Commission adds 1315 Waller Street nomination to landmarks work program

The Planning Commission voted on May 15 to add 1315 Waller Street — a Queen Anne residence nominated as part of the 'Four Seasons' group — to the landmarks work program and to direct staff to work with the applicant on expanded documentation.

Planning staffer Frances McMillan recommended further research to bolster the application’s statement of significance, noting that additional context on builder John Whalen and the properties’ restoration history would strengthen the nomination. "The property is nominated for its Queen Anne style architecture," McMillan said, and staff recommended outreach and added research to support either an individual designation or a small landmark district.

Homeowner Amy Leifer described the unexpected scope and cost of her rehabilitation: "The project grew to be over a million dollars with over 300,000 of that just in the structural work," she said, describing foundation replacement, structural upgrades and other repairs. Leifer said she and her family hoped to pursue the Mills Act but needed the landmark process to proceed first.

Commissioners discussed whether the home was more appropriately treated as an individual resource or as part of a small district. Several commissioners favored adding the property to the work program and encouraged staff outreach to the owners of the adjacent three 'Four Seasons' houses so the nomination could proceed as a group. A motion to add 1315 Waller Street to the landmarks work program along with the other three properties passed unanimously; staff noted timing limitations for concurrent Mills Act applications and advised the applicant to consider applying in the next program cycle if necessary.

The action directs staff to work with the applicant on additional research and outreach and to place the property and the associated 'Four Seasons' houses in the landmarks work program for further study.