restaurants will be there a limited square feet and will require the limited use. the project will not will resolve any physical expansion. the department finds this proposal desirable. it's a historic zone known as the thomas project. the 189 though square feet building was used as a private club. the existing first two floors is the dining hall and other activity space for the club anybody's it's located on the first two levels and will be 95 hundred square feet in size and the hotel will be on the 3rd and fourth floors with lobby access

on the ground floor and will be 82 hundred secret. and no new parking is proposed as part of the project. the sponsor has stated that valet services are available. it's prototype and desirable in the hotel and restaurants use will help the visitor of san francisco. they'll help meet the market demand and additionally it is small-scale and won't have an impact on the immediate neighborhood, however, it will have the non conforming occupancy in the this. and it has smaller uses that will help with the scale.

the 6 percent is well below the thresholds specified in the planning code even though the restaurants use is principally permitted. the sponsor insinuated 3 letters of support and the staff is not aware of any opposition to the project. this concludes my presentation if you have any questions, i'll be happy to answer them >> thank you project sponsor please. good afternoon. i'm here on behavior of the project sponsor and to introduce the property owner. just so you know they've worked extensive with the planning department to comply with the planning departments requests.

and she'll make a statement to you >> good afternoon. my husband and i are the proud owners of the house. it has the same name as in china. we have a magnificent building and it will has 10 years on the up floor. we truly want this project to be a birch benefit to the city of san francisco. we have received favorable response from our neighborhoods and the residential community. we thank our people for the project and we z ask you approve our project.

thank you very much for hearing our case >> thank you. >> i'm even though architect for the project i won't make a presentation and thank you. i'm available to answer questions >> opening it up for public comment. there's one speaker card. susie. i'm susan i live on sutter street next to the victorian building we're discussing. i'm between neutral and obl. i'm leaning towards obtaining.

many of the places between - unfortunately people have reported their concerns. the initiatives in the building has less impact on the neighbors. that was used previously for special events since the mid 19 hundreds two different owners. the events were only two or three a week and the activity was limited then would result from the restaurants perhaps a hundred tables. when the building i live in was first occupied in the mid 90s p there were lawyers offices and

office for the medical organization. we're concerned about the interior of the building. in general the neighbors are concerned about the traffic and the stint of the cooking smells. we're very he concerned about parking as well. the parking issue has been acknowledged to be within the regulations which i don't understand intellect. we're concerned about the loading and unloading of supplies for the restaurants. the driveway next to the project is shared with the consulate next door and the driveway is extremely narrow. in short the concerns of the

neighbors are much greater than the number of objections we see by the planning commission. we're concerned that the degree of construction is greater than than required. i'm happy and my friends will be happy that valet service will be available >> thank you. any additional public comment. seeing none, public comment is closed. commissioner borden >> yeah. i appreciate the concerns that the person raised but at any time only 10 rooms in this building there shouldn't be that much traffic from the hotel uses. i've been inside this building it's a really beautiful building i went there when someone's owned the building. i'm happy to see this is being

perpetrated in a way in its architecture glory and makes a better use of it to i think i maintain it as a resource. i'm quite supportive of the project. i know they have wedding and the like that loedz have to be figured out mob you could talk about the loading. >> actually, the project sponsor has noted indicated they're interested in putting in a white curb that's an option they'll have to apply for. >> how many nablz the restaurants? - tables. >> about 40 tables.

>> how many. >> combinations for large groups and sometimes i'd like to say there will be no loading off the street period. we're fortunate to be one of the few buildings on the street we have a driveway we can go down and deliver early in the morning. what happens on that street people double park that will not happen in this fatality we've been mindful to be good neighbors. with that i'll approve it >> i like this project a lot. i went there of the a plateaus called the mansion it was a lot smaller and the restaurants was a smaller and the number of

rooms were smaller but it was also fun to go there. i know this dining room room will be more upscale. we have a shortage when you get west of van ness avenue leave people trying to stay in neighborhoods in san francisco and this will give them the opportunity to be in the pacific heights neighborhood without having to stay somewhere downtown and visit friends and a relates in that area. it's a great building and i'm supportive of this project >> commissioner ellis. i want to agree >> i think i've been in the

building, too, and the restaurants side is strictly large but it's hard to configure it within the building but it looks appropriate. >> commissioners if there's nothing further there's a motion and second to approve with conditions (calling names) so moved, commissioners, passion unanimously and places you under public comment. >> any public comment on this item? seeing none, public comment is closed. and the meeting is

>> i love teaching. it is such an exhilarating experience when people began to feel their own creativity. >> this really is a place where all people can come and take a class and fill part of the community. this is very enriching as an artist. a lot of folks take these

classes and take their digital imagery and turn it into negatives. >> there are not many black and white darkrooms available anymore. that is a really big draw. >> this is a signature piece. this is the bill largest darkroom in the u.s.. >> there are a lot of people that want to get into that dark room. >> i think it is the heart of this place. you feel it when you come in. >> the people who just started taking pictures, so this is really an intersection for many generations of photographers and this is a great place to learn because if you need people from different areas and also everyone who works here is

working in photography. >> we get to build the community here. this is different. first of all, this is a great location. it is in a less-populated area. >> of lot of people come here just so that they can participate in this program. it is a great opportunity for people who have a little bit of photographic experience. the people have a lot, they can

really come together and share a love and a passion. >> we offer everything from traditional black and white darkrooms to learning how to process your first roll of film. we offer classes and workshops in digital camera, digital printing. we offer classes basically in the shooting, ton the town at night, treasure island. there is a way for the programs exploring everyone who would like to spend the day on this program. >> hello, my name is jennifer. >> my name is simone. we are going on a field trip to take pictures up the hill.

>> c'mon, c'mon, c'mon. >> actually, i have been here a lot. i have never looked closely enough to see everything. now, i get to take pictures. >> we want to try to get them to be more creative with it. we let them to be free with them but at the same time, we give them a little bit of direction. >> you can focus in here. >> that was cool. >> if you see that? >> behind the city, behind the houses, behind those hills. the see any more hills? >> these kids are wonderful.

they get to explore, they get to see different things. >> we let them explore a little bit. they get their best. if their parents ever ask, we can learn -- they can say that they learned about the depth of field or the rule of thirds or that the shadows can give a good contrast. some of the things they come up with are fantastic. that is what we're trying to encourage. these kids can bring up the creativity and also the love for photography. >> a lot of people come into my classes and they don't feel like they really are creative and through the process of working and showing them and giving them

some tips and ideas. >> this is kind of the best kept secret. you should come on and take a class. we have orientations on most saturdays. this is a really wonderful location and is the real jewel to the community. >> ready to develop your photography skills? the harvey milk photo center focuses on adult classes. and saturday workshops expose youth and adults to photography classes.