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235 Valencia debate: commission rejects nomination but delays status-code amendment amid CEQA concerns
Summary
The commission voted 7-0 to not confirm landmark nomination for 235 Valencia Street but deferred action on a proposed survey status-code change (to appear eligible for the California Register) to August 3 after community-developer negotiations and competing CEQA implications were debated.
Planning staff presented two linked proposals for 235 Valencia Street: a motion to not confirm the Article 10 landmark nomination (staff recommended denial for local designation) and a separate motion to amend the Intermission North Historic Resource Survey status code to 3CS (appear eligible for the California Register) based on new information about association with motorcyclist Lauren "Hap" Jones.
The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously (7-0) to not confirm the Article 10 nomination. Public speakers and neighborhood advocates urged preservation of the building’s façade and commemorative measures; neighbors proposed a memorandum of understanding. Property owner DDG and counsel Andrew Junius warned that changing the status code to indicate California Register eligibility would likely trigger CEQA review (an environmental impact report) if demolition were later proposed, adding delay and cost to an active development entitlement. DDG presented a concept for a ‘motor-culture’ living alley as an alternative memorial solution.
Commissioners debated middle paths—continuance to allow negotiation and an MOU, versus the legal implications of changing a status code tied to CEQA. After discussion the commission voted 4-3 to continue consideration of the status-code amendment to August 3, 2016, to allow additional community-developer coordination and further staff analysis.
Next steps: Staff and parties will work on potential preservation memoranda and design responses; the commission will revisit the status-code amendment on August 3.
