Rules Committee recommends Chris Foley and Lydia So for Historic Preservation Commission despite Heritage concerns

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee on Sept. 9 voted to recommend two mayoral nominees — Chris Foley and Lydia So — to the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), after hearing detailed testimony, public endorsements and a statement of concern from San Francisco Heritage about one nominee's technical qualifications.

The committee considered the nominations for two HPC seats, including Seat 2, which the charter designates for a licensed architect who meets Secretary of the Interior professional qualification standards for historic architecture. Deputy City Attorney John Givner explained the Secretary of the Interior criteria: a professional architecture degree or state license plus either one year of graduate study in preservation or at least one year of full-time professional experience on historic preservation projects that includes detailed investigations, research reports and preparation of preservation plans and specifications.

Chris Foley described large-scale renovation projects, including a multi-source financed renovation of St. Joseph's (a historic tax-credit project), and said his experience working across preservation and planning processes informs his approach to the commission. "We have to get everybody talking about it," Foley said when asked about urgent HPC priorities, citing the need for better interdepartmental coordination.

Lydia So described her work as a licensed architect with projects that applied Secretary of the Interior standards, including the Baker & Hamilton (Adobe) rehabilitation and school rectory preservation projects; she highlighted service on the Arts Commission and planning work for cultural-heritage districts.

Mike Bueller, president and CEO of San Francisco Heritage, told the committee Heritage reviewed both candidates and could endorse Foley for seat 5 but said it "does not believe that [Ms. So's] qualifications in the field of historic architecture meet the objective requirements for seat 2." Several other speakers — neighborhood organizations, preservation advocates, and community leaders — urged the committee to approve both nominees, citing technical credentials, community ties and the value of broader representation on the commission.

Supervisor Ronan said she had not had sufficient time to vet the nominations and initially moved to continue the items to allow time to review Heritage's concerns. Supervisors Walton and Marr, however, moved to amend and approve the nominations; the committee took a roll-call vote and approved the amendment recommending both nominees by a 2-1 vote: Vice Chair Walton — yes; Member Marr — aye; Chair Ronan — no.

The committee’s action will forward the nominations to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration.

Authorities and clarifying details: The transcript includes a city attorney explanation of charter requirements for the Historic Preservation Commission and the Secretary of the Interior’s professional qualification standards for historic architecture. The qualifications and debate appear in the transcript starting with the clerk reading Items 4 and 5 (topicintro SEG 868) through the committee's roll-call vote (topicfinish SEG 2116).

Next step: The committee recommended both nominees to proceed to the Board of Supervisors for final confirmation.