Tyrone Wade

Running for:

Mayor

Campaign Website:

1) PAC*SJ recently released its second annual “Endangered Eight” list of the most threatened historic places in San José. Which of these places (including those from our 2022 “Endangered Eight” of which some remain endangered) most resonates with you personally? Which of these would you use the power of your elected office to address, and how?

First, I would require all property owners to notify the city when a property is unoccupied for 2 years. The owner would then be given the option to bring it up to code or dispose of the property. If the choice is to sell, the residents of San Jose shall have the right/option to purchase it first. If the property does not sell within 3 years of the notice of abandonment, it will become subject to the city's eminent domain laws. In response to your original question about the city abandoning or preserving the Historic Landmarks, I would hold a public forum for the residents to decide what becomes of their city's Historic Landmarks.

2) Is there a historic place or preservation issue not on our 2022 or 2023 “Endangered Eight” lists that you would nominate to be added? If so, what solutions would you offer as an elected official to address the issue/threat?

I would require property owners to be proactive in mitigating the loss of Historic Landmarks in our city. I would establish a volunteer committee of local history buffs, architects, and tour guides to preserve and showcase the history.

3) In the past three years alone, at least six vacant historic buildings in San José have been lost to fire, and many more have suffered from chronic neglect and vandalism. Often, these properties were left vacant after former tenants were displaced in anticipation of future development that never materialized. How would you propose more effective code enforcement and security measures to encourage better stewardship and to prevent the continued loss of our historic resources to neglect? What additional solutions would you propose to address these systemic problems?

I would enforce my proposed law the requires the owner to maintain the proporty, sell it to residents of San Jose. Or lose position and onership to eminate domian. I would also encourage the proporty owner to keep the proprty in good maintenance with ta breaks and opportunities for restative grants. I would also engage the community in raising awareness and the benefits of preserving historic resources.

4) Do you believe the City should require compensatory mitigation fees and/or surety bonds from developers who request and receive entitlements to alter or demolish historic resources? If such policies are instituted and enforced, how would you like to see those funds directed?

I believe fees to demolish should be paid by the owner and compensatory mitigation fees and/or surety bonds from developers who seek entitlements to alter historic resources.
the funds could be allocated to support restoration projects for other historic properties, provide grants to property owners for preservation efforts, or contribute to educational programs and outreach efforts to raise awareness about the importance of preserving our city's heritage.

5) The City has long acknowledged that its Historic Resources Inventory-- a citywide survey of historic sites intended to proactively guide development decisions-- is incomplete and out-of-date. Do you support increased City funding and staffing levels to ensure that the HRI is an up-to-date and effective planning tool for communities and developers alike?

I encourage the development of educational programs for students of local history, law, use attorneys, architects, and tour guides as a revenue source for the preservation of historic landmarks. The City would best invest in the presented education, preservation, and revenue plan.

6) San José has yet to receive final approval for its State-mandated Housing Element, and is therefore currently subject to the “Builder’s Remedy” law requiring streamlined approval of otherwise non-conforming residential development projects. How would you help ensure that citizens continue to have a voice in developments that might threaten the character and livability of their neighborhoods, particularly if there are historic resources at risk?

7) City park lands are a critical resource for the people of San José and are potential receiver sites for distinctive historic buildings that must be relocated to make way for new developments. Would you support this as a mitigation measure for new developments with historic resources that would otherwise be demolished? How do you envision that these resources could be best utilized within the parks for the benefit of the public?

I believe parks should be reserved for recreational and communal spaces. It is the responsibility of the developer to mitigate the alterations to the property.

8) In 2022 California passed SB9, which allows by-right redevelopment of up to four new units on most R1 (single-family-zoned) parcels statewide, but exempted historic properties, historic districts, and R2 (duplex-zoned) neighborhoods from eligibility. In 2024, City Council will consider expanding SB9-type entitlements to include historic properties and R2 districts. Do you believe this type of development is appropriate for historic homes and older neighborhoods? Why or why not?

SB9-type entitlements to include historic properties and R2 districts is appropriatef rom a historical perspective, to adapt and preserve our older neighborhoods to ensuring that they remain vibrant parts of our community. Also, from a financial standpoint, provides opportunities for responsible growth while maintaining the unique character of the communities.

9) What role do you believe that historic preservation should play in creating and sustaining a vibrant and culturally diverse future for San José? Is there a particular project or effort you have undertaken or would propose to undertake--either professionally or personally-- that best embodies your vision for historic preservation in San José?

Historic preservation plays a vital role in creating and sustaining a vibrant and culturally diverse future for San José. The history, culture, and the people have shaped our city from its early days of the horse and buggy to the valley of orchards and now as the center of Silicon Valley. It's crucial to honor and preserve this rich heritage as we move forward. While I don't have a specific project to share at this time, my vision for historic preservation in San José is rooted in celebrating and safeguarding our diverse history, ensuring that it remains an integral part of our city's identity as and that the community has a voice in how we continue to evolve.