All Signs Point to Victory for Juana Briones!

When Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Leslie Nichols voided Jaim Nulman and Avelyn Welczer's demolition permit for the historic Juana Briones home on June 6, attorney for preservationists Susan Brandt-Hawley wrote to supporters, "We did it!"

The judge wrote that the city needs to conduct an environmental impact review that considers "feasible alternatives" to demolition. The city could receive the order as early as this week.

The group Friends of Juana Briones filed suit against Palo Alto in April 2007 after working for years urging the city to make the home's owners preserve the house, as required by the terms of their purchase contract.

"This was the last possible way to save this home," the Friends' lawyer told the Palo Alto Daily News. "More often than not, a solution is found at this stage," she added.

All photos by Kim Kinoshita
Part I of this story is at: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/06/07/18505094.php