The Historic Preservation Commission on Oct. 15 recommended approval of two landmark district designations in the Mission Dolores neighborhood: the Allard Alley Early Residential Historic District and the Tula Abbey Early Residential Historic District (sometimes referenced as Chula/Tula Abbey in staff materials). The Board of Supervisors had initiated the nominations earlier in 2025.

Supervisor Mandelmann provided a supporting statement, noting the urgency to preserve architectural heritage as zoning changes and upzoning proceed citywide. Planning staff presented findings from the Mission Dolores Historic Context Statement and Survey (adopted by the commission in July 2022), explained boundaries and contributor/non-contributor determinations, and summarized architectural character-defining features.

Staff said Allard Alley is centered on Allard Alley and Lander Street between 15th, 16th and Dolores streets; the district contains 21 buildings (17 contributing, 4 noncontributing) in styles that include Italianate, Stick/Eastlake and Queen Anne with a period of significance of 1890–1910. Tula Abbey was presented as a larger district centered on Tula Lane, Abbey Street and 17th Street, with 52 buildings (37 contributing, 15 noncontributing) and a period of significance of 1865–1910. Staff noted several typographical errors in draft ordinance materials and presented an amended resolution that corrects the count of non-contributing properties and deletes a few properties listed in the appendix that fall outside the proposed boundary.

Staff described review levels (full Certificate of Appropriateness for substantial projects; administrative C of A for minor scopes; exemptions for certain rear or non-visible work) and noted outreach events conducted with the Mission Dolores Neighborhood Association and Supervisor Mandelmann’s office. The department received one letter of support and several letters (four at the time of the hearing) from property owners representing five properties in opposition to the Tula Abbey district.

After discussion, a motion to adopt recommendations for both districts (with the Tula Abbey resolution amended as presented by staff) was moved and seconded. The commission voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend both district designations to the Board of Supervisors.