• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Russian Hill Neighbors

Russian Hill Neighbors

Creating Community in the Russian Hill Neighborhood of San Francisco

  • Shop Local
  • Join RHN
  • Member Login
  • Donate
  • Volunteer
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • About
  • Board
    • Board Of Directors
    • Bylaws
    • Policies
    • Past Presidents
    • Liaison to Neighborhood Coalitions
    • Nominating Committee
  • Our Work
    • Communications
    • Design, Zoning & Land Use
    • Families
    • History
    • Local Businesses
    • Membership
    • Neighborhood Enhancement
    • Parks
    • Safety
    • Social
    • Transportation
  • Event List
  • Event Calendar
  • Explore The Hill
    • Parks In and Around Russian Hill
      • Alice Marble Tennis Courts
      • Allyne Park
      • Fay Park
      • Francisco Park formerly Russian Hill Park
      • George Sterling Park
      • Helen Wills Park
      • Ina Coolbrith Park
      • Michaelangelo Playground
      • Mini Park on Broadway
      • Mini Park on Hyde
      • Washington-Hyde Park
    • Stairway Gardens
      • Chestnut Street Stairway Garden
      • Green Street Stairway Garden
      • Greenwich Garden Path
      • Havens Place
      • Macondray Lane
      • Marion Place
      • Sterling Park Stairway
      • Vallejo Stairway Garden
    • Greening of the Broadway Tunnel
    • Architecture and Houses
      • The Alpheus Bull and Bertram Alanson Houses
      • The Fay-Berrigan Residence
      • Norwegian Seaman’s Church
      • Examples of Architectural Styles
    • Walking Tours
      • Russian Hill I Summit Walk
        • Walk Notes
        • Early Residents
        • Chronology
        • Reference Sources
      • Russian Hill II – The North Slope
      • Russian Hill III North Slope
      • Russian Hill IV Green Street and Macondray Lane
      • Historical and Architectural Walks
    • Oral Histories
      • Home Drug Company
      • Fellowship Church
    • Research Resources
  • Gallery
  • Archives

DZLU June Report

You are here: Home / Design & Zoning Committee / DZLU June Report

July 7, 2016 by communications Leave a Comment

The DZLU Committee met on Tuesday, June 21, 2016.

The following is a summary of some of the issues discussed:

1023 VALLEJO STREET:  The DZLU Committee met with the property owners of 1023 Vallejo Street at a Committee member’s home to hear the proposed alterations to the property.  The presentation included a 3D video modeling of their proposed project, which generated observations and questions.  It was stated that RHN sponsored the creation of the Vallejo Street Crest Historic District in the 1980’s with the National Register.  RHN’s concern is the historic preservation of the contributing Julia Morgan structure, and the potential impact of a remodel on the surrounding other contributing buildings.  Concern was also expressed regarding possible negative impact on viewing the Historic District from the public right of way.

The project sponsors stated that the house is only visible from the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill and that the addition would block the view of the Cathedral from the lower floors of the properties to the North as well as block the view of North Beach from the lower floor of the property to the West.

Per the Pre-Application notice, the existing project is 3,430 square feet with a proposed total of 4,881 square feet (or an additional 1,451 square feet).  The sponsors estimated an addition of about 700 square feet at the fourth floor; the remaining additional square footage may be referring to the creation of more interior usable living space on the first floor, which is currently covered outdoor and interior storage space, within the existing footprint.

A variance would be anticipated due to the site conditions.

Since the site is so unusual and inaccessible, DZLU members were invited to visit the property at a date and time to be determined.

The sponsors are in the process of preparing the City’s required HRE (Historic Resource Evaluation) and will be submitting it to Planning soon.  DZLU looks forward to receiving a copy of the HRE since it should address the historic value of the property and influence how the project will be reviewed by the City.

Consistent with DZLU’s policy, the Committee will also meet with concerned opposing neighbors.

ACTIVE PROJECT

POLK STREET FORMULA RETAIL BAN:  The proposed legislation was before the Planning Commission, where it was voted to not recommend passage, and before the Small Business Commission, where it was voted to recommend passage with the condition that the SBC receive a letter from the bill’s sponsor that applications already in the CU (Conditional Use) application process (including WF365) would be exempt from the ban, be received by the SBC prior to a hearing at the BOS Land-Use Committee.  There will be two more opportunities for public comment: at the Land Use Committee of the Board of Supervisors and at the complete Board itself, dates to be determined.  Further success will require stronger participation, great organization, and coordination of talking points.  Subject to the RHN Board’s wishes and direction, DZLU will continue to fight the ban, not just because of Whole Foods 365; but also, because formula retail businesses contribute to an important mix of stores and services on Polk Street.  The existing CU (Conditional Use) process is a sufficient safeguard against unwanted businesses.

NEW PROJECTS

870 Union Street:  Storey poles were reported around this site at the north side of Union between Taylor and Mason.  The owners plan to build a short new building at the back of their property where it meets the alley.  Opposing neighbors cite the loss of light and air, and loss of open space.

1332 Greenwich:  There is concern that the project as built appears taller than originally proposed.  Committee members will follow up with the SF Planning website on this to see if approved plans match what was built.

NOTICE RECEIVED

819 Francisco:  This was reported to be a small house built in 1974 and sold to new owners last November.  The new owners plan to tear down the house to build a new three-story building. No one was able to attend the Pre-Application meeting last evening.  DZLU will await receipt of the 311 Notice.

 

 

RC 2016-07-07

Category iconDesign & Zoning Committee

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest news.

To see our most recent and past e-newsletters click here »

Footer

Quick Links

  • About
  • Shop Local
  • Subscribe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Our Work

  • Communications
  • Design, Zoning & Land Use
  • Families
  • History
  • Local Businesses
  • Membership

 

  • Neighborhood Enhancement
  • Parks
  • Safety
  • Social
  • Transportation

 Contact Us

  • 415-993-1808
  • rhn@rhnsf.org

 

1819 Polk Street, #221
San Francisco, CA 94109

RHN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
with Federal Tax Id #94-2751092

© 2023 Russian Hill Neighbors // All Rights Reserved // Powered by babaLucas