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)
SEC. 2. DESIGNATION.
Pursuant to Section 1004 of the City Planning Code, Chapter II, Part II of the San Francisco Municipal Code, the Alamo Square Historic District is hereby designated as an Historic
District, this designation having been duly approved by Resolution No. 9954 by the City Planning Commission.
(Added Ord. 324-84, App. 7/6/84)
SEC. 3. LOCATION AND BOUNDARIES.
The location and boundaries of the Alamo Square Historic District shall be as designated on the Alamo Square Historic District Map, the original of which is on file with the Clerk of the
Board of Supervisors under File 90-84-9, which Map is hereby incorporated herein as though fully set forth.
(Added Ord. 324-84, App. 7/6/84)
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 the Alamo Square Historic District, including but not limited to existing and future regulations controlling uses, height, bulk, lot coverage, floor area ratio, required open space,
off-street parking and signs.
(Added Ord. 324-84, App. 7/6/84)
SEC. 5. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE.
The Alamo Square Historic District is significant as a continuum of distinguished residential architecture by distinguished architects spanning the period from the 1870's to the 1920's.
The towered Westerfield House, the renowned "Postcard Row" with its background of the downtown skyline, and the neighboring streetscapes are as identified worldwide with San
Francisco as the cable cars and Coit Tower. With a variety of architectural styles, the District is unified in its residential character, relatively small scale, construction type, materials
(principally wood), intense ornamentation (especially at entry and cornice), and use of basements and retaining walls to adjust for hillside sites. Boundaries include the park, its edges, the
nearby buildings rated highest on the City's architectural survey, and infill structures for rational planning. Most of the original owner-residents were moderately successful businessmen. A
higher than average percentage of the houses were designed by architects, including a virtual cross-section of the City's better professionals. The District has always housed a varied ethnic
group. With a high degree of integrity to its original designs, the District clearly serves as a visual reminder of how businessmen lived two to four generations ago.
(Added Ord. 324-84, App. 7/6/84)
SEC. 6. FEATURES.
The exterior architectural features of the said Historic District that should be preserved are described and depicted in the Landmark Preservation Advisory Board's case report with
appendix titled "Alamo Square Historic District," adopted January 18, 1984, which is hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof as though fully set forth.
(Added Ord. 324-84, App. 7/6/84)
SEC. 7. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS.
The procedures, requirements, controls and standards in Sections 1005 through 1006.8 of Article 10 or the City Planning Code shall apply to all applications for Certificates of
Appropriateness in the Alamo Square 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 site, or 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 Alamo Square Historic District described in Section 6 of this
ordinance.
(b) Minor Exterior Alterations. A Certificate of Appropriateness shall be required for the following minor exterior changes if visible from a public street: Awnings, copings, retaining
walls, fences, balustrades and security grates.
(c) New Construction. New construction on vacant sites shall conform with the general profile of the District, especially as to scale, sculptural qualities of facade and entrance detailing,
fenestration patterns and materials as described in Section 6 of this ordinance.
(d) Street and Park Furniture. Any new or replacement street or park furniture shall require a Certificate of Appropriateness.
(e) Masonry, Brickwork and Stonework. A Certificate of Appropriateness shall be required for painting previously unpainted masonry, brick or stone exterior surfaces, for cleaning
such 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. 324-84, App. 7/6/84)
SEC. 8. PAINT COLOR.
Nothing in this legislation shall be construed as authorization to regulate paint colors used within the District.
(Added Ord. 324-84, App. 7/6/84)