11 3 / 2009

This is 1268 Lombard. I am extremely concerned about this building, not as a nosy neighbor (I live across town) but as someone deeply concerned with the disappearing historic fabric of San Francisco due to departmental oversight in cases like this. The owners have not (as of this morning) produced any kind of legitimate permit number for demolition, and it is my understanding there are restrictions on demolition of residential housing stock, and certainly for designated historic resources. This structure is the 8th-oldest building in San Francisco, and is listed in Here Today, the survey of historic buildings that is the (pitifully outdated) municipal standard. This is also a very clear case of willful neglect in an attempt to degrade the property into demolish-able condition. Pieces of the property have been altered in ways not attributable to normal wear and tear (ie. doors/windows removed or cut to allow the elements to degrade the interior.) This building is not only a historic resource, it is (before its current condition and could have been easily rehabilitated) a viable two-family property that would be subject to rent control. The owning entity is a subsidiary of Vanguard Real Estate: it is painfully clear this is a naked and disingenuous end-run around the process to remove rental housing stock and redevelop luxury housing in its place. This is a perfect example of how historic preservation is not and does not have to be inherently elitist: in most cases, it is most closely allied with the concerns of the people who live in the community, and is ALWAYS the “greenest” course of action. I have asked staff at the Planning Department to look into the legitimacy of the demolition permit. Most involved agree this is shady business. More photos HERE.

This is 1268 Lombard.


I am extremely concerned about this building, not as a nosy neighbor (I live across town) but as someone deeply concerned with the disappearing historic fabric of San Francisco due to departmental oversight in cases like this.

The owners have not (as of this morning) produced any kind of legitimate permit number for demolition, and it is my understanding there are restrictions on demolition of residential housing stock, and certainly for designated historic resources. This structure is the 8th-oldest building in San Francisco, and is listed in Here Today, the survey of historic buildings that is the (pitifully outdated) municipal standard.

This is also a very clear case of willful neglect in an attempt to degrade the property into demolish-able condition. Pieces of the property have been altered in ways not attributable to normal wear and tear (ie. doors/windows removed or cut to allow the elements to degrade the interior.)

This building is not only a historic resource, it is (before its current condition and could have been easily rehabilitated) a viable two-family property that would be subject to rent control. The owning entity is a subsidiary of Vanguard Real Estate: it is painfully clear this is a naked and disingenuous end-run around the process to remove rental housing stock and redevelop luxury housing in its place. This is a perfect example of how historic preservation is not and does not have to be inherently elitist: in most cases, it is most closely allied with the concerns of the people who live in the community, and is ALWAYS the “greenest” course of action.

I have asked staff at the Planning Department to look into the legitimacy of the demolition permit. Most involved agree this is shady business.

More photos HERE.

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