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Commission approves major permit to alter 50 Fell Street to host La Porte preschool, with staff conditions
Summary
The Historic Preservation Commission approved a major‑permit alteration of the Category‑1 building at 50 Fell Street to accommodate La Porte Schools' preschool, subject to five conditions requiring final details and samples to be reviewed by preservation staff. Commissioners praised revisions that responded to ARC comments and emphasized base treatment and guardrail details.
The Historic Preservation Commission approved with conditions a major permit to alter 50 Fell Street, a Category‑1 building designated under Article 11 of the Planning Code, to accommodate a La Porte Schools infant‑toddler and preschool program. Kelly Wong of planning staff summarized the proposal: removal of a nonhistoric curvilinear brick ramp, insertion of two new doors requiring partial removal of historic window assemblies (to be saved on site), a new painted steel framed glass panel ramp and stair assembly, reconstruction of missing brick piers, a new painted steel gate and fence sections (non‑aluminum), and conversion of the courtyard to a natural playground. Staff concluded the revised design meets the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, subject to five conditions requiring submission of final details and samples for staff review.
Sponsor representatives from La Porte (Heiko Larson and others) described the building's vacancy (about 15 years) and the plan to open in January to serve more than 200 children with infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten programs. Multiple prospective parents and community members testified in support, citing limited childcare options in the city and substantial community demand. Speakers included parents Pari Schacht and Kirk Byers and others who described waitlists and the program's value for working families.
Commission discussion focused on door and window details (use of custom Hope Windows and Doors), the ramp design (glass infill and simplified handrails), safety for infants and toddlers, and the base treatment under the ramp. Commissioners suggested simplifying decorative ornamentation and improving solidity at the base so the ramp reads as part of the building rather than a temporary attachment. A motion to approve the project with staff conditions was made and seconded; the roll call vote recorded every commissioner voting yes (Hyland, Jonk, Johns, Matsuda, Pearlman, Wolfram, President Haas). The motion passed 7–0.
