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Board upholds Historic Preservation Commission approval for Aronson Building project; zoning map change passes first reading
Summary
The Board of Supervisors rejected an appeal of the Historic Preservation Commission decision to approve a major permit to alter the Aronson Building and adjacent tower project (the proposed Mexican Museum site), upholding the HPC’s findings and passing related zoning changes on first reading.
The Board of Supervisors heard an appeal of the Historic Preservation Commission’s (HPC) May 15 decision approving a major permit to alter the Aronson Building at 706 Mission Street and an attached tower (the site proposed for the Mexican Museum and residential units). After presentations from appellants arguing the tall tower was incompatible with Article 11 protections and from project proponents and Planning Department staff, the Board voted 11–0 to uphold the HPC’s approval (deny the appeal) and to table motions that would have reversed the HPC decision.
Appellants presented economic feasibility testimony from an expert who argued the EIR’s feasibility analyses did not fully consider a shorter alternative and that certain assumptions (unit sizes, price-per‑square‑foot, efficiency and developer return) warranted more sensitivity analysis. Project proponents and the Planning Department countered that the HPC and peer reviewer (Keizer Marston & Associates) had robustly evaluated alternatives, that some alternatives remained financially infeasible and that the project met Article 11 compatibility standards through targeted restoration of the Aronson Building and architectural responses at the tower base.
Supervisor Kim — the district supervisor — said parties had negotiated but remained separated on the final height. The Board ultimately voted to affirm the HPC’s finding that the proposed project was compatible with the Aronson Building and the conservation district and then approved related planning-code and zoning map amendments creating the Yerba Buena Center Mixed Use Special Use District on first reading (item 66). Several supervisors expressed concern about shadow impacts on nearby open space and said further litigation or ballot measures were likely; sponsors emphasized a substantial package of public benefits, including a museum shell, affordable housing fees and an endowment for museum operations.
