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Historic Preservation Commission initiates Mint Mission Conservation District in Central SoMa
Summary
The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to initiate Article 11 conservation-district designation for the Mint Mission Conservation District in Central SoMa, citing the area's rare collection of early 20th‑century industrial, commercial and residential-hotel buildings and eligibility for incentives such as transferable development rights and the Mills Act.
The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously on May 2 to initiate Article 11 conservation‑district designation for the Mint Mission Conservation district, a pocket of small‑ and mid‑scale industrial, commercial and residential‑hotel buildings in the northwest corner of the Central SoMa survey area.
Francis McMillan of planning staff told commissioners the district was identified through the Central SoMa historic resources survey and includes properties built largely between 1906 and 1930. The survey examined 134 parcels, McMillan said, finding 31 properties eligible for the California Register and proposing changes in Article 11 rating for 26 parcels. If the board of supervisors subsequently approves a designation, affected properties would become eligible for incentives such as transferable development rights (TDRs), the Mills Act and use of the California Historic Building Code, while also being subject to review for permits to alter.
Moses Corette, representing Supervisor Jane Kim’s office, urged support: "We would like to express our full support for this designation of the district," he said, while acknowledging concerns from nearby property owners.
Owners and occupants asked technical questions during public comment. One longtime owner of 444 Jesse Street asked that their parcel be exempted to preserve future development flexibility; Craig Rice, a condominium owner, asked how transferable development rights could be applied and whether routine exterior permits (for rooftop equipment or window replacement) would face new burdens. Staff replied that the TDR program allows a designated property to sell developable air rights within C‑3 zoning and that most minor alterations (rooftop equipment, ordinary maintenance) can be handled at the staff level, while major visible additions would require commission review.
Commissioners praised staff outreach and emphasized continued communication with property owners as the process advances. A motion to initiate the designation and transmit the matter forward was adopted 7‑0. Staff will forward the commission’s initiation and supporting materials as part of the Central SoMa transmittal to the Board of Supervisors.
The initiation begins the commission’s formal review process; any future ordinance or change in legal designation would require subsequent hearings and action by the Board of Supervisors.
