SUBJECT: HISTORIC
LANDMARK INITIATION FOR 1645 THE ALAMEDA, 1146 RANDOL STREET AND 99 NOTRE DAME
AVENUE
COUNCIL DISTRICTS: 3 AND 6
The Historic Landmarks Commission recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Initiate proceedings to consider 1645 The Alameda, 1146 Randol Street, and 99 Notre Dame Avenue as landmarks of special historic, architectural, cultural, aesthetic or engineering interest or value of a historic nature.
2. Set a public hearing on January 22, 2002, at 1:30 p.m.
3. Refer the matter back to the Historic Landmarks Commission for its consideration at a public hearing, report and recommendation.
On September 12, 2001, the Historic Landmarks Commission voted 6-0-1 (Paim absent) to nominate 1645 The Alameda, 1146 Randol and 99 Notre Dame as City Landmarks. Designation of the structures would establish the requirement for the issuance of Historic Preservation (HP) permits to approve any exterior changes proposed to the structure.
1645 The Alameda and
1146 Randol
The Historic Landmarks Commission reviewed a project proposal in April 2001 and again in July 2001 that proposed modifications to the structures located at 1146 Randol and 1645 The Alameda. The project required historic reports that evaluated each of these structures and found them to be Candidate City Landmarks.
The residence at 1645 The Alameda was built c. 1925 in the Spanish Eclectic style. The structure is significant for its association with the evolution of The Alameda, a major urban thoroughfare, during the first half of the 20th century. It is also significant for its association with Charles O. Bocks, a pioneer agriculturist in the Santa Clara Valley. The structure is currently designated as a “contributing building” to the Alameda Planned Development zoning district.
The structure at 1146 Randol Street was built c. 1921 in the Neo-classical Craftsman Bungalow style. It is significant for its architecture and its association with the writer and poet Clara Louise Lawrence who lived in the home from 1922 to 1942. Lawrence was a writer of children’s stories, a poet of local significance and a member of the San Jose Poetry Club. She is known for her descriptions of the early Santa Clara Valley, including the poem “Valley of the Heart’s Delight”. The structure is currently designated as a “potentially contributing building” to the Alameda Planned Development zoning district.
The Historic Landmarks Commission encouraged the property owner to apply for City Landmark status for both of the buildings and take advantage of the incentives associated with designation. The property owner filed the applications and the Historic Landmarks Commission voted to recommend nomination for both of these structures at their September 12, 2001 meeting (6-0-1; Paim absent).
99 Notre Dame
The Historic Landmarks Commission voted to recommend nomination of 99 Notre Dame Avenue at their September 12, 2001 meeting (6-0-1; Paim absent). At that meeting, the Commission received letters and verbal testimony in support and in opposition to the nomination. Those in favor noted the significance of the IBM innovations created at the site. A representative of the owner, Barry Swenson, spoke in opposition due to concerns that designation may hinder future development. The Commission commented that future development proposals could creatively include the reuse of this building.
The property owners have been notified of the nomination.
Preparation of the City Council resolution to initiate proceedings has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
JOSEPH HORWEDEL, SECRETARY
Historic Landmarks Commission