Moving saga of a historical landmark

"If I were the owner of the property there on the corner and submitted plans like the Emmett House, I'm sure they'd be rejected," resident Bob Raymond said to the council at a packed meeting last week.

In San Mateo County, a family of three with an annual income of $85,500 would qualify for the housing. That means the average teacher or government employee could live there. The biggest struggle the city faces is changing the "low-income" stigma.

Residents fear the building would become a "slum" with too many cars and residents who don't care about the community, they told the council.

Mayor George Metropulos, an elementary school teacher, called the allegations inappropriate and off-base. A historical home in a good neighborhood will likely attract families or young professionals, he said.

The thought is echoed by Belmont Historical Society President Denny Lawhern, who has worked to save the Emmett house for more than 10 years.

"It's a big backlash of 'not in my backyard.' A lot of this wouldn't be said if it wasn't low- to medium-housing," Lawhern said.

Since the house was purchased by the city in 1997, there have been 10 to 15 public hearings that people weren't paying attention to, Lawhern said.

Now the city is hoping to clear the air once and for all in a less formal community meeting.

In response to the last week's meeting, the city agreed to hold a community forum during the first week of December to discuss the issues. The city has, however, already held a meeting with residents on Sept. 9, said Craig Ewing, planning and community development director.

The attendance and response was similar to Tuesday's meeting, Ewing said.

The city has, however, made concessions. The original plan was a four-unit dwelling and is now two units. If the city doesn't go through with the planned move, it faces state penalties for failing to use its low- and medium-income housing funds properly. Without the move, the Emmett house will remain untouched at the prime piece of real estate.

The house was built in 1885 and was the main residence of one of Belmont's leading merchants, Alfred Emmett. In 1899, a second story was added to the house and was referred to by local press as the "third among the fine residences of Belmont," according to state historical documents.

The house is one of the few remaining examples of 19th century residential architecture in the area of Belmont's historic core, according to the documents.

In 2002, the council decided to move the home and purchased a lot at Sixth Avenue and O'Neill Street in the historic Waltermire District. Since the land was purchased with money earmarked for development of low- to medium-income housing, the council decided the house must be converted to a two-unit dwelling.

By moving the house, the city frees up valuable land near the Belmont Shopping Village and creates enough space at the new lot for it to be restored to its former glory.

The council hopes to replace a full wrap-around porch that was removed over the last 30 years. Past councils decided to sell off land surrounding the house, including space that included the porch. Now the house resides on a lot just big enough for the actual structure. It's surrounded by a parking lot and shopping center.

In the Waltermire District, the house would be surrounded by 10 similar historic homes. It would be part of the main entrance to the neighborhood and sit directly across from another recently renovated home.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.