San Francisco committee approves Jason Wright for Historic Preservation Commission position

The San Francisco County Rules Committee convened on July 4, 2025, to discuss key appointments and initiatives, with a primary focus on the nomination of Jason Wright to the Historic Preservation Commission. The meeting began with a motion to approve or reject Mayor Breed's nomination of Wright for a term ending December 31, 2024.

Chair Paskin opened the discussion by expressing gratitude to Mayor Breed for identifying a suitable nominee. Paskin highlighted Wright's qualifications, noting his extensive experience in historic preservation and his alignment with the commission's needs. Supervisor Mandelmann echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of Wright's nomination and the positive feedback he received from respected figures in the preservation community.

Wright then presented his background, detailing his 18 years of experience in historic preservation, including significant involvement in LGBTQ heritage initiatives in San Francisco. He expressed his commitment to the city’s preservation goals, particularly the completion of a citywide survey and the recognition of cultural districts and legacy businesses. Wright's technical expertise and understanding of sustainable preservation practices were also highlighted as key assets for the commission.

Public comments were invited, with support for Wright's nomination coming from Aaron Highland, a former commissioner. Highland praised Wright's dedication to the preservation community and his role in founding the Young Preservation Group at San Francisco Heritage. He urged the committee to remain engaged with the commission's work, particularly as several new commissioners and a new planning director were in place.

Following public comments, the committee moved to amend the motion to approve Wright's nomination, removing the term "rejecting" from the title. The meeting concluded with a strong consensus on Wright's qualifications and the importance of his role in advancing historic preservation efforts in San Francisco. The committee's next steps will involve formalizing the nomination and continuing to support preservation initiatives in the city.