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SAN FRANCISCO
PLANNING COMMISSION
&
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION
Minutes of Special Joint Meeting
Commission Chambers - Room 400
City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Thursday, October
21, 2010
10:30 A.M.
Special
Hearing
PLANNING
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Miguel, Olague, Antonini, Borden, Moore and Sugaya
PLANNING COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chase, Damkroger, Buckley, Hasz,
Martinez, and Wolfram
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Matsuda
THE MEETING WAS
CALLED TO ORDER BY Planning Commission President Miguel at 10:45 A.M.
STAFF IN
ATTENDANCE: John Rahaim – Director of Planning, Tara Sullivan, Devyani Jain,
Bill Wycko, Tim Frye, and Linda Avery – Commission Secretary.
A.
SPECIAL CALENDAR:
1. 2010.0080T
(T. Sullivan: (415)
558-6257)
Amendments to the Planning Code including but not limited to Articles 10 and 11
-
Ordinance sponsored by the Planning Department that would amend the Planning
Code including but not limited to Sections 121.2, 136.1, 151, 185, 186, 201,
204.2, 205, 205.1, 205.3, 207.2, 209.3, 209.8, 217, 249, 303, 309, 311, 340,
317, 602.25, 602.26, 607.1, 790.44, 803.2, 803.3, 3 890.133, 890.44, 703.2, and
Articles 7, 10, and 11 being amended. The Planning Commission reviewed the
proposed amendments on August 5, 2010 and recommended approval with minor
modifications of various Code Sections to the Board of Supervisors. The
Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the proposed amendments on July 21st,
August 4th, 18th, September 1st, 15, 29th,
October 6th, and 15th, and recommended approval with
modifications to Articles 10 and 11 to the Board of Supervisors. The Department
is bringing Articles 10 and 11 to the Planning Commission with the Historic
Preservation Commission’s proposed modifications for discussion and possible
modification to Resolution 18157, passed by the Planning Commission on August 5,
2010.
Please note: both the
Planning Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission will forward
separate recommendations on Case No. 2010.0080T to the Board of Supervisors.
The focus of this hearing
will be on Articles 10 and 11.
SPEAKERS: Ms. Carlinsky, Espanola Jackson, George Williams, Joshua Arce,
Michael, and Mike Filder
ACTION: Following public comment and commissioner‘s deliberations, the
item was continued indefinitely by the Planning Commission. The Historic
Preservation Commission will continue to calendar this item at its regularly
scheduled meetings until it takes action.
AYES: Antonini, Borden, Moore, Olague, and Miguel
NAYES: Sugaya
1:30 P.M. –
(The following Category B was called at 2:18 p.m.)
B.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS WHERE THE PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN CLOSED
At this time,
members of the public who wish to address the Commission on agenda items that
have already been reviewed in a public hearing at which members of the public
were allowed to testify and the public hearing has been closed, must do so at
this time. Each member of the public may address the Commission for up to three
minutes.
SPEAKERS: In
opposition to the project or certifying the Final EIR: Steve Kendrick, Irma
Zigas, Kip Potter, Mike Meniktas, Gill Leakman, Jim Fotenos, Linda Stone, Brenda
Osborne, Paul Fisher, Maria Collin, Patricia Collison, Thomas Kehoe, Will
Collin, Mike Buhler, Laura Potter, Michael Barrett, David Mullane, Ian Lewis,
Sue Hestor, and David Harrington; In support of the project and/or
certification of the Final EIR: Norman Rosenblatt, David Lefkowitz, Walter
Keenan, Pamela Duffy, Ray Brown, Stephen Gomez, Stephen Patton, Callahan Fritz
Cope, Enrique Landa, and Dana Barbieri; In support of saving the Tonga Room:
Christopher Ver Planck
C.
CONSIDERATION OF FINDINGS AND FINAL ACTION – PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
2.
2008.0081E
(D. JAIN: (415) 575-9051)
950 Mason Street
– Fairmont Hotel Project - Certification
of the Final Environmental Impact Report - The project site is located at
950 Mason Street (Assessor’s Block 0244, Lot 001). The proposed project
includes: 1) renovation of portions of the landmark 1906 Fairmont Hotel building
(City Landmark # 185), including consolidation of up to 60 hotel rooms; 2)
reconfiguration of some existing hotel uses; 3) demolition of the 1961 23-story
Fairmont Hotel tower above the five-story podium; and 4) construction of a new
160–unit, 26-story residential tower and five-story midrise residential
component, both above a five-story podium, on the site of the existing hotel
tower and podium (proposed to be demolished). The proposed project would include
below-grade parking for about 350 vehicles. The 113,400-square-foot project
site is located in an RM-4 (Residential Mixed-High Density) Use District and the
Nob Hill Special Use District (SUD), and in 200-E, 300-E and 320-E Height and
Bulk Districts. The proposed project would require Conditional Use (CU)
authorization for height and bulk and for a Planned Unit Development (PUD)
including exceptions to the 25 percent rear yard requirement, as well as require
Planning Commission approval under the “Large Tourist Hotel Conversion
Ordinance,” Administrative Code 41F.3(f), among other approvals. The proposed
exterior changes to the historic 1906 Fairmont Hotel building would also require
a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission. The
Draft EIR found that implementation of the proposed project would result in a
significant unavoidable environmental impact on cultural resources, related to
demolition of the Tonga Room, which has been identified as a historic resource
under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
NOTE:
The action for this item falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Planning
Commission
Preliminary Recommendation: Certify the Final Environmental Impact Report.
Note: The public review period for the Draft Environmental Impact Report ended
at 5:00 pm, June 16, 2010. The Planning Commission does not conduct public
review of Final EIRs. Public comments on the certification may be presented to
the Planning Commission during the Public Comment portion of the Commission
calendar.
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Following a failed motion to certify the Final EIR (+3 -3 with
Commissioners Moore, Sugaya, and Olague voting against the motion), the item was
continued to 1/27/2011 with the idea that the Commission will receive a memo
(drafted by Mr. Wycko – Environmental Review Officer and Ms. Stacy – Deputy City
Attorney) as to the appropriateness of additional analysis, and look at that at
a later date; the maker of the motion would have the ability to ask for
reconsideration. If the item is to come before the Commission prior to the
proposed 1/27/11 date, the item would have to be re-advertised for another date.
AYES: Antonini, Borden, Sugaya and Miguel
NAYES: Moore and Olague
D.
SPECIAL CALENDAR:
3.
2008.0081ACEKU
(T. FRYE: (415) 575-6822)
950 MASON STREET
- Bound by Mason, Powell, Sacramento, and California Streets, Lot 001;
Assessor’s Block 0244. Adoption of California Environmental Quality Act
Findings - The Project includes: 1) renovation of portions of the landmark
1906 Fairmont Hotel building (City Landmark # 185), including consolidation of
up to 60 hotel rooms; 2) reconfiguration of some existing hotel uses; 3)
demolition of the 1961 23-story Fairmont Hotel tower above the five-story
podium; and 4) construction of a new 160–unit, 26-story residential tower and
five-story midrise residential component, both above a five-story podium, on the
site of the existing hotel tower and podium (proposed to be demolished). The
proposed project would include below-grade parking for about 350 vehicles. The
CEQA Findings include a statement of overriding benefits and a mitigation
monitoring and reporting program (MMRP) associated with approving the proposed
950 Mason Street Project. They include a rationale for rejecting alternatives
identified in the EIR, and a statement of overriding considerations that lists
technical, social and economic reasons for approving the proposed project
despite identified significant, adverse environmental impacts.
NOTE:
The action for this item falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the
Planning Commission
Preliminary Recommendation: Adopt CEQA Findings Motion
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Because the Planning Commission did not certify the Final EIR,
but instead continued that item to January 27, 2011, action on this item could
not be taken. This item may be placed on calendar for Planning Commission
consideration on 1/27/11 or another date following the certification of the
Final EIR.
4.
2008.0081ACEKU
(T. FRYE: (415) 575-6822)
950 MASON STREET
- bound by Mason, Powell, Sacramento, and California Streets, Lot 001;
Assessor’s Block 0244 - Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness
for the exterior rehabilitation of portions of the California Street elevation;
the restoration and the rehabilitation of the exterior of the building at the
location of the Venetian Room (east elevation); seismic work as it relates to
the exterior of the historic building at the location of the new podium,
mid-rise component, and tower; removal of the existing connections that lead
from the historic portion of the hotel to the 1961 podium and tower and the
introduction of new connections; and exterior alterations to a loading dock on
the Sacramento Street elevation. A portion of the lot is City Landmark No. 185,
the Fairmont Hotel. The subject building is located at 950 Mason Street, within
the Nob Hill Special Use District, and a 200-E-2/300-E-2/320-E Height and Bulk
District.
NOTE:
The action for this item falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the
Historic Preservation Commission
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Because the Planning Commission did not certify the Final EIR,
but instead continued that item to January 27, 2011, action on this item could
not be taken. This item may be placed on calendar for Historic Preservation
Commission consideration on 1/27/11 or another date following the certification
of the Final EIR.
5a.
2008.0081ACEKU
(T. FRYE: (415) 575-6822)
950 MASON STREET
- bound by Mason, Powell, Sacramento, and California Streets, Lot 001;
Assessor’s Block 0244 - Request for Authorization for the conversion and
consolidation of up to 286 tourist hotel rooms pursuant to the Large Tourist
Hotel Conversion Ordinance, Chapter 41f of the Administrative Code. A
portion of the lot is City Landmark No. 185, the Fairmont Hotel. The subject
building is located at 950 Mason Street, Lot 0244 in Assessor's Block 001,
within the Nob Hill Special Use District, and a 200-E-2/300-E-2/320-E Height and
Bulk District.
NOTE:
The action for this item falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the
Planning Commission
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Because the Planning Commission did not certify the Final EIR,
but instead continued that item to January 27, 2011, action on this item could
not be taken. This item may be placed on calendar for Planning Commission
consideration on 1/27/11 or another date following the certification of the
Final EIR.
5b.
2008.0081ACEKU
(T. FRYE: (415) 575-6822)
950 MASON STREET
- bound by Mason, Powell, Sacramento, and California Streets, Lot 001;
Assessor’s Block 0244 - Request for a Conditional Use Authorization
for a Planned Unit Development and the consolidation and conversion of
tourist hotel rooms to residential pursuant to the Large Tourist Hotel
Conversion Ordinance, and pursuant to sections 263.5, 238, 303, 304, of the
Planning Code, with specific modifications to Planning Code regulations related
to Height & Bulk, Rear Yard, and Permitted Obstructions with respect to a
proposal to demolish the existing 1961 podium and tower structure and remove up
to 226 and consolidate up to 60 tourist hotel rooms and construct a new 26-story
and a 5-story mid-rise component that are located on a 5-story podium structure
(for a total height of 317-feet excluding mechanical appurtenances) with up to
160 residential units, the addition of up to 185 off-street parking spaces (for
a total of 350 independently-accessible off-street spaces). A portion of the
lot is City Landmark No. 185, the Fairmont Hotel. The subject building is
located at 950 Mason Street, Lot 0244 in Assessor's Block 001, within the Nob
Hill Special Use District, and a 200-E-2/300-E-2/320-E Height and Bulk District.
NOTE:
The action for this item falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the
Planning Commission
Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions
SPEAKERS: None
ACTION: Because the Planning Commission did not certify the Final EIR,
but instead continued that item to January 27, 2011, action on this item could
not be taken. This item may be placed on calendar for Planning Commission
consideration on 1/27/11 or another date following the certification of the
Final EIR.
Adjournment:
4:41 p.m.
Adopted: January 20, 2011
