Hearing Procedures (HPC)

Sound-Producing Devices Prohibited: The ringing of and use of mobile phones and other sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a mobile phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic devices (67A.1 Sunshine Ordinance: Prohibiting the use of cell phones, pagers and similar sound-producing electronic devices at and during public meetings).

Public Comments: Persons attending a hearing may comment on any scheduled item.

• When speaking before the Commission in City Hall, Room 400, please note the timer indicating how much time remains.  Speakers will hear two alarms.  The first soft sound indicates the speaker has 30 seconds remaining.  The second louder sound indicates that the speaker's opportunity to address the Commission has ended.

For most cases that are considered by the Historic Preservation Commission, after being introduced by the Commission Secretary, shall be considered by the Commission in the following order:

1. Presentation by Staff;
2. Presentation by the Project Sponsor's Team (which includes: the sponsor, representative, legal counsel, architect, engineer, expeditor and/or any other advisor) for a period not to exceed ten (10) minutes, at the discretion of the Chair;
3. Public testimony from supporters of the Project not to exceed three (3) minutes, at the discretion of the Chair;
4. Presentation by Organized Opposition recognized by the Commission President through written request prior to the hearing for a period not to exceed ten (10) minutes, at the discretion of the Chair;
5. Public testimony from opponents of the Project not to exceed three (3) minutes, at the discretion of the Chair;
6. Staff follow-up and/or conclusions;
7. Public comment portion of the hearing shall be closed and deliberation amongst the Commissioners shall be opened by the Chair;
8. A motion to approve; approve with conditions; approve with amendments and/or modifications; disapprove; or continue to another hearing date, if seconded, shall be voted on by the Commission.

Every Official Act taken by the Commission must be adopted by a majority vote of all members of the Commission, a minimum of four (4) votes.  A failed motion results in the disapproval of the requested action, unless a subsequent motion is adopted. Any Procedural Matter, such as a continuance, may be adopted by a majority vote of members present, as long as the members present constitute a quorum (four (4) members of the Commission).

Hearing Materials

Each item on the Agenda may include the following documents:

• Planning Department Case Executive Summary
• Planning Department Case Report
• Draft Motion or Resolution with Findings and/or Conditions
• Public Correspondence

Materials submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission prior to a scheduled hearing will become part of the public record only when the materials are also provided to the Commission Secretary and/or Project Planner. Correspondence may be emailed directly to the Commission Secretary at: commissions.secretary@sfgov.org. 

Persons unable to attend a hearing may submit written comments regarding a scheduled item to the Historic Preservation Commission.  Written comments received by the close of the business day prior to the hearing will be brought to the attention of the Historic Preservation Commission and made part of the official record. 

Advance Submissions: To allow Commissioners the opportunity to review material in advance of a hearing, materials must be received by the Planning Department reception eight (8) days prior to the scheduled public hearing.  All submission packages must be delivered to by 5:00 p.m. and should include fifteen (15) copies.

Day-of Submissions: Material related to a calendared item may be distributed at the hearing. Please provide ten (10) copies for distribution. 

Appeals

The following is a summary of appeal rights associated with the various actions that may be taken at a Historic Preservation Commission hearing.

**An appeal of a Certificate of Appropriateness or Permit to Alter/Demolish may be made to the Board of Supervisors if the project requires Board of Supervisors approval or if the project is associated with a Conditional Use Authorization appeal.  An appeal of an Office Allocation may be made to the Board of Supervisors if the project requires a Conditional Use Authorization.

For more information regarding the Board of Appeals process, please contact the Board of Appeals. For more information regarding the Board of Supervisors process, please contact the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors at (415) 554-5184 or board.of.supervisors@sfgov.org.

Challenges

Pursuant to Government Code Section 65009, if you challenge, in court, the approval of (1) a Certificate of Appropriateness, (2) a Permit to Alter, (3) a Landmark or Historic District designation, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Historic Preservation Commission, at, or prior to, the public hearing.

Proposition F

Under Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code Section 1.127, no person or entity with a financial interest in a land use matter pending before the Board of Appeals, Board of Supervisors, Building Inspection Commission, Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure, Historic Preservation Commission, Planning Commission, Port Commission, or the Treasure Island Development Authority Board of Directors, may make a campaign contribution to a member of the Board of Supervisors, the Mayor, the City Attorney, or a candidate for any of those offices, from the date the land use matter commenced until 12 months after the board or commission has made a final decision or any appeal to another City agency from that decision has been resolved.  For more information about this restriction, visit City & County of San Francisco Ethics Commission.