Historical Landmark Designation Rejected for 3200 California St.

SAN FRANCISCO-The planning commission rejected an attempt to designate a building at 3200 California Street a historical landmark. The 68-year-old building currently houses the Jewish Community Center. It will be demolished in order to make room for a larger structure to house the JCC.

The Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board recommended the building for landmark status at their meeting on August 16. The Planning Commission, however, sided with representatives of the JCC in unanimously voting against landmark status for the building.

In another unanimous decision by the commission, the green light was given to a 177-unit live/work development in SOMA at Sixth and Brannan.

Opposition to the plan focused on the fact that the units will be spread among several buildings that could easily be converted to serve solely as office space. As a concession to these concerns, the commission voted that before any space in this project can be converted to office space, the Planning Commission must grant permission.