SUBJECT: HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION OF
THE MASSON BUILDING HL01-138
COUNCIL DISTRICT: 3
The
Historic Landmarks Commission recommends the City Council adopt a resolution
designating the Masson Building as Historic Landmark No. HL01-138.
On August 14, 2001, the City Council adopted
Resolution No. 70574 initiating proceedings to designate the Masson Building
a landmark of special
historical, architectural, cultural, aesthetic or engineering interest or value
of a historic nature and referred the proposal to the Historic Landmarks
Commission for its consideration at a public hearing and for its report and
recommendation.
The Masson Building is located at 161 W. Santa Clara
Street. The site is zoned CG,
Commercial General with a designation of Core Area Commercial on the adopted
San Jose 2020 General Plan Land Use Transportation Diagram.
This proposed designation was deferred from the
September 12, 2001 Historic Landmarks Commission meeting to the November 7,
2001 meeting, at the request of the owner.
On October 2, 2001, the City Council deferred this proposed designation
to their December 4, 2001 meeting.
On November 7, 2001, the Historic Landmarks
Commission held a public hearing. At
that meeting, Sarah
McEnery, representing the property owner for both the Farmer’s Union Building
(151 W. Santa Clara Street) and the Masson Building (161 W. Santa Clara
Street), spoke in favor of the designation. While supportive of the
designation, she asked that the Commission defer designation until March 2002
because the owners are in the process of entering into a façade easement
agreement with History San Jose and their legal counsel and historic consultant
advised them to request deferral on the designation. The owner’s letter of
request for deferral is attached. No
one spoke in opposition of the designation. The Commission unanimously voted to
recommend designation of the Masson Building and also recommended that the City
Council consider deferring the designation to March 2002 at the request of the
property owner (7-0-0 unanimous).
The Commission determined that the proposed landmark has special historical, architectural, cultural, aesthetic, or engineering interest or value of a historical nature and that its designation as a landmark conforms with the goals and policies of the General Plan. The recommendation of the Commission is based on the following findings:
·
Its
identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the
local, regional, state or national culture and history due to its associations
with Paul Masson and Charles Lefranc who made significant contributions to the
regional development of the winemaking industry.
· Its embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of the Art Deco architectural type or specimen.
·
Its
identification as the work of an architect or master builder whose individual
work has influenced the development of the City of San Jose. This building was originally designed by
Theodore Lenzen and was remodeled by William H. Weeks.
The Historic Landmarks Commission held public hearings on the proposed designation of the building at their September 12, 2001 and the November 7, 2001 meetings.
The designation process for the eighteen City Landmarks was coordinated with the Redevelopment Agency and the Office of the City Attorney.
JOSEPH HORWEDEL, SECRETARY