Historic Preservation Commission approves 14 legacy-business registry applications

At its July 17 meeting the Historic Preservation Commission reviewed and approved 14 applications seeking recognition on San Francisco’s Legacy Business Registry. Staff recommended approval for all applicants, noting several requests for rule exemptions (for example, exemptions from the 30-year rule or the two-year break-in-operations rule for businesses affected by World War II incarceration or fire).

Speakers included owners and representatives for multiple businesses — such as the Hobby Company of San Francisco, Yasukochi Sweet Stop, F. Dorian, and Nichi Bay — and community representatives who spoke to the businesses’ cultural and neighborhood value. The commission grouped the applications to enable recusals where appropriate; the first grouped motion covered most applicants and passed unanimously (5–0). After a formal recusal for Commissioner Matsuda on several items, the commission approved the remaining items in a second grouped motion, also unanimously (4–0 with recusal). The Hobby Company noted an upcoming landlord seismic retrofit that will require temporary relocation; the commission accepted submitted materials into the record.