October 15, 2008 FINAL ACTION MINUTES
OF THE
SAN FRANCISCO
LANDMARKS PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY HALL
1 DR. CARLTON B. GOODLETT PLACE, ROOM 400
OCTOBER 15, 2008
12:40 P.M. ROLL CALL
FOR FULL LANDMARKS BOARD CONSIDERATION
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Street
BOARD MEMBER(S) ABSENT: Dearman, Maley, Samaha
STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Mark Luellen, Preservation Coordinator; B. Bollinger; A. Heitter; P. LaValley; S. Perdue; A. Starr; Matt Weintraub; Sonya Banks, Commission Secretary
PUBLIC COMMENT
Cathy White: She was representing her neighbor who is interested in landmark designation of a tree. What are the procedures and who is contact for this process?
REPORTS
- STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mark Luellen, Preservation Coordinator:
i The amendment to designate 690 Market Street was approved at the Government Audit and Oversight Committee. This case was reviewed by the Landmarks Board.
iThe Board passed an ordinance that would allow a change to the Planning Code to allow for the restoration of movie theaters, projections, and marquee.
iThe amendment to Article 10, Appendix K: Bush Street/Cottage Row Historic District, was adopted by the Planning Commission.
i The landmark designation for 1969 California Street was approved by the Planning Commission.
iOn October 16th, the Planning Commission will discuss the Presidio Trust Management Plan, Main Post draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, comment letter that was submitted by the Landmarks Board.
2. PRESIDENT'S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Robert Cherny, presiding in the absence of Bridget Maley, received two copies of the California Coast & Ocean publication. There is an article in the publication (he provided copies to the Board members) that mentions the Landmarks Board letter regarding the Presidio Trust proposed plans.
3. MATTERS OF THE BOARD
Martinez
He received a Notice of Availability of and Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Harding Theater. He asked if the Landmarks Board would be reviewing this case.
The Landmarks Board received an informational presentation on Western SOMA Plan Survey. He asked the timelines for the potential historic district in that area.
Luellen
The Landmarks Board will not review the Harding Theater proposal because it is a Mitigated Negative Declaration and not a Landmark.
The Western SOMA survey is not complete. It should be completed by the first quarter of 2009.
- LANDMARKS WORK PROGRAM 2005-2007 UPDATE
None at this time.
Speaker(s):
None
Board Action
It was moved by Board Member Street (seconded by Chan) to approve the draft action minutes. The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley, Samaha
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.
6. 2008.0202A (A. HEITTER: 415/558-6602)
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 two bronze statues on the Post Street façade, previously installed without the benefit of a permit, business signage and exterior lighting fixtures. 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
(Continued from 4/2/08, 8/20/08, 9/3/08 and 9/17/08 hearings)
Board Member Martinez requested to pull this item from the Consent Calendar.
Speaker(s):
Paul Correa
Board Action
It was moved by Board Member Martinez (seconded by Street) to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness with conditions: the Project will work with staff on the existing box lights. The box lights shall be hidden from visibility or made more decorative to diminish the utilitarian appearance and, if there should be any damage once the sign is removed, that staff will work with the Art Academy so that the repairs can be done appropriately. The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley, Samaha
7. 2008.0575A (A. HEITTER: 415/558-6602)
198 HAIGHT STREET, Landmark No. 164, McMorry-Lagan Building, north side of Haight Street at the corner of Laguna Street, Lot 034 in Assessor's Block 0852 – Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the addition of an elevator shaft and fire escape at the east façade of the building adjacent to the side property line. The property is zoned RTO (Residential Transit Oriented) and is within a 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
Speaker(s):
None
Board Action
It was moved by Board Member Damkroger (seconded by Hasz) to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness. The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley, Samaha
8. 2008.1146A (P. LaVALLEY: 415/575-9084)
165 10th Street, is located in Assessor's Block 3509, Lot 014. Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to remove non-historic storefronts, install new storefronts on 10th and Grace elevations, and install one new opening on Grace elevation. The subject property, formerly known as James Lick Baths, is designated as Landmark #246, and is located within a SLR (Service/Light Industrial/Residential) District with a 50-X Height and Bulk limit.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
Board Member Streetrequested to pull this item from the Consent Calendar.
Speaker(s):
Jim Fagler
Board Action
It was moved by Board Member Street (seconded by Hasz) to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness with conditions: that any masonry repairs, including cleaning or graffiti removal, are undertaken in conformance with National Park Service Preservation Bulletins #1, #2, and #38, and that the project applicant provides staff with specifications for such work. The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley, Samaha
Tape No. 1a
The agenda was heard in the following order: 11, 13, 9, 10 and 12
NON-ACTION ITEM(S)
INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION
9. (P. LAVALLEY: 415/575-9084)
EASTERN NEIGHBORHOODS INTERIM PERMIT REVIEW PROCEDURES. An Informational Presentation by Planning Department Staff on the historic building permit review procedures set forth in the Eastern Neighborhoods Area Plan.
Speaker(s):
Gee Gee Platt
10. 2008.0239E (S. PERDUE: 415/558-6625)
1801 GREEN STREET, GOLDEN GATE VALLEY BRANCH LIBRARY, southwest corner of Green and Octavia Streets. Assessor's Block 0554, Lot 001 – Informational Presentation on a project undergoing environmental review by the Planning Department (Case No. 2008.0239E) for a building proposed for landmark designation (Case No. 2001.0567L). The proposed project includes a partial seismic upgrade, an accessibility upgrade, and life safety upgrades to the Library. The site is zoned P (Public) and is in as 40-X Height and Bulk District.
Speaker(s):
Paulett Taggart
Sarah Lardinois
Tape No. 1b
ACTION ITEM(S)
REVIEW AND COMMENT
11. 2008.0880G (A. HEITTER: 415/558-6602)
608 FOLSOM STREET, north side between Second and Hawthorne Streets, Lot 009 in Assessor's Block 3735 – Request for Landmarks Board Review and Comment on a proposal to change the Article 11 designation of the subject property from Category V (Unrated) to Category III (Contributory). The subject property is a two-story commercial structure constructed in the Classical Revival style in 1922 by the San Francisco-based firm O'Brien Brothers for real estate developer Louis Lurie and occupied by E.R. Squibb and Sons pharmaceutical company until 1946. The property is within a C-3_S (Downtown Support) District and a 320-I Height and Bulk District, designated as Category V (Unrated under Article 11 of the Planning Code, and is not within a Conservation District.
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval
Speaker(s):
Karen McNeill
Ericka Schultz
Gee Gee Platt
Board Action
It was moved by Board Member Kasz (seconded by Chan) to accept the recusal of Board Member Street from this item. The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley, Samaha
RECUSED: Street
Board Action
It was moved by Board Chan (seconded by Martinez) to approve the request for article 11 designation.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez, Street
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley, Samaha
RECUSED: Street
Tape No. 1a
12. 2006.0144E (B. BOLLINGER: 415/575-9024)
651 DOLORES STREET, Second Church of Christ, Scientist – An informational presentation on the proposed project and Public Hearing to assist the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board to prepare a comment letter on the Draft Environmental Impact Report. The proposed project would demolish the existing SCCS building at 651 Dolores Street in San Francisco's Dolores Heights neighborhood, and replace it with a new church and eight residential units. The approximately 15,000-square-foot project site (Assessor's Block 3598, Lot 28) is a single parcel on the block bounded by Dolores Street to the west, Cumberland Street to the north, Guerrero Street to the east and 20th Street to the south. Across Dolores Street from the project site is Dolores Park, which is bounded by Dolores Street to the east, Church Street to the west, 18th Street to the north and 20th Street to the south. The approximately 14-acre Dolores Park has a terraced downward slope from south to north. The project site is surrounded by the Mission District to the east, Noe Valley to the southwest, the Liberty Hill Historic District to the southeast, Castro/Eureka Valley to the west and Duboce Triangle to the north.
The project site is within an RH-3 (Residential, House, Three-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District (40-foot height limit; no bulk limit). The RH-3 District is designated to accommodate areas characterized by one to three dwelling units per lot. Surrounding existing uses are predominantly residential with a mix of single- and multi-family uses in two- and three-story structures as well as some institutional/religious uses and small scale neighborhood serving commercial uses approximately one block away. The residences on the block and in the project area are similar in height, bulk, and architectural style (primarily Edwardian style, built in the early twentieth century). As mentioned above, across Dolores Street from the project site is the 14-acre Dolores Park, which serves the Dolores Heights/Noe Valley, Castro, and Mission neighborhoods. Religious institutions in the area include Congregation Sha'ar Zahav (a Jewish synagogue), St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Golden Gate Lutheran Church and Mission Dolores. Educational institutions in the area include Mission Dolores High School, located nearly two blocks to the northwest from the project site.
The Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board will receive public testimony and 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).
Speaker(s):
John Goldman
Gideon Kramer
Peter Lewis
Jack Gold
Vincent Marsh
Steven Hay
Board Comments
The Landmarks Board Members had the following comments:
- The Board considers this to be an iconic San Franciscobuilding, at an important location on an iconic street, and is eligible for the National Register both individually and as part of a potential historic district.
Tape No. 1b and 2a
13. (A. STARR: 415/558-6362)
3512 CLAY STREET - north side between Locust and Laurel Streets, Lot 005 in Assessor's Block 0995. Request for Review and Comment, regarding a Staff Initiated Discretionary Review hearing before the Planning Commission on a proposal to add a new garage opening on the primary façade of this single-family, 3-story building. The subject property is not a designated landmark or within a designated historic district under article 10 or 11 of the Planning Code, but is an historical resource for the purposes of CEQA. The subject property is located within an RH-1 (Residential, House, Single-Family) District with a 40-X Height and Bulk limit.
Speaker(s):
Jeremy Paul
Nell Ellwein
Louis Butler
Board Action
It was moved by Board Member Hasz (seconded by Damkroger) to accept the recusal of Board Member Street from this item. The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley, Samaha
RECUSED: Street
Board Action
ON THE QUESTION:
Does the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board agree with the Department's determination that the project is not consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards?
BOARD MOTION:
The proposed project is not consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. The Board concludes that the proposal would negatively impact the bay and the symmetry of the building which are identified as a character defining features. The Board would have liked to review the previous proposal. The motion failed 4-1.
AYES: Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez
NOES: Chan
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley, Samaha
RECUSAL: Street
ON THE QUESTION:
Does the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board support the Department's recommendation to the Planning Commission that the project, as currently proposed, be denied?
BOARD MOTION:
The Board agrees with staff recommendation to deny the currently proposed project. The Board is uncomfortable recommending denial of the proposed project but would like to have seen other alternatives and a 3D rendering or photos showing how the garage door would impact the structure. The motion failed 3-2.
AYES: Cherny, Damkroger, Martinez
NOES: Chan, Hasz
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley, Samaha
RECUSAL: Street
ON THE QUESTION:
What, if anything, could be done to the proposal that would make it comply with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards?
BOARD MOTION:
The Board fells that the architect did a good job minimizing the impact of the garage on the structure, however the project sponsor should explore other options that do not have such a negative impact on the façade and the building's character-defining features. The Board suggested that the Project Sponsor explore installing a elevator that would bring the car underground and disappear when not in use. The vote was unanimous.
AYES: Chan, Cherny, Damkroger, Hasz, Martinez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dearman, Maley, Samaha
RECUSAL: Street
Tape No. 1a and 1b
ADJOURN: 3:34 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sonya Banks, Recording Secretary
ADOPTED: November 19, 2008
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