Historic Preservation Commission OKs Clock Tower roof work but requires original window pattern

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for work at 461 Second Street, known as the Clock Tower Building, on Wednesday, voting 5–1 to allow roofing replacement while requiring the replacement windows to match the original 3-over-3 light configuration.

Monica Giacomucci, department staff, told the commission the project proposes to replace a painted metal snap-on batten roof with a new snap-on batten system that will match existing material and color but use smaller panels, and to replace eight south-side windows in kind as 2-over-2 aluminum sash (the staff report corrected an earlier error that described them as 3-over-3). "The panels are being sort of shrunken down to 19 inches wide," Giacomucci said, explaining current manufactured panel sizes and warranties informed the proposal.

Commissioners debated whether the denser vertical battens would alter the tower's proportions and whether alternative roof systems, such as standing seam or flat-seam metal, had been adequately explored. Commissioner Wright said the change in panel spacing "does seem like it's almost 50%" denser and pressed the applicant to explain whether a less visually obtrusive system had been considered.

Project representative Megan said the building's homeowners association preferred matching the existing vertical batten aesthetic and that manufacturers no longer produce warranted panels wider than about 19 inches between battens. She said the choice reflected both HOA preference and product availability.

Commissioner Black moved to approve the work as submitted while allowing staff to pursue alternate materials if the applicant agreed; that motion initially failed to secure a majority. The commission then approved an alternate motion that delegated final roof-material approvals to staff if a suitable alternate emerged but required that any replacement windows follow the original 3-over-3 light pattern. The second motion passed 5–1, with Commissioner Foley the lone dissenting vote.

The commission recorded that eight windows would be replaced in this phase and that 12 neighboring units currently use a different sash configuration; staff and the applicant noted those remaining units may require replacement in the future. Staff recommended and the commission imposed conditions that product cut sheets and shop drawings be provided prior to planning department approval, and that any required refinements during building permit review be reviewed by preservation staff.

The commission asked staff to report back when final decisions on any alternate roofing solution are made. No public comments were received on the item at the hearing.

The commission also handled recusals: Vice President Nagas Warren recused herself from the 461 Second Street item because her firm is related to the project; she did not participate in the vote.