Commission reviews Academy of Art University existing‑sites memo; staff and sponsor outline next steps

Historic Preservation staff reviewed an Existing Sites Technical Memo (ESTM) for the Academy of Art University on May 4, outlining findings the department will present to the Planning Commission ahead of an upcoming EIR certification.

Shelley (preservation staff) told commissioners the ESTM examined 34 Academy-occupied sites; staff evaluated 26 properties for historic significance and determined that 21 qualify as historic resources. ‘‘6 of the 34 properties are found to contain legal uses,’’ Shelley said, and staff identified categories of entitlement required going forward (major permits to alter, certificates of appropriateness, conditional use authorizations). Staff also cataloged common unpermitted changes at several sites and recommended remedies, such as removal of inappropriate signage, replacement of non-historic windows, and mitigation for installed security hardware.

Shelley explained the ESTM differs from the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in that it examines past unpermitted work as part of a baseline and is not a CEQA review document; the Planning Department has drafted policy positions to guide legalization of prior work and the department intends to respond to comments by June 29 with EIR certification projected in late July.

Commissioner Jacque asked staff to confirm the addresses of the 10 properties that will return to the Commission for review; Shelley read the list from the appendix and identified entitlement needs (examples in the staff discussion included 6680 Sutter Street requiring a major permit to alter and 91 Post Street requiring a certificate of appropriateness). Commissioner Johns said coverage of one building’s history in the memo was ‘‘unacceptably thin’’ and offered additional historical context from personal experience.

Zane Gresham, counsel for the Academy of Art University, described the project as an urban campus seeking entitlements across many existing buildings. Gresham said the Academy concurs with many staff assessments and is prepared to pursue recommended remedies though additional discussion on feasibility will be necessary. The Commission expressed general consensus that the ESTM, with corrections staff noted, was ready for transmittal; staff asked commissioners to identify any errors in the historical analyses or applications of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards prior to the Planning Commission hearing.

The Commission did not make a formal decision on entitlements at this meeting; next steps include the Planning Commission hearing on the ESTM and the close of the public comment period on June 3.