As good stewards we want to make the most of the facilities we already have and plan wisely for our future needs. This includes being aware of the regulations and government policies that affect our buildings and grounds, add cost, and limit the changes we can make and where we can build:

• Our location has been characterized as Alameda County’s most important historic site. The Mission is a California Registered Historical Landmark, and the Mission and museum building are on the National Registry of Historic Places.
• The city has classified the Carriage House as a “primary historic resource” and identified hundreds of “landmark trees” on our property requiring protection.
• We are also subject to the city’s hillside ordinance, Mission San Jose Historic District design guidelines, and the city’s riparian corridor policy because of the creek running along the north side of our property.
• City policy now requires us the meet all parking needs onsite. There are also additional fire prevention and building code requirements because we are within an area of increased wildfire risk.
• Two state-recognized Native American tribes have determined that our property is a “tribal cultural resource” for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act. We do not yet know how this may affect us.