August 20, 2008

FINAL ACTION MINUTES

OF THE

SAN FRANCISCO

LANDMARKS PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

CITY HALL

1 DR. CARLTON B. GOODLETT PLACE, ROOM 400

AUGUST 20, 2008

12:40 P.M. ROLL CALL

FOR FULL LANDMARKS BOARD CONSIDERATION

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Maley, Martinez, Samaha, Street

BOARD MEMBER(S) ABSENT: Chan, Dearman

STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Mark Luellen, Preservation Coordinator; T. Frye; P. Lord; A. Heitter; S. Middlebrook; T. Sullivan-Lenane; Sonya Banks, Commission Secretary; Marlena Byrne, Deputy City Attorney

PUBLIC COMMENT

Patricia Vaughey: It's becoming a trend that developers are demolishing buildings over 60 years old, (some of the buildings have historic qualities and are historic). She believes that the Green Technology law is a new political way of demolishing historic buildings. She would also like the Landmarks Board to look into the legality of streetscapes in their decision-making.

REPORTS

1. STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mark Luellen, Preservation Coordinator:

1. He provided an update on 230 Jones Street. In January 2008, there was a Notice of Violation issued on the property; the violation has been corrected with input from preservation staff. The property is also applying for a conditional use permit to legalize its current use (this issue will be heard by the Planning Commission next month- DBA). There are a lot of conditions of approval in place to further restore the ground floor retail spaces to their original configurations as well as to require the Project Sponsor to remove all posters currently found on the ground floor retail windows. The windows should remain free of posters. A plaque will be installed to discuss the buildings past as the  Musician's Union Building .

President Maley:

1. She suggested holding off on installing the plaque until the Musician's Union building received their formal National Register listing, so that the plaque can mention the building as a contributor to the district.

Mark Luellen, Preservation Coordinator:

i On September 3^rd, the Market & Octavia Area Plan Historic Resource Community meeting will be held at the Rainbow Room, LGBT Community Center (1800 Market Street) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

i Item #13 on today's agenda - 99 Mission Street is being proposed for a continuance to September 3^rd hearing.

2. PRESIDENT'S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

None at this time.

3. MATTERS OF THE BOARD

Cherny

With regards to the public comments regarding the use of Green Technology as an excuse to demolish historic resources, will the Board receive notification of historic building being demolished for that purpose?

Luellen

In response to Vice President Cherny's question: Any demolition of a historic resource would require an Environmental Impact Review or a Mitigated Negative Declaration. The fact that properties are being demolished for the purposes of sustainable design is not a justification and doesn't sway the Planning Department determination.

Damkroger

She read an article that the Ireland House has been purchased. She requested that the Landmarks Board stay in touch with the purchasers on ways that may be helpful like landmarking the building. The Mills Act grant may not be an appropriate incentive.

Status report regarding on-going survey that was discussed at a previous Landmarks hearing: She spoke with staff member Mary Brown regarding Aquatic Park survey and the context statement which was not included in the report. She will email the contact information to Mary Brown.

Maley

She requested to schedule a community workshop explaining the incentives for applying for a Mills Act grants.

1. LANDMARKS WORK PROGRAM 2005-2007 UPDATE

Maley

She requested that staff report back on the status/progress of the projects on the work program and suggested that the project sponsors assist with preparing context statements.

Tape No. 1a

5. HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND COMMITTEE UPDATE

Planning Department staff provided a review on the status of surveys. The committee discussed creating a survey manual for neighborhood groups on how to conduct surveys. The discussion turned in to how to raise funds to do a survey. He requested suggestions from the Board members. The committee is discussing putting together a list of projects they would like to see funded (like the earthquake shelters).

6. APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 6, 2008, DRAFT ACTION MINUTES

Speaker(s):

None

Board Action

It was moved by Board Member Cherny (seconded by Samaha) to approve the draft action minutes with corrections. The vote was unanimous.

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

NOES: None

ABSENT: Chan, Dearman

NON-ACTION ITEM(S)

INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION

7. (P. Lord: 558-6311)

INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION - Western SoMa Preservation Strategic Analysis Memo and Draft Community Plan.

Speaker(s):

Gee Gee Platt

Tape No. 1a and b

8. (T. Sullivan-Lenane: 558-6257)

Planning Staff will give an Informational Presentation on Mayor Newsom's proposed legislation for Seismic Strengthening of Soft Story Buildings, dated July 7, 2008.

Speaker(s):

Gee Gee Platt

Lucia Bogotay

Tape No. 1b

ACTION ITEM(S)

REVIEW AND COMMENT

9. (M. Luellen: 558-6478)

PRESIDIO MAIN POST The Landmarks Board will prepare a comment letter to the Planning Department regarding the Presidio Trusts' Environmental Impact Statement supplementing the 2002 Presidio Trust Management Plan.

Speaker(s):

Patricia Vaughey

Mark Nagol

David Bancroft

Lucia Bogotay

Board Action

It was moved by Board Member Cherny to accept the recusal of President Maley from this item. The vote was unanimous.

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

NOES: None

ABSENT: Chan, Dearman

Board Action

It was moved by Board Member Damkroger (seconded by Hasz) to approve of sending the letter (with corrections) with a one page summary that states the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board position regarding the proposed project to the Planning Department. The motion passed 5-0 with 1 abstention.

AYES: Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Street

NOES: None

ABSENT: Chan, Dearman

RECUSED: Maley

ABSTAIN: Samaha

Tape No. 1b

10. (T. Frye: 575-6822)

TRANSITCENTERSURVEY & CONTEXT STATEMENT. Adopt a resolution endorsing and recommending to the Planning Commission the California Department of Parks and Recreation Survey Forms – DPR 523A, 523B, and 523D forms that make up the Transit Center Cultural Resource Survey and the Transit Center District Context Statement. The study area is bound roughly by Mission, Main, Folsom, and extending east from 3rd Street.

The Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board will consider the following actions:

1. Evaluate the proposed California Historic Resources Status Codes (CHRSC) assigned, and either endorse the proposed CHRSC, or determine based on historical evidence and evaluation criteria, an alternate status code;

2. Adopt a resolution recommending to the Planning Commission, endorsement of the California Department of Parks and Recreation Survey Forms – DPR 523A, 523B, and 523D forms that make up the Transit Center Cultural Resource Survey) and;

1. dated July 22, 2008 and entitled – Transit Center District.

Speaker(s):

Josh Switzky

Christopher VerPlanck

Board Action

It was moved by Board Member Damkroger (seconded by Martinez) to approve adopting the resolution endorsing and recommending to the Planning Commission the California Department of Parks and Recreation Survey Forms. The vote was unanimous.

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

NOES: None

ABSENT: Chan, Dearman

Tape No. 2a

CONSENT CALENDAR

All matters listed hereunder constitute a Consent Calendar, are considered to be routine by the Planning Department, and will be acted upon by a single roll call vote of the Landmarks Board. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Board, 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.

11. 2008.0855A (A. HEITTER: 558-6602)

435 PACIFIC AVENUE is located on the south side of Pacific Avenue between Sansome and Montgomery Streets, in Assessor's Block 0175, Lot 028. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install business signage above the business entrance composed of non-illuminated, brushed-aluminum letters with a gold anodized finish measuring 12 inches tall by 13 feet, 8 inches in length. The five-story office building constructed in 2003 is within the Jackson Square Historic District. The property is zoned C-2 (Community Business) and is within a 65-A Height and Bulk District and Jackson Square Special Sign District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval

Speaker(s):

None

Board Action

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

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

NOES: None

ABSENT: Chan, Dearman

THE AGENDA WAS HEARD IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER: ITEM'S 13, 15, 14, 12

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS

12. 2008.0806A (S. Middlebrook) (S. Perdue: 558-6625)

635 STEINER STREET, east side between Hayes and Fell Streets. Assessor's Block 0823, Lot 003 – Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a garage opening in the existing retaining wall to create a below-grade single-car garage in the front setback area. The Queen Anne-style, two-story, single-family residence is a contributor to the Alamo Square Historic District and is listed on the 1976 Architectural surveys; it is zoned RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) District and is in a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval

Speaker(s):

None

Board Action

It was moved by Board Member Damkroger (seconded by Street) to continued this item until September 3, 2008 hearing. The vote was unanimous.

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

NOES: None

ABSENT: Chan, Dearman

Tape No. 2b

13. 2008.0306A (A. Heitter: 558-6602)

99 MISSION STREET (aka 121 SPEAR STREET), RINCON ANNEX U.S. POSTAL OFFICE, located on the parcel bound by Spear, Mission, Howard and Steuart Streets, Assessor's Block 3716, Lot 23. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for a signage package consisting of four internally-illuminated blade signs, four fabric banners, and two internally-illuminated directory wall signs for Rincon Center. The subject property is Landmark No. 107 and is zoned Downtown Office (C-3-O) and is in an 84-X/200-S Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions.

(Continued from 5/21/08, 7/16/08, 8/6/08)

This item is being proposed for a continuance to September 3, 2008 hearing.

Speaker(s):

None

BOARD ACTION

It was moved by Board Member Damkroger (seconded by Street) to grant the request for a continuance to the September 3, 2008 hearing. The vote was unanimous.

Tape No. 2a

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

NOES: None

ABSENT: Chan, Dearman

14. 2005.0470ACV (T. Frye: 575-6822)

178 TOWNSEND STREET , Northwest corner of Townsend Street and Clarence Place, Assessor's Block 3788; Lot 012. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a vertical addition to provide up to 85 dwelling units, ground floor retail space, and up to 74 off-street parking spaces. The Zoning Administrator will hear related rear yard, parking, and exposure variance requests. The subject property is within an SLI (Service, Light Industrial) District with a 50-X Height and Bulk District and within the South End Historic District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions.

Speaker(s):

Patrick McNerny

Chris Verplanck

Ian Birchall

Alex Bevk

Board Action

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

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

NOES: None

ABSENT: Chan, Dearman

Tape No. 2a and b

1. 2008.0202A (A. HEITTER: 558-6602)

491 POST STREET, The First Congregational Church, located at the southeast corner of Mason and Post Streets, Assessor's Block 307, Lot 9. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install one business sign and two bronze statues on the Post Street façade, previously installed without the benefit of a permit. The subject property is Landmark No. 177 and is zoned Downtown General Commercial (C-3-G) and is in a 80-130-F Height and Bulk District. The building is rated as Category 1 (Significant) under the Downtown Plan, and a contributor to the Kearny-Market-Mason-Sutter Conservation District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions

(Continued from April 2, 2008)

(This item is being proposed for a continuance to September 3, 2008, hearing)

Speaker(s):

None

BOARD ACTION

It was moved by Board Member Damkroger (seconded by Street) to grant the request for a continuance to the September 3, 2008 hearing. The vote was unanimous.

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

NOES: None

ABSENT: Chan, Dearman

Tape No. 2a

ADJOURN: 4:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Sonya Banks

Recording Secretary

ADOPTED: October 1, 2008

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