San Francisco's Historic Preservation Commission finally has all of it's members and it was great to hear the new voices at last weeks hearing. During Public Comment two people came forward; one interested in landmarking the Alemany Farmers Market stalls and Peter Warfield returned to express his continuing dismay with the Branch Library Improvement Projects. In his Presidents Report, Charles Chase welcomed the new Commissioners. Matters of the Board followed and Alan Martinez requested that the Commission write a letter concerning the Exploratorium project. The next item received a continuance. Andrew Wolfram removed two items from the Consent Calendar leaving a Certificate of Appropriateness for new signage and lighting on a property in the South End Historic District which received unanimous approval. The two projects removed from the Consent Calendar were both ADA upgrades for buildings in Golden Gate Park. There was a really good discussion about compatible ramp design including thoughts about symmetry, scale/proportion, railing design and when it is appropriate to put accessible ramps in the front of the structure versus the rear. The project sponsor will return with a new, less substantial design for the Millwright's Cottage (Landmark 210) but the project for the Park Aid Station (Landmark 201) was approved as designed. Next the Irving Tunnel EIR was heard. This "tunnel" is located in Fremont and is part of the San Francisco Water System which is getting a major overhaul. While the Commissioners had lots to say about the design related projects, they had almost nothing to say about the EIR and did not write a letter. This was followed by a Certificate of Appropriateness for a new building in the South End Historic District. The project had been reviewed by the Architectural Review Committee of the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board last year when I was a member of both. The project sponsors had certainly taken our advice about trying to using materials that are compatible with the district. The result was a nicely designed building that speaks to its neighbors. Unfortunately the project had to be continued because of a minor error but the project will almost certainly be approved at the next meeting. I left the meeting before the rest of the items were heard.
