Historic Preservation Commission adopts Sunset District house survey and identifies further study areas

The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously on Sept. 18, 2013, to adopt the Sunset District Historic Resource Survey, a staff‑led project evaluating single‑family houses built between 1925 and 1950 in a central area of the Sunset.

Planner Mary Brown presented the survey's results: 2,762 single‑family houses on 57 blocks were evaluated; 84 buildings appear eligible for individual listing on the California or National Registers; and three potential historic districts were identified (Sunset Picturesque Period Revival Tracts, Sunset Mediterranean Revival Tracts, and Rivera Heights Historic District). Brown noted outreach activities including walking tours, public meetings, a searchable online map and notices to property owners.

Public comment included a homeowner from the proposed Rivera Heights area who testified the neighborhood takes pride in its character and urged adoption to protect its architecture. Commissioner discussion recognized the survey’s constrained geographic and period scope and asked staff to recommend future work to cover adjacent areas and earlier periods.

The commission adopted the survey findings and — at a commissioner’s request — added a recommendation to consider studying Parkway Terrace or expanding future survey scope to include earlier build periods. The motion passed unanimously, 6–0.

Next steps: staff will publish survey materials, continue outreach, and include study of Parkway Terrace (or a broader geographic expansion) as a recommended future scope depending on funding.