Gardner neighborhood close to making history

A large swath of San Jose encompassing the North Willow Glen, Gregory Plaza and Gardner neighborhoods is now one step to securing historic status. The San Jose Historic Landmarks Commission unanimously voted to grant the Greater Gardner neighborhood historic status at their Dec. 6 meeting, after more than a decade of lobbying by residents. Within the neighborhood’s boundaries of Interstate 80, Highway 87, Willow Street and Bird Avenue stands more than a century’s worth of local architecture such as old farmhouses that nod to San Jose’s agricultural roots, an assortment of Victorians and Craftsman bungalows, and contemporary dwellings. Homes with noted historic features would need to abide by San Jose’s single-family historic guidelines during any remodeling.