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Danville commission adds Wood Ranch horse barn to updated historic survey after owner presents adaptive‑reuse plan
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Summary
The Danville Heritage Resources Commission unanimously adopted an updated inventory that adds the Wood Ranch horse barn and the Danville Grange to its list of historic resources after owner Jim Wood described plans to adaptively reuse the 19th‑century barn as a small boutique event center while preserving character through the historic building code.
The Danville Heritage Resources Commission voted unanimously on Nov. 10 to adopt an updated inventory of historic resources that adds the Wood Ranch horse barn and records the Danville Grange as a designated site.
Jim Wood, a fifth‑generation Danville resident and owner of the ranch at 2900 Camino Tassajara, told the commission the family is pursuing a limited boutique event‑center use to generate funds for long‑term maintenance while preserving the site's rural and historic character. "We're not seeking a formal designation at this time as eligibility alone provides flexibility and avoids permanently binding future generations to restrictive state regulations," Wood said, explaining the family’s preference for listing the horse barn as an identified potential resource rather than an immediate designation.
A staff member explained that adding a property to the identified potential‑resources list allows applicants to pursue rehabilitation under the historic building code, which can provide alternatives to standard code triggers for life‑safety improvements. That approach can allow structural, electrical and fire‑safety upgrades to be made in ways that better preserve the building’s exterior and historic features, the staff member said.
Commission discussion touched on the scope of the planned use and likely upgrades. Wood and staff estimated the horse barn at roughly 7,000 square feet and said the family’s larger property totals about 17 acres. The owner described rehabilitation strategies including installing an interior steel frame to meet seismic requirements and noted the town may still require other life‑safety measures such as sprinklers depending on final occupancy determinations.
A commissioner moved to adopt the updated April 13 inventory of historic resources, including the Wood Ranch horse barn and the Danville Grange (a plaque for the Grange is in production). The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous voice vote.
Next steps identified by staff include finalizing plaque text and scheduling an unveiling for the Grange, and the commission will track any future formal designation requests separately if property owners seek town designation. Wood provided the commission with a written history and photos for the record and said the family will continue working with an architectural firm experienced in historic barn rehabilitations to guide code compliance and preservation decisions.
