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Commission approves restoration and variance request for 1053 Tennessee Street in Dogpatch
Summary
The Historic Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness and the zoning administrator indicated an inclination to grant requested variances for 1053 Tennessee Street, allowing a minimally visible three‑story addition and restoration of two contributory buildings; approval included conditions on façade restoration tied to physical evidence.
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously on Sept. 6 to approve a certificate of appropriateness for 1053 Tennessee Street in the Dogpatch (Dog Patch) Landmark District, and the zoning administrator indicated an inclination to grant related variances.
Jonathan Demmer of the Planning Department described the property as containing two contributory historic structures — a three‑level gable‑roof building at the front and a two‑level Italianate at the rear, built between about 1900 and 1915. Staff said the proposal calls for restoration of the front facades based on physical evidence, removal of non‑historic rear additions, seismic reinforcement with non‑visible moment frames, three total dwelling units including an accessory dwelling unit, and a new three‑story addition set so its high point will be five feet below the historic ridge line.
Demmer said the sponsors requested variances from front setback, rear yard and exposure requirements (sections 132, 134 and 140 of the planning code cited in the staff presentation) and that staff recommended approval with four conditions that focus on on‑site review during demolition, facade restoration details tied to physical evidence, precise entry detail revisions, and submittal of structural plans showing moment‑frame locations for review of visibility and compatibility.
Carl Peterson of McGriff Architects, the project presenter, said the addition is compact and minimally visible from the public right of way and that the design separates the new contemporary addition from the historic portion with a glazed stair to preserve distinction between old and new.
No public commenters spoke on this item. Commissioners asked questions about visibility, screening and maintenance of proposed wooden screens; Peterson said the new windows would be inward‑opening casements and the screening elements would be hinged for cleaning.
On a motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness and related recommendations, the commission voted unanimously 6–0. The zoning administrator stated he was "inclined to grant the requested variances." The approval includes the four conditions listed in the staff report, which require on‑site review after demolition and possible revisions to restoration details based on physical evidence and staff site‑visit recommendations.
The decision allows the project to proceed subject to the stated conditions and to any subsequent permit reviews that will apply to the variance approvals.
