Commission backs National Register nomination for John A. Whelan House at 1315 Waller Street

The Historic Preservation Commission on July 15 voted 6–0 to support a National Register of Historic Places nomination for the John A. Whelan House at 1315 Waller Street in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood and to forward the Commission’s comments to the California Office of Historic Preservation.

Frances McMillan of the Planning Department outlined the nomination (case number 2019-006264DES), noting the property’s significance under National Register Criterion A for its association with the late-19th-century residential development of the Haight Ashbury neighborhood and Criterion C as an "excellent example of the Queen Anne style." The nomination was prepared by Page & Turnbull; Christina Dicus of Page & Turnbull summarized architectural features, the period of significance (1896–1906), and the nomination’s submission history to state review.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about why the property was eligible for the National Register but was not recommended as a local Article 10 landmark; staff explained that local landmarking has a higher threshold and that outreach and the Mills Act context informed prior local-review processes. Commissioner Pearlman expressed regret that the adjacent three "4 Seasons" houses were not pursuing local listing as a district and endorsed the national nomination for the individual property.

The Commission moved and seconded a resolution to support the nomination and to forward comments to the state; the motion passed unanimously, 6–0. Staff said it will include the Commission’s comments in the transmittal to the Office of Historic Preservation.