Commission splits public concern and community request over Peace Pagoda and Peace Plaza; moves to treat both together

Desiree Smith, Planning Department staff, told the commission the department received a November 8 letter from the Japantown Task Force requesting only the Peace Pagoda be designated now and that the plaza be considered later, after remediation work. Staff recommended adopting a revised resolution recommending designation of the Peace Pagoda but not the plaza.

Multiple public commenters disagreed with separating the two. Karen Kai said she "fully support[s] landmark status for the Peace Pagoda" and urged the commission to keep the plaza on the radar. Rosalind Tonai of the National Japanese American Historical Society endorsed designation of both the pagoda and plaza, noted concerns about the pagoda’s structural integrity, and asked the commission to ensure a structural assessment.

Commissioner Hyland and others argued the pagoda and plaza were a holistic design and that separating them would be a mistake; commissioners also raised concerns that Board of Supervisors support (Supervisor Breed’s office was referenced) might not be ready to approve them together. After extended discussion about community remediation, structural issues, and Board support, the commission moved a motion of intent to list both the Peace Pagoda and Peace Plaza together and continue the matter to Dec. 20 for further findings; the motion passed on recorded voice votes and procedural confirmation.

The debate illustrated a split between a neighborhood task force’s request to defer plaza designation until remediation is complete and a preservation constituency that sees the Pagoda and Plaza as inseparable character-defining elements.