The Willow Glen Resident

Council Watch

Planners give their approval for historic home's renovation

House belonged to fruit-dryers

By Cecily Barnes

The Planning Commission on Aug. 12 gave Willow Glen resident Stan Davis the go-ahead to renovate his historic home on the corner of Bird and Brooks avenues. The approval came after the city's Historical Landmarks Commission agreed that Davis' proposed remodel would not compromise the home's historic value.

"Apparently, [the commission] found it was in keeping with the character. It was designed in such a way that [the improvements] look like they were always there," said city planner Bill Scott. "In a nutshell, it matched the house."

The two-story Queen Anne is not a registered historic landmark, but it is a candidate for both the National Register of Historic Places and the city's own list of historic structures. According to the planning department's report, the house was constructed in 1876 by George and Charles Fleming, who pioneered the first methods of efficient fruit-drying in the state of California. In Clyde Arbuckle's The History of San Jose, the Flemings are referred to as "independent packers whose names were once household terms."

The approved project calls for six double-hung dormer windows with gables to be added to the existing roof.

"Essentially, what we're doing is trying to take it back to what it once was," Davis said. "It's a lovely home, and it's my intention to bring back its old flavor. The neighbors all seem to like it."

Davis will also construct a freestanding garage adjacent to his historic home, as well as a three-foot-high fence around the property's perimeter. Davis says he'll use the garage to house his Model-T cars. A lover of old things, Davis offers a fascinating fact about the history of his home: Apparently, it sold in 1889 for $1,250 in gold coins.

On another matter, the Planning Commission on Aug. 19 will hear a request to demolish the existing gas station on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Willow Street. Planner Bill Scott says he's waiting to recommend approval until he sees the replacement plans--probably for an updated gas station. "In a highly visible site like that, it's better to know what the replacement is going to be rather than demolish the existing site and be left with a vacant lot," Scott said.

[ Back to Contents Page | Willow Glen Resident Home Page | Archives ]