SEC. 6. FEATURES.
(a) Overall Form and Continuity. Building height is generally within a six-story range, with the higher structures closer to the base of Telegraph Hill and lower buildings near the
water. Many of the oldest structures are one or two stories in height.
(b) Scale and Proportion. The buildings are of typical warehouse design, large in bulk, often with large arches and openings originally designed for easy vehicular access. There is a
regularity of overall form. The earlier brick structures blend easily with the scaled-down Beaux Arts forms of the turn of the century and the plain reinforced-concrete structures
characteristic of twentieth century industrial architecture.
(c) Fenestration. Minimal glazing is deeply recessed, producing a strong shadow line. The earliest structures have few windows expressing their warehouse function. They are varied in
size, rhythmically spaced, and relate in shape and proportion to those in nearby buildings. Larger industrial sash windows began to be incorporated in structures built from the 1920's and
onward. Door openings are often massive to facilitate easy access of bulk materials.
(d) Materials. Standard brick masonry is predominant for the oldest buildings in the District, with reinforced concrete introduced after the 1906 fire. Some of the brick facades have
been stuccoed over. One of the structures still has its metal shutters, which were once typical of the area.
(e) Color. Red brick is typical, with some yellow and painted brick. Muted earth tones predominate in shades of red, brown, green, gray, and blue.
(f) Texture. Typical facing materials give a rough-textured appearance. The overall texture of the facades is rough-grained.
(g) Detail. Arches are common at the ground floor, and are frequently repeated on upper floors. Flattened arches for window treatment are typical. Cornices are simple and generally
tend to be abstract versions of the more elaborate cornices found on downtown commercial structures from the nineteenth century. Most of the surfaces of the later buildings are plain and
simple, reflecting their function. Some of the earlier brickwork contains suggestions of pilasters, again highly abstracted. Where detail occurs, it is often found surrounding entryways.
(h) Age. All of the buildings in the area were either partially or totally destroyed by the earthquake and fire of 1906. As in the Jackson Square area, many were rebuilt along the lines of
the previous design, often using materials salvaged from the construction site.
(Added Ord. 171-83, App. 4/8/83)
SEC. 7. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS.
The procedures, requirements, controls and standards in Sections 1006 through 1006.8 of Article 10 of the City Planning Code shall apply to all applications for Certificates of
Appropriateness in the Northeast Waterfront Historic District. In addition the following provisions shall apply to all such applications; in the event of any conflict or inconsistency between
the following provisions and Article 10, those procedures, requirements, controls and standards affording stricter protection to landmarks, landmark sites and the Historic District shall
prevail.
(a) Character of the Historic District. The standards for review of all applications for Certificates of Appropriateness are set forth in Section 1006.7 of Article 10. For purposes of
review pursuant to these standards, the character of the historic district shall mean the exterior architectural features of the Northeast Waterfront Historic District described in Section 6 of
this ordinance.
(b) Additional Standards for Certain Features.
(1) Facade Line Continuity. Facade line continuity is historically appropriate. Therefore, setbacks and arcades, not generally being features of the Northeast Waterfront Historic
District, are not acceptable.
(2) Fenestration and Design Elements for New Construction. In areas with a concentration of older brick buildings, new construction should reflect in design the predominant use
of deeply recessed, limited fenestration. In addition, verticality and a high proportion of mass to void should be incorporated. In areas characterized by newer buildings in concrete or stucco
with industrial-style fenestration, new construction should reflect those design elements.
(3) Roof Treatment. Historically the view from Telegraph Hill over the Northeast Waterfront District has been one of roofs characterized by numerous regularly spaced industrial
skylights. In renovation or new construction, these particular design features should be retained or incorporated.
(4) Signs shall be governed by the applicable provisions of Article 6, section 609.14, and this Appendix D. In the event of inconsistency among these provisions, the most restrictive
provision shall prevail unless this Code specifically provides otherwise.
(c) Exterior Changes Requiring Approval. Exterior changes within the Northeast Waterfront Historic District shall require a Certificate of Appropriateness pursuant to the provisions
of Article 10 when such work requires a city permit. In addition, a Certificate of Appropriateness shall be required for cleaning masonry surfaces with abrasives and/or treatment of such
surfaces with waterproofing chemicals. Sandblasting and certain chemical treatments detrimental to older brick will not be approved.
(Added Ord. 171-83, App. 4/8/83; Ord. 59-08, File No. 031034, App. 4/10/2008)
APPENDIX E TO ARTICLE 10 - ALAMO SQUARE HISTORIC DISTRICT
SEC. 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
The Board of Supervisors hereby finds that the area known and described in this ordinance as Alamo Square Historic District contains a number of structures having a special character
and special historical, architectural and aesthetic interest and value and constitutes a distinct section of the City. The Board of Supervisors further finds that designation of said area as an
Historic District will be in furtherance of and in conformance with the purposes of Article 10 of the City Planning Code and the standards set forth therein, and that preservation on an area
basis rather than on the basis of individual structures alone is in order.
This ordinance is intended to further the general purpose of historic preservation legislation as set forth in Section 1001 of the City Planning Code, to promote the health, safety and
general welfare of the public.
(Added Ord. 324-84, App. 7/6/84)