Committee approves amendment to landmark ordinance allowing compatible entry subject to historic review

The committee approved an amendment to an ordinance to designate Diego Rivera’s fresco "The Making of a Fresco" in the Diego Rivera Gallery at the San Francisco Art Institute as a landmark, and voted to send the item as amended to the full Board.

Key points: Supervisor Aaron Peskin described negotiated language that would allow a compatible entry on the south side of the gallery from Chestnut Street to improve public visibility and access "subject to approval of a certificate of appropriateness by the Historic Preservation Commission." Representatives of the Art Institute said the change would help the school develop a pocket museum that improves public access while preserving the mural in place.

Action: The committee adopted the amendment by roll call and then voted to send Item 2 as amended to the Board with a positive recommendation.

Context: The item had been postponed one week to allow the sponsor and the Art Institute to resolve language that preserves landmark protections while affording future flexibility for access improvements that would be reviewed by historic preservation authorities.

Next step: The amended ordinance will go to the full Board for final consideration.