"Business leaders citywide say a heavy-handed approach to historic restrictions threaten the very buildings meant to be protected - lining the streets with vacant facades without a cost-effective path for commercial interests to repurpose them. Preservationists agree the ordeal warrants another look at regulations, but don't believe they're entirely to blame. Moreover, they remain protective of policies fending off the demolition of San Jose's heritage."
"Yet almost everyone agrees on the need to strike a balance, and that the city office charged with walking this tightrope is spread thin. Of roughly 300 people in the city's planning and building department, just one full-time employee is devoted to historic resources. "I don't think having more preservation planners at the city would solve everything, but if you don't invest in preservation infrastructure while still having preservation rules - it is a recipe for frustration,"
The Trigg family faces possible loss of home and multiple Japantown businesses after accumulating debt and recent closures, including Jtown Pizza. The family attributes the financial strain to city historic-preservation regulations and related permitting delays. City leaders including the local councilmember and Mayor Matt Mahan are now involved. Business groups say stringent preservation rules and lack of cost-effective repurposing options risk leaving historic storefronts vacant. Preservation advocates support protecting heritage while acknowledging a need to review regulations. The city's planning and building department has roughly 300 staff and only one full-time historic-resources employee, creating capacity challenges.
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