San Francisco historic‑preservation panel recommends three Mills Act contracts, including Jackson Square commercial building

The City and County of San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission on a remote meeting in October 2020 voted to recommend three Mills Act contracts to the Board of Supervisors, forwarding applications for 450 Pacific Ave, 1315 Waller St and 59 Potomac St.

Planning Department staff summarized the Mills Act program and the three applications, saying the legislation authorizes local governments to enter contracts with private owners of qualified historic properties that provide property‑tax reductions in exchange for rehabilitation and maintenance obligations. Staff said the department currently oversees 42 active Mills Act contracts and recommended approval for all three applications because each property meets program requirements and proposed work is intended to meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

450 Pacific Ave, a four‑story commercial building contributing to the Jackson Square Historic District, was presented as historically significant for its 19th‑century commercial form and its survival of the 1906 earthquake and fire; staff estimated rehabilitation at more than $780,000 over 10 years and projected about $99,225 in property‑tax savings if the contract is approved. Project sponsor Jesse Feldman described the building’s historic uses and offered to answer commissioner questions. Commissioner Pearlman recused herself from the 450 Pacific matter before deliberations; the commission then moved, seconded and voted to recommend approval for 450 Pacific (recorded as unanimous among remaining voting commissioners).

Owners Tiarco and Amy Leifer presented the application for 1315 Waller, one of a row of 'Four Seasons' Queen Anne houses; staff described an estimated $416,000 rehabilitation scope and noted the Mills Act contract for that property would be contingent on formal listing on the National Register. Owners John and Cammie Dascolo presented 59 Potomac in the DeBose Park Historic District and described their planned rehabilitation. Staff provided assessor‑prepared draft valuations and estimated tax‑savings figures for each property.

Commissioners discussed broader program issues, including whether the Mills Act primarily benefits recent purchasers because long‑held owners have low assessed values under Proposition 13 and so receive less incentive. Commissioner Matsuda urged more outreach to underrepresented neighborhoods and suggested working with district supervisors and the department’s racial and social equity team to remove barriers to applications. Staff responded that eligibility thresholds (e.g., assessed‑value limits) and monitoring procedures are part of program rules and that the department can agendize a future discussion about expanding outreach and revising criteria.

The commission recorded roll‑call votes on each recommendation; the motions to forward all three Mills Act applications to the Board of Supervisors passed as recorded in the hearing.