HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 626 w Exhibit AORDINANCE 626
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
DESIGNATING THE MARTHA LYNN TANK HOUSE AT 12889 VISCAINO PLACE
(FREMONT HILLS COUNTRY CLUB) AS A HISTORICAL LANDMARK
WHEREAS, Section 11-1.03 (Designation by ordinance) of Chapter I (Landmark Designation and
Preservation) of Title 11 (Landmark Designation and Preservation) authorizes the City Council to
designate by Ordinance one or more individual structures or other natural features, sites, or areas
having a special character or special historical, architectural, cultural, or aesthetic interest or value or
significance as landmarks.
WHEREAS, The City Council must make the findings listed in Section 11-1.06 to approve a
Landmark Designation; and
WHEREAS, The architectural preservation firm, Page & Turnbull, has determined that the Martha
Lynn Tank House is historically significant to Los Altos Hills and Santa Clara County and qualifies for
Landmark Designation under the Town's adopted criteria; and
WHEREAS, On February 17, 2026, the History Committee voted unanimously to recommend to the
City Council that the Martha Lynn Tank House be designated as a historic landmark; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has held a noticed public hearing on June 18, 2026, in accordance
with the provisions of 11-1.04 of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code and accepted public comments
regarding this matter; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills does ORDAIN as
follows:
1. That the Martha Lynn Tank House at 12889 Viscaino, Place, Los Altos Hills, California, is
designated as Historical Landmark, making the Findings outlined in Exhibit A.
2. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person
or circumstance is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Ordinance, including
the application of such part or provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be
affected thereby and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, provisions of this
Ordinance are severable. The City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills. hereby declares
that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause,
or phrase hereof irrespective of the fact that nay one or more sections, subsections,
subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or phrases be held unconstitutional, invalid, or
unenforceable.
3. EFFECTIVE DATE AND PUBLICATION. This ordinance shall become effective thirty
(30) days from the date of its adoption. Within 15 days after the passage of this ordinance,
the Town Clerk shall cause the Ordinance or a summary thereof to be published once with
the names of those Town Councilmembers voting for or against it in a newspaper or general
circulation in the Town of Los Altos Hills, as required by the law.
ORDINANCE 626 1 P a a e
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INTRODUCED: JUNE 18, 2026
PASSED: AUGUST 20, 2026
AYES: BHATEJA, TYSON, MOK, SWAN
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: TANKHA
ATTEST:
Arika Birdsong -Miller, City Clerk
BY:
Rajiv Bhateja, Mayor
ORDINANCE 626 2 1 P 4�
EXHIBIT 66A99
FINDINGS FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION MARTHA LYNN TANK HOUSE —12889
VISCAINO PLACE
FILE #SP24-0001
1. That theproposed landmark has significant historical, architectural, cultural or aesthetics interest
or value.
The proposed landmark has significant historical, architectural, and aesthetic value. Constructed in
1906 on the Martha Lynn homestead and later incorporated into the Shumate Ranch, the structure is
directly associated with the area's early twentieth-century agricultural and equestrian history.
Architecturally, it is significant as one of the few remaining water tanks of its type in Santa Clara
County. Aesthetically, its prominent hilltop location within the Fremont Hills Country Club
equestrian grounds makes it a distinctive and well-recognized visual landmark in the surrounding
area.
2. That the proposed landmark maybe designated without imposing undue hardship on the property
1p
owner.
The proposed landmark may be designated without imposing undue hardship on the property owner.
Designation would recognize and -protect the structure's historic significance while allowing for its
continued use and maintenance. There is no evidence that landmark designation would deprive the
owner of reasonable use .of the property or impose an unreasonable economic burden.
Pursuant to LAHMC Section 11-1.09, a Landmark Alteration Permit approved by the City Council
would be required for alterations, construction, relocation, exterior painting, or demolition that would
result in a material change to the landmark's exterior appearance. However, ordinary maintenance
and repair activities that do not materially alter the landmark's appearance may be undertaken without
a Landmark Alteration Permit.
3. That approval or modified approval of the application is consistent with the purposes and criteria
of this chapter.
The approval of the request would designate the Martha Lynn Tank House as having special
architectural, historical, cultural, and aesthetic significance as a landmark pursuant to Section 11-
1.05 of the Municipal Code.
EXHIBIT A for ORDINANCE 626 1 P