SUBJECT:     HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION OF THE WRIGHT/BAILEY HOUSE  HL01-137

                       

COUNCIL DISTRICT:  3

 

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

The Historic Landmarks Commission recommends the City Council adopt a resolution designating the Wright/Bailey House as Historic Landmark No. HL01-137.

 

BACKGROUND

 

On August 14, 2001, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 70574 initiating proceedings to designate the Wright/Bailey House 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 Wright/Bailey House is located at 312-314 S. Third 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, Masoud Shahidi, property owner, spoke in favor of the designation and expressed concern about the homeless problem on Third Street and the Emergency Housing Consortium proposed to be located on South Third Street.

 

The Historic Landmarks Commission unanimously voted to recommend that this structure be designated as a City Landmark and recommended that the residential character of the streetscape be maintained if new projects are proposed (7-0-0 unanimous). 

 

ANALYSIS

 

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 character, interest or value as part of the local, regional, state or national history, heritage or culture in that this structure contributes to the architectural character of South Third Street.

·        Its identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the local, regional, state or national culture and history in that this building is associated with Dr. Willard C. Bailey who made significant contributions as a businessman and politician in San Jose.

·        Its embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of the Queen Anne Victorian architectural type or specimen;

 

PUBLIC OUTREACH

 

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.

 

COORDINATION

 

The designation process for the eighteen City Landmarks was coordinated with the Redevelopment Agency and the Office of the City Attorney.

 

 

JOSEPH HORWEDEL, SECRETARY

Historic Landmarks Commission