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Notice of preparation of an environmental impact report : 950 Mason Street, Fairmont Hotel revitalization and residential tower project PDF

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Preview Notice of preparation of an environmental impact report : 950 Mason Street, Fairmont Hotel revitalization and residential tower project

SANFRANCISCOPUBLICLIBRARY 3 1223 08514 5705 C SC0 PLANN\| IING DEPARTMENT January21, 2009 ToResponsibleAgencies, TrusteeAgencies, and Interested Parties: 1650MissionSt. Suite400 RE: CASE NO. 2008.0081E: 950 MASON STREET - FAIRMONT HOTEL REVITALIZATION AND SCaAn9F4r1a0nc3i-s2c4o.79 RESIDENTIAL TOWER PROJECT NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTREPORT Reception: 415.558.6378 A Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the above-referenced Fax: project, describedbelow, hasbeen issued bythe Planning Department. Thisnotice is sent to you because 415.558.6409 you have been identified as potentially having an interest in the project or the project area. The NOP is Planning either attached or is availabl—e upon request from Devyani Jain, whom you may reach at (415) 575-9051 Information: ™> =>* -t— A - - ~£ tUe NOP can also be obtained for public review and comment at the 415.558.6377 Mission Street, 1st Floor Planning Information Center or the report DEP iry 21, 2009 at www.sfgov.org/planning/mea Case iffc^^kj^ENTS . 5/S at the Planning Department's office at 1650 Mission Street, Suite inappointment.) j^j j 2 2000 SAN FRANCISCO quare-foot project site located at 950 Mason Street (Assessor's |gR/\RY San Francisco PublicLibrary ire city block bounded by Mason Street to the west, Sacramemo d the east, and California Street to the south in the Nob Hill includes two main components: the renovation of portions of the Government InformationCenter SanFrancisco Public Library g, a Landmark structure (City Landmark Number 185), and the 100Larkin Street, 5th Floor er on the site of the existing 317-foot-tall, 28-story hotel tower and SanFrancisco, CA 94102 uses built in 1961. Specifically, the project sponsor proposes the REFERENCE BOOK Dric 1906 Fairmont Hotel building (approximately 557,453 gross e existing hotel rooms; that is, reduce the overall number of hotel small hotel rooms for a net loss of approximately 60 rooms in the Not to be taken from the Library ; g; 3) reconfigure some of the existing hotel uses; 4) demolish the ,800-gsf, 317-foot-tall FairmontHotel Tower, whichincludesthe23- foot-tall podium and associated hotel uses built in 1961; and ential tower and podium structure consisting of a 26-story tower - e residential component above a five-story, 50-foot-tall podium totaling approximately 620,656 gsf. The new 26-story residential tower would be located on the northeastern corner of the site above the five-story podium and would enclose the north side of the podium courtyard. The mid-rise residential component would enclose the podium courtyard level along the east and south sides. The proposed mid-rise residential portion over podium would be approximately 10 stories or 105 feet in height. The proposed residential tower and podium structure would be 31 stories or 317 feet in height as measured from the western-most corner of the tower along Sacramento Street. In addition, a 12-foot-tall mechanical penthouse would extend above the tower. With the mechanicalpenthouse, theproposed towerwouldbe approximately329 feetinheight. The proposed new tower and podium would contain approximately 160 residential units (occupying ly 325,086 gsf), approximately 3,776 gsf ofretail space, and an 80,500-gsfnet addition to the space, 65,000-gsf parking garage resulting in an approximately 145,500-gsf, 350-space 711 4097 ^e cons*sting of 302 self-park and 48 tandem spaces. The existing Fairmont Hotel complex F166 www.sfplanning.org SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING DEPARTMENT January 21, 2009 To Respronsible Ag°encies, TrusteeAgencies, and Interested Parties: 1Su6i5te04M0is0sionSt. RE: CASE NO. 2008.0081E: 950 MASON STREET - FAIRMONT HOTEL REVITALIZATION AND CSsAn9F4f130n3ci-s2c4079 RESIDENTIAL TOWER PROTECT NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL „ IMPACTREPORT Reception: 415.558.6378 A Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the above-referenced Fax: project, described below, hasbeen issuedby the PlanningDepartment. Thisnotice is senttoyoubecause *15.558.6409 you have been identified as potentially having an interest in the project or the project area. The NOP is planning either attached or is available upon request from Devyani Jain, whom you may reach at (415) 575-9051 Information: or at the above address. A copy of the NOP can also be obtained for public review and comment at the "ao.oo// Planning Department offices at 1660 Mission Street, 1st Floor Planning Information Center or the report DIE^T can be viewed on-line starting January 21, 2009 at www.sfgov.org/planning/mea Case rgk(^|lsJ^/£rs!TS . available for review by appointment at the Planning Department's office at 1650 Mission Street, Suite 400. (Call (415) 575-9051 to scheduleanappointment.) ywr\ ^ SAN FRANCISCO Project Description The 113,400-square-foot project site located at 950 Mason Street (Assessor's v : Block/Lot: 0244/001) includes the entire city block bounded by Mason Street to the west, Sacram§rtc> ' Street to the north, Powell Street to the east, and California Street to the south in the Nob Hill neighborhood. The proposed project includes two main components: the renovation of portions of the historic 1906 Fairmont Hotel building, a Landmark structure (City Landmark Number 185), and the construction of a new residential tower on the site of the existing 317-foot-tall, 28-story hotel tower and podium, parking and hotel support uses built in 1961. Specifically, the project sponsor proposes the following actions: 1) retain the historic 1906 Fairmont Hotel building (approximately 557,453 gross square feet (gsf)); 2) consolidate some existing hotel rooms; that is, reduce the overall number of hotel rooms in order to enlarge some of the small hotel rooms for a net loss of approximately 60 rooms in the historic 1906 Fairmont Hotel building; 3) reconfigure some of the existing hotel uses; 4) demolish the existing226-room, approximately356,800-gsf, 317-foot-tall FairmontHotel Tower, whichincludes the23- story tower above a five-story, 50-foot-tall podium and associated hotel uses built in 1961; and 5) construct a new 317-foot-tall residential tower and podium structure consisting of a 26-story tower and a five-story, 55-foot-tall mid-rise residential component above a five-story, 50-foot-tall podium totaling approximately 620,656 gsf. The new 26-story residential tower would be located on the northeastern corner of the site above the five-story podium and would enclose the north side of the podium courtyard. The mid-rise residential componentwould enclose the podium courtyard level along the east and south sides. The proposed mid-rise residential portion over podium would be approximately 10 stories or 105 feet in height. The proposed residential tower and podium structure would be 31 stories or 317 feet in height as measured from the western-most corner of the tower along Sacramento Street. In addition, a 12-foot-tall mechanical penthouse would extend above the tower. With the mechanicalpenthouse, theproposedtowerwouldbe approximately329 feetinheight. The proposed new tower and podium would contain approximately 160 residential units (occupying approximately 325,086 gsf), approximately 3,776 gsf ofretail space, and an 80,500-gsfnet addition to the existing 165-space, 65,000-gsf parking garage resulting in an approximately 145,500-gsf, 350-space parking garage consisting of 302 self-park and 48 tandem spaces. The existing Fairmont Hotel complex www.sfplanning.org currently includes 591 hotel rooms and would be reduced to 305 rooms as a result of the proposed project. The project site is within an RM-4 (Residential Mixed-High Density) Use District and the Nob Hill Special Use District (SUD), and within 200-E, 300-E and 320-E Height and Bulk Districts. The proposed projectwould require aConditional Use authorization (CU) formodifications tohotel usein the Nob Hill SUD, a CU for buildings above 40 feet in height in a Residential District, and a CU exception from the "E" bulk controls over 65 feet in height. The project would also require a CU for a Planned Unit Development (PUD), pursuant to Section 304 of the San Francisco Planning Code, for minor deviations from the measurement of bay windows and height provisions; to permit full lot coverage below grade and at several levels above grade whena25percentrearyard is required; to permitparking, commercial, and residential uses in the required rear yard; for exceptions to the required number of loading docks; PUD exceptions to the dwelling unit exposure requirements; and for flexibility in design ofparapets and wind-screens. The southern portion of the proposed residential tower would require a height reclassification from 200 feet to 300 feet due to the variation in theheight and bulk districtswhich divide the project site. The Project Sponsor proposes a comparable "offset" reduction in theheightclassification (from 320 feet to 200 feet) of the southeast corner of the property. The proposed renovations to the historic 1906 Fairmont Hotel building would require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission. The proposed project would also require Planning Commission review under the "LargeTouristHotel ConversionOrdinance", Administrative Code41F.3(f). As stated in the NOP, the Planning Department has determined that an EIR must be prepared for the proposedprojectprior to any final decisionregardingwhether to approve the project. Thepurposeofthe EIR is to provide information about potential significant physical environmental effects of the proposed project, to identify possible ways to minimize the significant effects, and to describeand analyze possible alternatives to the proposed project. Preparation of an NOP or EIR does not indicate a decision by the City to approve or to disapprove the project. However, prior to making any such decision, the decision makers must review and consider the information contained inthe EIR. Comments concerning the scope of the EIR are welcomed. In orderforyour concerns tobe fully considered throughouttheenvironmental review process, we would appreciate receiving them by February 20, 2009. Written comments should be sent to Bill Wycko, Environmental Review Officer, San Francisco Planning Department, 1650 Mission CA Street, Suite400, San Francisco, 94103. If you work for an agency that is a Responsible or a Trustee Agency, we need to know the views of your agency as to the scope and content of the environmental information that is relevant to your agency's statutory responsibilities in connection with the proposed project. Your agency may need to use the EIR when considering a permit or other approval for this project. We will also need the name of the contact person foryouragency. Sincerely, Drvyini Jain Major Environmental Analysis San Francisco PlanningDepartment SANFRANCISCO 3 1223 08514 5705 PLANNING DEPARTMENT SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING DEPARTMENT 1650MissionSt. Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report Suite400 SanFrancisco. CA94103-2479 Date: January 21, 2009 Reception: 415.558.6378 CaseNo.: 2008.0081E Project Title: 950 MASON STREET-FAIRMONT HOTEL Fax: REVITALIZATION AND RESIDENTIAL TOWER PROJECT 415.558.6409 Zoning: Residential Mixed-High Density District (RM-4) Planning Nob Hill Special Use District (SUD) Information: 415.558.6377 200-E, 300-E, and 320-E Height and BulkDistricts Block/Lot: 0244/001 Lot Size: 113,400 square feet (approximately 2.6 acres) Project Sponsor Fairmont Hotel Company - San Francisco LP (310) 966-2370 LeadAgency: San Francisco Planning Department DOCUMENTS DEPT. StaffContact: DevyaniJain- (415) 575-9051 [email protected] . JAN 2 2 2009 SAN FRANCISCO PROJECT DESCRIPTION PUBLIC LIBRARY The project site includes the entire city blockbounded by Mason Street to the west, Sacramento Street to the north, Powell Street to the east, and California Street to the south in the Nob Hill neighborhood. The proposed project includes two main components: the renovation of portions of the historic 1906 Fairmont Hotel building, a Landmark structure (City Landmark Number 185); and the construction of a new residential tower on the site of the existing 317-foot-tall, 28- story hotel tower and podium, parking and hotel support uses built in 1961. Specifically, the project sponsor proposes the following actions: 1) retain the historic 1906 Fairmont Hotel building (approximately 557,453 gross square feet (gsf)); 2) consolidate some existing hotel rooms, that is, reduce the overall number of hotel rooms in order to enlarge some of the small hotel rooms for a net loss of approximately 60 rooms in the historic 1906 Fairmont Hotel building; 3) reconfigure some of the existing hotel uses; 4) demolish the existing 226-room, approximately 356,800-gsf, 317-foot-tall Fairmont Hotel Tower which includes a 23-story tower above a five-story, 50-foot-tall podium and associated hotel usesbuilt in 1961; and 5) construct a new 317-foot-tall residential tower and podium structure consisting of a 26-story tower and a five-story, 55-foot-tall mid-rise residential component above a five-story 50-foot-tall podium totaling approximately 620,656 gsf. The new 26-story residential tower would be located on the northeastern corner of the site above the five-story podium and enclosing the north side of the podium courtyard. The mid-rise residential component would enclose the podium courtyard level along the east and south sides. The proposed mid-rise residential portion over podium would be approximately 10 stories or 105 feet in height. The proposed residential tower and podium structure would be 31 stories or 317 feet in height as measured from the western-most corner of the tower along Sacramento Street. In addition, a 12-foot-tall mechanical penthouse January21,2009 NoticeofPreparationofanEIR January21,2009 would extend above the tower. With the mechanical penthouse, the proposed tower would be approximately 329 feet in height. The proposed new tower and podium would contain approximately 160 residential units (occupying approximately 325,086 gsf), approximately 3,776 gsf of retail space, and an 80,500- gsf net addition to the existing 165-space 65,000-gsf parking garage resulting in an approximately 145,500 gsf, 350-space parking garage consisting of 302 self-park and 48 tandem spaces. The existing Fairmont Hotel complex currently includes 591 hotel rooms and would be reduced to 305 rooms as a result ofthe proposed project. The project site is within an RM-4 (Residential Mixed-High Density) Use District and the Nob Hill Special Use District (SUD), and within 200-E, 300-E and 320-E Height and Bulk Districts. The proposed project would require a Conditional Use authorization (CU) for modifications to hotel use in the Nob Hill SUD, a CU for buildings above 40 feet in height in a Residential District, and a CU exception from the "E" bulk controls over 65 feet in height. The project would also require a CU for a Planned Unit Development (PUD), pursuant to Section 304 of the San Francisco Planning Code, for minor deviations from the measurement ofbay windows and height provisions; to permit full lot coverage below grade and at several levels above grade when a 25 percent rear yard is required; to permit parking, commercial, and residential uses in the required rear yard; for exceptions to the required number of loading docks; PUD exceptions to the dwelling unit exposure requirements; and for flexibility in design of parapets and wind- screens. The southern portion of the proposed residential tower would require a height reclassification from 200 feet to 300 feet due to the variation in the height and bulk districts which divide the project site. The Project Sponsor proposes a comparable "offset" reduction in the height classification (from 320 feet to 200 feet) of the southeast corner of the property. The proposed renovations to the historic 1906 Fairmont Hotel building would require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission. The proposed project would also require Planning Commission review under the "Large Tourist Hotel Conversion Ordinance," Administrative Code 41F.3(f). FINDING This project may have a significant effect on the environment and an Environmental Impact Report is required. This determination is based upon the criteria of the State CEQA Guidelines, Sections 15063 (Initial Study), 15064 (Determining Significant Effect), and 15065 (Mandatory Findings of Significance). The purpose of the EIR is to provide information about potential significant physical environmental effects of the proposed project, to identify possible ways to minimize the significant effects, and to describe and analyze possible alternatives to the proposed project. Preparation of an NOP or EIR does not indicate a decision by the City to approve or to disapprove the project. However, prior to making any such decision, the decision makers must review and consider the information contained in the EIR. Case No. 2008.0081E 2 950MasonStreet FairmontHotel Revitalizationand ResidentialTowerProject NoticeofPreparationofanEIR January21,2009 PUBLIC SCOPING PROCESS Written comments will be accepted until the close of business on February 20, 2009. Written comments should be sent to Bill Wycko, Environmental Review Officer, San Francisco Planning CA Department, 1650MissionStreet, Suite400, SanFrancisco, 94103. If you work for a responsible State agency, we need to know the views of your agency regarding the scope and content of the environmental information that is germane to your agency's statutory responsibilities in connection with the proposed project. Your agency may need to use the EIR when considering a permit orother approval for this project. Pleaseinclude thename ofa contactpersoninyour agency. EnvironmentalReviewOfficer CaseNo.2008.0081E 3 950MasonStreet FairmontHotelRevitalizationand ResidentialTowerProject NoticeofPreparationofanEIR January21, 2009 PROJECT LOCATION AND SITE CHARACTERISTICS The project site is located at 950 Mason Street (Assessor's Block 0244, Lot 001), in the Nob Hill neighborhood, situated in the northeast quadrant of San Francisco. Please refer to Figure 1: Project Site Location. [For readability purposes, all figures (Figures 1 through 24) are included at the end of this NOP starting on p. 27.] The site is fully developed and includes the entire City block bounded by Mason Street to the west, Sacramento Street to the north, Powell Street to the east, and California Street to the south. The project site slopes downward toward the east along California and Sacramento Streets, and slopes downward toward the north along Powell Street. There are approximately 50-foot and 71-foot changes in grade from Mason (west) to Powell (east) Streets along California and Sacramento Streets, respectively; and an approximately 21-foot change in grade from California (south) to Sacramento (north) Streets along Powell Street. The project site is located in a densely-developed urban area surrounded by mid- to high-rise structures. The primary land uses surrounding the project site are high-density hotel and residential uses. Directly south of the project site are the nine-story Stanford Court Hotel and the 16-story Mark Hopkins Hotel.1 Directly to the east are the four-story University Club and three residential apartment buildings ranging from three to nine stories in height. Residential apartment buildings continue to the north and northwest of the project site, with the historic ten-story "Brocklebank" apartment building at the corner of Mason and Sacramento Streets. The Pacific Union Club (Landmark Number 64) and Huntington Park and Grace Cathedral (Landmark Number 170) are all located directly west of the project site. To the southwest along California Street is a seven-story apartment building, a public parking garage and the ten-story Huntington Hotel. The Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde cable car lines run north-south along Powell Street and the California Street cable car line runs east-west along California Street, directly adjacent to the project site. The project site is within an RM-4 (Residential Mixed-High Density) use district and the Nob Hill Special Use District (SUD). The Nob Hill SUD (Planning Code Section 238) was adopted in 1978 to serve as a guide for hotel development on Nob Hill as an alternative land use to the primarily high-density residential use that characterizes much of the Nob Hill neighborhood. The project site is within the 200-E, 300-E and 320-E Height and Bulk Districts. Please refer to Figure 1 which illustrates how these Height and Bulk Districts apply to the site. TheMarkHopkinsHotelisdesignated CityLandmarkNumber184. CaseNo. 2008.0081E 4 950MasonStreet FairmontHotelRevitalizationand ResidentialTowerProject NoticeofPreparationofanEIR January21, 2009 Existing Conditions The 113,400-square foot (approximately 2.6 acres) project site is currently occupied by the 591- room, approximately 914,243-gsfFairmontHotel complex. The existingFairmont Hotel complex consists of 1) the eight-story historic 1906 Fairmont Hotel building with two additional levels below grade, fronting Mason Street; and 2) the 317-foot-tall hotel tower that includes the 23- story tower above a five-story 50-foot-tall podium with one additional level below grade, fronting Powell Street and built in 1961. A 60-foot-tall roof ornament extends above the existing towerbringing the total hotel tower and podium to 377 feet in height. Thehistoric 1906 Fairmont Hotel building is designated City Landmark Number 185, is listed in "Here Today,"2 and has an Architectural Survey (AS) Rating of 2S2.3 The interior of the historic 1906 hotel was destroyed by the 1906 earthquake and fires before the hotel opened; however, the hotel interior was refurbished and opened in 1907. The historic 1906, eight-story Fairmont Hotel building is approximately 125 feet tall as measured from the Mason Street frontage, and A comprises the western portion of the project site. three-bedroom rooftop penthouse suite is located on the eighth floor, as shown in Figure 2: Existing East-West Section. This penthouse was constructed in 1927 and is considered part of the character-defining feature of the historically designated hotel site.4 The historic 1906 Fairmont Hotel building contains approximately 365 hotel rooms and other hotel functions, including restaurant and retail spaces, hotel function rooms, andhotel "back-of- house" (BOH) spaces.5 These uses are further described by level on pp. 7-9. This building also includes two levels below the Mason Street grade at a maximum depth of 30 feet below ground surface (bgs). The existing hotel tower and podium structure was constructed in 1961, and comprises the eastern portion of the project site. The five-story 50-foot-tall podium structure fronts along the entire length of Powell Street between Sacramento and California Streets. The 23-story hotel 2Pages 66-68 3 Between 1974 and 1976, the Planning Department conducted a citywide survey of cultural resources. As a result, thousands ofbuildings, structures, sites or objectswere surveyed and assigned with anASnumberbetween "5" and "0". Resources with the number5 are rated the highest. Resources identified as "0" are rated the lowest. The "2S2" ratingmeans the individualpropertyis determinedeligiblefortheNationalRegister, andisindividuallylistedinthe CaliforniaRegister. 4 The 1987Board ofSupervisors Ordinance No. 171-87 designated FairmontHotel as aLandmark. According to this ordinance, the location and boundaries of the Fairmont Hotel Landmark site encompass Lot 1 in Assessor's Block 244, excepting the easterly portion of the site upon which the roof garden structure, Crown Room Tower, and PavilionRoom areconstructed. 5 Existing hotel BOH includes kitchens, service, offices, loading storage, lockers, public restrooms, and service elevators. CaseNo. 2008.0081E 5 950MasonStreet FairmontHotelRevitalizationand ResidentialTowerProject NoticeofPreparationofanEIR January21, 2009 tower is located on the northeastern corner of the site above the podium structure at the corner of Sacramento and Powell Streets. The existing hotel tower and podium structure is approximately 28 stories and 317 feet in height as measured from the western-most corner of the tower along Sacramento Street. The hotel tower and podium structure's lowest parking level (Level B6) is approximately 10 feet below Powell Street grade at the intersection of Powell and California Streets. Overall, due to the 50-foot change in grade from Mason to Powell Streets and development ofhotel structures in various time periods on site, the existing FairmontHotel complex ranges from 125 to 377 feet in height from west to east. Please refer to Figure 2 which illustrates the existing east-west section of the Fairmont Hotel complex as seen from California Street. The podium structure is a five-story building ranging from 50 to 70 feet in height, as measured along the Powell Street frontage. The majority of the rooftop of the podium structure functions as a courtyard for the hotel complex. The 50- to 70-foot gradation in podium height occurs because the southeast corner of the generally 50-foot-tall podium structure (at the intersection of Powell and California Streets) is occupied by the Pavilion Room, which is an additional 20 feet in height. This constitutes the sixth story of the otherwise five-story, 50-foot-tall podium structure. Please refer to Figure 2, which illustrates the 50-foot-tall podium at the courtyard level; and Figure 4: Existing East Elevation, which illustrates the additional 20 feet in height for the Pavilion Room. The podium structure contains a three-story, 165-space parking garage located at Levels B4, B5, and B6 as shown on Figure 2. Configuration of the existing on-site parking garage is described below on p. 9. The Grand Ballroom, meeting rooms, Tonga Room, and BOH hotel functions are also located in the podium structure. The 23-story hotel tower consists of 226 rooms on floors 2- 22 with an average of nine to 11 hotel rooms per floor depending on the room configuration. Meeting and event rooms are located on the first floor of the hotel tower, and the Crown Room is located on the 23rd floor. Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3: Existing North-South Section which illustrates the various levels of the existing Fairmont Hotel complex. Figure 4: Existing South Elevation, Figure 5: Existing East Elevation, Figure 6: Existing North Elevation, and Figure 7: Existing North Elevation illustrate the elevations of the existinghotel complex. Overall, the existing Fairmont Hotel complex is approximately 914,253 gsf, and includes approximately 574,000 gsf of hotel use; approximately 31,098 gsf of restaurant space; approximately 14,437 gsf of retail use; 65,000 gsf of parking (165 parking spaces); approximately BOH 5,000 gsf of mechanical space; approximately 119,754 gsf of functions; approximately 46,080 gsfof public hotel lobby and circulation space; approximately 48,964 gsf ofhotel function rooms (e.g., ballroom and meeting rooms); and approximately 9,920 gsfofrecreation and fitness facilities. Table 1: Existing Project Characteristics shows the existing uses and gsfon the project site. CaseNo. 2008.0081E 6 950MasonStreet FairmontHotelRevitalizationand ResidentialTowerProject

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