Historic preservation staff says Lake Merced West project would ‘substantially’ harm historic resource; commissioners split on alternatives

Planning staff told the Historic Preservation Commission on March 16 that the draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the Lake Merced West project concludes the proposed plan would cause a substantial adverse change to a historic resource — the former Pacific Rod and Gun Club site — and that the impact is project-level significant and unavoidable under CEQA.

Julie Moore, the department’s environmental review coordinator, said the 11-acre site includes four character-defining fields and four contributing buildings (clubhouse, caretaker’s house, rifle range and shell house) whose demolition would result in the significant finding. The draft EIR identifies mitigation measures (documentation, video, interpretive programming and oral histories) and analyzes three alternatives: no project, full preservation (retain three buildings and four fields), and partial preservation (retain two fields and two buildings). “The draft EIR concluded that the proposed project would result in a substantial adverse change on the significance of the historical resource,” Moore said.

Commissioners were divided over which alternative best balances historical preservation and future community programming. Commissioner Johns and others favored the partial preservation alternative or the proposed site plan for its ability to activate the park with recreation, a restaurant and community uses. Commissioner Nagas Warren, Commissioner Wright and several others said they preferred the full preservation alternative to retain more of the site’s distinct historic fabric and recommended stronger interpretive programming and recognition of Indigenous (Ohlone/Ramaytush) narratives.

Commissioners also asked about phasing and whether the city would secure concessionaires (restaurant or recreation operators) before demolishing structures. Jackie Soon of San Francisco Recreation and Parks said staff plans to issue a request for proposals for concessionaires after the EIR process. Staff noted that comments made at the planning commission hearing and written comments by 5 p.m. on April 11 will be addressed in the EIR response document; comments made to the Historic Preservation Commission today will be part of the formal record but not responded to in the EIR.

The commission’s comments will be transmitted to the Planning Commission; the Lake Merced West project will proceed through the Planning Commission and CEQA processes with further public hearings.