SEC. 7. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS.
The procedures, requirements, controls and standards in Sections 1005 through 1006.8 of Article 10 of the City Planning Code shall apply to all applications for Certificates of
Appropriateness in the Telegraph Hill 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 the Historic District shall prevail.
(a) Character of the Historic District. The standards for review of all applications for Certificates of Appropriateness are as set forth in Section 1006.7 of Article 10. For purposes of
review pursuant to said standards, the character of said Historic District shall mean the architectural features and historic open space of the Telegraph Hill Historic District referred to and
described in Section 6 of this ordinance.
(b) Height. Buildings should relate to the height of structures immediately adjacent and in the general area with the intent that the building should be contained within an envelope that
slopes upward or downward with the slope of the property.
(c) Alterations and New Construction. Alterations and new construction shall be compatible with the nearby contributory buildings within the Historic District, and shall conform to
the following provisions:
(1) Style. New construction in a contemporary idiom is encouraged, with specific regulation as follows:
(a) Bay windows and porticos are not characteristic of the District, and are discouraged.
(b) Porches and balconies are characteristic design features of the District, and are encouraged.
(c) Gable roof forms are encouraged.
(d) The mass of new buildings should relate to the topographical contour of the site, and be compatible with adjacent buildings.
(e) Horizontal rustic wood siding is the traditional building material in the District, and its use is encouraged over other surfacing materials, including wood shingles. Masonry
surfaces may be appropriate in subareas with a concentration of Art Moderne or International Style building.
(f) Fenestration should be proportionate and in scale with traditional patterns within the District. Wooden sash is encouraged over aluminum or other metal sash.
(g) Detailing should relate to the simple, straightforward traditional vernacular forms found in the District.
(2) Landscaping. All applications for Certificates of Appropriateness for construction shall include landscaping plans for required yards, setbacks and areas counting toward useable
open space requirements of Section 135 of the City Planning Code. All construction activities, such as but not limited to demolition, storage of construction materials, excavation, and
application of concrete and other chemicals shall be conducted to minimize interference with historic gardens in public rights-of-way and in historic gardens adjoining them. Fences shall
not obstruct views of private gardens abutting historic public rights-of-way.
(3) Access. Access for demolition and/or construction shall utilize existing paths, steps and walkways. The project sponsor shall replace in kind and value any landscaping features on
public space which may be damaged or destroyed by such activities.
(d) Wooden Walkways and Steps. Existing wooden steps on Filbert Street and boardwalk on Napier Lane shall be maintained as unique contributors to the setting of the District.
(e) Public Rights-of-Way. Unimproved sections of public rights-of-way shall be treated as open space. In such spaces gardens are encouraged: Ornamental gardens where the terrain
slopes gently, and "natural" gardens elsewhere. Changes in the existing circulation patterns shall not be made except when such change is clearly preferable to provide for public safety.
(f) Street Furniture. Street furniture including but not limited to lighting fixtures, trash receptacles, and benches shall require a Certificate of Appropriateness. Such features shall
complement the scale and character of the District.
(g) Demolition. Demolition of Contributory and Contributory/Altered buildings shall be subject to the maximum controls allowed under Article 10 of the City Planning Code. A
demolition permit shall not be issued until all other required permits for new construction have been approved. No application for a demolition permit shall be deemed complete until all
building permits for the replacement structure have been approved.*
(h) Cliffs. Applications for Certificates of Appropriateness proposing new construction on lots located upon the cliff areas of the District shall conform to the following provisions:
(1) Applications shall include geological studies made by a licensed civil engineer whose principle practice area is rock mechanics.
(2) At the hearing on the Certificate of Appropriateness pursuant to Sections 1006.2(b) and 1006.3, the Planning Commission shall determine whether the construction proposed by the
applicant will have a reasonable probability of endangering life, limb, or property due to landsliding or structural failure. The Planning Commission's determination shall be based upon the
geological studies submitted by the applicant or any interested party, as well as based upon testimony from, but not limited to, geotechnical and structural engineers.
(3) If the Planning Commission finds, based on the evidence presented at the hearing, that there is a reasonable probability that the proposed construction will endanger life, limb, or
property of any person due to landsliding or structural failure, the Planning Commission shall disapprove the Certificate of Appropriateness.
(4) If the Planning Commission determines that the proposed construction can be safely undertaken without endangering life, limb, or property of any person due to landsliding or
structural failure, the applicant shall take a "soft" approach to cliff retention, such as rock bolts and prestressed tendons, in order to preserve the integrity of the cliffs.
(i) Significance of Individual Buildings to the Historic District. The history of each parcel within the Historic District is documented on the survey worksheets (Appendix A to the
Telegraph Hill Historic District Case Report). Each building is assigned a finding from the three following categories:
(1) Contributory. This category identifies buildings which date from the Historic District's period of significance and retain their historic integrity. These structures are of the highest
importance in maintaining the character of the Historic District. The maximum suspension period allowable under Article 10 shall be imposed on applications for demolition of
Contributory buildings.
(2) Contributory/Altered. This category identifies buildings which date from the Historic District's period of significance but have had their historic integrity compromised by
inappropriate alterations. Appropriate restoration of such buildings is encouraged. The maximum suspension period allowable under Article 10 shall be imposed on applications for
demolition of Contributory/Altered buildings. If a building in this category were to be appropriately restored, the category designation may be amended to "Contributory."
(3) Noncontributory. This category identifies buildings which postdate the Historic District's period of significance. Demolition permit applications for these buildings will be
processed without reference to the suspension provisions of Article 10. Alterations to Noncontributory buildings would require Certificate of Appropriateness review in order to minimize
conflicts with the historic character of the District.
(Added by Ord. 442-86, App. 11/13/86)
* It is not the intent of this section to prohibit consideration and approval of permits for new construction and demolition on the property while it is subject to the demolition prohibition set
forth herein.