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SEC. 4. RELATION TO CITY PLANNING CODE. (a) Article 10 of the City Planning Code is the basic law governing historic preservation in the City and County of San Francisco. This ordinance, being a specific application of Article 10, is both subject to and in addition to the provisions thereof. (b) Except as may be specifically provided to the contrary in this ordinance, nothing in this ordinance shall supersede, impair or modify any City Planning Code provisions applicable to property in Jackson Square, including but not limited to existing and future regulations controlling uses, height, bulk, coverage, floor area ratio, required open space, off-street parking and signs. (Added Ord. 221-72, App. 8/9/72) SEC. 5. JUSTIFICATION. The characteristics of the said Historic District justifying its designation are as follows: (a) History of the Area. The Historic District contains virtually the sole surviving commercial buildings from the 1850's and 1860's. In effect this area, in close proximity to Portsmouth Plaza where the major segment of the modern City began, was the central business district of these early times. Its waterfront location led to its use for mercantile and financial purposes, consulates and offices; and many distinguished men had businesses or property in the area, including General William Tecumseh Sherman, Colonel Jonathan Stevenson, James King of William, Mayors Charles Brenham and Ephraim Burr, Domingo Ghirardelli and Anson Hotaling, Paxon Dean Atherton, William Lent, Alexander Grogan and James de Fremery. The original waterline came to about Montgomery and Jackson Streets and the present district is partly on filled ground, some of the fill consisting of the hulls of ships abandoned in the rush to the gold fields. More than any other existing part of San Francisco, this area recalls the Gold and Silver era and the days of the Vigilante movement. The Barbary Coast, north of the original commercial area, had a somewhat different but noteworthy history. Although the present buildings do not date from the 19th century, many of them were rebuilt immediately after the 1906 Earthquake and Fire and embody the spirit and appearance of the earlier City. In fact, this area to the south of Telegraph Hill had an international reputation from the 1850's on. (b) Basic Nature of the Area. The Historic District includes historically and architecturally significant buildings ranging from the 1850's to the early years of the present century. The vast majority of buildings are under 40 feet in height. The area is large enough to be viable, but yet is compact. It is predominantly oriented to the pedestrian rather than the automobile. There is a healthy and vital mixture of activities. Interior streets are narrow and there are no major through arteries. Streetscapes are an important part of the District's character. (c) Architectural Character. There are common architectural features tying the area together and providing visual distinction and pleasure. These common elements, used throughout the District in varying patterns and emphases, pertain to overall form and continuity, scale and proportion, fenestration, materials, color, texture, detail and decorative features. A high quality of architecture of buildings and their features is well-distributed throughout the Historic District. Visual distinction is due in many cases to the original construction, often carefully restored, but in some cases it is due to thoughtful remodeling that captures the historic character of the District. (d) Uniqueness and Location. Jackson Square includes the City's only surviving early commercial area. Its distinct quality is further enhanced by a downtown location, affording an