City council designates Fallows–Cone residence a Class 1 historic site

At the Jan. 28 meeting the City Council approved a Class 1 historic designation for the Fallows–Cone residence at 765 Via Madera (agenda item 2A). Staff presented the nomination and background research, noting the home’s 1970s design by local architect Tom Jaquay and long-term ownership by Dr. Lawrence Cohn; the current owners, Joan and Gary Gann, restored the home using original drawings and testimony from the original architect.

Supporters at the public hearing, including Joan Gann and Jade Thomas Nelson (former chair of the Historic Site Preservation Board), described the work to return the house to its original condition and emphasized the house’s architectural and social-historical significance, including ties to local medical and LGBT history through Dr. Cohn’s work. Councilmember Bernstein thanked the applicant and staff for the detailed historic-resource report. A motion to adopt the resolution passed on a council vote.