SAN FRANCISCO
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Commission Chambers, Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102-4689
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
11:30 a.m.
Regular Meeting
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Hasz, Wolfram, Hyland, Johnck, Matsuda, Pearlman
COMMISSIONER ABSENT: Johns
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT HASZ AT 11:38 P.M.
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: John Rahaim –Planning Director, Mary Brown, Richard Sucre, Shelley Caltagirone, Steve Wertheim, Preservation Coordinator Tim Frye, and Jonas P. Ionin - Acting Commission Secretary.
SPEAKER KEY:
+ indicates a speaker in support of an item;
- indicates a speaker in opposition to an item; and
= indicates a neutral speaker or a speaker who did not indicate support or opposition.
A. PUBLIC COMMENT
SPEAKERS: None
B. DEPARTMENT MATTERS
1. Director’s Announcements
Preservation Coordinator Frye announced that Director Rahaim would join the HPC shortly and he would answer questions related to the Director’s Report included in the Commissioners’ packets.
2. Review of Past Week’s Events at the Planning Commission, Staff Report and Announcements - None
3. Consideration of a Resolution recognizing Alice Carey’s contributions to historic preservation.
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Adopted
AYES: Hyland, Matsuda, Pearlman, Wolfram, Hasz
ABSENT: Johnck, Johns
RESOLUTION: R-709
C. COMMISSION MATTERS
4. President’s Report and Announcements - None
5. Consideration of Adoption:
· Draft Minutes for August 7, 2013
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Adopted as Corrected
AYES: Hyland, Matsuda, Pearlman, Wolfram, Hasz
ABSENT: Johnck, Johns
6. Commission Comments & Questions
· Disclosures
Commissioner Matsuda had telephone conversation with Supervisor Breed regarding Item 7, Consideration to Initiate Landmark Designation of 1712-1716 Fillmore Street; received emails from the public also regarding Item 7, Item 9a, San Francisco Japantown Historic Context Statement, and Item 11, the Sunset District Historic Resource Survey.
Other Commissioners received the same emails for Item 7 and 9a that Commissioner Matsuda received.
· Announcements
Commissioner Matsuda reported that the Commission Secretary Search Sub-Committee had met and took action. The next meeting would be in the next two weeks.
D. REGULAR CALENDAR
7. 2011.0687L (MARY BROWN: 415/575-9074)
1712-1716 FILLMORE STREET, east side between Post Street and Sutter Street; Assessor’s Block 0684; Lot 020. Consideration to initiate Landmark designation of 1712-1716 Fillmore Street, historically known as Jimbo’s Bop City and Marcus Books, as an Article 10 Landmark pursuant to Section 1004.1 of the Planning Code. The building was added to the Landmark Designation Work Program on June 15, 2011. Further consideration by the Historic Preservation Commission and the Board of Supervisors will occur at a future public hearing and will be noticed separately for a future date.
Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution to Initiate
(Continued from July 17 and August 21, 2013)
SPEAKERS:
+ Stacy Farr, Architect and Preservation Historian – gave a brief history of Marcus Bookstore;
+ Supervisor Breed – gave reasons for supporting landmark designation;
+ Greg Johnson, Co-Owner of Marcus Bookstore – the building belongs to the community;
+ Dr.Obat’Shaka, Professor at SF State University – Marcus Bookstore has been a repository of history and has brought change and transformation to the City;
+ Kenneth Monteiro, Educator and Social and Civic Activist – the site has held many events that shaped the nation;
+ Desiree Smith, SF Heritage – designating the property would give a new level of recognition for the African-American owned and black theme bookstore in the country;
+ Karen Kai, Member of the Japantown Organizing Committee and of the Fifth Theme Music Committee – Marcus Bookstore is a place of culture has the history of people, heritage, organization and institutions.
+ Chris VerPlanck – there are only four landmarks in SF associated with African-American history culture, the need to recognize them and support its designation;
+ Arnold Townsend, NAACP and SF Economic Opportunity Council – the community saved and created the Victorian Village in the Fillmore and urged HPC to save the few that are left;
+ Jan Bolaffi, Resident of Bush Street and Neighbor – asked the HPC to facilitate the landmark designation;
= Joseph Sweis, on behalf of [speaker’s parents], Owner of the property – read a letter requesting postponing the designation to a later date;
+ Cati Hawkins Okorie, lifelong Resident of San Francisco – gentrification almost happened to Marcus Bookstore and the 90- -year-old professor residing there faces replacement once again;
+ Paul Weumer – landmarking Marcus Books would tell the story and educate people about the history of what had been done right and wrong;
+ Masstro Curtis, Marcus Books has been the pillar of the community that inspired him and others for education and must be preserved;
+ Ken Johnson, Marcus Books qualifies in all areas as a landmark and the choice for the HPC is an easy one – declare it a landmark and leave it the way it is;
+ Dr. [Hanson Porta Semchai], Physician and Business Owner – people from Marcus Books has encouraged her to strife for other opportunities;
+ The Meal Ticket - maintain the magic where the magic is at Marcus Books, the oldest African-American bookstore in the country;
+ Siri McDougal, Associate Professor at Africana Studies, SFSU – Marcus Books provides key information and literature that fills in the missing pages of human experience. It is a living history worthy of a city resolution to protect the legacy;
+ Bob Hamaguchi, Executive Director of the Japantown Task Force – Maracus Books is listed among the 300 historical resources in Japantown and landmarking it would insure the success of good business prospect;
+ Dr. Marion Jones, Chief Executive Director of Westside Community Mental Health Center – African-American makes up 3-4% of the population but use more than 50% of the mental health services. Marcus Books provides those services. Removing it is cultural and intellectual genocide;
+ Lauren Pane – urged the HPC to maintain the use of Marcus Books;
+ Monica Anderson – tools for living and being a global citizen would be learned at Marcus Books;
+ Sidney Kay, feels energy from Marcus Books and asked HPC to preserve it for people of the future;
+ Rick McAllister, gave a brief history and list of luminary who had gone to Marcus Books; requested the HPC to support the bookstore;
+ Janice Ernest Cook, Educational Youth System Upward Bound with the University of San Francisco – urged the HPC not to delay the designation;
+ Anonymous Speaker - stated that it is a tragedy to destroy something intellectual and of spirit.
ACTION: Adopted a Resolution to Initiate with direction to include additional information regarding: 1) African American and Japanese American ties; and 2) social and cultural heritage context.
AYES: Hyland, Matsuda, Pearlman, Wolfram, Hasz
ABSENT: Johnck, Johns
Resolution: R-710
8. 2012.0799A (RICHARD SUCRE: 415/575-9108)
270 BRANNAN, located between 2nd and Delancey Streets, Assessor’s 3774, Lot 026. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the existing non-contributing one-story office building and parking lot, and construct a new seven-story-with-basement office building (measuring approximately 189,000 sq. ft.). The proposal would constitute infill new construction within South End Landmark District. The subject lot is located within the MUO (Mixed-Use Office) Zoning District and a 65-X Height and Bulk Limit.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approve with Conditions
(Continued from August 21, 2013)
PRESENTERS: Steve Shanks, SKS - gave a brief presentation showing historic images of the site; Peter Fau, Fau Long Architecture - presented the design of the project.
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Approved with Conditions as corrected by staff
AYES: Hyland, Johnck, Matsuda, Pearlman, Wolfram, Hasz
ABSENT: Johns
MOTION: M-0209
9a. 2013.0808UU (SHELLEY CALTAGIRONE: 415/558-6625)
SAN FRANCISCO JAPANTOWN HISTORIC CONTEXT STATEMENT - The San Francisco Japantown Historic Context Statement is the work of primary author Donna Graves, with contributions from members of the City of San Francisco Planning Department Staff and historic preservation consultants Page & Turnbull, Inc. Numerous members of the Japantown community also contributed their time and knowledge to the creation of this document. The San Francisco Japantown Historic Context Statement created a framework for evaluating Japantown’s cultural heritage resources for treatment in the Japantown Cultural Heritage and Economic Sustainability Strategy (JCHESS). Consideration to adopt, modify, or disapprove the San Francisco Japantown Historic Context Statement.
Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt the Context Statement
NOTE: Commissioner Matsuda announced that she lives in the area but she could participate both Items 9a and b because neither agenda afforded her any financial gain.
PRESENTER: Donna Graves, the primary author of the Context Statement, gave comments of the work
SPEAKERS:
+ Desiree Smith, SF Heritage - fully support the adoption and implementation of JCHESS that could serve as a model for other communities looking for ways to conserve their heritage;
+ Paul Wermer, Pacific Height Residents Association - the JCHESS document received strong consensus in the community and he supports the proposals;
+ Arnold Townsend, NAACP - the outstanding process of JCHESS is trying to prevent Japantown from what is happening to Marcus Books and it is important that JCHESS becomes policy and law;
+ Rose Hilson - 1) for the Context Statement, she read into record the Draft Motion of the Adoption of the “San Francisco Japantown Historic Context Statement; 2) for JCHESS endorsement, she believed it is important the social and cultural histories be incorporated as a new tool in preservation planning;
+ Steve Nakajo, Vice President of SF Fire Commission and representing the non-profit Kimochi Center - spoke of the exodus of Japanese American and concluded that the 13-year JCHESS document is a contribution by the Japanese American to invest on economic, culture and heritage in the community;
+ Greg Viloria, Community Aide for the Japan Task Force - appreciated the City’s involvement to date and urged the HPC to pass the resolution to support Japantown in the future;
+ Rich Hashimoto, President of the Japantown Merchants Associations and Corporate Manager for the Center’s Garage Corporation - it took 13 years to get to this point and urge the HPC to fully support this plan;
+ Hiroshi Fukuda, Japanese American Religious Federation Representative to the JCHESS Program - thanked Director Rahaim, Planner Caltagirone and Planner Paul Lord, retired, who put Japantown on the right track. He hoped the Plan would correct everything for the future and that the HPC would endorse it;
+ Robert Sakai, Resident and Owner of a 105 year Grocery Store - JCHESS protects, maintains and encourages growth and revitalization;
+ Ryan Kimura, Director of Programs and Community Affairs at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California - explained the JCHESS Plan as the Solution, Power, Beauty, Awesome and Beginning for Japantown; for these reasons he asked HPC to endorse it;
+ Mary Ishisaki, Property Owner, Business Woman and Board of Several Non-profits and Volunteer in Japantown area - JCHESS protects, helps growth and sustains Japantown;
+ Vallie Brown, Aide representing Supervisor Breed - read some of Supervisor Breed’s thoughts in support of JCHESS;
= Anonymous Speaker - sang a Japantown Historic Space Song;
- Karen Kai - requested HPC to reject adding the two historic buildings to landmark for it is counter-productive to the efforts made by the community;
+ Robert Rutsky, Member of the Japantown Organizing Committee - the process is a ground breaking precedent for which other communities might use as an model to preserve and perpetuate the authentic living life in the community.
ACTION: Approved the Context Statement as amended to include a preface to acknowledge the work between 2011 and today; and consideration to HPC Resolution No. 698.
AYES: Hyland, Johnck, Matsuda, Pearlman, Wolfram, Hasz
ABSENT: Johns
MOTION: M-0210
9b. 2013.0808U (STEVE WERTHEIM: (415/558-6612)
JAPANTOWN CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY (JCHESS) – Resolution to endorse the Japantown Cultural Heritage and Economic Sustainability Strategy (JCHESS). The JCHESS includes a vision, goals, objectives, and recommendations intended to ensure that Japantown will thrive as a culturally rich, authentic, and economically vibrant neighborhood, which will serve as the cultural heart of the Japanese and Japanese American communities for generations to come. It is the first document in San Francisco to focus specifically on how to preserve and promote a neighborhood’s cultural heritage. The JCHESS is a collaborative effort between the Japantown Community, the Planning Department, and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. Information on the JCHESS is available at http://japantown.sfplanning.org.
Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution of Endorsement
SPEAKERS:
+ Deanna [Escopeleon], on behalf of the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development - offered support in implementing the JCHESS strategies and to working together with the neighborhood;
+ Bob Hamaguchi, Member of the Japantown Organizing Committee, to sustain and economically perpetuate Japantown by endorsing and approving the resolution;
ACTION: Adopted a Resolution of Endorsement as amended to add: 1) Japanese YWCA at 1830 Sutter Street; 2) Kinmon Gakuen Building at 2031 Bush Street to the “Be It Further Resolved” clause “That the HPC directs the Planning Department….”
AYES: Hyland, Johnck, Matsuda, Pearlman, Wolfram, Hasz
ABSENT: Johns
RESOLUTION: R-711
10. (TIM FRYE 415/575-6822)
SPUR/SAN FRANCISCO HERITAGE HISTORIC PRESERVATION REPORT – Members of the SPUR/Heritage Historic Preservation Task Force will give an Informational Presentation of its report on the City’s Historic Preservation Program and recommendations to improve related City processes.
Action: None - Informational Only
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Continued to October 16, 2013
AYES: Hyland, Johnck, Matsuda, Pearlman, Wolfram, Hasz
ABSENT: Johns
11. 2013.1206U (MARY BROWN: 415/575-9074)
SUNSET DISTRICT HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEY, Consideration to adopt, modify, or disapprove the findings of the historic resource survey. The Department-sponsored survey focused on single-family tract houses constructed from 1925 to 1950 in the central Sunset District. The Department evaluated and assigned historic resource status codes to 2,762 buildings with the following findings: 84 individual historic resources, three historic districts (containing 389 buildings), and 2,289 buildings that do not appear to be historic resources. The general boundaries of the survey area are: Judah Street to the north; 26th Avenue to the east; Santiago Street to the south; and 36th Avenue to the west.
Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt the Survey
SPEAKERS: Garrett Lenoir, Sunset Resident - asked the HPC to adopt the resolution that protects the buildings in the neighborhood.
ACTION: Adopted the Survey as amended to include: To prioritize Parkway Terrace for a future historic resource survey.
AYES: Hyland, Johnck, Matsuda, Pearlman, Wolfram, Hasz
ABSENT: Johns
MOTION: M-0211
Adjournment: 3:25 PM
The minutes was proposed for adoption at the Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday, October 2, 2013.
ACTION: Adopted
AYES: Hasz, Hyland Johnck, Johns, Pearlman, Wolfram
ABSENT: Matsuda
