Commission asks sponsor to restore historic third arch as part of review of PDR-to-office conversion at 1076 Howard

Planning staff presented a review of a proposal at 1076 Howard Street to convert roughly 14,600 square feet of PDR to office under Planning Code §803.9(b), a provision allowing office use where conversion enhances the feasibility of preserving an individually California-Register-eligible building. Staff said the project would restore important exterior elements, add a maintenance program and otherwise meet the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation.

Commission discussion focused on an earlier unpermitted alteration that created a large storefront opening on the primary façade. Several commissioners noted original drawings showing a three-bay symmetrical elevation. Project architect Peter Burkhols of Page & Turnbull explained the team's decision to use a contemporary infill on the altered bay to balance retention of the preserved side with a modern accessible primary entrance; he said restoring the historic bay would raise accessibility and functional issues. Commissioners asked the project sponsor to consider reinstating the third arch or a divided-light treatment in that bay to better reflect the building's historic character while allowing accessibility and current code compliance elsewhere.

The commission adopted a resolution forwarding its findings to the Planning Commission and included an added condition requesting that the sponsor restore the historic elevation's third arch (allowing flexibility for ADA and door swing requirements). The motion passed by unanimous vote.