"The effort, spearheaded by District 3 Councilmember Anthony Tordillos, comes in response to growing outcry from San Jose business leaders. They say existing preservation rules intended to protect the city's historic character have instead created a tangle of cumbersome requirements that have, paradoxically, caused many historic buildings to fall into blight and disrepair. Some of the loudest warnings have been issued from leaders in Japantown, a neighborhood home to a large number of properties on the city's official inventory of historic buildings."
"Rast said the city's preservation rules make it next to impossible to renovate Japantown's aging buildings - many of which contain unpermitted structures - a problem that has driven out would-be entrepreneurs. Without proper upkeep, such blighted structures become a magnet for squatters and other illicit activities, she said. "It's not just affecting business," Rast said. "It's not just affecting land values. It's affecting quality of life.""
Councilmembers in San Jose have outlined preservation reform proposals for city staff to study, aiming to boost outreach to historic-property owners and ease renovation rules. The effort, led by District 3 Councilmember Anthony Tordillos, responds to business leaders' complaints that current rules create cumbersome requirements that have contributed to blight and disrepair. Japantown leaders, including Tamiko Rast of the Japantown Business Association, say restrictions hinder renovations, drive away entrepreneurs, and attract squatters and illicit activity. A memo authored by Tordillos, Mayor Matt Mahan, Vice Mayor Pam Foley and Councilmembers Michael Mulcahy and David Cohen won committee approval on Dec. 3.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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