The area, which consists of 120 single-family homes, 15 duplexes and two apartment buildings, is currently zoned for two-family residential (R-2), commercial neighborhood (CN), and commercial office (CO).

The move to rezone the 19.3 acres was instigated by Councilman Ken Yeager at the request of a number of the residents in the area, which includes parcels along Schiele, Harding, Hoover and Pershing avenues.

At the commission hearing, 10 residents spoke in favor of the zoning change, citing the fear of further negative impact on the neighborhood by developers building high-density housing.

Several residents, including Deborah Adams and Anthony Brazil, mentioned the "charm and character" of the neighborhood, saying that was what first attracted them to the area and they wanted it preserved.

Michael Riepe, a Schiele Avenue resident, said he was attracted to the area four years ago by the mix of cottages, bungalows and Victorians with open space in the neighborhood.

Real estate agent Catherine Cary, who said she bought her home in 1990, addressed the issue of whether R1 zoning would devalue properties.

She said that the 85 single-family homes that sold in the last year in the 95126 Zip code area sold at an average of $500 a square foot, while the 12 multi-family units that sold in the same period averaged $269 a square foot.

Kay Gutknecht, who has worked with a committee for more than a year toward rezoning, told the commission, "Property owners are looking to you to help preserve the character of life in our historic neighborhood."

No one spoke against the rezoning.

The commission heeded Gutknecht's plea and the five members present voted unanimously to recommend the rezoning.

The proposal now goes before the San Jose City Council on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara St.