Planning staff outlines citywide cultural-resources survey, pilot in Sunset and Arches database plan

Planning department staff on Nov. 18 provided the Historic Preservation Commission with an informational update on the citywide cultural-resources survey, the historic context statement and the tools and outreach the department will use to complete the project.

Susan Parks, preservation staff returned to the department to lead the citywide effort and described a framework of seven contexts — residential, commercial, industrial, government/planning/infrastructure, institutions, events and other — with multiple subcontexts and themes to guide evaluation and documentation. “Context statements provide us with a foundation from which we can make decisions related to the evaluation, registration and treatment of historic properties,” Parks said, citing guidance from the California Office of Historic Preservation.

Parks described cultural-heritage context priorities (an American Indian context, African American and LGBTQ contexts under review, a Filipino addendum, and a Chinese American context in development) and an architectural section that will include construction methods and style subcontexts. Staff said they will compile architects’ and developers’ biographies to help evaluate significance.

The department will use a geospatial database called Arches to collect field data and manage survey records; each instance will include a photo, physical description, associated cultural/historic context and integrity assessment. Staff plan a pilot survey in the Sunset neighborhood to test the Arches mobile collection tools and methodology before scaling fieldwork. The department proposed a core Survey Advisory Group and rotating subject experts to provide technical review, and described a combined passive/active community engagement strategy that includes a public-facing website for photo and document submissions as well as focus groups and outreach events.

Commissioners asked for a more detailed schedule (staff said a schedule will be provided at the next quarterly update), and asked when properties will receive category determinations (staff said that determinations will be made after field data and the historic context statement are completed for a parcel and then brought to the commission for review and adoption). Commissioners also urged staff to incorporate equity-focused outreach and to consult resources such as the city library’s “Shades of California” project and the Chinese Historical Society of America; staff said those resources are already part of the outreach and research plan.

Separately, staff reported other department updates: Supervisor Peskin introduced the initiation of landmark designation for 447 Battery Street; the landmark designation for the Bernard Zakheim “History of Medicine” murals at UCSF Parnassus passed second reading at the Board of Supervisors and is now at the mayor’s office; and staff confirmed the murals will not be moved until after EIR certification, currently scheduled for January 2021, with relocation likely later in 2021.

Votes and other formal actions at the Nov. 18 meeting included adoption of minutes from Nov. 4, 2020 (approved 7–0), approval of the consent calendar item covering case 20-18505 COA at 370 Lexington Street (approved 7–0), a recusal motion for Commissioner Matsuda on item 7 (approved 7–0), and the commission’s recommendation to forward the Japanese YWCA landmark nomination to the Board of Supervisors (approved 6–0, one recusal).

Staff said they will return with a detailed schedule and additional quarterly updates as fieldwork and outreach proceed.