By Khalida Sarwari
Saratoga’s Heritage Preservation Commission is making a resource inventory list and checking it twice.
The commission is updating its list of places and structures that have cultural significance within the city and is inviting residents to consider adding their homes to the list. It doesn’t have to be a home; the structure–or place–can be a commercial building or even a fence, barn, gate pillars, windmill, tank house, water tower or lane, such as parts of Saratoga Avenue.
“These resources create a record that preserves the heritage of the past, whether it is because an important architect designed the building or an important person once owned the structure or where an important event took place,” said Annette Stransky, president of the Saratoga Historical Foundation. “Future generations can look at these resources as a record of the past.”
The criteria for getting on the list are not as stringent as the state’s standards, according to Stransky. This list is intended only to provide information to property owners, prospective developers and local citizens of potential historical qualities associated with the buildings, sites and structures, she said.
There are several advantages to being on the list, Stransky said. By seeking historic designation, homeowners are agreeing to keep their structure intact as part of Saratoga’s historic look. It’s important to keep in mind that it’s only the exterior of the house that is maintained as historic.
“As an example, if your building is granted historic status, then this means you would not replace wood windows with aluminum ones, not cover original wood with stucco or vinyl siding, and not put an addition on the building that would visibly change the architectural style or character of the house,” Stranksy said.
Another advantage is that it would enable home-owners to receive a property tax advantage of anywhere from 60 percent to 90 percent through the Mills Act, a 10-year legally binding contract with the city. Once a building is historically designated, homeowners would need to fill out a Mills Act application and submit it to the city. If the application is approved, homeowners receive a contract to sign and have notarized.
Finally, said Stransky, by having their building historically designated, homeowners are helping to preserve Saratoga’s architectural legacy.
“Heritage is what gives the community our sense of identity and belonging,” she said.
The current list of more than 100 properties includes the Queen Anne home on Fruitvale Avenue and the fence on Saratoga-Los Gatos Road near the Saratoga History Museum. The entire list can be found listed by street on the city’s website under the Heritage Preservation Commission section.
Organized in 1982, the Saratoga Heritage Preservation Commission’s first Heritage Resource inventory was created six years later and published in 1993 with about 90 listings. The city also has a Heritage Tree inventory that was initiated in 2012.
The Heritage Preservation Commission’s mission is to provide the city guidance in the preservation and protection of the heritage resources of the community. The seven-person commission is an all-volunteer group appointed by the city council and comprised of architects, engineers, builders and urban planners as well as a representative from the Saratoga Historical Foundation.
To nominate a structure for inclusion in the inventory, fill out an application form on the city’s website at saratoga.ca.us/cityhall/comms, select Heritage Preservation Commission, and then select the Heritage Resource application form to print.
Applicants are advised to include their name, address, and contact information, as well as a photo of the structure. Once submitted, the application will be reviewed by the commission, and if approved, the item is listed in the Heritage Resource inventory. Applications are reviewed monthly.
For questions, contact Cynthia McCormick, the commission liaison in the planning department, at 408.868.1230.
