Vy Dang
Running for:
Council District 5
Campaign Website:
1) The Preservation Action Council of San Jose (PAC*SJ) was formed in 1990 with concern for the abandonment of Willis Polk's First Church of Christ, Scientist on St. James Square. The continued abandonment has vexed residents and City officials for years. As Councilmember, what actions would you take to hold the current owner accountable for the neglect and re-establish its presence in the St. James Square Historic District? What actions would you take to facilitate its urgently-needed rehabilitation? Do you have a vision for the adaptive reuse of the structure?
Are there other properties on PAC*SJ’s Endangered 8 list, or any other culturally important sites, that you would encourage San Jose to collaborate on revitalization?
As Councilmember, I will prioritize strict code enforcement, daily fines, liens, and legal actions to hold the current owner accountable for neglect. I will work with City staff and PAC*SJ to expedite rehabilitation permits, secure funding, and pursue public-private partnerships for urgent repairs and restoration in the St. James Square Historic District.
My vision for adaptive reuse is a community-oriented cultural and civic hub with flexible event space, small business opportunities, and public programs.
Yes. I will encourage City collaboration with PAC*SJ and stakeholders on revitalization of all properties on the Endangered 8 list, including the Sakauye Farmhouse, historic theaters, and other significant cultural sites.
2) In the past five years alone, at least ten vacant historic buildings in San José have been lost to fire. Often, these properties are left vacant after tenants are displaced in anticipation of future development that may never materialize. Would you support entitlement conditions that would hold property owners accountable? If so, what would those look like?
Yes. I support entitlement conditions that require owners to implement mandatory security, maintenance, and fire-prevention plans for vacant properties, along with escalating fines and liens for prolonged neglect or vacancy.
3) California Senate Bill SB 79 was recently signed into law by Governor Newsom, allowing by-right multistory new construction within a half-mile of qualifying transit stops, including 56 in San Jose. Many of these new TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) zones cover areas with high concentrations of historic buildings and pedestrian-scaled commercial corridors. SB 79 specifically allowed cities to exempt locally-designated historic resources from upzoning through the creation of local alternative plans, yet San Jose City Council recently voted not to do so. What do you think the role of the Council should be in exercising local control of planning decisions impacting historic resources?
The Council should exercise local control by developing alternative plans that protect locally designated historic resources within TOD zones. This balances new housing and transit-oriented development with preservation of San Jose’s historic character.
4) How would you motivate and incentivize the development community to view adaptive reuse of historic structures not as an obstacle, but as a design opportunity? What partnerships do you envision for stewardship of sites and buildings?
I will support incentives including streamlined permitting, fee reductions, and density bonuses for projects that preserve historic structures. I envision partnerships among the City, PAC*SJ, developers, and community organizations to make adaptive reuse a practical and economically viable option.
5) How do you think that preserving historic buildings and districts might contribute to the economic vitality of San Jose by enhancing its distinctive qualities of place, drawing visitors and local residents alike?
Preserving historic buildings and districts strengthens San Jose’s unique identity, attracts visitors and residents, supports small businesses, increases property values, and drives tourism and economic activity.