Woodside: Netscape founder Jim Clark plans to move, not demolish, historic stable Woodside: Netscape founder Jim Clark plans to move, not demolish, historic stable (May 15, 2002)

By Andrea Gemmet

Almanac Staff Writer

Demolition plans are no longer on tap for the historic stable building at the Champagne Paddocks in Woodside, and that has the town's history committee in a bubbly mood.

A proposal to move the Spanish-style stable building to another part of the property was submitted May 10 to the town by the architect for Jim Clark, Netscape founder and owner of the 11-acre property on Mountain Wood Lane. The interior of the stable would be converted into a maintenance facility with two caretaker apartments, according to the plans.

"We were delighted to hear about it," said Jeanne Dickey, a member of the history committee, which learned of the relocation plan last week.

The two-story stable building, which includes caretaker's quarters and a central courtyard and fountain, was constructed around 1915 and was originally part of the Daniel C. Jackling estate. It was renamed the Champagne Paddocks by its subsequent owner, the late Claire Giannini Hoffman, daughter of Bank of America founder A.P. Giannini. The stable was built to match the Spanish colonial revival style of the Jackling estate's main house, which is currently owned by Apple Computer co-founder Steve Jobs.

Mr. Jobs has filed for a permit to demolish the Jackling house, a move strongly opposed by the history committee, but the town can't approve the permit until an environmental review is completed.

The history committee encourages property owners to preserve historically significant structures and, if necessary, relocate and renovate them in order to adapt the buildings for new uses. The stable project, which would preserve the building's exterior, is a good example of this, said Ms. Dickey.

The Woodside Architectural and Site Review Board is scheduled to review the project, which includes plans for a new, 7,961-square-foot main house, a large pond and a half-dozen accessory buildings, at its June 3 meeting, according to Woodside Planning Director Hope Sullivan. The site plan calls for buildings with natural stone-faced walls, antique clay tile roofs and patented bronze windows and doors.

"The owner is interested in creating a rural residential retreat," according to project architect Charles T. Young, who said that the architectural style is based on early stone agricultural buildings.

An environmental review of the plan to move the stables, called a negative declaration, will likely be required, and permits and exceptions are needed for other aspects of the project, Ms. Sullivan said.

A spokeswoman for Mr. Clark said he was unable to comment on the project at this time.