres or more; the first approval definition is not clear; Supervisor Wiener’s legislation is not quite right yet; the 30-day would not allow someone to appeal; and more should be taken into consideration with Supervisor Kim’s legislation.
ACTION: Adopted a Recommendation for Approval with Staff Modifications
AYES: Hasz, Johnck, Johns, Pearlman
NAYS: Hyland
ABSENT: Matsuda, Wolfram
RESOLUTION: R-704
11. 2013.0190U (ANMARIE RODGERS: 415/558-6395)
The Planning Commission will hear an informational presentation by staff from the City Administrator’s Earthquake Safety Implementation Program concerning a proposed Ordinance [BF 130119 Building Code - Mandatory Seismic Retrofit Program - Wood-Frame Buildings]. This proposed Ordinance would amend the Building Code, to establish a Mandatory Seismic Retrofit Program for wood-frame buildings of three or more stories and containing five or more dwelling units where the permit to construct was applied for prior to January 1, 1978, and the building has not been seismically strengthened; establishing a fee for administering the program; adopting environmental findings, and findings of local conditions under California Health and Safety Code, Section 17958.7; establishing an operative date; and directing the Clerk of the Board to forward the legislation to specified State agencies.
Preliminary Recommendation: None - Informational
PRESENTER: Patrick Otellini, Director of Earthquake Safety.
ACTION: None - Informational
12. 2013.0009A (KELLY WONG: 415/575-9100)
130 SUTTER STREET, north side of Sutter Street between Montgomery Street and Kearny Street, Assessor’s Block 0288, Lots 027-030. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the final phase of work to restore the existing curtain wall assembly. Constructed in 1918 by Willis Polk, 130 Sutter Street (historically known as the Hallidie Building) is an eight-story steel-frame and concrete office building that features a glass curtain wall. The building is recognized as one of the earliest examples of the use of a glass curtain wall, and is notable also for its decorative applied metal work. The subject property is designated as an individual landmark (No. 37) under Article 10 of the Planning Code.
Recommendation: Approval with Conditions
PRESENTER(S): Lisa Skaggs, Page and Turnbull; Annie Lo, McGinnis and Chen Associates
SPEAKER(S): Mike Buhler, SF Architectural Heritage, commented the work of the Project Team
ACTION: Approved with Conditions
AYES: Hasz, Hyland, Johnck, Johns, Pearlman
ABSENT: Matsuda, Wolfram
MOTION: M-0191
13. 2012.1440H (KELLY WONG: 415/575-9100)
300 MONTGOMERY STREET, east side of Montgomery Street between California Street and Pine Street, Assessor’s Block 0260, Lot 010. Request for a Major Permit to Alter for the restoration of the existing terra cotta cladding with replacement glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) units. Originally constructed in 1922 by George Kelham and later added to in 1941 by Architect L.J. Hendy and Engineer L.H. Nishkian of the Captial Company, 300 Montgomery Street (historically known as the American National Bank) is a twelve-story steel-frame and concrete building with neoclassical ornamentation. The building features a tripartite composition with terra cotta cladding and a granite base with giant ionic colonnades. The subject property is designated individually as a Category I (Significant) building under Article 11 of the Planning Code.
Recommendation: Approval with Conditions
RECUSED: Commissioner Hyland
AYES: Hasz, Hyland, Johnck, Johns, Pearlman
ABSENT: Matsuda, Wolfram
PRESENTER: David Wessel, Architectural Resources Group - Principal
SPEAKER(S): None
ACTION: Approved with Conditions
AYES: Hasz, Johnck, Johns, Pearlman
ABSENT: Matsuda, Wolfram
MOTION: M-0192
ADJOURNMENT: 3:16 P.M. – In Eternal Memory of Patrick McGrew.
The minutes was proposed for adoption at the Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday, April 3, 2013
ACTION: Adopted
AYES: Hasz, Johns, Hyland, Pearlman, Johnck
ABSENT: Matsuda, Wolfram
