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Historic Preservation Commission approves four legacy businesses, continues landmark hearing to Dec. 6
Summary
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to approve four legacy business nominations — Avadano’s Holly Park Market, DNA Lounge, Ermiko Enterprises and Project Inform — and continued a landmark designation hearing for 1610 Gary Boulevard to Dec. 6 to allow additional community input.
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved recommendations to list four long-running local businesses on the city’s legacy business registry and moved a landmark designation hearing to December 6.
Staff presented four completed legacy business applications submitted Aug. 21: Avadano’s Holly Park Market (Cortland Avenue), DNA Lounge (South of Market), Ermiko Enterprises (metal skateboard-truck manufacturer), and Project Inform (HIV/hepatitis C advocacy). Desiree Smith, planning department staff, summarized each applicant’s history and the draft resolutions before the commission.
The legacy nominations drew brief public remarks from business representatives. Angela Wilson, owner of Avadano’s Holly Park Market, asked the commission to consider the shop’s century-long role in Bernal Heights; a representative of DNA Lounge offered to answer questions; and Dana Van Gorder, executive director of Project Inform, said the nonprofit ‘runs like a business’ and argued the designation fits the organization’s long-standing public-health work.
Commissioners praised the nominees’ diversity and longevity, and several suggested the department consider highlighting legacy nonprofits on the city website. Commissioner Hyland also asked staff to consider whether any of the buildings that house long-standing businesses—specifically Avadano’s—should be evaluated for landmark designation.
On a motion that was seconded, the commission voted yes (Commissioner Jahnk; Commissioner Johns; Commissioner Matsuda; Commissioner Pearlman; Commission Vice President Hyland; Commission President Wolfram) and approved the four nominations unanimously, 6 to 0.
Earlier in the meeting, staff reported on an unrelated land-use matter: the department’s categorical exemption for the Julius’ Castle restaurant project was upheld unanimously by the Board of Supervisors, but opponents are preparing an appeal to Superior Court, staff said. The commission did not act on that appeal report; staff said it will provide updates if the case advances.
The commission also considered Item 6, a landmark designation petition for 1610 Gary Boulevard (case 2014.1050L). Supervisor Breed’s office requested a continuance to gather more community input. A motion to continue the item to December 6 was made, and during discussion a motion to recuse Commissioner Matsuda because she lives nearby was raised; staff advised that recusal would only be required if the commission actually took up the substantive hearing rather than treating the continuation as a procedural matter. The motion to continue to December 6 passed unanimously, 6 to 0.
The commission approved the draft minutes from prior meetings (with minor edits memorializing the passing of Mr. Robert Hamaguchi) in a unanimous roll-call vote earlier in the meeting. The hearing concluded with congratulations to the newly approved legacy businesses and the chair adjourned the meeting.
What’s next: The landmark hearing for case 2014.1050L at 1610 Gary Boulevard will return to the commission on December 6 for a continued public hearing; staff will notify the commission when additional community meetings are scheduled.
