test committee - August 19, 2015 - Minutes
Meeting Date:
August 19, 2015 - 10:00am
Location:
Related Meeting Content:
Housing Committee - August 19, 2015
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by President Ellsworth at 1:05 P.M.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mr. William Ellsworth, President
Mr. Ronald Vernali, Vice President
Mr. Walter Park
Ms. Alyce G. Brown
Mr. Arnie Lerner
CITY REPRESENTATIVES: Mr. Tom Fessler, Secretary
Ms. Evelyn Karcs, Recording Secretary
Ms. Elaine Warren, Deputy City Attorney
2. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes for the March 9, 2011 meeting were approved unanimously, with amendments
requested by Commissioner Brown.
3. REVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS:
Secretary Fessler had two communication items related to past appeals. 555 California Street
has permit was issued for the work involving van parking at the site. After a site visit Secretary
Fessler determined 50 California Street has met the conditions set forth in the appeal # 11-01
notice of decision.
4. CONSENT CALENDER
APPEAL #11-02 ONE CALIFORNIA STREET
The appellant is asking for the re-ratification of hardship for the lack of van accessible parking at
this site. The existing basement parking provides a maximum 6’8” clearance, not the 8”2”
required by Section 1129B.3#5 of the 2011 California Building Code.
Page 2 of 3
Commissioner Lerner requested the appeal to be removed from the consent calendar and Skip
Soskin representing One California agreed to have the appeal heard at this meeting.
Commissioner Lerner inquired how the signs at the public accessible street parking could be
changed creating a fine. Mr. Soskin stated that he did not know but they were following the
requirements listed in the previous 50 California Street appeal.
After discussion involving the conditions in the notice of decision for 50 California Street,
Commissioner Park motioned to grant the appeal with three conditions. The first two to be the
same as the 50 California Street decision; additional sign directing drivers to van accessible
parking in neighboring buildings and updating the buildings’ website as to the lack of van
parking at the building and their availability neighboring buildings. The third requires the
property owners to conduct a survey as to the availability of leasing van accessible parking in
neighboring buildings within 60 days and 24 month periods. The motion was voted on and
passed unanimously.
Commissioner Ellsworth Yes
Commissioner Vernali Yes
Commissioner Park Yes
Commissioner Brown Yes
Commissioner Lerner Yes
APPEAL #11-03 111 SUTTER STREET
The appellant is asking for a continuation of a hardship for the lack of an accessible front entry
door at an office building. Past commission decisions have allowed for the use of a collapsible
revolving door as the accessible entry door.
Commissioner Brown requested the appeal to be removed from the consent calendar. Skip
Soskin representing 111 Sutter Street agreed to have the appeal heard at this time. There was
a discussion involving the existing collapsible revolving door requiring assistance from building
staff could be modified to provide unassisted entry. The appellant stated four revolving door
manufactures were contacted, none of them made automatic collapsing doors.
The discussion moved to what affect would replacing the revolving doors with swinging doors to
the historical character of the building. The appellant pointed out the previous commissions and
the State Historic Commission opinion that the use of the collapsible revolving doors would be
acceptable. Commissioner Park pointed out the letter from the State Historic Commission was
an opinion from the 1990’s and attitudes surrounding accessibility have changed. He wished
there was input from historical preservation community regarding the use of swinging doors.