SUBJECT: HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION OF
THE COSTA AND MILLER BUILDING HL01-128
The Historic Landmarks Commission recommends the City Council adopt a resolution designating the Costa and Miller Building as Historic Landmark No. HL01-128.
On August 14, 2001, the City Council adopted
Resolution No. 70574 initiating proceedings to designate the Costa and Miller
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 Costa and Miller Building is located at 520 S.
First 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, Gary Schaezlein, the property owner, spoke in opposition to the proposed designation due to public improvements he believes the City should make to this block. Mr. Schaezlein stated in response to a question from the Commission that he did not oppose City Landmark designation itself but was frustrated by the lack of City investment on this block of South First Street. The Commission voted to recommend designation of this structure as a Landmark and also recommended that a referral be written to the Director of Public Works and the Director of the Redevelopment Agency requesting that these agencies work with Planning and the property owner to investigate the possibility of public improvements for this block. (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 embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type or specimen. This building is a local example of Mission Revival commercial architecture and is an excellent design with only minor modifications at the ground level.
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