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Commission approves findings that 660 Third Street office conversion supports preservation
Summary
The commission reviewed a proposal to convert up to 80,000 sq. ft. at 660 Third Street from PDR to office use under Planning Code Section 803.9, found it meets Secretary of the Interior rehabilitation standards given the sponsor’s maintenance plan, and adopted a resolution with unanimous recorded votes.
The Historic Preservation Commission on Feb. 19 reviewed Case No. 2013.067 (660 Third Street) and adopted a resolution finding the sponsor's proposed conversion to office use would enhance the feasibility of preserving a contributing historic building in the South End Landmark District.
Rich Sukhray (department staff) described that the project requests a change of up to 80,000 gross square feet from production, distribution and repair (PDR) to office use under Planning Code Section 803.9, a conditional-use pathway that can allow otherwise non-permitted uses where they improve the feasibility of preserving a historic building. Sukhray said the sponsor submitted a Historic Building Maintenance Plan (HVMP) that includes roof, window and brick inspection and repair, a sign program and an interpretive display, and that planning staff found the project in compliance with the Secretary of the Interior Standards for rehabilitation.
Commissioners probed material details (storefront windows appear to be wood and would be stained) and asked broader policy questions about the cumulative loss of PDR in the Eastern Neighborhoods. Staff and a project representative said the building has been vacant and conversion is intended to make preservation feasible; project counsel David Silverman said there is "no PDR being lost because the building is vacant," and stressed the maintenance commitments in the HVMP.
After discussion, a commissioner moved to adopt the draft resolution containing findings in support of the project's ability to enhance long-term preservation of the building; the motion was seconded and the resolution was approved in a recorded unanimous vote.
The adopted resolution records staff findings and will inform the Planning Commission's subsequent review under the planning code.
