City's oldest house? Ho hum. Tear it down.
PALO ALTO, Calif. -- The city of Palo Alto has agreed to issue a demolition permit for the city's oldest home after losing a nine-year legal tussle.
Preservation groups and city officials had sought to maintain the 160-year-old Juana Briones House, built by one of California's early settlers, which is to be leveled and could make way for a luxury home.
After a trial court and appeals court both ruled that the city's heritage ordinance was unenforceable, Planning Director Steve Emslie issued a letter Wednesday to property owners Jaim Nulman and Avelyn Welczer saying they "should immediately be granted a demolition permit pursuant to their original application."
Before demolition begins, the owners have agreed to allow the Juana Briones Historical Foundation to have an architect and photographer survey the property and home.
Read entire article at San Francisco Chronicle
Preservation groups and city officials had sought to maintain the 160-year-old Juana Briones House, built by one of California's early settlers, which is to be leveled and could make way for a luxury home.
After a trial court and appeals court both ruled that the city's heritage ordinance was unenforceable, Planning Director Steve Emslie issued a letter Wednesday to property owners Jaim Nulman and Avelyn Welczer saying they "should immediately be granted a demolition permit pursuant to their original application."
Before demolition begins, the owners have agreed to allow the Juana Briones Historical Foundation to have an architect and photographer survey the property and home.