Committee inserts date, forwards code change allowing limited PDR conversions in landmark buildings

Diego Sanchez of the Planning Department summarized unanimous support from the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission for an ordinance that would allow greater flexibility for owners of landmark buildings to convert PDR, institutional, community, or arts spaces while providing replacement space and appropriate findings. The commissions recommended clarifying amendments including: agency determination of lease rates or sales prices for required replacement space; tying a 10-year exemption limit to the first certificate of occupancy; and measuring reductions and replacement requirements on a square-foot basis (allowing up to a 75% reduction in exempted uses by property subject to square-foot accounting).

The Planning Commission also recommended a substantive cap limiting total conversions to less than 49,999 square feet and restricting eligibility to properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places as of 07/01/2016. Counsel and staff confirmed that inserting the date '07/01/2016' into the substitute ordinance (page 6, line 9) would permit the committee to proceed without continuing the item.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin moved to add the proposed date language; the committee approved the amendment and forwarded the ordinance as amended to the full Board with a positive recommendation. Planning staff stated the changes aim to balance preserving landmark fabric with the practical difficulty of adapting landmark buildings for continued PDR and arts uses.