Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Council passes over Dave Flick

By Clarence Cromwell

Dave Flick, the developer who wants to knock down the Buffalo Trading Co. building, was passed over in the process of selecting a new member of the Historic Preservation Committee.

The council instead selected Susan Burnett, the only other applicant for the position. She is the owner of a restored craftsman cottage on Ellenwood Avenue.

The selection apparently will lean the strongly pro-preservation commission even more toward blocking demolition of old buildings.

Mayor Randy Attaway, one of three who voted for Burnett, later said: "Susan has demonstrated a sincere interest in preserving our community. Dave Flick had the same level of interest and is a dedicated volunteer, but because he's a builder in town, there may be a perception that there's a conflict because of his relationship with other builders in the community."

Flick said he wanted to bring his building and preservation expertise to the commission because he's noticed that, although its members are knowledgeable about architectural history, they lack understanding in the hammer-and-nails business of restoring the houses. Flick said the commission needs someone like him who knows "what can and can't be done."

Flick says the commission leans too far toward preservation, to the point of saving worthless buildings.

It sounded a lot like the argument he made when the commission recommended that he save the Buffalo Trading Co. building. He wants to tear down the building, which has stood since at least 1928, to make way for a 12,878-square-foot retail building.

Linda Lubeck and Steve Blanton both voted for Flick because they think the commission, often perceived as strongly pro-preservation, needs balancing. Lubeck said the commission needs a "reality check."

Burnett , the new commissioner, said she would have voted to save Flick's Buffalo Building.

"It's a very interesting building," Burnett said. "The look of it--you don't see buildings like that around. When those kind of examples come up, you should try to save them because there are not many left."

The seat Burnett won was vacated by Greg Seidenberg--one of the commission's more moderate members.

A report from Carey & Co., a prominent historical building specialist, concluded that there's nothing special about the building. But the commission majority ruled that its eclectic architectural style and long-time presence on Main Street contribute enough to the downtown atmosphere that the building should be saved.

In other business, the council appointed members to two other committees Sept. 16. Char Hummel will replace Betsy Ducey on the Arts Commission, and Steve Boersma will join the general plan committee as a representative of the Calvary Church. Boersma is also chairman of the Los Gatos Boulevard Community Alliance.