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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-10 Historic Resources Board Summary Minutes City of Palo Alto Page 1 HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD MEETING MINUTES: October 10, 2024 Council Chambers & Zoom 8:30 AM Call to Order / Roll Call The Historic Resources Board (HRB) of the City of Palo Alto met on October 10, 2024 in Council Chambers and virtual teleconference at 8:31 AM Present: Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz, Vice Chair Samantha Rohman, Boardmember Christian Pease, Boardmember Geddes Ulinskas and Boardmember Caroline Willis, Absent: None. Public Comment None. Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions None. City Official Reports 1. Historic Resources Board Schedule of Meetings and Assignments Steven Switzer, Historic Preservation Planner, discussed the meeting schedule for the rest of the year. He welcomed the new board member, Geddes Ulinskas. He provided updates on the Mills Act letter, HRB workplan presentation and forthcoming projects. Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz questioned if the HRB workplan presentation to City Council date change. Mr. Switzer explained it had previously been scheduled and rescheduled so the official date is the 21st. Jennifer Armer, assistant director of Planning and Development Services, introduced herself as the new assistant director for the department. Action Items 2. PUBLIC HEARING / QUASI-JUDICIAL. 1023 Forest Ave. (24PLN-00172) Request for Major Historic Resource Board Review for the rehabilitation and restoration of an existing Category 2 home. Original historic belvedere and brick chimneys. New incidental exterior window and door replacement; introduction of new hardscape elements including entry gates, brick paths, driveway, and wood deck; and new detached single car garage. Environmental Assessment: City of Palo Alto Page 2 Exempt per CEQA Section 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures). Zoning District: R-1 (Single Family Residential). Mr. Switzer gave a slide presentation about the 1023 Forest Ave. rehabilitation and restoration project including the location, background and chronology of the property, the Queen Anne architectural style, restoration and rehabilitation proposal details, staff recommendations and alternative actions. Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz disclosed she had prior familiarity with the site as she had visited the site and read the real estate disclosure packet. Vice Chair Rohman disclosed familiarity with the house as the location is 0.4 miles from her home in the Crescent Park neighborhood. Boardmember Ulinskas queried if the composite shingle roof was being replaced. He wanted to know if the freize above the columns on the Belvedere was proposed as a metal freize. Mr. Switzer responded that the roof material for the rest of the structure was not part of this application or for consideration of the Board. He clarified that the roof material on the Belvedere would be under the purview of the Board. He stated the architect could speak about the material choice during the applicant's presentation. Jonathan Barbero, homeowner, recounted how he came to own the home. He hoped to get the Board's thoughts and feedback on the proposal. Lee Lippert, project architect, presented slides and described replacing the windows and screens of the house, challenges of reroofing the house and seismic strengthening of the basement. He discussed the proposed intentions of rebuilding the chimneys, columns, deck and belvedere that were damaged in the 1906 earthquake. Mr. Switzer answered Boardmember Ulinskas' previous question indicating that the Vitruvian scroll frieze would be painted plaster. Boardmember Willis expressed her support of the project. She hoped Past Heritage would share some of their resources on their website. Vice Chair Rohman was delighted with the proposed restoration. Boardmember Ulinskas was impressed with the way the challenges were being addressed. Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz thought the restoration was thoughtfully done. She was happy about the discovery of the original stained glass window. Mr. Lippert commented that this is a dual application. They were also going forward for an HIE. They were over the maximum allowable floor area but provisions in the Palo Alto Municipal Code allow for the 104 square feet for the belvedere. They were also asking for 230 square feet for a single car garage. That would be a total of 334 square feet. PUBLIC COMMENT City of Palo Alto Page 3 None. MOTION: Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz moved that the project at 1023 Forest was compliant with the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Historic Rehabilitation, seconded by Vice Chair Rohman. VOTE: Passed 5-0 by voice vote. Approval of Minutes 3. Approval of Historic Resources Board Draft Minutes of July 11, 2024 MOTION: Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz moved to approve the minutes from the July 11, 2024, Historic Resources Board meeting, seconded by Boardmember Willis. VOTE: Passed 5-0 by voice vote. 4. Approval of Historic Resources Board Draft Minutes of August 8, 2024 MOTION: Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz moved to approve the minutes from the August 8, 2024, Historic Resources Board meeting, seconded by Boardmember Willis. VOTE: Passed 5-0 by voice vote. Board Member Questions, Comments, Announcements or Future Meetings and Agendas Boardmember Willis thought they needed to make a plea with Utilities to underground the utilities and clean up the historic properties. Council Member Kou questioned who Boardmember Willis proposed forwarding that request to. Boardmember Willis responded she would like to get together with Mr. Switzer and maybe somebody from Utilities to see what the best approach would be. Mr. Switzer verified that staff could investigate that. He encouraged scheduling that as a discussion topic at an additional meeting to further investigate what could be done. Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz suggested having that topic agendized for a future meeting. Adjournment MOTION: Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Boardmember Willis. VOTE: Passed 5-0 by voice vote. Adjourned at 9:23 AM