San Jose Historic Landmark Commission Meeting - May 27, 2026
San Jose Historic Landmark Commission Meeting - May 27, 2026
The meeting covered two major agenda items: a request to rescind the city landmark designation for the Southern Pacific Switching Tower at 725 Chestnut Street (destroyed by fire and removed), and an application for landmark designation and a Mills Act contract for 647 South 6th Street, a Neoclassical Revival house designed by Wolf and Mackenzie. Commissioners also heard public comments about the proposed closure of the California Room at the San Jose Public Library and updates on historic preservation month events.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Sally Zarnowitz (Preservation Action Council of San Jose) announced historic preservation month activities, including a proclamation at City Council on May 12, 2026, the release of the Endangered Eight list, and a members-only opening at the warehouse on May 28, 2026. She also noted state legislation (SB 79 and the proposed California Affordable Act) that could affect historic properties.
- Edward Salm (Chair, Chef and Hansa Park Neighborhood Association; PACSJ advocacy committee) urged opposition to the proposed closure of the California Room to public access, citing a budget cut of $388,159 (2.9 FTE) and 5,442 visits in 2025. He argued that only 10–12% of archives are digitized and closure would severely limit access to city history, especially for research on historic properties.
Discussion Items
- HL26001 – Rescission of Landmark Designation for 725 Chestnut Street: The applicant, Union Pacific Railroad (represented by Sherry Jackman), presented history of the Southern Pacific Switching Tower, which was designated in 1993, donated to Santa Clara County for preservation, but suffered vandalism and arson, was badly burned in 1995, and ultimately removed for public safety. The site is now contaminated with chlorinated solvents and subject to a voluntary cleanup agreement. Because the structure no longer exists, the site cannot meet any of the eight landmark criteria. A similar preserved tower (Santa Clara Tower) exists elsewhere. Commissioners voted unanimously to rescind the designation.
- HL25001 / MA2501 – Landmark Designation and Mills Act Contract for 647 South 6th Street: Staff recommended designation based on five criteria (architectural style, association with Wolf and Mackenzie, integrity). Owner William Wang expressed commitment to preservation and described foundation replacement and interior systems upgrades. Commissioners discussed the 10-year work plan, particularly the front porch tiling which Commissioner Cohen found inappropriate. After debate, the commission amended the motion to require removal of tile cladding on the porch sides and replacement with wood, while retaining the tile on the floor. The plaque requirement was swapped for concrete step repairs. The motion passed with all present voting yes.
Key Outcomes
- Rescission of landmark for 725 Chestnut Street: Motion to adopt resolution rescinding the city landmark designation passed unanimously (5 ayes: Vice Chair Gondright, Commissioners Bainlaw, Caluso, Cohen, Kagura; Chair Royer and Commissioner Arnold absent).
- Landmark designation and Mills Act contract for 647 South 6th Street: Motion to recommend to City Council approval of the landmark designation and Mills Act contract, with amendments to the 10-year work plan (remove tile cladding on porch sides, replace with wood; remove plaque item and add repair of concrete front steps) passed unanimously.
- Future meetings: The next regular meeting scheduled for June 3, 2026, was noted as cancelled. The Design Review Subcommittee will meet May 21, 2026. The commission also approved action minutes from the April 1, 2026 meeting.
Meeting Transcript
That's the way you go. Should I go? Yeah. All right. Welcome to the historic landmark commission meeting. Following roll call during summary of hearing procedure and we'll review how the public may provide comment during today's session. I'm going to start with roll call. Um, Chair Royer, absent today. Um, Chair Vice Chair Gondright present. Uh, Commissioner Arnold. She's absent today. Commissioner Bainlaw. Commissioner Caluso. Present. Commissioner Cohen. Yes, maybe. Commissioner Kagura. Present. Okay. Uh, the procedures for this hearing are as follows. After the staff report, applicants and opponents may take may make a five-minute presentation. Um, if you wish to speak on an item, complete a card and place it in the speaker card box or bring your card to uh historic preservation officer Edwards. When I receive your speaker call card, I will call you forward. Each speaker will be given up to two minutes for public testimony, and speakers using a translator will have up to four minutes. At this discretion of the chair, the time allotted to each speaker may be changed depending on the number of items on the agenda, number of speakers, and other factors. Speakers using a translator will have double the time allotted. After the public testimony, the applicant may make closing remarks for up to an additional five minutes. Of the speakers, response to commissioner questions will not reduce the speakers' time allowance. The public will then be the public hearing will then be closed and the historic landmarks commission will take action on the item. The commission may request staff to respond to the public testimony, ask staff questions, and discuss the item. If a commissioner would like a topic to be addressed under one of the good and welfare items, please contact planning staff in advance of the commission meeting. So that maybe it's too late. Um I really need to read the rest of the two paragraphs. Yeah, right. So California Public Records Request Act. Okay. All public records relating to an open session item on this agenda, which are not exempt from disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act that are distributed to a majority of the legislative body will be available for public by email by emailing planning support staff at San Jose CA.gov at the same time that the public records are distributed or made available to the legislative body. Before we begin, I want to remind the historic landmarks commission members and members of the public to follow our code of conduct and meetings. This includes commenting on the specific agenda item only and addressing the full body. Public speakers will not engage in a conversation with the commissioners or staff. All members of the historic landmarks commission staff and public are expected to refrain from abuse of language, repeated failure to comply with this code of conduct, which will disturb disrupt or impede the orderly conduct of this meeting, may result in removal from the meeting. This meeting of the historic landmarks commission will now come to order. Okay. All right, the first item is deferrals. Um there's no items. The second item is consent calendar. Once again, no items. The third item is public hearings. I understand we're we're gonna be taking it out of order and starting with item B, which is HL26001 application for rescission of city landmark designation for southern Pacific Switching Tower Building and site at 725 Chestnut Street to reflect existing conditions as the structure was destroyed by fire and is no longer extant. Uh Union Pacific Railroad Company Owner, Council District 6.
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