November 07, 2007

FINAL ACTION MINUTES

OF THE

SAN FRANCISCO

LANDMARKS PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

CITY HALL

1 DR. CARLTON B. GOODLETT PLACE, ROOM 400

November 7, 2007

12:03 P.M. ROLL CALL

FOR FULL LANDMARKS BOARD CONSIDERATION

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz (arr. @ 12:30 pm), Maley, Martinez, Street

BOARD MEMBER(S) ABSENT: Dearman

STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Mark Luellen, Preservation Coordinator; D. DiBartolo; T. Frye; B. Fu; J.A. Kugler; S. Perdue; S. Middlebrook; J. Range; Sonya Banks, Commission Secretary; Marlena Byrne, Deputy City Attorney

PUBLIC COMMENT

Marvin Lambert: He believes there is a gap in the Planning Department procedures for evaluating work permits on historic district properties. He stated that in the Cottage Row District a 4ft fence was replaced with a 6 ft fence. The Planning Department procedures stated that this replacement could be done without a permit. He believes that the 6ft fence changes the character of this historic district. He requested assistance from the Landmarks Board in protecting this historic district by endorsing a rewrite of Appendix K of Article 10 of the Planning Code or contacting the property owner.

Audrey Sherlock: She is opposed to the rebuilt fence on Cottage Row. She believes that the 6 ft fence is an obstruction.

Mary King: She read an article that she wrote to the Examiner opposing the rebuilt 6ft fence on Cottage Row.

Suzanne Greischel: She believes that provisions and a survey should have been taken before allowing the construction of the 6ft fence on Cottage Row.

Karl G. Smith II: He is in support of the previous speakers concerns regarding the fence on Cottage Row.

David Darling: He asked if an environmental exemption should have been performed before allowing the property owner to build a 6ft fence. He supports the previous speakers concerns regarding the Cottage Row fence.

REPORTS

1. STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mark Luellen, Preservation Coordinator:

i He thanked to Board for agreeing to start their hearing at 12 noon today.

i On October 25^th, the Planning Commission approved the Certificate of Appropriateness for the Sunnyside Conservatory with the following conditions in addition to those recommended by the Landmarks Board: that the project sponsor will consult with an urban forester prior to moving any historic plantings, will consider replacing the existing composite roof shingles with wood shingles to match the original, when the design documents are at 100% completion, the Project Sponsor will return to the Landmarks Board for a review and comment, and the final design documents will be peer-reviewed by the Architectural Review Committee of the Landmarks Board.

i On October 25^th, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the draft EIR for Balboa Park Station Area Plan, there were no comments made.

i On November 8^th, the Planning Commission will hear the Landmark Designation for the Noe Valley Carnegie Library.

i On November 15^th, the Planning Commission will take comments on the Chinatown YMCA DEIR and the Central Subway draft supplemental EIS/EIR and hold the EIR certification hearing for the Golden Gate Park Stables.

i The Landmarks Board hearing for November 21^st will be cancelled as well as January 2, 2008 hearing.

i At the December 5^th Landmarks Board hearing staff will update the Board on the status of the surveys currently underway.

i The new Planning Director, John Rahaim will be starting on January 2^nd.

i At the January 16^th Landmarks Board hearing we will hold the election of officers.

i Rachel Force who is currently on the Citywide Survey Team has been selected as the Historian/Project Manager Planner III. This position will take the lead in developing and preparing the Citywide Context Statement.

i On November 13^th, there will be two new Historic Preservation Tech Specs joining the Department and they will be introduced to the Landmarks Board at the December 5^th hearing.

Board Member Martinez:

He requested coordinating a site visit for the ARC of the Sunnyside Conservatory. He believes there were concerns regarding the proposed demolition. He requested that the ARC review the design drawings at 80% of completion.

2. PRESIDENT'S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

President Maley and Vice President Cherny are planning on meeting with the new Director of the Planning Department in January 2008 and hope that the new Director can attend a Landmarks hearing in February 2008.

3. MATTERS OF THE BOARD

Cherny

On November 9^th, he will be attending the State Historic Resource Commission hearing in Palm Springs. He will be reporting the Landmarks Board actions regarding 55 Laguna Street.

He requested a date for the Landmarks Board Holiday party.

Maley

She designated Vice President Cherny to represent the Landmarks Board at the State Historic Resource Commission hearing on November 9^th.

Board Action:

It was moved by Board Member Martinez (seconded by Damkroger) to send Vice President Cherny as the Landmarks Board designee at the State Historic Resource Commission hearing. The vote was unanimous.

Martinez

He requested to agendize a proclamation for Director Dean Macris's retirement.

He asked if there was a policy that stated  if you remove a granite curb do you have to reinstall it .

4. LANDMARKS WORK PROGRAM 2005-2007 UPDATE

Street

There is a meeting scheduled with herself, Matt Weintraub and the student that is assigned to work on the Temple Emmanuel designation.

Maley

There is a site tour planned for Park Merced on Friday, November 9th. Board Member Street will attend the site tour.

Martinez

There is an initial draft prepared for the Transit Shelters Designation Report. It needs a lot more work but there is progress being made.

ACTION ITEM(S)

1. APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 17, 2007 DRAFT ACTION MINUTES

Speaker(s):

None

Board Action

It was moved by Board Member Martinez (seconded by Damkroger) to continued the draft action minutes to the December 5^th hearing. The vote was unanimous.

AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Maley, Martinez, Street

NOES: None

ABSENT: Dearman

The agenda was heard in the following order: 7, 8, 6, 9-16

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS

1. 2007.0447A (D. DiBARTOLO: 558-6291)

600 STOCKTON STREET, known formerly as the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, is located at the east side of Stockton Street between Pine and California Streets in Assessor's Block 257, Lots 012. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct an approximately 2,000 square foot glass conservatory structure within the existing internal courtyard with two glass covered walkways providing access between the conservatory and the hotel. The project would also modify the landscaped area affected by the glass structure. The four to seven story Classical Revival steel frame with reinforced concrete structure was constructed in 1909 and is currently used as a hotel,  Ritz Carlton . The subject property is Landmark Number 167 under Article 10, is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, is listed in the 1976 Architectural Survey and Here Today, and rates an  A on San Francisco Heritage's survey of historic buildings. The site is located within a C-3-G (Downtown General) District and an 80-130-F Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval

Speaker(s):

Simon Kwan

Robert Laruka

Board Action

It was moved by Board Member Street (seconded by Damkroger) to accepted the recusal of President Maley from this item. The vote was unanimous.

It was moved by Board Member Martinez (seconded by Hasz) to continue this item until the December 5^th hearing with the following conditions: that the project sponsor research the Metropolitan Life files to see if there are any original photos of the courtyard especially the fountains, and remove the glass walkways.

AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Street

NOES: None

ABSENT: Dearman

RECUSED: Maley

Tape No.: 1a and b

7. 2007.1063A (T. FRYE: 415/575-6822)

180 TOWNSEND STREET, Assessor's Block 3788; Lots 013. Located between Clarence Place and 3rd Street, the subject property is a contributing structure to the South End Historic District. It is located within an SLI (Service, Light Industrial) District with a 50-X Height and Bulk limit. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a single non-illuminated sign above the ground-floor windows of an existing retail establishment.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval.

Speaker(s):

None

Board Action

It was moved by Board Member Street (seconded by Martinez) to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness. The vote was unanimous.

AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Maley, Martinez, Street

NOES: None

ABSENT: Dearman

8. 2007.0666A (B. FU: 415/558-6613)

694 TENNESSEE STREET , Assessor's Block 3996; Lots 007. The subject property is a contributing structure to the Dogpatch Historic District and is located within an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) District with a 50-X Height and Bulk limit. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to legalize existing rear deck and stairs constructed without the benefit of permit. Work included for consideration is (1) the reconstruction of rear deck and stairs, and (2) to replace and repair sheathing of rear west-facing building wall. A rear yard Variance is requested for the encroachment of the deck and stairs into the require rear yard and will be considered by the Zoning Administrator at a Variance hearing to be scheduled.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval

Speaker(s):

Morgan Conolly

Board Action

It was moved by Board Member Street (seconded by Martinez) to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness with the following conditions: that the paint scheme should be appropriate to the building and stay within the guidelines for a historic district. The vote was unanimous.

AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Maley, Martinez, Street

NOES: None

ABSENT: Dearman

Tape No. 1a

9. 2007.1018A (S. PERDUE: 415/558-6625)

1000 VAN NESS AVENUE, Don Lee Automobile Showroom, on block bound by Van Ness Avenue, Myrtle, O'Farrell, and Polk Streets. Assessor's Block 0715, Lot 014 – Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for alteration of signage at the Van Ness Avenue façade. The building is designated San Francisco Landmark No. 152 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Heritage survey, the 1976 Architectural Survey, and the Van Ness Avenue Area Plan. The site is zoned RC-4 (Residential Commercial) District and is in a 130-E Height and Bulk District and the Van Ness Special Use District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval

Speaker(s):

None

Board Action

It was moved by Board Member Cherny (seconded by Street) to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness. The vote was unanimous.

AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Maley, Martinez, Street

NOES: None

ABSENT: Dearman

10. 2007.1144A (S. PERDUE: 415/558-6625)

851 BEACH STREET, (aka 900 North Point), Ghirardelli Square, on block bound by Beach, North Point, Larkin, and Polk Streets. Assessor's Block 0086, Lot 012 – Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for installation of signage at the Beach Street façade. The Ghirardelli Square is designated San Francisco Landmark No. 30 and is listed on the National and California Registers of Historic Places. The site is zoned C-2 (Commercial) District and is in a 40-X Height and Bulk District, and is also within the Northern Waterfront Special Use District No. 2.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval

Speaker(s):

None

Board Action

It was moved by Board Member Street (seconded by Martinez) to accept the recusal of Board Member Damkroger from this item. The vote was unanimous.

It was moved by Board Member Cherny (seconded by Hasz) to continued this item until the December 5^th hearing. The vote was unanimous.

AYES: Chan, Cherny, Hasz, Maley, Martinez, Street

NOES: None

ABSENT: Dearman

RECUSED: Damkroger

REVIEW AND COMMENT

11. (S. PERDUE: 415/558-6625)

1 TELEGRAPH HILL BOULEVARD, LILLIAN COIT MEMORIAL TOWER, on block bound by Montgomery, Kearny, Greenwich, and Filbert Streets. Assessor's Block 0086, Lot 012 – Request for Review and Comment to nominate the structure to the National Register of Historic Places as part of San Francisco's role as a Certified Local Government. The building is noted in Here Today (p. 60) and has been designated as San Francisco Landmark No. 165. The site is zoned P (Public Use) District and is in as OS Height and Bulk District.

(Continued from October 17, 2007 hearing)

Speaker(s):

None

Board Action

It was moved by Board Member Damkroger (seconded by Chan) support the nomination of the structure to the National Register of Historic Places. The vote was unanimous.

AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Maley, Martinez, Street

NOES: None

ABSENT: Dearman

12. (D. DIBARTOLO: 415/558-6291)

1-21 COLUMBUS AVENUE AND 612-624 WASHINGTON STREET, COLUMBO BUILDING, Southeast side of the block bounded by Columbus Avenue (northeast), Washington Street (south) and Kearny Street (west) in Assessor's Block 195, Lot 004. Request for Review and Comment to nominate the Columbo Building to the National Register of Historic Places. The subject building, a two-story, Classical Revival style commercial structure, was designed by master architects, James and Merritt Reid, built in 1913 and is San Francisco Landmark No. 237. The site is zoned CCD (Chinatown Community Business) District and is in a 40-X Height and Bulk District. The property is also within the Jackson Square Historic and Jackson Square Special Use Districts.

(Continued from October 17, 2007 hearing)

Speaker(s):

None

Board Action

It was moved by Board Member Damkroger (seconded by Hasz) to accept the recusal of Board Member Street from this item. The vote was unanimous.

It was moved by Board Member Martinez (seconded by Chan) to support with enthusiasm the nomination of the Columbo Building to the National Register of Historic Places.

AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Maley, Martinez

NOES: None

ABSENT: Dearman

RECUSED: Street

13. (J.A. KUGLER: (415) 575-6925)

CENTRAL SUBWAY PROJECT-PHASE 2 OF THE THIRD STREET LIGHT RAIL PROJECT: Public Hearing to assist the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board to prepare a comment letter on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report. SFMTA is proposing to provide improved transit service from South of Market to Chinatown. The Study Area includes a corridor along Third/Fourth Streets, Stockton Street and Columbus Avenue from Fourth/King (the terminus of Phase 1 of the Third Street Light Rail) to Jackson/Stockton Streets, with a construction related tunnel to Columbus Avenue/Union Street near Washington Park. The supplemental document focuses on changes to the project that have occurred since the certification of the 1998 FEIS/FEIR. Three alternatives are evaluated within the Study Area: a No-Project/Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Alternative; an Enhanced EIS/EIR Alternative with an alignment along Third, Fourth, and Harrison Streets, south of Market, a shallow subway tunnel under Market, Kearny, and Geary Streets as in the original 1998 FEIS/FEIR; and a Fourth/Stockton Street Alternative with a deep subway tunnel under Market Street with two design options. Stations would be located along the alignments to serve South of Market, the Convention Center, Market Street and Union Square and Chinatown. A Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIS/SEIR) has been prepared by the San Francisco Planning Department and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in connection with this project.

NOTE: The Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was published on October 16, 2007. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the adequacy, accuracy, objectivity and completeness of information in the Draft EIR on November 15, 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 Monday, December 10, 2007.

Speaker(s):

Norman Fong

Board Comments

A Board member asked if a study had been performed to see if the railway could go underground instead of demolishing the Chinatown station. A Board member asked will the vent shaft impact any historic resources. A Board member would like to review the DPR's for the buildings that are being proposed for demolition. Concerns with mitigation measure in terms of historic resources was expressed. Would like to see documentation if the Stockton Building is demolish. A Board member suggested that MTA fund further documentation of potential districts and help move forward with the designation process. Further clarification on the affect the tunneling may have on resources was requested. A Board member was happy that the street lights would be protected. A Board member would like to see more details on the monitoring program. Recommended using a Preservation Architect who meets the Standards. A Board member suggested as a mitigation measure that the unreinforced masonry buildings be upgraded.

Board Action

It was moved by Board Member Cherny (seconded by Chan) to continue this item to the December 5^th hearing. The vote was unanimous.

AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Maley, Martinez, Street

NOES: None

ABSENT: Dearman

NON-ACTION ITEM

INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION

14. 1999.536E (HU: 415/986-1372)

CHINATOWNYMCA RENOVATION AND BUILDING ADDITION PROJECT–

The proposed Chinatown YMCA Renovation and Building Addition Project (proposed project) is located at 855 Sacramento Street in the Chinatown neighborhood. The project site is located mid-block on the south side of Sacramento Street on the block bound by Sacramento Street to the north, Grant Avenue to the east, California Street to the south and Stockton Street to the west. The proposed project would include additions to and renovations of the existing YMCA to create a larger, integrated facility containing approximately 48,750 square feet (sf) of expanded recreation, community services and residential uses. The proposed project would include three elements: (1) extensive interior renovation of the existing three-story-over-basement/ground floor, 45-foot-tall, 25,950-sf building; (2) construction of a new three-story, approximately 39-foot 9-inch-tall, 19,350-sf east wing addition; and (3) construction of a new four-story, approximately 32-foot 4-inch-tall, 3,500-sf rear addition to the existing building along Sabin Place. The proposed project would result in a total of 25 residential hotel rooms, a new aquatic center, new wellness center and expanded community center. The Draft Environmental Impact Report was released October 17, 2007. This presentation aims to inform the Landmark's Board of the proposed project and considerations of alternatives to the proposed project during the environmental review process.

Speaker(s):

Kari Lee

Bill Worthington

Wayne Hu

Tape No. 1b and 2a

ACTION ITEM(S)

REVIEW AND COMMENT

15. 1999.536E (J. RANGE: 415/575-9018)

CHINATOWN YMCA RENOVATION AND BUILDING ADDITION PROJECT– The proposed Chinatown YMCA Renovation and Building Addition Project (proposed project) is located at 855 Sacramento Street in the Chinatown neighborhood. The project site is located mid-block on the south side of Sacramento Street on the block bound by Sacramento Street to the north, Grant Avenue to the east, California Street to the south and Stockton Street to the west. The proposed project would include additions to and renovations of the existing YMCA to create a larger, integrated facility containing approximately 48,750 square feet (sf) of expanded recreation, community services and residential uses. The proposed project would include three elements: (1) extensive interior renovation of the existing three-story-over-basement/ground floor, 45-foot-tall, 25,950-sf building; (2) construction of a new three-story, approximately 39-foot 9-inch-tall, 19,350-sf east wing addition; and (3) construction of a new four-story, approximately 32-foot 4-inch-tall, 3,500-sf rear addition to the existing building along Sabin Place. The proposed project would result in a total of 25 residential hotel rooms, a new aquatic center, new wellness center and expanded community center. The Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board will receive public testimony and discuss the EIR in order to frame their written comments on the adequacy of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Speaker(s):

Mel Lee

Norman Fong

Kimberly Jing

Sarah Wai

Scott Smith

Ford Lee

Alan Lo

Board Comments

A Board member feels that the architecture of the new building (the impact of the new addition) was not adequately discussed in the DEIR and suggested further analysis is needed to determine if the design of the new addition is compatible with or further impacts the historic resource. A Board member feels that the discussion of project alternatives are inadequate, further exploration of alternatives by a qualified historic architect is necessary to understand if there is a feasible alternative to the project. One alternative should explore the possibility of excavation so that a component of the project could be underground, potentially allowing for fewer project impacts. A Board member expressed concerns that more details about the alternatives and why they didn't work were not forward in the DEIR. A Board member suggested other mitigation measures could included: the sponsorship of the Chinatown Historic District designation, an oral history documentation project, an interpretive program for the building and that salvage materials that could be retained by the Chinatown YMCA and either used in the new building or displayed in some interpretive program. A Board member feels that the Chinatown YMCA building is likely one of the most significant building in Chinatown and questioned why the sponsors were not proposing structural improvement rather than replacement. A Board member asked if the State Historic Building Code was used in either the current project or in developing the alternatives.

1. 2007.1229A (R. FORCE: 415/558-6418)

DRAFT PRESERVATION ELEMENT OF THE SAN FRANCISCO GENERAL PLAN, Request for Review and Comment in preparation of a Preservation Element. The Planning Department seeks comments from the Landmarks Board and members of the public in order to prepare a final draft Preservation Element for endorsement. Following endorsement by the LPAB, the Element would be brought before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors for adoption, projected at early Spring, 2008.

Speaker(s):

Alice Carey

Carrie McNeal

Board Action

It was moved to continue this item until the December 5^th hearing. The Planning Department staff will hold a community meeting to obtain public comment, outreach and address the public concerns on the draft Preservation Element. The Landmarks Board members will attend this community meeting but no action will be taken by the Board members.

BOARD MEMBER CHAN LEFT THE HEARING AT 4:05 PM.

Tape No. 2b

ADJOURNMENT: 4:26 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted,

Sonya Banks, Recording Secretary

ADOPTED: 12/5/07

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