HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 267 -Hakone Historic LandmarkORDINANCE NO. 267
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA
DESIGNATING THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS
HAKONE GARDENS AT 21000 BIG BASIN WAY AS
A HISTORIC LANDMARK
(APN 503 -48- 030,031; 517 -07 -026)
The City Council of the City of Saratoga hereby ordains as follows:
Section 1- Findings: After careful review and consideration of the report and
recommendations of the Heritage Preservation Commission concerning Hakone Gardens
located at 21000 Big Basin Way (the "Property together with the application prepared
by the Hakone Foundation and supporting materials provided by the Foundation and
reviewed by staff and the Heritage Preservation Commission, the City Council hereby
determines that:
The Property exemplifies or reflects special elements of the cultural, social,
economic, political, aesthetic, engineering or architectural history of the City, the
County, the State or the nation in that Hakone Gardens is a traditional Japanese
garden considered to be the oldest Japanese and Asian estate garden in the
Western Hemisphere which is a rich cultural link to Saratoga's history and has
been and will continue to be enjoyed by both countless visitors to and citizens of
Saratoga.
The Property embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period or
method of construction, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous
materials in that the garden is in form, a hill and water garden in the strolling
pond style, typical of the Zen gardens of the middle 17 century. The Upper
(Moon Viewing) House was constructed without nails or adhesives of "joinery"
construction, using pegs, mortises and tenons, instead of nails and adhesives in
the old Japanese cabinet -maker style.
The property is representative of the notable design or craft of a builder, designer,
or architect in that the gardens were designed and landscaped by Mr. N. Aihara, a
well regarded Japanese landscape architect who was related to the Court
Gardeners of the Emperor of Japan. The Upper (Moon Viewing) House was
designed and constructed by Mr. T. Shintani with an authentic "joinery" style of
construction
The property embodies or contributes to unique physical characteristics
representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood or
district within the City in that Hakone Gardens has been owned by the City of
Saratoga since 1966 and recognized as an important contributor to the City's
Historic Resource Inventory since 1988. The Japanese gardens and authentically
designed and constructed Japanese buildings, including the upper (moon viewing)
house, four distinct Japanese gardens, the water garden, and several structures, are
authentic examples of Japanese landscape and architectural design. The lower
house (once the principle residence of the Stine Family) remodeled by the City in
1980 serves as a community meeting room.
The Property embodies or contributes to a unique natural setting or environment
constituting a distinct area or district within the City having special character or
special historical, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value in that the Hakone
Gardens was constructed in 1918 and is a traditional Japanese garden considered
to be the oldest Japanese and Asian estate garden in the Western Hemisphere.
The garden is constructed in the strolling pond style typical of the Zen garden of
the middle 17 century.
Section 2 Designation: The Property is hereby designated as a Historic Landmark
pursuant to section 13- 15.060 of the Saratoga City Code.
Section 3- Publication: This ordinance or a comprehensive summary thereof shall be
published once in a newspaper of general circulation of the City of Saratoga within
fifteen (15) days after its adoption.
The foregoing ordinance was introduced and read at the regular meeting of the City
Council of the City of Saratoga held on the 15th day of April, 2009, and was adopted by
the following vote following a second reading on the 6 day of May, 2009.
AYES: Councilmember Susie Nagpal, Howard Miller, Jill Hunter, Vice Mayor
Kathleen King, Mayor Chuck Page
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
nn ullivan, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
RICHARD TAYLOR, CITY ATTORNEY
Chuck Page, Mayor