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Commission initiates landmark designation for University Mound Old Ladies' Home at 350 University
Summary
After a staff recommendation and public testimony, the Commission voted unanimously to initiate Article 10 landmark designation for the University Mound Old Ladies' Home at 350 University Street, moving the property into the designation process for a future case report to the Board of Supervisors.
The Historic Preservation Commission voted to initiate landmark designation for the University Mound Old Ladies' Home at 350 University Street in the Portola neighborhood.
Shannon Ferguson of Planning Department staff recommended initiation, describing the current building (constructed 1931–32) as Colonial Revival in style with a high degree of integrity. Ferguson told commissioners the building’s period of significance is 1931–2014 and that neighborhood residents and Supervisor Campos have expressed support.
Belis Yalda, the petitioner, said neighbors organized a petition to preserve the assisted‑living function and described the site’s long history, linking it back to an 1884 founding and an original James Lick endowment. Yalda urged the Commission to proceed with initiation to protect the building and its current use.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about historical categorization and whether the property should be considered a convalescent home rather than a hospital; staff said additional research on retirement homes and convalescent design would be incorporated into the designation work. With no public speakers on the initiation item, the Commission moved and seconded a resolution to initiate the Article 10 designation; the motion passed unanimously, 4–0.
Initiation directs staff to prepare a case report and schedule a future hearing and does not itself confer landmark status. If staff returns a finalized case report, the Commission may later recommend landmark designation to the Board of Supervisors.
