Commission opts to continue discussion on updating heritage resource inventory; directs staff to agendize in December
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Summary
After a lengthy discussion about a comprehensive inventory update—including cost and workload concerns—the commission voted to agendize a focused discussion on the inventory at a December meeting, moving toward a phased or audit approach rather than an immediate comprehensive overhaul.
Commissioners on Nov. 5 weighed whether to prioritize a comprehensive update of Sunnyvale's heritage resource inventory or pursue a phased audit that would first confirm whether items on the current inventory retain the integrity that originally warranted listing.
Staff displayed a list of deferred study issues and commissioners debated the merits of (1) a citywide, comprehensive inventory update, a project staff estimated in earlier briefings to cost on the order of $450,000 and requiring significant staff bandwidth; versus (2) a narrower, phased audit to verify existing entries and assess which properties remain eligible.
Several commissioners said the inventory needs updating and that a targeted audit could be a practical first step. Commissioner Saffair argued for an initial review and audit of the existing inventory to determine whether listed properties still retain integrity and to identify overrepresentation in particular categories. Commissioner Johnson said she favored early action to "save things that could potentially be going away." Trudy Ryan, director of community development, and Momo Ishijima, senior planner, told commissioners that staff capacity and budget constraints have contributed to repeated deferrals.
After discussion the commission voted to agendize the inventory discussion at a December meeting to allow time to refine a recommended approach. The motion to reagendize passed on a roll-call vote with six yes votes and Commissioner Raj Kumar absent.