Presented below are Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board (LPAB). The top of the this page lists LPAB meeting dates, click on the date and you will reach the calendar for that that week. The minutes present a summary of actions taken at the LPAB hearings and provides a Motion, Resolution or other decision document for that action.

With most browsers you will be able to search for any text item by using the Ctrl-F keys. It is recommended you search by case number and suffix, if you know it, as that will always be a unique item. You may search by any identifying phrase, including project addresses.
 

• May 5, 1999
• May 19, 1999

12:49 P.M. ROLL CALL
 

MEMBERS PRESENT: DEARMAN, FINWALL, HO-BELLI, KELLEY, KOTAS, LEVITT, REIDY AND SHATARA

MEMBER ABSENT: MAGRANE
 

ITEM TO BE CONTINUED
 

1. (MONTANA)

NEIMAN MARCUS EXPANSION PROJECT, informational presentation on the proposed Neiman Marcus Expansion Project within the Kearny-Market-Mason-Sutter Conservation District. The Neiman Marcus company would like to expand its 199 Geary Street store by about 61,400 square feet to make it the company's second largest store and the West Coast Flagship Store. The project would include the demolition of a Category IV (Contributory) building on an adjacent lot at 125 Geary Street; the construction of a horizontal and vertical expansion of the existing building to include the 125 Geary Street lot; and the alteration of windows, doors and siding of the existing 199 Geary Street facade to complement the architectural character of the Conservation District and to improve pedestrian interest. (Continued from April 21, 1999 Hearing - Request for Continuance to June 2, 1999)
 

The Board voted unanimously to continue this item to June 2, 1999.
 

FOR FULL BOARD CONSIDERATION
 

PUBLIC COMMENT
 

None

REPORTS
 

2. STAFF REPORT and ANNOUNCEMENTS
 

Neil Hart, Preservation

Coordinator: April 20th - The Transportation and Land Use Committee of the Board of Supervisors (BOS) voted unanimously to designate Schubert Hall, 2099 Pacific Avenue as Landmark No. 224, and the Golden Gate Bridge as Landmark No. 222. These items will be on the BOS Consent Calendar, Monday, May 10.

As requested by Board Member Dearman - the status of 560 Haight Street.

California Preservation Foundation Annual Conference, Palm Springs, May 20-23.
 

Susana Montana,

Chief Planner: Information regarding Neiman Marcus, Certificate of Appropriateness.

TAPE NO.: 1
 

3. PRESIDENT'S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENT

President Reidy: Contacted by Supervisor Becerril re: North Beach Survey. Requested staff to locate earlier survey and make available to Board Member Kelley or himself.

TAPE NO.: 1
 

4. MATTERS OF THE BOARD
 

Board Member

Finwall: Attended Introduction 106 Seminar.
 

Board Member

Kelley: Letter dated February 24 from Mayor Brown to Daniel Weaver and the Committee to Restore the Geneva Office Building re: Geneva Office Building, supporting restoration of building.

TAPE NO.: 1
 

REGULAR CALENDAR ITEMS
 

5. APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 18, 1998 AND APRIL 7, 1999 DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
 

No quorum.
 
 
 

Informational Presentations
 

6. 1998.369E (GITELMAN)

435 PACIFIC AVENUE. Construction of a five-story office building following demolition of a "Potentially Compatible" building in the Jackson Square Historic District. Status of environmental review process.
 

Speakers: Gee Gee Platt

Kelly Drumm

Phillip Moss
 
 
 
 
 

Board

Comments and

Actions Set up procedures in the future when demolish or major additions to a building in an historic district is involved.

Would like Negative Declarations to come before the Landmarks Board during the review period.

TAPE NO.: 1a
 

7. (MONTAÑA)

THE WILLIAMS BUILDING, THIRD AND MISSION STREETS, southeast corner of Third and Mission Streets. Assessor's Block 3727, Lot 63, in the Yerba Buena Center Redevelopment Project Area Development, site "EB2A". Proposal to reuse the Williams Building, an architectural significant building, with a new mixed use development.
 

Speakers: Bill Carney

Wayne Hu

Steve Sobel

Jay Turnbull

Elaine Lenus

Gee Gee Platt
 

Board

Comment and

Actions: Board Member Finwall stated the building should be given more prominence and feels the challenge of integrating the project and the Williams Building into the project has not been met. Concerned with the size of the tower, the shadow lines and wind tunnel it will create.

President Reidy stated the project design and preservation of the building is impressive. Hopefully, because of the Board's interest in the appearance of the building, when more design details are being developed, that if the Agency is working with the Planning staff, the Board, although they do not have jurisdiction, might see the project again and give some input/views. The Williams Building should not drive the development of the site.

Board Member Shatara questioned with street scape of the project along Third Street or Mission Street.

It was requested that Redevelopment and Planning allow the Board the opportunity to review the plans when completed.

TAPE NO.: 1a & b
 

Certificates of Appropriateness
 

8. 1999.230A (LIGHT)

855 BATTERY STREET, west side between Broadway and Vallejo Street in Assessor's Block 142, Lot 1. A five and one-half story, reenforced concrete building in the Northeast Waterfront Historic District. The subject building houses KPIX television station, is zoned C-2 (Community Business) District and is in an 84-E Height and Bulk District. Request for Certificate of Appropriateness to install roof-top satellite dish.
 

Speaker: Ahmad J.
 

Board

Action: Motion to accept Staff's recommendation to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness (Moved by Member Finwall).

Ayes: Members Dearman, Finwall, Ho-Belli, Kelley, Levitt and Reidy

Noes: None

Absent: Kotas, Magrane and Shatara
 

TAPE NO.: 1b
 

9. 1999.231A (LIGHT)

1265 BATTERY STREET, west side between Union and Greenwich Streets in Assessor's Block 84, Lot 8. A three-story brick and terra cotta steel-frame building. The subject property is zoned C-2 (Community Business) District and is in a 65-X Height and Bulk District. Request for Certificate of Appropriateness to remove an existing outside bar and solarium addition with canvas awning, to be replaced with new solarium and awning to provide additional dining space.
 

Speaker: Jim McKenzie
 

Board

Action: Motion to accept Staff's recommendation to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness (Moved by Member Levitt).

Ayes: Members Dearman, Finwall, Ho-Belli, Kelley, Kotas, Levitt, Reidy and Shatara

Noes: None

Absent: Magrane

TAPE NO.: 1b
 

10. 1997.443A (KOMETANI)

22 ALTA STREET, north side between Montgomery and Sansome Streets in Assessor's Block 106, Lot 34A. Former site of a contributory building in the Telegraph Hill Historic District, now demolished. The subject property is zoned RH-3 (House, Three-Family) District and is in a 40-X Height and Bulk District. Request for Certificate of Appropriateness authorization to construct a new three-unit residential building in the Telegraph Hill Historic District.
 

Speakers: Ed McEachron, Aaron Peskin, Pete Overmire, Joe Lutrell, Staci Shember, Leo McLaughlin, Nancy Shanahan, James Attwood, Kelly Drumm, Nan Roth, Kathy Dooley, F. Attwood, Bruce Williams, Dee Dee Workman, Andy Katz, Joan Wood, Julie Christensen, Ken Maley
 

Board

Action: Motion to recommend denial of Certificate of Appropriateness based on the following findings:
 

? the massing and scale of the proposed building are quite out of line with the nearby buildings in the Telegraph Hill Historic District;

? The proposed building is not in conformance with Section 7, Paragraph C, Section d, of the Telegraph Hill Historic District Ordinance, in that the massing of the proposed new building does not appropriately relate to the topographical contour of the site and is not compatible with adjacent buildings;

? The massing of the proposed building would visually impinge on and overwhelm the Grace Marchant Garden below and would add new areas of shadow on the Grace Marchant Garden, which are adverse impacts on this significant historic resource.

To be acceptable, the building should be scaled back so that toe of building matches the ground line of the buildings along the same side of Alta Street. The project sponsor should consider making the building wider and take advantage of the contours of the cliff side to achieve the desired building space.

An "art moderne" style building is appropriate for this site.

It is recommended that the project sponsor redesign the project as recommended above, try to work with the community to achieve an acceptable project and bring it back to the Landmarks Board for review of design details.

Ayes: Members Dearman, Ho-Belli, Kelley, Kotas, Levitt, Reidy and Shatara

Noes: Finwall

Absent: Magrane
 

TAPE NOs.: 1b and 2a & b
 
 
 

ADJOURNMENT: 4:41 P.M.
 

Andrea Green

Recording Secretary
 

Adopted: June 2, 1999
 

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12:35 P.M. ROLL CALL
 

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
 

MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS FINWALL, KOTAS, MAGRANE AND REIDY

MEMBER ABSENT: SHATARA
 

1. 1999.167A (ALVIN)

700 7th STREET, THE BAKER & HAMILTON BUILDING, southwest corner of 7th and Townsend Streets, between Harrison and Bryant Streets. Assessor's Block 3799, Lot 1. The three-story, unreinforced masonry building is individually designated Landmark No. 193, is zoned M-1 (Light Industrial) District and is in a 40-X Height and Bulk District. Request for Architectural Review Committee comments on a proposal for exterior facade changes and new signage.
 

Speakers: Steven Meckfessel

Richard Stacy

Gee Gee Platt

ARC recommendations and actions:
 

Concerned with signage (parapet or water tower).

Questioned the dimensions of the horizontal lines at the lip of the roof - what's the elevation from the very top to the trim (how much room is there to work with)?

Concerned with the placement of signs - important to have a signage program if it's a multi-tenant building.

Questioned if single tenant would effect the exits.

Pleased with changes at the ramp.

Replacement of water tank structures with metal cylinders seems to be incompatible with what is appropriate for the building.
 

Tape No.: 1a
 

ADJOURNMENT
 

FOR FULL BOARD CONSIDERATION
 

MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBER DEARMAN, FINWALL, KELLEY, KOTAS, MAGRANE AND REIDY

MEMBERS ABSENT: MEMBER HO-BELLI, LEVITT AND SHATARA
 
 
 
 
 

PUBLIC COMMENT
 

Speaker: Gee Gee Platt re: Painted wall sign in Civic Center Historic District (northeast corner of McAllister and Larkin Streets)
 

Tape No.: 1a
 

REPORTS
 

1. STAFF REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
 

Neil Hart,

Preservation Coordinator: Introduced new Summer intern, Suzi Merriam.

California State Historic Resources Commission quarterly meeting will be held in San Francisco, August 6.

2. PRESIDENT'S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

President Reidy: Concerns from community groups about the deterioration of Landmark No. 89, Firehouse, 1100 block of Oak Street. Letter was written to Zoning Administrator at the end of April.

Had a follow-up meeting with the City Attorney's office and the Department's Office of Environment Review on LPAB review of Neg Decs.

3. MATTERS OF THE BOARD
 

Member Finwall: Threatened landmarks - regarding the Belli Building and why is there a delay with the construction.
 

Tape No. 1a
 

REGULAR CALENDAR ITEMS
 

4. APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 18, 1998, FEBRUARY 17, MARCH 3, AND APRIL 7, 1999 DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
 

November 18, 1998 and April 7, 1999: No quorum.
 

February 17, 1999: Member Magrane moved to approve minutes (seconded by Member Finwall). Vote was unanimous (Dearman, Finwall, Kelley, Kotas, Magrane and Reidy). (Absent: Ho-Belli, Levitt and Shatara)
 

March 3, 1999: Member Kelley moved (seconded by Member Magrane) to approved minutes with corrections on item no. 5, New Mission Theatre Landmark Designation. Vote was unanimous (Dearman, Finwall, Kelley, Kotas, Magrane and Reidy). (Absent: Ho-Belli, Levitt and Shatara)

Tape No. 1a & b
 

Review and Comment
 

5. 1998.833E (KUGLER)

115-124 MAIDEN LANE, north side of Maiden Lance between Stockton Street to the west and Grant Avenue to the east. Assessor's Block 309, Lot 61. A Category IV, Contributory building within the Kearny-Market-Mason-Sutter Conservation District. The proposed project would demolish the existing, partially occupied, four-story, 53-foot-tall, 7,700 sq. ft. retail/office building and construct a new two-story, 40-foot-tall building with approximately 4,990 sq. ft. of retail space. The subject property is zoned C-3-R (Downtown Retail) District and is in an 80-130 F Height and Bulk District. The existing building is an unreinforced masonry building (UMB) and is subject to the City's UMB Ordinance. Landmark Preservation Advisory Board review and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
 

Speaker: Gee Gee Platt
 

Board Comments

and Actions: In the project description, the statement of the project sponsor's objectives were very sparse.

The Draft EIR lacked clear presentation of why a 4-story plus basement building should be demolished and replaced with a new 2-story plus basement building.

The Zoning Administrator and Planning Commission should solicit the input from the Board for the Section 309 project review.

Draft EIR should incorporate before and after illustrations of the front exterior facades of the property.

The existing front elevation has a much more positive contribution to the Maiden Lane streetscape than the proposed replacement.

Some members differed with the conclusion that the building should be not be considered a historical resource under CEQA and that its demolition should be considered a substantial adverse change that would be considered a significant adverse environmental effect under CEQA.

Some members differed with the conclusion that the proposed new building would be compatible with the Conservation District (the before and after illustrations showed that the proposed new building would not be compatible with the Conservation District).

Several Members expressed concerns about the potential precedent value if other property owners would take the same approach to older buildings in the District. Attention should be given to the heightened qualitative effects of changes on special places within the larger District.

No mitigation measures for loss of what Board considers to be a contributory historical architectural resource for the District.

The Board recommends the adoption of the Preservation Alternative rather than the proposed project - the "environmentally superior" alternative.

Member Kotas moved (seconded by Member Magrane) to have President Reidy write comment letter and submit to Office of Environmental Review. The vote was unanimous (Dearman, Finwall, Kelley, Kotas, Magrane and Reidy). (Absent: Members Ho-Belli, Levitt and Shatara)

Tape No. 1b
 

6. SECTION 106 (PAEZ)

HUNTERS POINT SHIPYARD, Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board review and comment on a Draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Navy, the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, the State Historic Preservation Officer and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The draft MOA was prepared to resolve the effects of the base disposal and reuse, a federal undertaking, on historic properties pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The views of the Landmarks Board and the public are to be considered by the Certified Local Government (CLG) and transmitted with its official comment letter to the lead agency.
 

Speakers: Lou Wahl, U.S. Navy

Gee Gee Platt
 

Board Comments

and Actions: The Board unanimously agreed that the proposed MOA and its implementation would not have any adverse effects on properties of historic significance.

Member Finwall recommended that an additional Recital be added to the MOA to identify the cultural importance of the Shipyard in the City's economic development; the historic structures, as well as the historic artifacts are a record of the cultural importance of the Shipyard. The Board expressed consensus in support of this recommendation.

The San Francisco Redevelopment Agency is to consult with the Board in furtherance of preservation measures once the Shipyard is transferred to the City.

Deposit extra photographs or negatives with the S. F. Public Library as an additional depository; representative buildings in the Officers Quarters and Barracks might be identified as local landmarks after the Shipyard is turned over to the City.

The Board felt that the Section 106 consultation process on the MOA was "in good hands" in terms of sensitivity to historic preservation.
 
 
 

ADJOURNMENT: 3:45 P.M.
 

Andrea Green

Recording Secretary
 

Adopted: July 21, 1999
 
 
 

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