Yan Zhao

1) Do you believe the Assessor's office can play a role in building a culture of historic and environmental preservation in Santa Clara County? If so, what initiatives will you support or champion?

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Yes, absolutely. While the Assessor’s Office is not a policymaking body, it can play a meaningful role in supporting historic and environmental preservation through its data, assessments, and public transparency.

First, the office can work more closely with cities, the County Planning Department, and the Historical Heritage Commission to ensure that historic properties are accurately identified and fairly assessed, recognizing both their preservation value and the benefits of existing state incentives, such as the Mills Act, which offers property tax relief for owners who preserve historic buildings.

Second, by modernizing the office’s technology and mapping systems, we can improve data sharing and make property information more accessible, helping planners and preservationists identify historic resources and environmentally sensitive areas earlier in the development process.

In short, the Assessor’s Office can be a partner in preservation, ensuring that progress and protection go hand in hand, honoring our county’s history while safeguarding its future.

2) How do you think historic preservation and open space/agricultural land conservation can help create and sustain a vibrant and culturally diverse future for Santa Clara County? Is there a particular project or effort you have undertaken--either professionally or personally-- that best highlights the community benefits you see from preservation of historic sites and cultural landscapes? ​

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Historic preservation and open space conservation are essential to maintaining the character, identity, and quality of life that make Santa Clara County so special. Protecting our agricultural lands and open spaces supports sustainability, helps balance growth with environmental stewardship, and preserves the local food systems and natural landscapes that enrich our communities.

As a councilmember and two-term Mayor, I have consistently supported efforts to protect hillside open space, preserve Saratoga’s semi-rural character, and uphold the mission of the Heritage Preservation Commission.  I’m particularly proud of the City Council’s approval to establish historic landmark markers and maintain the Mills Act program, which provides property tax incentives to encourage historic preservation.

As a candidate for County Assessor, I believe the office can also play an important role by ensuring fair, accurate assessments for properties under preservation agreements such as the Mills Act, and by providing transparent, accessible data that supports informed decision-making and accountability.

3) What steps will you take to ensure Mills Act historic properties are assessed consistently and fairly, and are communicated to the public? Can you commit to working with Mills Act property owners to improve consistent communications on county-wide guidelines and assessment calculations?

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I am committed to ensuring that Mills Act historic properties are assessed fairly, consistently, and transparently across Santa Clara County. Property owners who preserve historic buildings provide an important public benefit, and they deserve clarity and equity in how their properties are valued.

As Assessor, I will establish clear county-wide assessment guidelines for Mills Act properties to promote consistency and compliance with state law. I will also improve communication by providing easy-to-understand information on how these assessments are calculated and what documentation is required.

4) How will you support the Williamson Land Conservation Act, valuation based on income capability rather than market value, giving tax relief to property owners who agree to restrict their land to agricultural and compatible open space uses?

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The Williamson Act is essential to preserving Santa Clara County’s agricultural lands and open spaces by allowing property owners who commit to farming or compatible open space uses to receive property tax relief based on the land’s income-generating potential rather than market value. This helps sustain local agriculture and protects our region from overdevelopment.

As County Assessor, I will ensure that Williamson Act properties are assessed accurately, fairly, and consistently in accordance with state law. I will also improve communication and transparency by providing clear information on how valuations are calculated and what documentation landowners need to maintain compliance.

By combining fairness in assessments with better outreach and modernized data systems, I will support the continued success of the Williamson Act — ensuring that we protect open space, promote sustainability, and preserve the agricultural heritage that defines Santa Clara County.

5) Are there other tools you are aware of to help landowners of heritage cultural landscapes (including farms/orchards, open space, ranches, and environmentally sensitive grounds and resources) with their conservation, to allow these heritage lands to be utilized and recognized in line with their historic and cultural significance to Santa Clara County? 

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In addition to the Williamson Act and the Mills Act, there are other valuable tools to help landowners conserve heritage cultural landscapes such as farms, orchards, ranches, and open spaces. These include conservation easements, open space preservation contracts, and collaborations with organizations like the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority and the County’s Heritage Resource Inventory program.

As County Assessor, I will ensure that properties participating in these conservation programs are assessed fairly and consistently, accurately reflecting their restricted uses and public benefits. I also plan to improve outreach and education so that more landowners are aware of these programs and understand how they can both protect their land and qualify for appropriate tax benefits.

By promoting fairness, transparency, and collaboration, we can preserve Santa Clara County’s rich natural, agricultural, and cultural heritage for future generations.