HomeMy WebLinkAboutFRUITVALE AND SARATOGA AVENUE1:3777 1�'(Zi'I'1'�'�f.1; t�Vl ?Mlle; _11ZA'f'O(1,�. < i1:11�( ➢fi vl, ^� �i�i(l�t; �.ir�`, h(�,� ,�43
January 25, 1995
Santa Clara Historical Heritage Commission
c/o Lois Sklar, Clerk of the Board
County Government Center
70 West Hedding St.
San Jose, Ca 95110
Subject: Grant Proposal
COL N( II, Fah= ' +iI3I:It;S:
This note is in response to your request for further information
regarding the existing maintenance program for Saratoga's Heritage
Orchard.
Since the City purchased the property in the mid 1970's, an
orchardist has been under contract to provide all routine
maintenance. As indicated in the grant proposal text, this includes
irrigation, spraying, pruning, discing, thinning and harvesting. A
copy of the contract is attached for reference.
I hope this information assists the Commission in deciding to help
Saratoga restore this valuable historical and agricultural
resource. If any additional information or background is needed, I
would be pleased to provide. I can be reached at 867 -3438 ext. 233.
Sin �e I y,
4
Georg1 e'
White, Secretary
Heritage Preservation Commission
attachment
hhc1
i ,,-1:i J )" ,�" V, 1, d fin,; , ,
11
THIS AGREEMENT made this 1st day 1993 of July by and between
the CI '= OF SARATOGA, a municipal corporation; hereinafter referred to as
City, and MATHEW NOVAKOVICH, hereinafter referred to as Contractor:
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, City is the owner of approximately 14.1 acres of real property
located on Saratoga Avenue in the City of Saratoga, County of Santa Clara,
State of California, and consisting of a prune and apricot orchard, and
Contractor is interested in cultivating said orchard, harvesting the crops
therefrom and selling the same on the following terms, covenants and
conditions:
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND COVENANTS
and conditional upon their fulfillment it is hereby agreed by and between the
City and Contractor as follows:
1. Contractor agrees to farm said orchard property in a manner
consistent with good farming practices, including but not limited to
spraying, cultivating, pruning, discing, fertilizing, watering, replacing
trees or grafting of trees, harvesting of crop, and delivery and selling of
crop.
2. City agrees to provide funds not to exceed $15,000 per crop year
to assist with farming and maintenance of orchard, including replacement of
trees, as long as Contractor agrees to peform or have performed the labor
involved in said work.
N
3. Contractor shall retain all of the gross sales proceeds from the
harvest of said crop for said orchard, in consideration of the foregoing.
4. Contractor agrees to provide City, on an annual basis after harvest,
an itemized accounting of costs of farming the orchard in the aforementioned
manner, and shall provide City with receipts showing gross sales or proceeds
�rom sale of crop resulting from harvest of said orchard. The Contractor
will submit all invoices fcr each crop . year on or before June 30 of each
year. No invoices will be accepted for the previous crop year after June
30th.
5. The term of the agreement shall be from July 1 through June 30th of
each year. This agreement shall automatically renew from year to year until
such time as City or Contractor terminates as outlined in paragraph 7 or 8.
Upon termination thereof, Contractor agrees to leave said premises in good
and orderly condition in accord with good farming practices in the County of
Santa Clara, State of California.
6. It is understood and agreed that NOVAKOVICH is an independent
Contractor and has not been given and is not given a lease of said premises
or any part thereof and acquires no easement nor interest in said real
property.
7. Anything. to the contrary hereinabove notwithstanding, City reserves
th- .right to terminate the within license on sixty (60) days prior written
notice to. Contractor, in the event City should determine to develop said real-
property or any portion thereof as a public par's prior to the expiration of
the within Crop Agreement. In the event of such termination at anytime prior
to the completion of an annual harvest,. which termination prevents Contractor
from completing any such harvest, then as a condition precedent to such
termination short of permitting Contractor to complete such harvesting, City
shall reimburse Contractor for all costs and expenses of spraying,
cultivating, pruning, discing and otherwise farming said orchard property
preparatory to such harvest, to the extent that such costs and expenses would
constitute an out -of- pocket loss to said Contractor. In no event shall any
costs and expenses incurred by Contractor after receipt of the aforesaid
notice of termination be included in the computation of any of said losses.
I
w'
°. In addition to the paragraph above,' both City and Contractor each
reserve the right to terminate the within license on sixty (60) days prior
written notice to the other, providing the notice is presented so that
termination occurs during the period of October to February of any year.
Neither party ma,.., terminate this agreement during the growing or harvest
season of said orchard under this paragraph.
9. This agreement and any and all rights contained herein is
nonassigrable by Contractor without the written consent of City first had and
obtained.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this agreement the
day and year first above written.
CITY OF SARATOGA, A Municipal
Corporation
By:
0
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
CONTRACTOR:
MATHEW NOVAKOVICH
14251 Fruitvale Avenue
Saratoga, California 95070
867 -3131
ORDINANCE NO..HP -3
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA DESIGNATING
THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS CENTRAL PARK (APN 397- 30 -53)
AS A HERITAGE RESOURCE
The City.Council of the City of Saratoga hereby ordains as follows:
SECTION 1: After careful review and.consideration of the report of
the Heritage Preservation Commission, the.application and supporting
materials the City Council has determined that th.e findings per
Exhibit "B" can be made and hereby. designates tie property known as
Central Park as a Heritage Resource of the City of Saratoga.
SECTION 2: This designation shall become operative and take effect
thirty (30) days from its date of passage.
This ordinance was regularly introduced and after the waiting time
required by law was thereafter passed and adopted this 15th day of
August 1984 , by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Callon, Clevenger, Hlava, Moyles and Mayor Fanelli
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
/ MA OR
ATTEST:
DEPUTY . CITY CLERK
c
EXHIBIT "B"
REPORT OF FINDINGS
C
1. Central Park has special historical, cultural, and aesthetic
value as part of the heritage of Saratoga and Santa Clara County.
2. Central Park satisfies criteria a, e, and g of Section 5 of
Ordinance No. 66 in that its orchard exemplifies the agricultural
use of land which once dominated the Santa Clara Valley, it is an
established visual feature of the neighborhood, and contributes
to the unique natural setting of Wildcat Creek which is of special
aesthetic interest and value.
2. Report from Heritage Preservation Commission Concerning Ordinance
Designating Central Park as Heritage Resource
Sharon Landsness spoke as Chair of the Heritage Preservation Commission. She
explained the ordinance and the Commission's desire to establish support for it.
She felt that adopting the ordinance would follow the General Plan and set a good
example for the community, encouraging citizens to apply for Heritage Resource
designation. Assistant Planner Flores pointed out that one of the General Plan
policies, as well as the Area H General Plan Guidelines, called for the designation
of Central Park as a Heritage Resource
Mayor Fanelli thanked the Heritage Preservation-Commission on their outstanding job.
She stated that she had been told that the City had accpkired the land partly for the
future use for a museum, cultural center, or other .City use. Ms. Landsness replied
that the Heritage Resource designation could be removed through due process.
Assistant Planner Flores added that any such project would have to be reviewed by
the Commission to determine its consistency with the agricultural and historic
nature of the site if it were designated as a Heritage Resource. Further, he said,
the land is designated as Open Space, so such projects would require a General Plan
amendment. Mayor Fanelli commented that over a period of time the essence of a
site's character can be lost; she felt that documentation was needed to preserve
that essence.
CALL,ON /HLAVA MOVED TO READ ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY, WAIVING FURTHER READING. Passed
5 -0.
CALLON /HLAVA MOVED TO INTRODUCE ORDINANCE. Passed 5 -0.
Councilmember Moyles stated that although he supported the ordinance he had certain
reservations which he requested be transcribed verbatim. (Councilmember Moyles'
statement appears below.)
"I will vote for the motion, but I will make it explicitly clear to the community
that I reserve the right to reverse this judgment if I find myself unable to provide
my constituents essential City services in the future. And I would say, still, that
there is no City asset that is not subject to that same jeopardy. Until the City is
on stable, predictable sources of funding, we will have to look wherever we must.
Even if we don't like looking in these places, we will still have to consider them
as sources of funding if the day comes when we can't keep the police on the streets
or pave the streets the police are supposed to be riding on. So with that
explanation, I will vote in favor of this ordinance changes. As I understand it, it
adds a very useful loop to the reconsideration process if we do have to renege on
this commitment tonight. It's appropriate to have the Heritage Commission be a part
of that process. It would serve to alert the community to a very difficult and
painful decision that we would be addressing, and I can support that. But I don;'t
want this to be interpreted as a lifelong pledge never to reconsider these issues.
I think we're going to be looking at them in the near future."
Mayor Fanelli brought up the possibility of holding a public hearing on the matter.
Other Councilmembers felt a public hearing was not necessary because it is the
Council's decision, based on the ownership of the land; public concern is focused on
possible expansion of City offices into the site, not sale of the land; the proposed
designation is in the General Plan, which is established through public hearings;
the issue of sale of City land has been addressed in a recent public hearing; the
Council must make decisions based on the information available at the time the
decisions is made.
Mayor Fanelli directed that the minutes be incorporated with the history of the
site.
C. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
CITY OF SARATOGA
AGENDA BILL NO.
DATE: June 11, 1984 (June 20, 1984)
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
c
Initial:
Dept. Hd.
C. Atty.
C. Mgr.
SUBJECT: HP -3, ORDINANCE DESIGNATING CENTRAL PARK AS A HERITAGE RESOURCE
Issue Summary
1. The General Plan calls for the designation of Central Park as a
Heritage Resource under the Open Space Element policy OS.1.4.
2. Central Park contains one of the last remaining orchards in the
City of Saratoga.
3. The Heritage Preservation Commission has determined that Central
Park meets the criteria for Heritage Resources.
4. The designation will require the review of any modification to
Central Park by the Commission.
Recommendation
1. The Heritage Preservation Commission recommends that the City Council
approve an ordinance designating Central Park as a heritage resource.
2. The council needs to make the required finding(s) if it wishes to
adopt this ordinance after the first reading of the ordinance.
3. The second reading of the ordinance would occur at the next council
meeting and would go into effect 30 days after adoption.
Fiscal Impacts
The designation could limit City use of the property in an economic
sense and would make any sale of the property unlikely.
Exhibits /Attachments
Exhibit A - Staff Report dated June 11, 1984
Exhibit B - Application and Commission findings.
Exhibit C - Ordinance No. HP -3
Exhibit D - Heritage Resource criteria
Council Action
.... ..•CITY COUNCIL
DATE: 6/11/84
COUNCIL MEETING: 6/20/84.
SUBJECT HP -3, Central Park, Southwest Corner of Saratoga Avenue
and Fruitvale Avenue.
---------=------------------------------------------------------------ - - - - --
At its meeting of May 23, 1984 the Heritage.: Preservation Commission
reviewed, on its own initiative, the designation of Central Park as
a Heritage Resource in accordance with the Heritage Preservation°
Ordinance. This was`done in compliance with the General Plan which
calls for this designation under Open Space Element Policy OS.1.4
which.reads as follows:
OS._lA The City owned orchard land (Central Park)., bounded by
Wildcat Creek and Fruitvale and Saratoga Avenues, shall
be designated as an historic resource under the heritage
preservation ordinance.
OS.1.4 (Imp) Refer to the Heritage Preservation Commission
The Commission gathered information on Central Park which it has
used to fill out the attached application. After review of this
information the Commission made specific findings indicating that
Central Park conforms with the criteria of the ordinance and is
recommending that the Council approve this designation.
One of the reasons for this recommendation is that the orchard in
Central Park is one of the last remaining orchards in Saratoga that
is actively maintained and used. It is an important legacy of Saratoga's
and -Santa Clara Valley's agricultural history.
The City Council must now decide to approve, modify or deny the request.
To approve the request the Council must adopt an ordinance designating
Central Park as a Heritage Resource. The ordinance will go into
effect 30 days after adoption. Prior to adopting the ordinance the
Council must make the findings shown on Exhibit "B" of that ordinance.
Once the designating ordinance goes into effect, Central Park will be
subject to the regulations of Ordinance No. 66 which will restrict
changes permitted to the site and require review by the Commission
prior to any changes to the site.
Report to the Mayo City Council 6/11/84
HP -3, Central Park C Page 2
RECOMMENDATION: The Heritage Preservation Commission has made findings
indicating Central Park complies with the criteria of the ordinance
and is important to the history, especially agricultural history, of
Saratoga. Therefore, the Commission recommends that the City Council
designate Central Park as a Heritage Resource.
APPROVEDj�,
Miphael Flor s
Assistant Planner
MF /b j c
C.C. Agenda 6/20/84
� 4
C �
ORDINANCE NO. HP -3
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA DESIGNATING
THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS CENTRAL PARK (APN 397- 30 -53)
AS A HERITAGE RESOURCE
The City Council--o -f -- the.- :- Citty-- - -o£ - -- .Saratoga - her.eby._.or- dains -_as__ follows:
SECTION 1: After careful review and .consideration of the report of
the Heritage Preservation Commission, the -a placation and supporting
materials the City Council has determined tat the findings per
Exhibit "B" can be made and hereby. designates the property known as
Central Park as a Heritage Resource of the City of Saratoga.
SECTION 2: This designation shall become operative and take effect
thirty (30) days from its date of passage..
This ordinance was regularly introduced and after the waiting time
required by law was thereafter passed and adopted this day of
19 , by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
MAYOR
. EXHIBIT "B ".
REPORT OF FINDINGS
C
1. Central Park has special historical, cultural, and aesthetic
value as:part of:.the heri.tage..of Saratoga and,Sant3 Clara-County.
2. Central Park satisfies criteria a, e, and g of Section 5 of
Ordinance No. 66 in that its orchard exemplifies the agricultural
use of land which once dominated the Santa Clara Valley, it is an.
established visual feature of the neighborhood, and contributes
to the unique natural setting of Wildcat Creek which is of special
aesthetic interest and value.
a
G Ri- raRiA
f,�-X.tfl t3 i i -
heritage resource. Such voluntary advice and guidance shall
not impose any regulation or control over any property-
(i) Participate in, promote and conduct public informa-
tion and educational programs pertaining to heritage resources.
(j) Perform such other functions as may be delegated to
it by resolution or motion of the City Council.
Section 55, Criteria for Desi nation as a Heritaqe Resource,
The Heritage Commission may recommend to the City
Council designation!of a proposal as a heritage resource'if it
satisfies any one or more of the following criteria:
(a) It 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; or
(b) It is identified with persons or events significant
in local, county, state or national history; or
(c) It embodies distinctive characteristics of a style,
type, period or `method of construction, or is a valuable
example of the use of indigenous materials or craftmanship;
or
(d) It is representative of the notable design or craft
of a builder, designer, or architect; or
(e) It embodies or contributes to unique physical
characteristics representing an established and familiar
visual feature of a neighborhood or district within the City;
or
(f) It represents a significant concentration or
continuity of site, buildings, structures or objects, unified
by past events or aesthetically by plan or physical or
natural development; or
(9) It embodies or contributes to a unique natural
-7-
C �
-. �� :�•:,::.�,Y- .- :-:::,-- .= _:� = -c. :r :
setting or environment constituting a distinct area or
district within the City having special character of special
historical, architectural or aesthetic interest or value.
Section 6. Procedure for Designation of a Heritage Resource.
The procedure for designation as a heritage resource
shall be as follows:
(a) Aoplications for Desianation. Applications for
designation as a heritage resource may be submitted to the
heritage Commission by any of the following:
(1) The owner or owners of a building, improve-
ment, structure, natural feature, site or area of land,
•,:: rr�r "r.�s : =: ✓:.:
requesting designation of their property as a historic
- ".
landmark.
(2) The owners of at least sixty percent (608) of
41�" SZ-7
all recorded lots abutting a street, road, avenue,
boulevard, pathway or trail, or portion thereof,
requesting designation as a heritage lane.
%0
(3) The owners of at least sixty percent (608) of
all recorded lots within a specific geographic section
of the city, requesting designation of the entire
section as a historic district.
Applications for designation as a heritage lane or historic
district shall be accompanied by a filing fee to cover the
administrative cost of handling the designation proceedings.
�)�,�Ijft�cW PRO��sh
The City Council or the Planning Commission may also, by
7hi�a % +�7�oe! Gxi r!< ot�P/
resolution or motion, refer a proposed designation to the
1 t�A -CIYf�
Heritage Commission for its recommendation and the Feritage
Commission may consider a proposed designation upon its own
initiative.
(b) Stud,/ of Pr000sal. The Feritage Com.•nission shall
conduct a study of the proposed designation, based upon
HISTORICAL PROJECT
PROPOSAL QUESTIONNAIRE
County of Santa Clara
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY
Parks and Recreation Department
Name of Project: Heritage Orchard Restoration /Replanting
Date: November 3, 1994
Amount: $19,642.00
Contact Person: George White, Secretary
Heritage Preservation Commission
Telephone: 867 -3438 ext. 233
Review of Historical Projects or Programs in accord with Santa
Clara Charter provision that expenditures from the Park Fund be
"for park purposes ".
1. Brief narrative explaining the proposal, purpose of the
expenditure and a description of the benefits to be derived
should the proposal be funded:
The proposal is to restore and replant the Heritage Orchard
(further described in response to question 3) to its historical
capacity. The orchard has been decimated by natural attrition over
the last twenty years. The estimated expenditure covers the cost
of installing 600 replacement trees, including labor and materials.
The restored orchard will provide the residents of the County and
the City with an excellent example of a real, working fruit
orchard, similar to the hundreds of other small fruit ranches that
have disappeared from the Santa Clara Valley over the last half
century.
1.A Have there been other locations in the County where
similar projects have been performed by your group?
No, but the Saratoga Heritage Commission has been mandated by the
City Council to act in reviewing development projects that affect
properties and resources listed on the Heritage Resource Inventory
or that are Designated Heritage Landmarks, such as the Heritage
Orchard.
1.B What is the expected average daily attendance
(visitation) should your proposal be funded and the project
completed?
Unknown, however the Orchard is directly adjacent to the main
library and on a well travelled route that serves West Valley
College, City Hall and the Saratoga Village. It is anticipated that
after restoration, the orchard will be an increasingly valued
community resource with excellent potential for historical and
A
agricultural programs.
1.0 What is the average age of visitors expected? Is the
expectation that particular groups and /or organizations would
visit the project once it is completed?
Unknown. It is expected that the Orchard will serve as an important
interpretive learning tool for school children and for agriculture
and history enthusiasts of all ages.
1.D Are there special parking needs, or other improvements
such as rest rooms, utilities installations, telephone, sound
system, lighting or other requirements associated with your
proposal?
No. The County library, which shares the property, provides all
needed improvements and parking facilities.
2. Description of location - is project located within the
parks and recreation element of the County General Plan?
Attach a site map of the project location. Note the general
section of the County - east, west, north or south, wherein
the project is located.
The Heritage Orchard is located in the West Valley area of Santa
Clara County in the City of Saratoga. The property is situated at
the junction of Saratoga and Fruitvale Avenues. A map is attached
for reference and the site is further described in question 3
below.
3. Description of relationship to regional park function - state
the facts supporting how the project may be considered for
park purposes.
The Saratoga Heritage Orchard or Central Park is situated on a
20.48 acre parcel in the center of Saratoga. The site is currently
planted with producing french prune, blenheim apricot and bing
cherry trees. The park boundaries are delineated by Saratoga Avenue
to the northwest and Fruitvale Avenue to the southeast. Wildcat
Creek provides an uneven boundary to the south. The parcel
incorporates the Saratoga branch of the Santa Clara County Library
and is directly adjacent to the City Hall complex including the
historic Warner Hutton House and grounds.
The orchard was purchased by the City over 20 years ago in the
interest of preserving an example of the fruit growing activity
that dominated the area's economy from the 1880's to the 19501x.
Due to financial constraints, the City has provided only routine
maintenance and has not been able to replace trees that have died
due to natural attrition and drought stress.
The City has contracted with a local fruit grower to provide
maintenance and to harvest the fruit. This site represents one of
the last remaining working orchards in the area and is the only one
owned by the public and open to all. The park was designated as a
Local Historic Landmark in August of 1984.
3.A Please describe any special benefit to the general
public as result of your proposal being recommended
for funding.
The park provides a scenic center piece testifying to the once
plentiful amount of orchard land in northern Santa Clara Valley.
The site also affords the public with an opportunity to learn first
hand about the scientific and practical aspects of horticulture and
agriculture. This park is a living, operating gateway to Santa
Clara County's heritage. The park is centrally located at the
junction two major arterial streets and is within easy access to
Highway 85 Its proximity to the County Library, West Valley College
and City Hall allows thousands of commuters, bicyclists and
pedestrians to view or visit site on a daily basis.
4. Who will provide on -going maintenance. How will it be funded
and at what intervals will it be provided?
Maintenance is currently provided by the City of Saratoga on a
contract basis. This arrangement is funded through the Parks and
Maintenance Budget and will continue for the life of the orchard.
Maintenance is an ongoing process requiring monthly tasks such as
irrigation, spraying, pruning, discing, thinning, harvesting and
miscellaneous maintenance.
5. Enclose budget and listing of other funding sources and their
percent of total project cost. Include the expected timing
that funds will be available and the date project is expected
to be completed.
The cost estimate for this project is as follows:
Purchase and installation of
600 fruit trees at $29.76 per tree= $17,856.00.
Contingency for expected
first year die off of 10 %= $1786.00.
Grand total= $19,642.00.
No other known funds or budget sources are available for this
project.
6. Ownership of property.
The property is owned by the City of Saratoga.
f%
7. Responsible party; indicate approvals and the names of
person(s) who will sign agreement and who will be responsible
to see that project /program is accomplished and that funds
are used in accord with approval by Board of Supervisors.
The responsible party is the Saratoga Heritage Preservation
Commission and the agreement will be reviewed by the Saratoga City
Council. Oversight for the project will be provided by City staff
and by the members of Heritage Preservation Commission.
7.A How long have you or your group been involved with
preservation projects /programs?
The Heritage Preservation Commission was created by City ordinance
and has been in continuous operation since 1984.
7.B Is your organization or group operated through
volunteers? Please state the number of volunteers
and employees active in your organization or group.
Yes. The Heritage Preservation Commission is made up of seven City
Council appointed volunteers. The Commission is staffed on a
partial basis by one city employee.
7.0 Historical Project Agreements require that the
County be held harmless from all acts, omissions,
etc. of the grantee. Does your group currently have
liability insurance. If yes, please attach a copy
of the policy. (Historical Project Agreements may
require the County to be named as an additional
insured).
The Heritage Preservation Commission does not carry its own
liability insurance, however, if funds are awarded, the contract
will be performed by insured individuals under City supervision.
8. The attached example of an Historical Project Agreement with
the County contains provisions generally applicable to all funded
proposals. Additional provisions may be incorporated into a final
agreement depending on the nature of the project and any
considerations. Prospective grantees should be able to comply with
the sample language at a minimum. Are there any provisions which
would be problematic for your organization or group should your
proposal be recommended for funding?
No problems with the sample language are foreseen at this time.
9. Enclose any additional information you wish to provide in
support of the project proposal.
Attachments:
1. Site Location Maps.
2. Ordinance No. HP -3, designating Central Park as a Heritage
Resource.
3. Page excerpt from "Saratoga's Heritage ".
10. Listed on County Heritage Inventory?
No.
11. Date submitted: 11/10/94
Signature of Applicant:
Linda Davis, Chair
Heritage Preservation Commission
12. Approved by:
Deputy Director, Planning & Development
Parks & Recreation Dept.
13. Approved for legality:
Deputy County Counsel
14. Approval date by the Historical Heritage Commission
APPROVED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: Date:
HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #24)
IDENTIFICATION
1. Common name: Central Park Orchard
2. Historic name: Marion - Cox - Kitchen - Seagraves Ranch
3. Street or rural address: S.W. corner Fruitvale and Saratoga Avenues
City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara
4. Parcel number: 397 -30 -53
5. Present Owner: City of Saratoga Address: 13777 Fruitvale Avenue
City: Saratoga Zip: 95070
Ownership is: Public: X Private:
6. Present Use: Heritage Orchard Original Use: Orchard
DESCRIPTION
7a. Architectural style: Not applicable
7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or
structure and describe any major alterations from its original
condition:
Located on the southwest corner of Saratoga Avenue and Fruitvale is
this prune and apricot orchard, consisting of nearly fourteen acres.
It is well maintained and new fruit trees are planted to replace
diseased or dying ones. The orchard is traversed on its southern
boundary by Wildcat Creek and the property is relatively flat.
8. Construction date: N/A
Estimated:
Factual:
9. Architect: N/A
10. Builder: N/A
11. Approx. prop. size
Frontage:
Depth:
approx. acreage: 13.9
12. Date(s) of enclosed
photograph(s): 1988
13. Condition: Excellent: Good: X Fair: Deteriorated:
No longer in existence:
14. Alterations: Construction of Saratoga Community Library in adjacent
acreage.
15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary)
Open land: Scattered buildings: X Densely built -up:
Residential: X Industrial: Commercial: Other:
16. Threats to site: None known: X Private development: Zoning:
Vandalism: Public Works project: Other:
17. Is the structure: On its original site? Moved? Unknown?
18. Related features: Site is traversed on its southern boundary by
Wildcat Creek.
SIGNIFICANCE
19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include
dates, events, and persons associated with the site).
Central Park Orchard exemplifies the agricultural era that was very
important in Saratoga's early history. Many years ago, orchards of
prunes and apricots covered the Santa Clara Valley, particularly in and
around Saratoga. Orchards were the economic backbone of Saratoga.
This orchard has been owned by several prominent Saratoga families:
the Marion family in the 1880's, F.C. Cox in the 1920's and W. Seagrave
in the 19501s. This site has been designated by the City of Saratoga as
a Heritage Landmark, in acknowledgement of its importance to Saratoga's
history.
20. Main theme of the historic resource:
(If more than one is checked, number
in order of importance.)
Architecture: Arts /Leisure:
Economic /Industrial:
Exploration /Settlement: 2
Government: Military:
Religion: Social /Ed.:
Agriculture: 1
21. Sources (List books, documents,
surveys, personal interviews and
their dates).
Saratoga Parks Booklet; Property
Deeds; Dan Trinidad, City Parks
Director, 1986.
22. Date form prepared: 4/88
By (name): SHPC
Organization: City of Saratoga
Address: 13777 Fruitvale Ave.
City: Saratoga Zip: 95070
Phone: 867 -3438
Locational sketch map (draw and label site and
surrounding streets, roads, and prominent landmarks):
NORTH
a
00-;1 , Ur " I-4
W
Saratoga News /February 10, 1988 /page 19
V11VILI N
She knows it's silly to cry
ill miss the familiar sight Writer w ht of Cali Bros g
EDITOR:
It is silly, of course, to cry
when an old feed store is de-
molished. But I did. I am refer-
ring to the Cali Bros. Feed store
at the corner of Stevens Creek
Blvd. and Saratoga - Sunnyvale
Road (old Highway 9). 1 have a
friend who once said, "When
Cali Bros. goes, so do I."
How we laughed.
I first saw the building as we
drove up Highway 9 with the
realtor in the mid -50s. We bump-
ed our way along the two lane
road from Sunnyvale to Sara-
toga with orchards in bloom on
either side. At one point, we
even ran through a swarm of
bees. As we passed the intersec.
tion, the realtor pointed to the
feed store and said, "if you ever
get your kids ponies or horses,
this 1s where you'll buy the
hay."
Well, we did get a pony. One
clear, crisp Christmas morning
all the visiting relatives piled in-
to our old station wagon for the
short ride down Highway 9 and
over Prospect Avenue. Our des-
tination was the Parker Itanch
to watch our youngest daughter
receive her new pony, Dandy.
She had so wanted this parti-
cular animal, and her joy was
boundless as her cousin and her
sisters appeared through the
trees leading her surprise.
And so, we became custom-
ers of the feed store. We would
park in front and go into the
sales office, not just to pay for
the hay we were buying, but to
let the little fingers run through
all the various grains in the open
gunny sacks, a tactile pleasure
few children today will ever
experience. We smelled the
leathery scent of new tack and
the pungent odor of medicinal
remedies for the animals. We
heard the gossip of the locals
and the laughter of long -time
friendship. Cali Bros. spelled
"country," and cuuntry we
here.
One thing about this valley
that has always startled me is
the surprise of Spring. While
wearing heavy woolens and lis-
tening to dire weather reports,
in my mind I am still in the mid-
dle of Winter. Spring and tulips
and baby -bird sounds seem far
away. And then, in February,
I'd pass an empty lot and a wild
almond would be bursting its
popcorn blossoms, saying,
"Aha, I caught you, didn't I ?'
Today, in February of 1988,
as I drive past the Apple build-
ings ( an "orchard" that does not
bloom in the Spring!) I tell my-
self I should feel the excitement
of living in the oelly button of the
modern computer world. Here is
where it is all happening, this is
life in the fast lane, and I am a
vital and active part of it. But I
look at the buildings, at all the
cars, and at the empty skyline
where that old feed store used to
be and what only comes to mind
is what lovely trees are gone,
what rich soil has been buried.
I continue on and off to my
right is the Parker Ranch. To-
day, for all to see, it is a
developed neighborhood of huge
homes. But as I look at that
parcel of land, for me it will
always be trees and trails and
meadows and the echoing happy
cry of that Christmas morning.
"It's Dandy, oh, it's Dandy,
is he really mine ?"
I then cross over Cox Avenue
and turn up Saratoga Avenue
passing the closed Masson wine
cellars and the ominous freeway
corridor. My turn off is ahead,
but I am lured to the library at
%he corner of Fruitvale.
I stop and get out of the car
and then silently thank God that
someone or some group had the
foresight to preserve the sur-
rounding historical orchard.
Because, I find that if I position
myself just so, all I see are pink
blossoms out of the corner of my
eye, yellow mustard at my feet,
and the soothing sight of misty
clouds modestly veiling the for-
ever hills. I can then pretend
that behind me, my valley is still
clothed in soon -to- blossom fruit'
trees, that there are empty lots
with wild almond to cause sur-
prise, that kids still walk to town
for a 10e toy at the Variety, and
that Cali Bros. is still reb
there.
Nancy Watson Ander:
Sarato
6
HERITAGE ORCHARD PROPOSAL QN��
I am - - --
I have an aerial photograph for distribution which may be of some
help in orienting you to the location and condition of the Heritage
orchard discussed in our proposal.
The Saratoga Heritage Resource Commission is respectfully
requesting your consideration of our proposal for funds to assist
us in restoring and preserving the viability of the Heritage
Orchard. The 14 acre prune and apricot orchard is publically owned
and one of the last two working orchards in the area.
The orchard is contained within the 20 acre Central Park which is
a very visible and open gateway to the heart of Saratoga. Central
Park is on the busy Saratoga\ Fruitvale intersection near the Hwy
85 interchange. In addition, It is adjacent to two grammar schools,
one middle school, West Valley College, the city hall complex and
County library. The orchard is self sustaining and has been owned
and maintained by the city of Saratoga for over twenty years,
primarily as a scenic open space resource. It was designated a
heritage landmark by the city in 1984, because of its very special
historical, educational and aesthetic value as part of Santa Clara
county's agricultural past.
There is considerable interest in the community to expand the
active use of the orchard for scenic enjoyment and educational
programs, both in local history and in agricultural practices.
The orchard has been seriously affected by drought stress over the
past seven years. This, along with natural attrition has resulted
in a cumulative massive loss of trees. The funding we are
requesting is critical in restoring the orchard to viability and
enabling us�to continue its preservation and community use.
Thank you f your attention - I will be happy to answer any
questions.
9.
CENTRAL PARK `G" ► 1 C 0 P
LOCATION: No established address
Park is bounded on the north side by Saratoga Avenue, on the
south by Wildcat Creek and the Civic Center complex, the
eastern boundary is Fruitvale Avenue and on the west side is
the Holy Cross Church. The entire northeast corner of the,
property is now taken with the Saratoga Community Library.
BACKGROUND:
Acquisition: 1972 11.4 acres $297,882
1973 4.2 acres $ 93,789
1977 2.6 acres $ 85,161*
18.2 acres $476,832
Library site -4.3 acres
TOTAL PARK
ACRES 13.9 acres
*Funds for this purchase were taken from Library Bond Fund
MASTER PLAN: No master plan has been developed.
DEVELOPMENT: None
PRESENT USE: The area is currently being held in open space and orchard
until the potential for development occurs. The City of
Saratoga is currently spending funds to improve the orchard
so that it will be a productive crop- bearing orchard. The
orchard is currently under crop agreement on a yearly basis
and within another five years will be completely self- support-
ing and possibly revenue producing.
1
1
\ \ \ ♦ ♦ \ ♦ \ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ \ \ \ ♦ ♦ ♦ \ h \ ♦ \ \ \ \ \ ♦ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ •. \ \ ♦ \ ♦ ♦ \ ♦ \ \ \ \ \ \ t L \ \
/ / / / / / • l / / / / I / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / `.
\ h
' \' \ \ \ �1VENTORY;!;
. ` ` `:OESIC�JATION • ` ` 11 ` • •. ` .
'L;L' \; \; SARATOGA, '\
J / // / /,!f! /lrfl•
/`/ / CALIFORNIA, 95070 ; ; ; ; : /` /`•` `
'/, /;PARCEL NO : ; : — r' ` . -- : ` `•.
/ / / / / / / / , / / ♦ / / ! / / / I / / / / / / / I / / I'd \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ L f \ \ h \
•; \; \;VESTED
/ / / / / / //f /,! v\/1A
Cl /V� i/
r / / / / r / 1 / / / r / / J r ! J J ! , J / ! • ! J ! J / ! / fJ ! / ! f F / / / / f „ / f / / / / / / / / / /.
! I I !
L
\ ♦ h
/ F /
• f l /
•'1 J I
J /
z \ \
\. h
•r J
: / r
r \! \
I
�tl
I I J J
4 \ ,
!'IYJ J
f
• J f J
\ h
! \f
f \i
ft/\
/ / f •J
J /
I F
I / f .•
/ / J
f J i
J♦
f \!
1 \!
/ ! J
J • •
! / f
Da(-
Received
Designation No. .4p' 3
Heating Date
Fee
(No fee for designation only)
CITY OF SARATOGA HERITAGE RESOURCE
DESIGNATION /PERMIT APPLICATION FORM
I. Identification of Heritage Resource
A. Name
1) , Common Name Central Park
2) Historic Name
B. Location /Address Corner .Saratoga Ave. & Fruitvale Ave.
C. Assessor's Parcel Number 397-30-5-3-
D. Use of site Open space and orchard
1) Original Orchard
.E. Present Owner City of Saratoga
(,Please a ttach.documentation of ownership).
1) Address •13777 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga
2) Phone Number--867-343
3) Public or Private Ownership Public*
4) Has Owner. been Notifies. of Application? N/A
II. Purpose of Application
A. Application for Designation.or Permit? 'Designation
1.. If application for permit briefly.describe proposal and
alterations required.
B. Application for Heritage Landmark, Lane or District?
1. If application for heritage lane or district please
attach required petitions (Section 6(a) Ord. No. 66).
Heritage Landmark
C �
III. Description.
A. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the
site (including major vegetation features) or structure
and describe any existing major alterations from its original
condition:
The area is currently being held hin open space and orchard
until the potential for development occurs. The City of
Saratoga is currently speeding funds to improve the orchard
so that it will be a productive crop- bearing orchard. he
orchard is currently under crop agreement on a yearly basis
and within f1ve years wili be comp e e y seif-supporting and
B. Architectural Style possibly revenue producing.
C. Year of Construction
D. Name of Architect or Builder
E. Approximate property size in feet (please attach legal
description if available)
1) Frontage 1225-feet,
2) Depth 800 feet
3) Approximate Acreage acres
F. Condition of Structure and /or Site (circle one):
1) Excellent 2) Fair 3) Deteriorated
G. Is structure altered or unaltered?
H. Secondary structures on site. Describe..
N"o
I. Is this the original site or has the structure been moved?
N/A
2 _,
C
J. Photo (Date Taken: (
C
Location Ma
A
N
S
(Label site and surrounding streets
roads and prominent landmarks)
IV. Significance
A. Briefly describe historical and /or - architectural importance
of the resource (include dates, events and persons associated
with the site) :
1'nis orcnar' is one of_the-last-remaining prune and Apricot
orchards in Saratoga. Because these crops are so significant
in Saratoga's agricultural history preserving them as a
— valuable resource is very important. (See Attached sheet)
(Attach sheet if more space required)
B. List sources used to determine historical value (i.e. books,
documents, surveys, personal interviews and their dates):
Saratoga Parks booklet
Property deeds
Mr. Dan Tri nadad.
C. Does this site/structure have a county, state or federal
historical landmark designation? No
V. Form submitted by:
1)
2)
3)
4)
Name
Address
Phone Number
or Saratoga Heritage Preservation Commission
3
XXX
C
IV. (continued)
This site was originally
by the following people:
(no relation to the old
(1950's).
C
part of the Quito Rancho and was owned
The Marion Family (18801s), F.C. Cox
Cox Family) (1920's), and W. Seagrave
C
I M P O R T A N T
C
Prior to submitting an application -for heritage resource designation
or permit application to alter such a resource, the following should
be read carefully. J
I, the applicant, understand that by applying for a permit
to alter such a resource that the site of this resource will
be subject to the limitations and provisions of Ordinance No.
66. I also agree that these limitations and provisions will
be complied with as well as any conditions upon which the
application is granted. In witness whereof, I here unto set
my hand this e-r& day
Signature
Print Name
Address 15V-Z f 1zw 1 Ac,4�, .AYo— , SMRA84A 25Z7O
Phone: Residence Business 9(07- 3 '/38
VI. Recommendation of Commission to (circle one):
City Council Planning Commission /Community Development Department
A. The Heritage Preservation Commission is fo /against the
ropose designation /permit application.
B. Comments: We.feel- that- Central:Park should be retained
as orchard property since it exemplifies'an era that was
extremely important; in Saratoga'.s, history. We feel that
it is vital that.this orchard be portected as a heritage
resource since it is one of the last remaining orchards
in the Citv.
4
3'
19722
.K
N'
19 "
C C
X .3'4
1 rr
397-3o-47
WIIcl
!3A3c,
CENTRAL PARK
P E'
�e
Qm
f _
10.
� C
C. Findings:
1. Central Park has special historical, cultural and
aesthetic interest and value as part of the heritage
and history of the City and County.
2. Central Park satisfies criteria a, e, and g of.
Sections 5 of Ordinance No. 66 in that its orchard
exemplifies the agricultural use of land which.once
dominated the Santa Clara. Valley, it is an established
visual feature of the neighborhood, and contributes
to the unique natural setting of Wild Cat Creek which
is of special aesthetic interest and value.
Signed L 4�oe�/��/
Chairman of :- ieritag —e `
Preservation Commission
5
t7
T
ri
E
u_
Z
b
v�
Scout
Continued from page 12
engraving the letters on the
wood.
Hagelin did most of the work
himself but when it came to dig-
ging the site and putting up the
sign he was assisted by fellow
scouts Bobby Ridolfo, Jeff Var-
nell, Ted Scheel, Greg Scheei,
Dave Goreman, Brett Crawford
and Matt Missakian who earned
service hours for their work.
After the completed project,
Hagelin had to submit a report
to the Santa Clara County Coun-
cil of Boy Scouts and the Na-
tional office in Texas for final
approval..
Hagelin is a member of
Troop No. 535, a member of the
Order of the Arrow — an organi-
zation where members are
chosen by fellow scouts, and at-
tended the 1985 National
Jamboree in Virginia.
O
Q
M
4:
Q'
S
Saratoga Boy Scout Paul Hagelin will receive scouting's highest
honor, Eagle Scout rank, Saturday at St. Andrew's Church.
this handsome sign for the city -owned Heritage of Saratoga Library.
Saratoga youth wins .
highest scouting honor
By Cindy Cooper
Hard work doesn't always go
unrewarded. At least not for Boy
Scout Paul Hagelin.
He will be receiving scout -
ing's highest honor, the Eagle
Scout award at 3:30 p.m. Satur-
day, Dec. 6 at St. Andrew's
Church in Saratoga.
Seventeen- year -old . Hagelin,
a senior at Saratoga High, spent
about 103 hours making and
erecting the sign which now
stands in the city's Heritage
Orchard.
In order to earn the Eagle
Scout award, Hagelin had to
earn 21 merit badges — he
earned 26, had to be a leader in
the troop — he has served as
senior patrol leader and is now
junior assistant scout master —
and had to complete a service
project which may not have got-
ten done otherwise
Twelve merit badges were
required including first aid,
safety, communication, and
emergency preparedness. His
other merit badges include bee
keeping, computers, camping
and hiking.
Hagelin got the idea for the
sign from Ray Swanson, city
parks and buildings supervisor.
The sign may not have been
done in the near future because
it is more of historical value
than a pressing need, said Hage-
Un.
The sign is six foot by 18
inches and three inches thick.
The city donated the wood base,
gravel and pipes to hold it up.
The hardest part of the proj-
ect was making the letter tem-
plate which he designed before
Please turn to page 32
m
Z
C ity saves orchard as part of history
By Millie Bobroff
A fruit orchard that traces its
roots back to the nineteenth cen-
tury "has off eiiilly been pro-
claimed a "heritage orchard"
with a sign created by Paul
Hagelin for his Eagle Scout pro-
ject.
"We wanted the sign made so
that the people of Saratoga
would appreciate this land,"
says Sharon Landsness, chair-
man of the Heritage Preserva-
tion Commission. "It is one of
the last undeveloped orchards
left in the city."
`It is one of the last
undeveloped
orchards left in
the city.'
Sharon Landsness
The 13.9 acres surrounds the
Saratoga Community Library,
bordering the. corner. of .Sara-
toga and Fruitvale Avenues.
Originally, the land was part of
the Mexican Land Grant. In
1880s the Marion family pur-
chased the property until the
1920s. F.C. Cox (no relation to
the original Saratoga Coxes)
grew apricots and prunes for the
next 30 years until the Sea-
graves family acquired the
property in the 1950s.
I In 1972, the city of Saratoga
bought 11.4 acres, adding
another 4.2 acres in 1973 and an
additional 2.6 in 1977 for a total
of 18. When the library was built,
four- and -a -half acres were tak-
en by the building and parking
area.
The cost of maintaining the
property ' runs between 0,000
and $8,000 a year, according to
Roy Swanson, parks and build-
ings supervisor. The city has
made a crop agreement with
Matt Novkavich and Walt Sea-
graves (family members of the
last owner) to maintain the or-
chard in exchange for the right
to harvest and sell the fruit.
Because the trees were neg-
lected for 20 years, the orchard
today is a far cry from the
healthy apricot and prune trees
that bloomed each spring, thril-
ling residents and visitors. . "The
city replaced 400 trees two years
ago and 390 died because of di-
sease," says Swanson. "We plan
to try again this year but it will
take five years before the trees
are productive. Eventually we
hope the city -will realize a profit
from the fruit but like any agri-
cultural venture, it is an 'iffy'
An orchard isn't complete
without a farmhouse, and the
Heritage Preservation Commis-
sion is currently lobbying city
Officials to acquire one. The
Warner Hutton House which
stands on the West Valley Cor-
ridor has been purchased by
CalTrans. The state agency is
willing to sell it to the city for a
token fee if a need can be found.
Landsness says that dozens of
volunteer groups could use the
farmhouse for meetings.
The 1842•square foot house
was built in 1890 by Warner
Hutton, a farmer. It has a par-
lor, two bedrooms, a fireplace,
kitchen, one - and -a -half baths,
and an enclosed porch.
"The front of the Queen Anne
cottage is perfect," says Lands -
ness. "It was never remodeled
and still has a gingerbread
look."
Although there is some talk
about moving the house to
Wildwood Park, Landsness says
-.the Heritage Orchard is a more
local location. "The orchard
needs a farmhouse, and we can
merge two historic landmarks
on one piece of property."
Landsness doubts that the
Warner Hutton House would be
placed on the same location as
the original farmhouse since
that one was located in a grove
of trees near Sacred Heart
Church. The historian hopes the
transported cottage would be
moved closer to city offices in
order for visitors to use city
parking facilities and the build-
ing could be maintained more
conveniently by city personnel. -
"We really should encourage
the city, to purchase the farm-
house from CalTrans and move
it to the orchard," says Lands -
ness. "Otherwise, CalTrans will
just auction it off."
Central Park ma y be
named protected land
By Kelly'1'l imball ger said "we had,a public hearing in
Saratoga City Council will
dedicate Central Park as a heritage
resource if it votes at its second
reading, Wednesday, Aug. 15 as it
did at the first reading on Wednes.
day, Aug. 1.
Sharon Landsness of the Heritage
Preservation Commission sub -
mitted, her group's dedication
request to the council last week,
Where it was applauded and ap-
proved as a forward step for the
commission and the city.
The city-towned orchard, bounded
by Wildcat Greek and Fruitvale and
Saratoga Avenues, is currently
designated as open space. If the
council should once again vote to
approve its proposed new
classification, the orchard will be
'Protected. Protected, unless a future
vote by a city council redefines its
usage.
Councilmember Marty Cleven-
April or May and it was demon-
strated that the public is enthus-
iastic about retaining this land. The
City is setting an example. We, too,
are interested in preserving our
heritage, and are enthusiastic about,
and consistent with, the previous'
policy.
Joyce Hlava noted that "with the
city as the landowner we have more
flexibility than ' other owner
would. We are making 'a decision
with the best information we have
now. If things change, we can
change the decision:"
David Moyles, while voting along
with the other councilmembers,
Pointed out "I will vote but I reserve
the right'to reconsider the usage if
we find we are unable to fund
essential city services. We mustlook
wherever we must for sources of
ceding." Mayor Virginia Fanelli
agreed.
It's happened. The orchards which once covered this one on Fruitvale Avenue marked for
the Santa Clara Valley have become so rare they preservation by the city of Saratoga.
are being set aside as historical preserves — like
..L lalilly so tt
f
1
v
d
a
I id
Some 50 Heritage Orchard
trees have been cut down by city
crews and will be replaced with
new prune trees, City Mainte-
nance Director Dan Trinidad
has announced.
The city switchboard has
been flooded with calls from
alarmed Saratoga residents ask-
ing why the trees were cut down
in the city's orchard, preserved..
as a historic remnant of the fruit
trees which once blanketed the
Santa Clara Valley.
Trinidad said that most of the
trees cut down were dead or dy-
ing, but admitted that "some
reasonably good trees were
cut."
Replacement of the trees has
been budgeted by the city, and
the new trees will be planted as
soon as bare root stock is avail-
able — probably.in December or
January — Trinidad said.
The trees which were re-
moved were mostly aprice
Trinidad said. They will be
placed with prunes, he adds
because blight has been atta
ing apricots in the Santa Cl�
Valley.
"Until that is solved, we'll
planting prunes," Trinidad sa
Two hundred new trees
on order. They will replace i
only the trees cut down 1,
week, but other dead or dyi
trees that have been remov
from time to time.
_.___ _-- _--------------- ..- ....,,. -.,, b,,...b -,.•� �� ,uln- instead- or upnotaing -their 6figinz
j fob �s supposed to make one a public servant, judgment about what programs wer
not a party servant.
i required to protect the environment. '
They said that, they couldn't override the It is disheartening and maddening to watt:
i veto.for {budgetary reasons. That reason is not our legislators fiddling while toxic chemical
even � credible: The programs cost a total of burn into the soil and water
i
Rural relic
LOSSOM Hill Road got its name hon-
'! estly.
a Thirty years ago it was still possible
�+ — in late February and early March — to
drive east from Los Gatos and see a Santa
Clara Valley carpeted from hillside to hillside
in pink . and' , white.
Thirty years. ago, more than 100,000 acres
were still planted. in fruit trees, prunes and
apricots mostly.. By 1977, orchards covered
fewer than 20,000: acres; today only about
3,000- acres of prunes and apricots remain,
and they are located largely in the southern
reaches of, 'the county, far from such urban
centers as San' Jose, Palo Alto = and Sara-
toga.
It is ironic that Saratoga, once Santa Clara
County's consummate village, is now su.ffi
N
ciently urbanized to be worried about pre
serving some vestige of its rural past. Ye
that's precisely what the Saratoga City Coun
cil has just done, declaring its undeveloped
13.9 -acre Central Park at Saratoga and Fruit
vale avenues a "heritage resource" and off•
limits to development.
. The heritage thus preserved is the last tiny.
scraggly prune and apricot orchard in Sara-
toga, perhaps the last one in all the West
Valley.
The spectacular vistas are gone, and they
won't, be resurrected by saving 14 acres of
prune and apricot trees in Saratoga. But Sara -
toga's "heritage resource" preserves for
today and tomorrow a small, living picture of
one of our yesterdays, and that's well worth
doing.
■ _ ■ —r_
STf 1.2 -400
rs
r Uj?I:i: S 'V1 i1Y Newa:252�661
V61.31, No. 34
1 2 n 5 0 7 0 Classified: 252 -2131
Si` ,L1'1`OGr�, C 1. Ju
Wednesday, August 22,1964 1 12 -.v.- Circulation: 255 -9570
Bulletin Board:
�...vyrriYnt Meredith Corpontlon, lBM. All rights reserved. 252-6661
The Saratoga City Council has dedicated 13.9 acres of city- owned. orchard at the corner .of Saratoga and Fruitvale avenues as a heritage resource. .
C moves
to protect an orchard
m
One of last in area designated as heritage resource
By Rel>,y Mmball
Apricots and prunes may be
bought-by the bushelin Saratoga,
but the orchards from whence the
fruit germinates are exceedingly
rare in this, the valley of silicon
Chips.
. Saratoga's City Council wants
Valley residents to remember that
agriculture preceded computer
manufacturing, and, so has dedi-
cated the city -owned 13.9 -acre
Central . Park at the corner of
Saratoga and Fruitvale avenues as a
heritage resource.
. The orchard is one of the few that
remain in Saratoga and, indeed, in
the entire region. The new heritage
resource.was designated as such fol-
lowing public hearings in which it
was labeled "an Important legacy of
Saratoga's agricultural history" by
its supporters, the city's Heritage
Preservation Commission.
One of the commission members,
local architect Warren Heid, said
Saratoga has always been active in
agriculture. It's important for future
generations to have a feeling for
this. When I grew up here it was
bucolic. It's important to, preserve
whatever resources we have that
delineate the heritage for future gen.
erations.
"Unless we preserve its, three
generations from now will never
know we had prune and apricot
orchards here. The orchard now
represents an industry that is long
gone," Held said.
Councilmember Linda Callon
noted that, "We've lost the essence
of orchards over time. This is one
we'd like to protect."
Two weeks prior to the dedication
vote, however, Councilmember
David Moyles said that, "This desig-
nation has an opportunity cost. I will
vote for it but I reserve the right to
reverse my judgment if we find our,
selves unable to provide essential
city services. It would alert the com-
munity to painful decisions if we
have to reconsider."
Moyles was referring to the
council's search for additional city
operating funds months earlier. The
sale of the orchard, which was sur-
plus land at the, time, was con-
sidered but rejected despite the
threat of Jarvis IV. The state -wide
initiative will appear. on the
November ballot and, If approved,
Will limit property taxes to 1 per-
cent, Saratoga's current assessment
level.
Now, however, the orchard will
remain protected unless the City
Council votes to alter its desig-
nation. Its sale "remains highly
unlikely, however," said Mike
Flores, assistant city planner.
Councilinember Marty Cleven-
ger said, "We had public hearings in
April or May and it was demonstra-
ted how enthusiastic the public is
about retaining this land. The city
must set an example. We too are
interested in preserving our heri-
tage."
Held said that "I hope we will
some day have the funds to maintain
the orchard as an apricot and prune
ranch. I remember my uncle ranch-
ing when I was a boy. It would be
nice to retain that industry."
Heid went on to say that while the
city maintains the orchard now, the
trees contained within would in
some cases need to be replaced in
order to -,sustain the ranch as a
money - making venture. Neglect has
harmed some of the trees, allowing
Wight and insect infestation to
continue unchecked.
He noted that the trees have a 40.
'50 year life, and reach maturity
within five years.
The Heritage Preservation Com-
mission now has three resource
designations under its belt with the
orchard's recent addition. The
Saratoga Foothill Club was desig-
nated in March, and Villa Montalvo
in April.
The Foothill Club, built In 1912
under the direction of famed archi-
Please turn to page'
The orchard was labeled `an important
legacy of Saratoga's agricultural his-
tory' by its supporters.
__ _ Sale opposed by
public
Oitcha r ker said that
Continued from page 1
teat Julia Morgan, is a unique,
timeless building off Saratoga
Avenue in the Village, said Heid. Its
designation carte. about "through
the ladies of the Foothill Club. They
applied, and met the criteria, and
now the building will be preserved,"
he said.
The Heritage Preservation com-
mission is not about to rest on its
laurels following its recent success.
Heid said that about 70 local build-
ings and sites which the commission
would like to see protected have
been recorded on a registry. Next on
the list is the Judge Foster House,
now an office building, between
Third and Fourth streets on Big
Basin Way.
Saratoga.
to preserve
orchard
Jose Stell
Staff writer
The way orchards have been dis-
appearing these past few years, it
was predictable that one .of them
some day would be singled out to
be preserved as a relic of'the Val-
.
ley's agricultural, past.
That "some day" is today" Sara
toga's City Council has declared j
one of its few remaining orchards
as a "heritage resource ".to be pro-
tected by law from bulldozers.
The designation was hurried
along after the city -owned ,orchard
narrowly - escaped being placed' .on
the sale block a few months" ago,
when the council was searching for:.'
untapped revenue sources.
The sale of some or all of Sara -
toga's "surplus" public lands was a
possible source, and the undevel-
Speaker after
Saratoga's parks a priceless
legacy of ope n space and should be
against sold only as a last hedg e g inst T'3-Y b
municipal bankruptcy.. M . Zed r,
The council now has designated
Central Park and its orchard as a
"heritage resource:' At the urging
of the city's Heritage Preservation
Commission., . the ceunr..il . intro-
duced an ordinance to that effect.
Commissioners based their rec-
oir_mendatign on the fact that Cen-
tral Park is the location orchards
the last prune and
in Saratoga. Michael Flores, assis-
tant city planner, said the park
represents "an important legacy of
Saratoga's agricultural history"
Flores warned the council,
though, of a possible hitch. "The
designation could limit city use of
the property in an economic
sense," he said, and would in
any sale of the property unli
is the point, but'
That, of course, nation trou- I
this aspect. of the de David Moyles.
bled Councilman Davi
"We don't even know, because of '
a pending initiative, whether our I
street lights, are going to be lit next
December," -Moyles said. No city
asset is not • subject to that jeop-
✓ °Yle d
a arvis IV �efe
t?-
lot
"'end nlent 0 Wid ell tO the
lihip on a co sac
ght - ty to °old I e 1V0Ile i,
Ibentlg,. algid o Pee tt allit, t
ap Shopld t taxes• Special asSd1i
prov the ss
Pro r P
aliYbr Sit a ga �diat.ve
vi yid c� r rn soon w°st Other e
c M le. ustom un l a�ich to
°unci! s v °te 1 Ser:
R d as a r? hesiAnateh the re
price aced thatage rese park °f the
for Wan�to. t ever.Yth rig 6a bu
right to record flake it clea
Said reverse his ✓t �eerve a d i
°lent �, e
he