Commission approves Certificate of Appropriateness for 25 Alta Street with conditions

The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously Feb. 4 to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for 25 Alta Street in the Telegraph Hill Landmark District, adopting Option A and conditions that clarify that paint requirements concern finish rather than specific colors.

Planning staff recommended approval with conditions after reviewing the proposed restoration, two‑story rear addition, a new roof deck and removal of a noncontributing rear structure. Staff concluded the proposal "appears to meet the secretary of the interior standards for rehabilitation and provisions of Article 10 for the following reasons," and noted the project would retain character-defining features while locating the addition so it would not be visible from the public right-of-way.

Architect Lisa Skaggs described the plan to remove nonhistoric front alterations, restore compatible windows and add a modest horizontal addition at the rear; the project does not include any vertical additions. Telegraph Hill Dwellers vice president Stan Hayes addressed the Commission and said the neighborhood group now "offer[s] our full support for a certificate of appropriateness for this project," reflecting changes reached through meetings with the sponsor.

Commissioners discussed two design options for a decorative hood element and conditions for materials and finish samples; a motion to approve Option A with conditions, including the clarification that the paint condition is about finish rather than color, passed 7–0.