Rules Committee forwards three Historic Preservation Commission reappointments
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Summary
The Rules Committee on March 4 voted to forward positive recommendations for the reappointments of Richard Johns, Kate Black and Andrew Wolfram to the San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission; the committee cited the commission’s work on context statements, cultural districts and the legacy business registry.
The San Francisco Rules Committee on March 4 recommended reappointment of three members to the Historic Preservation Commission and will forward the committee’s positive recommendation to the Board of Supervisors ahead of its March 12 meeting.
Supervisor Hillary Ronan, chair of the Rules Committee, opened the item and gave each nominee time to speak. Richard Johns, a nominee for the historian seat, said the commission has expanded its focus “not in just buildings and monuments, but the people who created the buildings and monuments” and highlighted the commission’s work producing context statements documenting communities’ histories. Kate Black described her roughly 30 years in municipal planning and preservation work and said she would bring that experience to weigh competing objectives in controversial projects. Andrew Wolfram, who has served on the commission since 2009 and spent four years as its president, cited priorities including a citywide historic survey and balancing accessibility and seismic upgrades on landmark structures.
Supporters from the preservation community and residents addressed the committee. Aaron Hyland, identified as president of the Historic Preservation Commission, urged continuity and expertise on the commission. Cindy Heitzman, executive director of the California Preservation Foundation, described Wolfram’s professional experience on projects such as the Ferry Building and the Presidio Officers’ Club and endorsed his nomination.
After remarks and public support, an unidentified committee member moved “to delete the word rejecting and move all 3 recommendations forward, with the positive recommendation” as a committee report; Chair Ronan said, “Without objection, that motion passes.” The clerk noted items acted on that day will appear on the March 12 Board of Supervisors agenda.
The committee’s recommendation now goes to the full Board of Supervisors for final confirmation. No formal roll‑call vote was recorded in the committee; the motion advanced as a committee report without objection.
