"San Jose is changing its preservation ordinance to create a new pathway for projects that typically would be considered too detrimental to its landmarks and historic districts to move forward a move that clears the way for the redevelopment of St. James Park. The ordinance mirrors the override process of the California Environmental Quality Act for these types of projects."
"This particular ordinance, as currently written, stands out like a sore thumb, because it doesn't even give us the discretion to do the kind of override we do in all other CEQA cases, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said. This council, on behalf of the community, should have the discretion to weigh the benefit of a given project against the impacts through a very robust public process with many steps ultimately, and (we) clearly have the sole authority to turn that over."
San Jose amended its preservation ordinance to create a new pathway for projects that would otherwise be too detrimental to landmarks and historic districts. The amendment mirrors the California Environmental Quality Act override process and applies citywide. The City Council approved the change 9-2 after findings in the legal dispute with the Sainte Claire Historic Preservation Foundation revealed an error in granting a historic permit for a concert venue at St. James Park. The error stemmed from lacking a mechanism to consider public benefits. St. James Park redevelopment efforts date to 2013 and have faced legal challenges after 2020 permit approvals.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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