The Willow Glen Resident

Council Watch

Two older Willow Glen homes are temporarily spared demolition

Planners to study buildings' historic value, decide fate

By John Pancharian

A proposal for a 32-unit apartment complex in Willow Glen was put on hold after the Planning Commission decided at a July 22 meeting to review the historic value of two homes that would be demolished to make way for the project.

The two dilapidated houses at the corner of Almaden Road and Willow Glen Way would likely have been demolished to make way for new apartment buildings had Judy Henderson, chairwoman of the city's Historical Landmarks Commission, not appeared before planning commissioners at their July 22 meeting to ask that they allow for further review before the fate of the two buildings is decided.

The Planning Commission was considering whether to allow a zoning change that would clear the way for developers Herb Bowen and Associates to build 32 apartment units on the 1.3-acre lot.

Henderson compared the 1880s house to the home of noted poet Andrew P. Hill, which is equally run-down, saying it could be significant nonetheless.

"You can't always tell a book by its cover, and I think this building should have an evaluation to make sure we're not taking down a resource as important as the Andrew P. Hill house," she said.

Henderson went on to suggest that the planning commission and the Historical Landmarks Commission meet in August to review procedures in such matters and asked that the property be referred to her commission before planning commissioners take action.

Planning commissioners agreed that more information should be found about the homes and directed planning staff to look into it. Staffers said structures are considered historical if they are associated with historical people or events, or if they have significant historical architecture. Staff went on to explain that buildings only receive a comprehensive review if they are a city historical landmark or appear on the national register of historical landmarks.

"Even though a building is not on the [city historical landmarks] inventory, that does not mean it does not deserve to be," Planning Commissioner James Zetterquist said. Other commissioners expressed similar concerns and questioned whether staff could provide more comprehensive reports to the commission on historical findings.

San Jose Director of Planning James Derryberry defended planning staffers, saying they had faithfully followed established procedures, and suggested that staff and commissioners meet to review those procedures if necessary. "If staff sent to the commission every report they use, the packets would have to be carried in to you in a wheelbarrow," Derryberry said.

In the end, the Planning Commission voted to approve the zoning change on the condition further historical review does not indicate the buildings are significant. The motion carried 5-2, with commissioners Jay Ross and William Ress dissenting.

Henderson said after the meeting that she was happy with the decision, considering the circumstances.

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