Historic Preservation Commission backs nonprofit arts-education district for former SFAI campus

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission on Nov. 8 voted unanimously to recommend approval of an ordinance to establish a nonprofit arts education special use district (SUD) at 800 Chestnut, the former San Francisco Art Institute campus.

Planning Department staff told commissioners the ordinance, introduced by Supervisor Peskin, would allow a non-accredited nonprofit arts-education institution to operate on the site under an SUD. Veronica Flores of the Planning Department said the property is currently zoned RH-3 and that the proposed SUD would not alter most RH-3 provisions. Flores said there are no physical changes proposed as part of the ordinance; any future alterations to the building or to the Diego Rivera fresco would require a Certificate of Appropriateness before the commission.

During public comment, Stephen Beal, recently retired after 15 years as president of California College of the Arts, urged support for the legislation. "A reimagined arts institution on this site would not only carry on SFAI's legacy of training and supporting world-renowned artists, but would also further enhance and energize the artistic and cultural life of San Francisco," Beal said. He offered CCA's assistance and support for the project.

An attendee asked whether the Diego Rivera fresco would be available for public viewing. A representative of the prospective buyer said the intention, if the transaction occurs, is to preserve the mural and to develop a plan for public access, but that specific arrangements are still too preliminary to describe.

A commissioner asked staff how common nonprofit, non-accredited arts uses are in the city and whether the commission had seen a similar SUD previously. Flores said she did not have a count or ballpark figure and explained the key land-use distinction is accreditation: the former SFAI was an accredited school and therefore allowed under existing zoning, while a non-accredited institution would need the SUD to provide a clear path for the use.

After brief discussion the commission moved to adopt a recommendation for approval; the motion was seconded and the four commissioners present voted in favor. Staff recorded the vote as 4 to 0 and closed the special hearing.

The ordinance creates a zoning mechanism to permit a nonprofit, non-accredited arts-education use at the 800 Chestnut site; it does not itself authorize any physical changes to the property or to landmarked features, which would require separate review.