The Cupertino Courier
News
Preservationists want to save old Cupertino house
By Cody Kraatz
The city of Cupertino does not do much when someone wants to tear down an old, possibly historical home, and some residents and local history groups think preservation should be a priority.
"We don't really have a written policy; we have a practice," said Ciddy Wordell, the city's planning director. She said the city generally checks on the age of the home set for demolition and invites the historical society to look at it and take photos, but there are no requirements to preserve the structure.
One resident has spoken repeatedly about the so-called "C. Tracy House," which sits on a 1.1-acre property at 10855 N. Stelling Road, which area developer Lawrence Guy has applied to subdivide.
"I think that it is very important for the city to embrace its past and acknowledge the different types of history that have occurred within the city," said Jennifer Griffin, a Rancho Rinconada resident, at the May 22 Cupertino Planning Commission hearing. She said this is particularly important because the city has so few historic structures remaining.
In the redevelopment application, Guy has proposed 21 separate parcels, with 13 attached and eight detached single-family residences and one common area in the back. The planning commission will hear the application on June 26.
"If I had my choice I would love to see all structures like that saved. At this point, to be honest, we don't have the funding to support preservation projects. I think it's a shame," said Nicole Rau, museum manager for the Cupertino Historical Society. She has been getting at least two calls each week about the house.
The Tracy House likely dates to the 1890s and was built by self-taught carpenter Enoch Parrish, one of Cupertino's earliest and most sought-after builders. He also built St. Joseph of Cupertino church, the Union Church of Cupertino and the 157-year-old Collins School, now home to the De Oro Club on Homestead Road near De Anza Boulevard.
The house was moved to its current location from its original site, which may have been Lawrence Road in Santa Clara. Guy said he would likely demolish the house, which is in extreme disrepair and may not survive another move, but he is open to retaining some elements of its quirky design.
"It's a classic hodgepodge of architectural styles. It's every architectural style thrown together," he said.
Wendy Boester, whose father owns and lives on the property, keeps chickens, rabbits, cats and dogs and had a horse until recently. Her sister-in-law lived in the house until several months ago.
Guy has incorporated columns and other architectural echoes of the original house, and said he would be willing to use the original Ionic, Doric and Tudor columns to build a gazebo in a shared area, if they are usable.
"I don't mind restoring houses. That's what I do, but I have to have something to start with," said Guy, who is currently restoring a Victorian-style house in Willow Glen.
The California History Center and Foundation, based at De Anza College, is arranging an exhibition detailing the complex building preservation process through various layers of government and nonprofit organizations.
"One of our missions is the preservation of historic structures in the area," said Tom Izu, director of the CHC.
"Both of our organizations are currently growing and trying to figure out our role in preservation of historic structures," said Rau in an e-mail to a resident. She said she would be happy to support any groups in the community on a drive to preserve the house.
To learn more about the Cupertino Historical Society, visit www.cupthistory.org, call 408.973.1495 or email cuphistorysoc@juno.com. Find more historic preservation resources at www.preservation.org
