SEC. 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
The Board of Supervisors hereby finds that the area known and described in this ordinance as the Bush Street - Cottage Row 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 the designation of
the 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 the
preservation on an areas basis rather than on the basis of the 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 by Ord. 324-91, App. 9/4/91)
SEC. 2. DESIGNATION.
Pursuant to Section 1004 of the City Planning Code, Chapter II, Part II of the San Francisco Municipal Code, the Bush Street - Cottage Row Historic District is hereby designated as an
Historic District, this designation having been duly approved by resolution of the City Planning Commission.
(Added by Ord. 324-91, App. 9/4/91)
SEC. 3. LOCATION AND BOUNDARIES.
The location and boundaries of the Bush Street - Cottage Row Historic District Map, the original of which is on file with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors under File 115-91-8, which
Map is hereby incorporated herein as though fully set forth.
(Added by Ord. 324-91, App. 9/4/91)
SEC. 4. RELATION TO REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE WESTERN ADDITION A-2 PROJECT AREA.
Nothing in this Ordinance shall supersede, impair or modify any provisions of the Redevelopment Plan for the Western Addition Redevelopment A-2 Project Area which are applicable to
property located in such Redevelopment Project Area and designated part of this Bush Street - Cottage Row Historic District. Procedures found in Planning Code Article 10 shall not apply
to the Bush Street - Cottage Row Historic District as long as the Western Addition A-2 Project Area Redevelopment Plan is in effect. The Board of Supervisors urges the San Francisco
Redevelopment Agency to work cooperatively with the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board on proposed exterior alterations within the Bush Street - Cottage Row Historic District.
(Added by Ord. 324-91, App. 9/4/91)
SEC. 5. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE.
The Bush Street - Cottage Row Historic District is a remarkably intact group of architecturally consistent Italianate and Stick residential buildings constructed between 1870 and about
1885. It demonstrates several different modes of speculative housing during those years, from the mass builder The Real Estate Associates, which developed whole square blocks, through
investors John H. Smyth and Charles L. Taylor, who built houses to hold and rent out for income, to the single homeowner. This District is rated high on local surveys and is listed in the
National Register of Historic Places.
The Bush Street - Cottage Row Historic District comprises 22 residences, a walkway and a small park. There is continuity of height and setback; houses step downhill evenly from the
northeast to conform with the land contour; lots are narrow and deep. Almost all the houses were developed in four groups, so that six on Bush Street are essentially identical to each other,
as are three different ones on Bush Street, two on Sutter Street and six on Cottage Row. All are two-story frame structures of Italianate or early Stick Style, with channel rustic siding,
double-hung windows and paneled entry recess. They are tall, narrow buildings with tall, narrow openings balanced by heavy, bracketed cornices on patently false fronts. All except
Cottage Row have bay windows on facade or rear.
Since they were originally built, the houses continued to be used as residences, with some alteration due to subdivision into units. At least two residences were resurfaced, and one of
these has been restored. The walkway of Cottage row continued until 1944 as part of a single piece of private property with 2109 - 2113 Bush Street and 1 - 6 Cottage Row. The Cottage
Row houses were separated into individual ownerships gradually from 1956 - 1967, and only on the last date was the walkway singled out as an individual holding separate from any house.
Taylor himself had chosen the name "Cottage Row," which was listed among San Francisco's streets as early as the 1886 Directory. In the 1930s the walkway was popularly called "Japan
Street," because the entire District was inhabited by Japanese-Americans until their internment during World War II. In the tiny rear yards of Cottage Row they grew vegetables, which they
offered for public sale at an informal weekly open market held every Saturday along the Row.
(Added by Ord. 324-91, App. 9/4/91)
SEC. 6. FEATURES OF EXISTING BUILDINGS.
1. Overall Form and Continuity.The massing of the existing buildings relates to the topographical contour of the site, and is compatible with the adjacent area.
2. Scale and Proportion.Buildings in the District relate to the height and setback of the structures immediately adjacent and in the general area, contained within an envelope that slopes
upward or downward with the slope of the properties.
3. Fenestration.Existing fenestration is predominantly double-hung wooden sash and is proportionate and in scale with 19th century stylistic patterns within the District.
4. Materials.Horizontal rustic wood siding is the traditional cladding material in the District.
5. Detail.Detailing found in the district usually follows simple, straightforward Italianate or Stick Style forms.
(Added by Ord. 324-91, App. 9/4/91)
SEC. 7. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS.
The following provisions shall apply to all applications for Certificates of Appropriateness in the Bush Street-Cottage Row Historic District in addition to the procedures, requirements,
controls and standards of Article 10 and this Code. If any conflict or inconsistency between the following provisions and Article 10 arises, the procedures, requirements, controls and
standards affording stricter protection to the landmark, landmark site, or 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, Cottage Row right-of-way, and the Cottage Row Mini Park of the
Bush Street-Cottage Row Historic District described in Section 6.
B. Exterior Changes Requiring Approval. A Certificate of Appropriateness shall be required for all exterior changes within the Historic District that are visible from a public street,
the Cottage Row right-of-way, or the Cottage Row Mini Park. Such exterior changes requiring approval shall include, but not be limited to, the installation or replacement of fences,
retaining walls, windows, security grates, lighting fixtures, and other building features visible from the public way.
C. Additions, Alterations, or New Construction. Additions, exterior alterations, and new construction shall be compatible with the scale, architectural details, fenestration, and
materials of the District as described in this Appendix K. Any new work shall be compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale, proportions and massing. New or replacement
fences shall be compatible with the scale, height, materials, details, and topography of the Historic District.
D. Street and Park Furniture. Any new or replacement street or park furniture, including but not limited to light fixtures and trash receptacles, shall require a Certificate of
Appropriateness.
E. Nothing in this legislation shall be construed to regulate paint colors within the Historic District.
(Added by Ord. 148-09, File No. 081251, App. 7/10/2009)
SEC. 8. SIGNIFICANCE OF INDIVIDUAL BUILDINGS TO THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
The history of each parcel within the Historic District is documented on survey worksheets (Appendix A to the Bush Street - Cottage Row Historic District Case Report No. 90.288L).
This classification of buildings in the Historic District is delineated in the Case Report No. 90.288L. Each building is designated as follows:
(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. All buildings identified within this Historic District are Contributory to the Historic District.
(2) Noncontributory. This category identifies buildings or vacant lots which are outside or are not relevant to the Historic District's period of significance or are so significantly altered
that they have lost their historic integrity. Construction of new buildings on a demolished or vacant sites and additions to or major alteration of Noncontributory buildings should be
compatible with the character of the Historic District. Vacant parcels, including the City-owned right-of-way known as Cottage Row (Lot 46) and the City-owned Mini Park (Lot 12), are
both rated Noncontributory.
(Added by Ord. 324-91, App. 9/4/91)