Committee sends resolution to place plaques at three 1906-era San Francisco fire hydrants

The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted to send a resolution to the full Board of Supervisors that would begin the approval process to install commemorative plaques next to three fire hydrants that helped supply water during the 1906 San Francisco fire.

Chair Aaron Peskin described the proposal as a small but meaningful act of historic preservation. DPW staff told the committee the department supports the resolution and will help advance the process; Kyle Smiley, legislative aide to Supervisor Rafael Mandelmann, said the plaques will tell how the hydrants "valiantly provided the emergency water supply to limit the damage caused by the 1906 fire." James Lee, board chair of Guardians of the City and a former fire captain, said the nonprofit preserves public-safety historical records and plans to help maintain the plaques and related public information.

Deputy City Attorney John Gibner told the committee that waiving the roughly $700 permit fees associated with installing the plaques would require an ordinance; the committee cannot waive the fees at this meeting. Chair Peskin encouraged Supervisor Mandelmann’s office to introduce such an ordinance if members wished to relieve the nonprofit of installation costs.

Peskin also used the moment to thank Guardians of the City for stewardship of historic engines and said he plans a future hearing on city stewardship of those resources, including equipment stored on Treasure Island.

The committee moved the item to the full board with a positive recommendation. The item will be placed on the board calendar for consideration on June 18 unless otherwise stated.