Publication Date: Friday, March 19, 2004
COMMUNITY
Eichler neighborhoods to get historic nod
Eichler neighborhoods to get historic nod
(March 19, 2004) City's Historic Resources Board board noiminates Green Gables, Greenmeadow
by Don Kazak
Palo Alto has more homes built by visionary developer Joseph Eichler than anywhere else, so it should come as no surprise that the community's plethora of geometric, futuristic homes will finally get some historic recognition.
The city's Historic Resources Board voted unanimously Wednesday to nominate two Palo Alto neighborhoods -- Green Gables, located at the foot of Embarcadero Road, and Greenmeadow, located off Alma Street south of Charleston Road -- for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
The move is more symbolic than anything else, since it doesn't change zoning laws or a homeowner's ability to remodel. However, nobody is complaining.
"It's a very important honor, a source of community pride," said Karen White, president of the Duveneck/St. Francis Neighborhood Association, which includes Green Gables.
"I think it's a great idea," said Penny Ellson of the Greenmeadow Community Association. "I like the fact that Eichler homes will be recognized."
Ellson said her association hadn't yet taken an official position on the idea and will shortly get a presentation from someone from the state Office of Historic Preservation. But she also noted that her neighborhood has specific covenants written into the ownership deeds that already limit what can be done to the homes' historic architecture.
"There is a strong appreciation in the neighborhood for architectural history," Ellson said.
White said the honorary designation is different from the city's proposed historic preservation ordinance of several years ago, which riled homeowners and divided the community because it greatly limited what could be done to remodel homes with historic designations.
But the designation could have some impacts for the Green Gables homes located in the federally designated flood plain and must carry flood insurance. Roger Kohler, vice chair of the city's Historic Resources Board, said it is possible the historic designation could lead to exemptions from flood-zone regulations.
"It could have a larger impact later," Kohler said.
The Historic Resources Board's action is a recommendation to the City Council.
Don Kazak can be e-mailed at dkazak@paweekly.com
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