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SEC. 7. STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR REVIEW OF NEW CONSTRUCTION AND CERTAIN ALTERATIONS.
(a) Standards. All construction of new buildings and all major alterations, which are subject to the provisions of Sections 1110, 1111 through 1111.6 and 1113, shall be compatible with the District in general with respect to the building's composition and massing, scale, materials and colors, and detailing and ornamentation, including those features described in Section 6 of this Appendix. Emphasis shall be placed on compatibility with those buildings in the area in which the new or altered building is located. In the case of major alterations, only those building characteristics that are affected by the proposed alteration shall be considered in assessing compatibility. Signs on buildings in conservation districts are subject to the provisions of Section 1111.7.
The foregoing standards do not require, or even encourage, new buildings to imitate the styles of the past. Rather, they require the new to be compatible with the old. The determination of compatibility shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 309.
(b) Guidelines. The guidelines in this subsection shall be used in assessing compatibility.
(1) Composition and Massing. New construction should maintain the character of surrounding buildings by relating to their prevailing height, mass, proportions, rhythm and composition.
In addition to the consideration of sunlight access for the street, an appropriate streetwall height is established by reference to the prevailing height of the buildings on the block and especially that of adjacent buildings. The prevailing height of buildings on New Montgomery Street is between five and eight stories while buildings on Second Street commonly range from three to six stories. A setback at the streetwall height can permit additional height above the setback up to the height limit without breaking the continuity of the street wall.
Almost all existing buildings are built to the property or street line. This pattern, except in the case of carefully selected open spaces, should not be broken since it could damage the continuity of building rhythms and the definition of streets.
Proportions for new buildings should be established by the prevailing streetwall height and the width of existing buildings. On New Montgomery Street, the historic pattern of large lot development permits new buildings to have a horizontal orientation. In order to ensure that an established set of proportions is maintained on Second Street, new construction should break up facades into discrete elements that relate to prevailing building masses. The use of smaller bays and multiple building entrances are ways in which to relate the proportions of a new building with those of existing buildings.
The design of a new structure should repeat the prevailing pattern of two- and three-part vertical compositions. One-part buildings without bases do not adequately define the pedestrian streetscape and do not relate well to the prevailing two- and three-part structures.
(2) Scale. The existing scale can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including: a consistent use of size and complexity of detailing with regard to surrounding buildings, continuance of existing bay widths, maintenance of the existing streetwall height, and the use of a base element (of similar height) to maintain the pedestrian environment. Large wall surfaces, which increase a building's scale, should be broken up through the use of vertical piers, detailing and textural variation to reduce the scale of Second Street.
Existing fenestration (windows, entrances) and rhythms which have been established by lot width or bay width should be repeated in new structures. The spacing and size of window openings should follow the sequence set by historic structures. Large glass areas should be broken up by mullions so that the scale of glazed areas is compatible with that of neighboring buildings. Casement and double-hung windows should be used where possible since most existing buildings use these window types.
(3) Materials and Colors. The use of masonry and stone materials or materials that appear similar (such as substituting concrete for stone) can link two disparate structures, or harmonize the appearance of a new structure with the architectural character of a Conservation District. The preferred surface materials for this District are brick, stone, terra cotta and concrete (simulated to look like terra cotta or stone).
The texture of surfaces can be treated in a manner so as to emphasize the bearing function of the material, as is done with rustication on the Rialto Building. Traditional light colors should be used in order to blend in with the character of the district. Dissimilar buildings may be made more compatible by using similar or harmonious colors, and to a lesser extent, by using similar textures.
(4) Detailing and Ornamentation. A new building should relate to the surrounding area by picking up elements from surrounding buildings and repeating them or developing them for new purposes. The new structure should incorporate prevailing cornice lines or belt courses. A variety of Renaissance/Baroque, Gothic and Moderne ornament in the District provides sources for detailing in new buildings in order to strengthen their relationship. Similarly shaped forms can be used as detailing without directly copying historical ornament.
(Added Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; amended by Ord. 182-12
, File No. 120665, App. 8/8/2012, Eff. 9/7/2012)
SEC. 8. TDR; ELIGIBILITY OF CATEGORY V BUILDINGS.
Category V Buildings in that portion of the New Montgomery-Mission-Second Street Conservation District which is in the 150-S Height District as shown on Sectional Map 1H of the Zoning Map are eligible for the transfer of TDR as provided in Section 1109(c).
(Added Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85; amended by Ord. 182-12
, File No. 120665, App. 8/8/2012, Eff. 9/7/2012)
SEC. 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
It is hereby found that the area known and described in this Appendix as the Commercial-Leidesdorff area is a Subarea within the C-3 District that possesses concentrations of buildings that together create a Subarea of architectural quality and importance which contributes to the beauty and attractiveness of the City. It is further found that the area meets the standards for designation of a Conservation District as set forth in Section 1103 of Article 11 and that the designation of said area as a Conservation District will be in furtherance of and in conformance with the purposes of Article 11 of the City Planning Code.
This designation is intended to promote the health, safety, prosperity and welfare of the people of the City through the effectuation of the purposes set forth in Section 1101 of Article 11 and the maintenance of the scale and character of the Commercial-Leidesdorff area by:
(a) The protection and preservation of the basic characteristics and salient architectural details of structures insofar as these characteristics and details are compatible with the Conservation District;
(b) Providing scope for the continuing vitality of the District through private renewal and architectural creativity, within appropriate controls and standards. It is intended to foster a climate in which the Commercial-Leidesdorff area may continue to exist as an important part of the City's commercial base, providing a quiet contrast to the bustle of the rest of the Financial District; and
(c) Encouragement of the continued intensive use of the District by financial district workers during the noon hours.
(Added Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85)
SEC. 2. DESIGNATION.
Pursuant to Section 1103.1 of Article 11, of the City Planning Code (Part II, Chapter XI of the San Francisco Municipal Code), the Commercial-Leidesdorff area is hereby designated as a Conservation District.
(Added Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85)
SEC. 3. LOCATION AND BOUNDARIES.
The location and boundaries of the Commercial-Leidesdorff District shall be as designated on the Commercial-Leidesdorff Conservation District Map, the original of which is on file with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors under File No. 223-84-4, which Map is hereby incorporated herein as though fully set forth, and a facsimile of which is reproduced hereinbelow.
(Added Ord. 414-85, App. 9/17/85)
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