Protect Residential
Zoning!
At 1969 California
Street, the Planning Commission recently approved
allowing a commercial art gallery in a
block that is zoned residential.
This was based on many
misrepresentations and withholding of PHRA's opposition
submissions by the planner.
This sets a very
dangerous precedent - get a building landmarked and then
claim that the only way to preserve the landmarked
residence is to allow a business to operate there.
Many large historic
homes in San Francisco are maintained as such without
needing to run a business at the residence. The owner
of 1969 California only sought this after operating as a
gallery with numerous events and fully open to the
public retail hours for which they were cited as this is
not allowed in a residential property.
We are trying to
negotiate with the owner to mitigate the intrusiveness
of this business on the neighbors; however the
owners want to have 25 events per year.
The Planning Commission
limited them to 5 gallery/showing opening events per
year, but the owners say the other events are not for
the gallery, they are fundraisers for charities etc.
The reason they hold
fundraisers on the property is to promote their art,
just like any business that allows a fundraiser to be
held there.
We need each of you to
call and or e-mail all of the
supervisors and let them know this bad precedent allowed
by the Planning Commission must be overturned on appeal.
The appeal hearing is
set for Tuesday January 5, 2010 at 4 PM.
If possible, please attend this hearing and speak out as
a neighbor.
October 22, 2009
CALL TO ACTION: Preserve Residential Zoning
-- Owners Sign Petition Below
As
you may be aware the planning Commission approved a conditional
use permit to allow an art gallery to operate in a residentially
zoned block at 1969 California Street. Many people work at
home. No permit is needed for that. A conditional use permit
is only necessary when surrounding neighbors are going to be
affected by the business. In this case, the art gallery will
operate at the expense of the neighbors. There is a lot of
empty commercial space on Fillmore, Union, Polk, Chestnut and in
Union Square. That is where a commercial art gallery belongs.
This sets a VERY BAD precedent. It was based on an assertion
that running a business there was necessary to preserve the
"Landmark" (the property was recently designated).
The
gallery operated illegally and only sought landmark status to
apply for this loophole in the planning code. Their
presentation to the commission was filled with misstatements and
mis-representations.
The
business in this sort of a situation is supposed to be a
neighborhood serving business. This business clearly does not
do that.
Most historic "landmarkable" houses in San Francisco are
maintained as residences without a business use. 1969
California has always been a residence. It has been completely
remodeled several times since 1969 by families that could afford
to live there without running a commercial business in a
residence.
The
gallery has 3 employees in addition to the 2 owners; will be
open to the public for art shows 25 weeks out of the year from
10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.; has no restrictions on street
parking; can load and unload art as frequently as desired; and
will have at least 5 evening events during rush hour with valet
parkers who can shut down traffic. In addition, there is NO
limit to the number of people who can be invited to any event at
any time!
This permitted use will now be with that property FOREVER.
Enforcement of any conditions of the permit is very hard. The
city is very slow to take action.
WE
MUST APPEAL this decision to the Board of Supervisors.
If you
own property within 300 feet of the 1969
California Street property, we are asking that you sign the
request for the appeal. Please call (415/498-6270) or e-mail to
let us know how and when we may get your signature.
Many thanks for your support.
Greg Scott
President, PHRA
| Board
| Mission Statement | Hot
Issues | Membership | Events
| Newsletter | Contact
Us | Home |
|