Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the 101 Pulp Section106 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission directs staff to tell HUD there are no adverse impacts for proposed Polk & Hayes tower
Summary
Following a Section 106 review presentation for a proposed 13‑story, 162‑unit residential building at Polk & Hayes, the commission voted unanimously to direct staff to draft a letter stating the commission does not see adverse impacts on the Civic Center Historic District.
Lee Gazzo, planning department staff, presented a HUD-requested Section 106 review for a proposed 13‑story, 162‑unit residential building at the northwest corner of Polk and Hayes (adjacent to the Civic Center Historic District). Gazzo summarized prior historic-resources evaluations, including an HRER that concluded the project would not interfere with primary district views or interrelationships among civic-center buildings.
Developer Mark Babson (Emerald Fund) described how the design evolved through five major iterations to incorporate Beaux-Arts and contextual Civic Center elements and said the project was entitled in May 2013 and is seeking HUD-insured construction financing. He noted the project includes 162 dwelling units, 19 of which would be affordable, and a 51-space subterranean garage.
Commissioners asked detailed planning questions about ground-floor residential uses, how the design would support pedestrian activity, parking logistics and how retail might be concentrated on Van Ness. Staff and the sponsor explained design choices and referenced prior reviews and a mitigated negative declaration prepared under CEQA.
After discussion, Commissioner Wolfram moved and commissioners voted unanimously to direct staff to draft a Section 106 letter conveying that the commission does not see adverse impacts on the Civic Center Historic District. Staff will prepare the letter for HUD and the Park Service as part of the Section 106 process.
