Committee refers Diamond Heights Safety Wall landmark nomination pending maintenance and ownership details

The Land Use and Transportation Committee on March 5 considered a Planning Department nomination to designate the Diamond Heights Safety Wall — a site-specific public sculpture at Diamond Heights Boulevard and Clipper Street — as a landmark under Article 10 of the Planning Code. Desiree Smith of the Planning Department told the committee the nomination was submitted May 1, 2017; the Historic Preservation Commission initiated designation on Nov. 1, 2017 and on Dec. 20, 2017 voted unanimously to recommend approval.

The Planning Department said the wall is significant both for its association with the Diamond Heights redevelopment project and as a notable work by artist-architect Stefan Alexander Novak from 1968. "The item before you today is consideration to recommend landmark designation of Diamond Heights Safety Wall," Desiree Smith said in her presentation. The department reported 19 letters of support in the packets and one additional letter submitted after publication.

Committee members focused on ownership, ongoing maintenance and public-safety risks posed by trees growing into the structure. Chair Katie Tang said she wanted answers from departments before the full board vote; Ryan department staff present asked for time to verify records. Boris Donoff of the Department of Public Works said DPW is checking documents with the Department of Real Estate and that "it looks as if we are responsible for it, but we are still checking, so I can't really give you a definite on this right now." Donoff noted DPW's regular retaining-wall maintenance program did not clearly include this structure and that landmark status would add maintenance and Arts Commission/Historic Preservation Committee review requirements.

Residents and neighborhood groups urged designation while flagging immediate maintenance needs. Robert Pullum, who submitted the application, described research into the site's midcentury history and the sculpture's origin as the winner of a 1966 competition. Betsy Eddy, president of the Diamond Heights Community Association, and other residents cited tree limbs growing into the sculpture and urged trimming to prevent damage. Neighbors urged that responsibility for trimming and structural safety be confirmed so the city can preserve the work.

Given outstanding questions about who is legally responsible for routine upkeep and whether redevelopment funds or DPW budgets could cover ongoing maintenance, the committee chose to refer the item to the full Board of Supervisors "without recommendation" and asked departments to provide the requested information by the board meeting on March 13.

The committee recorded the referral; Supervisor Kim was excused from the meeting. The full Board of Supervisors will receive department responses and consider the Planning Department's recommendation and any departmental clarifications before acting.