Historic Preservation Commission adopts resolution to center preservation planning on racial and social equity

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission on July 15 adopted a resolution directing staff to center racial and social equity in the city’s preservation work, unanimously approving the measure with a vote of 6–0.

Miriam Chion of the Planning Department outlined the resolution, saying it was drafted "in response to your request to address racial and social equity in our historic preservation and planning work." The document calls for completing and expanding historic context statements, assessing inventories for mission biases and disparities, prioritizing landmark and legacy-business designations in underserved areas, and increasing community engagement, funding and training for preservation professionals.

Public commenters representing cultural-district groups and preservation organizations largely supported the resolution while urging specific changes. David Wu of Soma Filipinas urged prioritizing culturally significant housing and community spaces. Woody Laboni of San Francisco Heritage recommended strengthening funding and streamlining for the legacy business program, saying the program "provides direct benefits to the communities we are trying to keep and grow in the city." Callers from American Indian and Black communities asked for clearer, separately articulated commitments to those communities and for an explicit acknowledgement of Ohlone lands.

Commissioners discussed edits raised in public comment. Commissioner Matsuda said she had contributed language and that she had been "very emotional about this," and urged expanding documentation and funding commitments. Commissioner Pearlman proposed creating a subcommittee or a liaison to coordinate public-dialogue work with the Arts Commission, Recreation & Parks and the Human Rights Commission. Staff said officers and planning staff would work together to incorporate today's discussion and public comments into final language.

The motion adopted directed staff to finalize the resolution’s language in coordination with Historic Preservation Commission officers and to return the resolution as amended; the motion passed unanimously, 6–0. The adopted resolution is recorded as case number 2016-003351CWP and will be incorporated into the Planning Department’s work program for follow-up and implementation.

Next steps noted during the hearing included additional edits to acknowledge Ohlone lands, emphasis on completing African American and American Indian context statements, and a request that staff present options for stronger legacy-business program support and for periodic check-ins on progress.