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SAN FRANCISCO
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Hearing Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
12:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting
_______________ ______________
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Hasz, Wolfram, Hyland, Johns, Matsuda, Pearlman, Johnck
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT HASZ AT 12: 34 PM
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: John Rahaim – Planning Director; Rich Sucre, Lily Yegazu, Shelley Caltagirone, Kelly Wong, Susan Parks, Tim Frye – Preservation Coordinator, and Jonas P. Ionin – Acting Commission Secretary
A. PUBLIC COMMENT
SPEAKERS: Leonid Nakhodkin, Resident of the Mission and Member of the Graffiti Advisory Board, presented a proposal to install graffiti signage on historic landmarks and needed a priority list for posting the signage on landmarks recommended by the HPC.
B. DEPARTMENT MATTERS
1. Director’s Report
Preservation Coordinator Frye stated he would answer questions regarding the Director’s Report included in the packet.
2. Mr. Frye Reviewed Past Week’s Events at the Planning Commission (PC), Staff Report and Announcements.
· 706 Mission Street Project - On May 23rd at the Joint Meeting, Recreation & Park and Planning Commissions approved the project to rehabilitate the Aroson Building, to construct a new 47-story tower, to reclassify the height for the site, and to raise the Cumulative Shadow Limit and Authorizing Net New Shadow on the Union Square. The PC conditioned the final design be presented to the PC prior to architectural addenda being issued.
· CPMC – PC unanimously approved the Long Range Development Plan Project and added conditions to enhance the monitoring and notification of the conditions outlined within the Development Agreement.
· Duboce Park Landmark District – On June 4th, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the proposed Duboce Park Landmark District, the first locally designated residential district since the Dogpatch was designated in 2003. The Ordinance was forwarded to the Mayor for signature and would go into effect within 60 days.
· Mills Act Clinic – The Department would meet with property owners at the Gazebo Room, CPMC Davies Campus, on June 12th to introduce and assist in the Mills Act applications.
· Certified Local Government (CLG) Grant – The Department received a 2014 CLG grant from the Office of Historic Preservation. The grant will fund a survey of neighborhood commercial buildings subjected to the mandatory soft-story retrofit ordinance, the Neighborhood Commercial Storefront Historic Context Statement and the design guidelines.
· Bush Street Cottage Row Tree Removal – Recreation and Park Department is proposing not to remove the trees. They are committed to provide community outreach and a reforestation plan to the community before moving forward with the tree removal.
· Reintroduced Susan Parks whose item on the Preservation Website was continued to this hearing.
Commissioner Pearlman asked about the status of 706 Mission Street Joint Hearing of the Recreation & Park and the Panning Commissions; and any appeals from the public. Director Rahaim responded that the Recreation and Park and Planning Commission jointly approved the height increase to the shadow budget for the Union Square. Subsequently, PC approved the project itself and recommended approval of the zoning change that increases the height limit. Any appeal would have to go to the Board first. On the appeal of the EIR at the Board, the Board upheld the appeal unanimously. The next step for the EIR appeal would be to legally challenge the project within 30 days.
C. COMMISSION MATTERS
3. President’s Report and Announcement
President Hasz 1) Thanked the Planning Staff for the work done to completed the Duboce Park Landmark District designation; 2) Announced that he has been working with the California Preservation Foundation to launch a realtor preservation certification training program in September.
4. Consideration of Adoption:
· Draft Minutes for May 15, 2013
SPEAKER(S): None
ACTION: Adopted
AYES: Hyland, Johnck, Johns, Matsuda, Pearlman, Wolfram, Hasz
5. Commission Comments & Questions
· Disclosures
· HPC Review of Future Agenda Items and Requests
Commissioner Matsuda 1) Thanked Commissioner Wolfram for attending the Commission Secretary Search Sub-Committees Meeting held on May 22nd. She reported to the HPC that the Sub-Committees were in the final phase of the search and would be conducting interviews next week; 2) Announced that SF Heritage’s Community Summit: “Sustaining San Francisco’s Living History” is on Saturday, June 15th, from 10 AM to 3:30 PM at the Bayanihan Community Center; 3) Disclosed that she received a letter sent to Mayor Lee regarding the Ruth Asawa Fountain at the Hyatt Union Square and a phone call from Patty Wada of the Japanese American Citizen League who expressed great concern of the Asawa Fountain. She said the case would come before the HPC, but asked if it be possible to provide information about the procedure separately in part because it has historical significance to the City. Director Rahaim responded that the Department was in the phase of preparing a response letter to the preliminary project application. In the letter the Department would provide the Project Sponsor a road map [procedures] and a list of initial concerns, including the relocation and space for the fountain on or off-site. He said the plan is at a very conceptual level and the Department would make sure that the fountain is appropriately considered. The letter would be due in a couple of weeks and he could share it with the HPC.
Commissioner Wolfram asked about a follow-up on the graffiti signage proposal. Acting Commission Secretary Ionin responded he would give the Graffiti Proposal to Mr. Frye and would have an internal discussion about whether to bring it back to the HPC for a future hearing or discuss it in an Officers meeting.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
6. 2013.0185A (RICHARD SUCRE: 415-575-9108)
812 – 814 22ND STREET, between Minnesota and Tennessee Streets, Assessor’s 4107, Lot 012 - Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to reconstruct the rear portion of the existing building (approximately 9’-5”), rear façade alterations, in-kind window replacement, remove the non-historic cementitious siding on the primary façade, and repair/restore the historic wood siding on the primary facade. The subject property is a contributing resource to the Dogpatch Landmark District, and is located within a NCT-2 (Small-Scale Neighborhood Commercial Transit) Zoning District and 45-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approve with Conditions
RECUSED: Jonathan Pearlman
AYES: Hyland, Johnck, Johns, Matsuda, Pearlman, Wolfram, Hasz
SPEAKER(S): None
ACTION: Approved with Conditions
AYES: Hyland, Johnck, Johns, Matsuda, Wolfram, Hasz
MOTION NO: M-0198
7. 2013.0523H (LILY YEGAZU: 415-575-9076)
1355 MARKET STREET – south side between 9th and 10th Streets. Assessor’s Block 3508, Lot 001 – Request for a Major Permit to Alter to create two additional new openings along Stevenson Street elevation, similar in style to the openings previously approved for the project site (Case No. 2012.0502H). The first opening will provide access to a new tenant space and the second opening will provide a loading entrance to the building. The subject property is an Art Deco commercial building constructed in 1936-1937 with addition along 9th Street in 1947. Historically known as the Western Furniture Exchange & Merchandise Mart, the structure is a Category I (Significant) building under Article 11 of the Planning Code and is located in a C-3-G (Downtown General Commercial) Zoning District and120-X-200-S Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approve
SPEAKER(S): None
ACTION: Approved with Conditions
AYES: Hyland, Johnck, Johns, Matsuda, Wolfram, Hasz
MOTION NO: M-0199
E. REGULAR CALENDAR
8. 2013.0080A (LILY YEGAZU: 415-575-9076)
218 UNION STREET - north side near the intersection of Union and Montgomery Streets. Assessor’s Block 0106, Lot 038 – Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to provide bracing for three existing chimney flues located adjacent to the northwest corner of the subject building; construction of a masonry fire wall adjacent to the existing flues and along the west property line; and construction of a safety railing along the south (front) and east side of the roof. The 7-unit multi-family residence was built in 1962 by architect Harold K Major. The building has an exterior finish of horizontal boards and is a split level structure with the western half of the building at higher than the eastern half. The structure is a non-contributing/non-compatible structure within the Telegraph Hill Landmark District and is located in a RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approve with Conditions
PRESENTERS: Theresa Votruba, Building Manager to 218 Union; James Lo, Structural Engineer from Santos & Urrutia
SPEAKER(S): Dr. Bushra Khan, Owner of 280 Union Street, commented that the permit application and firewall were unnecessary; Richard Green, Resident of 280 Union Street, commented that the bracing of the chimney should match the building; Howard Epstein, Owner of 25 Alder Street, opposed the firewall and in favor of the chimney as proposed; Kris Voruba responded to the comments made from the public; Jamie Querubin, Tenant of 218 Union Street, spoke in support of the project as proposed.
ACTION: Approved with Conditions as modified to require: 1) The chimney flue be boxed, in similar proportions as the existing; and 2) A firewall to minimum Building code standards, only if required by the Department of Building Inspection.
AYES: Hyland, Johnck, Johns, Matsuda, Pearlman, Wolfram, Hasz
MOTION NO: M-0200
9. 2013.0126A (SHELLEY CALTAGIRONE: 415-558-6625)
1164 FULTON STREET, north side between Pierce and Scott Streets. Assessor’s Block 0777, Lot 011 - Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to (1) modify the exiting garage opening at the basement level of the front façade to create a 8’-wide by 7’-tall opening flush with the main wall; (2) restore the front façade cladding, ornament and windows based upon historic photographs and building evidence; and, (3) construct a stair penthouse and roof deck at the rear of the building. The subject property is a “potentially compatible” building within the Alamo Square Landmark District. The property is within a RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) Zoning District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.
(Continued from May 15, 2013 HPC hearing)
Preliminary Recommendation: Approve with Conditions
PRESENTER: Patrick Perez, Architect and Project Sponsor
SPEAKER(S): John [Carnamo], Owner of the building, intended to restore the house to the way it was and live there.
ACTION: Approved with Conditions as amended: 1) Condition No. 2: “All façade work, including roofing at the front, new window trim and millwork shall be based upon documentary evidence from original wood siding, and shall accurately reflect the physical evidence, the subject property’s original construction and District’s period of significance.”; and 2) Condition No. 4: “That, as part of the Building Permit, the Project Sponsor shall provide product specifications for the proposed new front door, front entry, stair and porch for review and approval by Planning Department Preservation Staff. The new door shall be of a design that is compatible with the character of the subject building and historic district.”
AYES: Hyland, Johnck, Johns, Matsuda, Pearlman, Wolfram, Hasz
MOTION NO: M-0201
10. 2013.0140H (KELLY WONG: 415-575-9100)
731 MARKET STREET – south side between 3rd and 4th Streets. Assessor’s Block 3706, Lot 062 - Request for a Major Permit to Alter to create a pedestrian entrance on the Stevenson Street elevation. The project includes a new storefront assembly with canopy over the new entrance and existing elevator entrance. 731 Market Street was originally constructed in 1908 by Architects Cunninghan &Politeo as the Bancroft Building and is a six-story brick with stucco finished Renaissance/Baroque styled building with tripartite composition. The Stevenson Street elevation is a secondary elevation with punch window openings. The subject building is a Category II (Significant) building under Article 11 of the Planning Code.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approve with Conditions
PRESENTER: Michael Castro, Project Architect from Brereton Architects
SPEAKER(S): Thomas Lippe, Lippe, Gaffney, Wagner LLC, represented 765 Market Street Residential Owners Association, pointed out from CEQA standpoint, the Class I Categorical Exemption applies only if the expansion of use is no more than negligible; 13,000 sq.ft. and 137 additional occupants as proposed are more than negligible; Joe Fang, President of the Home Owner Association of the Four Seasons, remarked that putting a storefront to the back of a building with a 3-ft wide alley would create traffic congestion and safety problem for the public; Daniel [Hyde], Director of Security for the Four Seasons, noted the existing traffic congestion that’s already there, and commented that proposing another retail at the site would add on to problem.
ACTION: Approved with Conditions
AYES: Hyland, Johnck, Johns, Matsuda, Pearlman, Wolfram, Hasz
MOTION NO: M-0202
11. 2013.0489A (KELLY WONG: 415-575-9100)
1100 CALIFORNIA STREET (aka 1057 TAYLOR STREET) – south side between Jones and Taylor Streets. Assessor’s Block 0246, Lot 001 - Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the in-kind replacement of the existing plaza constructed in 1995 and associated granite steps constructed in 1964 in order to address water infiltration issues. The project includes the replacement of existing concrete steps, granite unit steps, handrails to meet current code, light posts, and accessibility upgrades including installation of hardware and signs, and replacement of cast bronze way-finding signage. Historically known as Grace Cathedral, the subject property is designated City Landmark No. 170 under Article 10 of the Planning Code. Originally constructed in 1914 by Architect Lewis P. Hobart, parts of the complex date from 1877 to 1994. The subject property is located within the RM-4 (Residential – Mixed, High Density) Zoning District and 65-A Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approve with Conditions
PRESENTER: Elisa Skaggs, Page and Turnbull; Todd Smith, Project Architect
SPEAKER(S): None
ACTION: Approved with Conditions
AYES: Hyland, Johnck, Johns, Matsuda, Pearlmen, Wolfram, Hasz
MOTION NO: M-0203
12. (SUSAN PARKS: 415-575-9101)
UPDATE ON PRESERVATION WEBSITE – Informational presentation regarding updates to the Historic Preservation portion of the Planning Department’s website. The proposed updates will reorganize the content of the website, reflect departmental changes, provide the public with improved digital access to information and planning processes, and create opportunities that encourage community members to become involved in historic preservation within their neighborhoods and across San Francisco.
(Continued May 15, 2013 HPC hearing)
Preliminary Recommendation: None – Informational
SPEAKER(S): None
ACTION: None - Informational Only
NOTE: The Department would continue working on the Preservation Website and to incorporate the inputs the HPC made at this hearing throughout the summer. In early fall, the Department would bring back a draft version of the website that the HPC could have a hands-on-experience to get a feel of the website and to provide feedbacks before the final version to live launch later in the fall.
13. (KARL HASZ/TIM FRYE: 415-575-6822)
LANDMARK NO. 250, SHIPWRIGHT’S COTTAGE - 900 Innes Avenue, Landmark Number 250, Shipwright’s Cottage; northwest corner of Innes Avenue and Griffith Street; Assessor’s Block 4646 Lot 003; The Commission discussed the condition of the subject property with the community and representatives of the property owner at its January 19, 2011 hearing. At that time the Commission requested that basic repairs occur to preserve the structure. The Commission will discuss the current condition of the subject property and may direct staff to prepare a letter to the property owner and the Department of Building Inspection
(Continued from May 15, 2013 HPC hearing)
Preliminary Recommendation: None
SPEAKER(S): None
ACTION: None - Informational Only
NOTE: Mr. Frye reported to the HPC that the new roof on the Shipwright’s Cottage had been installed by the property owner. There is still a substantial amount of work to be done prior to making it accessible to the public. The Bay View Historic Society has expressed an interested to use the Cottage as a community facility and a museum with some sort of historical interpretation. The Recreation and Park Department is interested in creating a park on the site and is negotiating a land acquisition with the Tenderloin Housing Clinic. President Hasz asked if all the violations had been abated; and that future updates on the Cottage be presented under Staff Report. Mr. Frye responded that he would contact the Department of Building & Inspection on whether or not all the outstanding violations have been cleared and would update the HPC regarding the land acquisition.
ADJOURNMENT: 3:48 P.M.
The minutes was proposed for adoption at the Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday, June 19, 2013
ACTION: Approved
AYES: Hasz, Johnck, Johns, Matsuda, Pearlman, Wolfram
ABSENT: Hyland
