REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Consideration of a Historic Resource Designation for the Tiburcio Vásquez Gravesite Located in Santa Clara Mission Cemetery
Report
SUMMARY
The Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC) initiated the nomination of the gravesite of Tiburcio Vasquez, located within Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, for designation as a local landmark. The designation is consistent with the historical and cultural importance criteria established in the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and HLC eligibility criteria.
At its April 2, 2026, meeting, the HLC conducted a public hearing to consider the nomination of the gravesite of Tiburcio Vasquez for designation as a local landmark and recommended that the City Council approve the designation. The City Council makes the final determination as to whether the subject property is eligible for inclusion on the City’s Historic Resource Inventory (HRI).
Once the City Council approves the designation, the HLC may consider opportunities for memorialization at the gravesite.
BACKGROUND
The gravesite of Tiburcio Vasquez is located within the Santa Clara Mission Cemetery. The HLC initiated the nomination of the gravesite of Tiburcio Vasquez for designation as a local landmark.
At its March 5, 2026, meeting, the HLC considered the designation of the gravesite of Tiburcio Vasquez as a local landmark pursuant to Chapter 18.130 - Historic Preservation of the Zoning Ordinance (Historic Preservation Ordinance). Following discussion, the HLC voted to move forward with nomination of the gravesite for local landmark designation at a subsequent meeting.
At its April 2, 2026, meeting, the HLC reviewed the nomination of the gravesite for designation as a local landmark under the Historic Preservation Ordinance. City Historian Lorie Garcia provided a detailed biographical account of Tiburcio Vasquez (Attachment 1) to inform the Commission's consideration. Following discussion and review of the applicable criteria, the HLC voted to recommend that the City Council approve the designation of the gravesite as a local landmark.
DISCUSSION
This section provides an overview of the designation criteria and requirements for a site to be eligible to be nominated and considered for inclusion in the City’s HRI and its applicability to the gravesite.
Designation Criteria and Eligibility
Pursuant to SCCC Section 18.130.040 - HRI Property Designation, the site must meet all of the following criteria for inclusion in the HRI:
• Age: A building, structure, object, site, or district that is 50 years of age or older may qualify as an HRI property (the gravesite is over 50 years old and therefore meets the minimum age threshold for consideration).
• Retains Historic Integrity: A building, structure, object, site, or district must maintain integrity to be considered eligible for listing on the City’s inventory as an HRI property. Integrity refers to a resource’s ability to convey its significance by the retention of a property’s visual and physical characteristics and its surroundings. (The gravesite retains sufficient integrity to convey its historical significance, including its location within the cemetery, its physical characteristics, and its association with the individual interred.)
• Significance: The property proposed for inclusion falls within one or more of the following categories, as these terms are defined in Section 8.9.2 (Criteria for Local Significance) of Appendix 8.9 of the General Plan: Historical or cultural significance; Architectural significance; Geographic significance; or Archaeological significance. (The gravesite demonstrates historical and cultural significance through its direct association with Tiburcio Vasquez. As such, it meets the applicable significance criteria as defined in the General Plan, particularly with respect to historical and cultural importance.)
Applicability to the Gravesite
As a site-specific designation, the boundaries of the proposed HRI resource are limited to the gravesite itself rather than the entirety of the cemetery property. This approach is consistent with the Zoning Ordinance, which allows for designation of a site, building, structure, or object that possesses independent historical significance.
In addition to meeting the designation criteria, the Zoning Ordinance establishes a formal process for designation. For HLC-initiated nominations, the property owner must be notified and provided with an opportunity to object to the designation. Given the unique circumstances of this request, staff coordinated with cemetery staff to contact next-of-kin, as this is a privately owned gravesite located within a private cemetery.
Based on the information provided, the gravesite meets the criteria for designation as a historic resource under Chapter 18.130 of the Zoning Ordinance. Accordingly, the HLC has recommended that the City Council approve the designation of the gravesite as a local landmark.
Following designation, the HLC may consider opportunities for memorialization at the gravesite, such as the installation of a biographical plaque or other interpretive signage, subject to applicable approvals and coordination with the property owner.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. There are no physical changes to the site proposed.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City other than staff time and administrative expense.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the City Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
The Historical and Landmarks Commission recommends that the City Council approve the designation of the gravesite of Tiburcio Vasquez, located within the Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, as a local landmark and include it on the City’s Historic Resource Inventory.
Staff
ATTACHMENTS
1. Tiburcio Vasquez Biography
2. Historic Preservation Ordinance