Commission defers review of proposed building near Mission San Jose9 after neighborhood concerns

The Historic and Design Review Commission removed an item concerning a proposed new building near Mission San Jose9 from the consent agenda and voted to defer final action to a later meeting after neighbors and a Mission San Jose9 representative said they had not been consulted.

Jane Henry, identified as president of Mission San Jose9's settlers session, asked the commission to postpone review of the item (agenda item 5) because Mission San Jose9 leaders and neighboring property owners had not been consulted on the proposal and because the project document set was extensive. "We were not consulted at all," Henry said, adding concern about distance relationships to other homes, archaeological issues and the presence of an acequia (irrigation ditch) near the property.

Applicant Edward Herne1ndez told the commission he and his team had not met with neighbors. Staff confirmed that neighborhood outreach is encouraged but not a legal requirement for this type of application; staff also said archaeological excavations had been performed and that no historic artifacts were documented in prior work mentioned at the hearing.

Several commissioners said they supported delaying the item so the applicant could meet with neighbors and the neighborhood association. One commissioner moved to continue the item to the commission's next meeting; the motion carried on roll call.

The transcript records the roll-call vote as: Menem yes; Sabino yes; Vele1zquez no; Masuca yes; Guevara yes; Group yes; Cervantes no; Holland yes; Fetzer yes. The motion passed.

The deferral means the commission will re-notice the item for a future session; staff encouraged the applicant to consult with Mission San Jose9 leaders and neighbors during the interim.