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Published on 07/07/1997 All articles from this issue

Former DeMartini house will go to good use, despite naysayers

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Editorial

Faced with controversy, Los Altos City Council members persevered and did the right thing, voting June 24 to accept the donation of the historic DeMartini House at Edith Avenue and San Antonio Road from developers of the neighboring Parc Regent senior housing complex.

Council members voted, 3-2, to accept the 1920s cottage. They hope to make it available as office space for non-profit groups in town.

Now the city will be moving the house, pending a public hearing process. The preferred site is owned by the California Water Company, and is adjacent to the Hillview Community Center.

Four city commissions unanimously chose the Water Company site over three other possible city locations.

We like that spot, too, because it is not currently used for other city activities.

The house is in good condition, according to the city's engineering department. The house is small - 1,300 square feet - which means minimal use and marginal impacts with regard to issues such as parking. Then there are the positives regarding the preservation of a building from a bygone era, akin to the benefits of our own History House Museum.

So what's the problem?

Petty politics, apparently. First, members of the Los Altos Homeowners League suggested some council members were acting in a conflict of interest because of affiliations with the Los Altos Community Foundation. The foundation offered to pay moving costs of the house in exchange for some office use.

City Attorney Bob Booth didn't see a problem, because no one was gaining financially from the proposal - the foundation is a non-profit entity. Next, the latest Homeowners League newsletter railed against the city's process for accepting the house, claiming the bureaucracy was wasting valuable tax dollars.

In addition, Catherine DeMartini was upset about the idea of moving her former residence, and asked that the city demolish the house rather than move it. She claimed the city's efforts amounted to "exploitation of our name."

As consolation to Catherine DeMartini, council members agreed to stop using the DeMartini name for the house.

Perhaps the Homeowners League should be among the first groups in town to be offered office space in the former home.

We see only good coming out of this action.