Aside from the loud color scheme, neighborhood residents are also protesting the interior and exterior renovations the family is reportedly making to the home replacing the porch, lifting the foundation of the home by 16 inches, and removing the elaborate banister on the grand staircase. According to Santa Clara historian Lorie Garcia, the couple is technically not breaking any rules, as long as they maintain the historical integrity of the home. But presently, the familys specific plans are unclear a situation that worries their neighbors, many of whom want to preserve the classic feeling of the street. To be fair, when the family bought the home, it was in pretty poor condition, Garcia tells Yahoo Shine. However, to paint with colors like that
when I drove by, I felt like singing, Its a Small World.
Homeowners in the Old Quad neighborhood do not need a permit to repaint their houses, but in the case of renovations, they must apply for a permit by presenting their ideas to the city's Historical & Landmarks Commission at a meeting where neighbors within 300 feet of the home are given an opportunity to voice their opinions on how the changes will affect the neighborhood. However, in the case of the Up home, the family never took that step, and instead went straight to the citys planning department, where they got the project approved and permits issued without consulting the commission. In my 20-year career, I have never seen this happen, says Garcia. The city planner wont give me a straight answer as to why no one consulted the neighborhood.
Yahoo Shine could not reach city planner Steve Lynch for comment but according to Garcia, the Santa Clara city council will now form a committee to rewrite the preservation ordinance, going into more detail about how to approach color schemes for the neighborhood. Also, after the renovations are complete, the city will do a detailed inspection to determine whether the family has in fact, preserved the historical significance of the home.
