Commission recommends landmark designation for Parkside Branch Library

The Historic Preservation Commission voted to recommend landmark designation for the Parkside Branch Library, a mid‑century branch built in 1951 and associated with the Appleton and Wolford architectural practice and landscape architect Lawrence Halperin. Planning staff said the building embodies mid‑twentieth‑century library design principles — simplicity of form, openness and an emphasis on natural light — and retains sufficient integrity despite later alterations.

Staff recommended approval and proposed a targeted modification to the draft ordinance to remove language that described certain light fixtures as original when they are not. The recommendation described character‑defining features to be retained in the ordinance, including interior features in publicly accessible spaces.

Public commenters and community advocates, including a representative speaking on behalf of District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio, supported the designation and acknowledged research and community work that led to the nomination. A motion to adopt the recommendation, with the amendment to the draft ordinance read into the record by staff, was seconded and passed unanimously (recorded as 5–0 in the hearing transcript).

Next steps: Staff will finalize the recommended ordinance language and forward the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for the statutory landmarking process.