Committee advances landmark initiation for Westwood Park entrance pillars and gates

The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted May 15 to forward a resolution initiating landmark designation for the surviving entrance gates and pillars of the Westwood Park neighborhood to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.

Chair Supervisor Mirna Melgar framed the nomination by describing Westwood Park's development as a 1916 residence park of bungalow homes and credited architect Louis Christian Molgaard with designing the gates, pillars and original street lamps. "The Westwood Park Association supports the landmarking of its remaining entrance gates in recognition of the history of its bungalow neighborhood," the neighborhood presenter said during a slide presentation.

Kathleen (presenting for the Westwood Park Association) walked the committee through historic maps and photos, noted that most original pillars were removed but that four freestanding pillars remain at named intersections, and said the Association secured a City Beautiful restoration grant in 2003 and contributed to a restoration that totaled $50,000.

Vice Chair Supervisor Dean Preston acknowledged the architectural significance but cautioned that the historic record includes restrictive covenants that excluded Black and other buyers in the neighborhood's early years. "I mainly...have some discomfort with...gates...and the history of a development that specifically excluded African Americans," he told the committee, urging that Planning and the Historic Preservation Commission directly confront that history in their reports.

During public comment, Westwood Park Homeowners Association President Pauline Zhu said she supports landmarking and described the archways as open, welcoming features that cannot be closed. Another remote caller expressed concern that gates can symbolize exclusion for some residents.

After discussion the committee chair moved to send the file to the full Board with a positive recommendation. The committee recorded the votes as: Supervisor Paskin, Aye; Supervisor Preston, Aye; Supervisor Melgar, Aye. The motion passed with three ayes.

Next steps: Planning staff will prepare the formal landmark report and the Historic Preservation Commission will review the nomination before the Board considers final action, which the clerk noted is anticipated to appear on the Board agenda for May 23.

(Reporting note: quotes and attributions come from committee remarks and the Westwood Park presenter.)