Commission sends 1027 Hayes to ARC, approves two other COAs with conditions

At its June 5 meeting the San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission took multiple actions on Certificates of Appropriateness (COA). The commission sent the 1027 Hayes Street COA to the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) for additional technical review, approved the 1948 Sutter Street COA with conditions on the garage door and gate, and directed further ARC-level review for 109 Liberty Street.

1027 Hayes Street: Staff described the project (contributor to Alamo Square landmark district) proposing excavation for below-grade stories, a side entry door, replacement of brick foundation walls with a concrete foundation clad in a painted brick texture or thin brick veneer, and five new basement-level windows. Project sponsor Hwangaboshi Architecture explained the team is proposing a thin brick veneer to match the original masonry. Commissioners and staff questioned reuse feasibility, texture, corner detailing (sand-cast vs wire-cut brick), and requested spot elevations and construction details. Commissioner Wright moved to continue the item to ARC for the July 17, 2024 architectural review committee meeting to address spot elevations, garage fit and stair retention; the motion passed 6–1.

109 Liberty Street: Commissioners reviewed a proposal for a garage with a roof deck, replacement of a front staircase due to dry rot, skylights and in-kind repairs to an 1869 Italianate building in the Liberty Hill district. Staff recommended approval with conditions requiring continued work with staff on garage railing details and compatibility with the district. Commissioners asked for additional drawings and detail verification; the item was directed to ARC for further review and will return to the full commission after ARC recommendations.

1948 Sutter Street: Staff recommended approval for a modest insertion of a garage door into a previously created blank wall, replacement of nonhistoric concrete side stairs, and a wrought-iron driveway gate. Commissioners asked the sponsor to simplify garage-door paneling (avoid decorative trim) and directed staff to work with the sponsor on a less bulky gate design to reduce visual impact — staff noted a gate no taller than 6 feet and at least 75% transparent would be within code constraints. The motion to approve with those conditions passed 7–0.

Next steps: The 1027 Hayes and 109 Liberty items will appear before the Architectural Review Committee on July 17 for more technical review; staff will work with sponsors on samples and detailed drawings for the approved and continued COAs.