HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 3197..
I. • • OR!~INAL
ORDINANCE NO. 3197
ORDINANCE OF 'I'HE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO J\.LTO
ADDING CH.APTBR 16.49 TO THE PALO ALTO MUNICIPAL
CODE REGARDING HIBTORIC PRESERVATION AND t\LSO
AMENDING SECTION 16.48.070 OF THE PALO ALTO
t-1UNICIPAL CODE
SECTION 1. Chapter 16.49 is hereby added to the Palo Alto
Munic1pal Code to read as follows:
Sections:
16.49.010
16.49.020
16.4~.030
16.49.040
16.49.050
16.49,060
16.49.070
t'CHAPTER 16.49
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Purpose.
Definitions.
Existing designated buildin9s.
Review of exterior alter~tion of
designated landmarks.
Criteria for designation.
Procedure for designation.
Demolition of designated buildings.
16.49.010 Pu..r;pose. J:c is hereby found that the protection,
enhancement, perpetuation and use of structures, districts, and
neighborhoods of historical and architectural significance,
located within the City of Palo Alto are of cultural and aesthetic
benefit to the community. It is further found that the economic,
cultural and aesthetic standing of this ~ity will be enhanced by
re8pecting the heritage of the City. The purpose of this Chapter
is to~
(a) Designate preserv~, protect, enhance, and perpetuate
those historic structures, districts, and neighborhoods whi~h
contribute t0 the cultural and aesthetic benefit of Palo Alto.
(b) Foster civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments
of the past.
(c} Stabilize and improve the economic value of certain
historic structures, distri~ts, and neighborhoods.
(d~ Develop and maintain appropriate settings for such
structures.
(e) Enrich human life in its educational and cultural
dimensions by serving aesthetic as well as material needs and
fostering knowledge of the living heritage of the past.
(f) Enhance the visual and aesthetic character, diversity
and interest of the City.
16.49.020 Definitions. The term "designated building"
shall mean any landmark listed pursuant to Section 16. 4·9. 030 of
this chapter or any building within an historic district so listed.
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. 1~.49.030 Exi~ting_ d~esi9.!!_"t.cd ~'-~!.i}~~· Building on the
H~stor1cal Report and Inventory of 19'79 1n c.:1.tcgoric~: (:..~ ("lnd
(2) and nll buildings in the l'rofcssorville Historic DisU:ict
arc hereby deDignated landmarks. Addition~l buildings may be
added to the des ign.:t ted lanclm.:uks li!:> t. by the procedure dcsc1· ibed
in Section 16.49.060,
16.49.040 Review of exterior alteration of d~signated
landmarks. All applic<'l.ti"ons for a build1ng pcrm1.t--ror exlc.:rior
al tera tlon to des i9n.:l ted laudmarks, h0\v cons tl uc t.i.on on a parce 1
where there is a designated landmark, cr such applications for
construction within an historic district, shall be revicwod as
follO\'lS:
1 ~ Review bodies. {a) A.ll d(~signated buildings excc~>t single-family and dnplex residences shall be rcviei·.red ·by the"
Architectural Review Board subject to Chapter 16.48 of tho Palo
Alto Nunicipa1 Code. 'rhe Arc hi tectu:ral Hcv io\·: Hoe1rd sh:·llJ refer
applications to the Historic Resources Commit tee for u-co;nr·,cnd.:~
tions on the historica: and/or architectural sirJid f ic.:•ncc cf
buildings.
(.b) A.ll single-family and duplex residences shall be
reviewed by the Historic Resources Committee.
2. f->tand~u: ds for r(;''.d.0w. In eval uo. ting appl ica ti ons, the
revievl bodies shnll consider the archi tectur.al style, design.
arrangement, texture, rnaterinls and color, and any other pertinent
f<.tctors, 'l'hc prime concern should be the exterior appc<trance o:
the buil~inn site.
(n} On designated buildings not in an histori.cal dh:··
trict, the proposeCl \vork should neither u.dvcrsely affect the
exterior architectural characteristics nor the historical or
aesthetic value of the landmark and its site.
(b) In historic districts, the propos~d work should
neither adversely affect the exterior architectural character
istics nor the historical, architectural or aesthetic value of
the building and its site; ncr should the propos~d work adversely
affect its relationship, :in terms of hannonl' and appropriatE:'ness,
with its surroundings, including neighboring structures.
3. Historic Resources Commit tee. (a) l-1embership. The
Histor.ic f<esources Committee shall be comnosed of five members
appointed by the C.i ty Council and serving~ \vithout pay. 1-1embers
shall have demonstrated interest in and knowledge of the history
and a:r.chitecture of the City of Palo Alto. One member shall be
an owner/occupant of the Professorvjlle Historic District o~ of
a designated historic st.ructure; at least two members ~;hall be
architects, landscape architects, building designers or other
design professionals; two members shall be nominated representa
tives from the Palo Alto Historical Association.
(b) Terms of office. Members shall serve for terms of
four years and until their respective successors are appointed.
Terms shall be staggered so that two positions are refil.led one
year, and three two years later •
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' (c) Or~anization. The Committee shall hold meetings
monthly or at tho pleasure of the Cllait'r(.)rson, and shall estab
lish S\.lch rules as mny be appropriate nnd necessary for the
orderly cond.uct of its businoss. The Committee shall elect from
its merabership a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson who stwll
serve in such capacity for terms of one year each. The Chair
person shall preside over. meetings of the Comm.issi.on, and in
the absence or disability of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chair
person shall perform the duties of the Chairperson. Three
membe:::s shall constitute a quorum and.dccisions of the Commis::;ion
shall be determined by majority vote of those members present at
any meeting. Action minutes shall be kept by the Conun:i.. t tee.
(d) Duties. (1) To render advice and guidance to
the prop~rty owner upon his application for alteration of any
designated'single family or duplex building. Compliance of the
property owner \vi th these recorrunendations shaJ.l be voluntary,
not rnanda.tory.
(2) To inform the Architectural Review Board of
the i:istorical and/or architectural significance of designated
conunerc:tal and multi-family structures being reviewed.
(3) To recommend to the Council the designution
of additional buildings and districts as landmarks.
(4) To research available information and add
historical information as available to the inventory sheet~ of
designated buildings, to be maintained in the Planning D~partment.
(5) To perform such Clther functions as may :"1e
deleaated from time to time to the Historic Resources Com~ittee
by the City Council.
(e) Time limit. Recommendations of the Historic
Res~.Y...lrces C01ranittee on alterations to a designated structure shall
be rendereo within thirty da-ys of the date of referral by the
Al;'chitectural Review Board or the Building Official. Failur·e tc
provide a reco:mmendation within the time limit shall cause a
commercial application to be returned to the Architectural Review
Board and a single family or duplex application to bE:! forwarded
to the Building Offici~l for consideration of issuance of a
building permit.
4. Appeals process. Any i~tercsted p~rty may appeal to
the City Council the decision by the Architectural Revi8w Board
not to approve an application for an exterior building permit for
a designated building or a building in a designated historic
district.
The appeal must be filed with the City Clerk not lat(;:r than
teu days follow-ing the de.cision not to grant a permit. The City
Council shall schedule a public heari.ng and shall render its
decision to approve, dioapprove, or modify the decision of thc::!
Architectural Review Board.
16.49.050 · ·cri~cri'r; fo~. desi~nat~.!!_· Tho following criteria
shall be used as cr1ter1a for des1gnat1ng additional buildings in
Palo Alto.
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( 1) Tho structure i.s .idcmtified with the lives of historic
peoplt:. or with impOl:tant cvonts in the city, th~ state, or t.hc
nation.
(2) The proposed landmark is particularly representative
of an architectural style or tvay of life important to the city,
the state, or the nation.
(3) The proposGd landmark is an example of a type of
building \'lhich was ~nee common but is now rare.
(4) The proposed landmark i.s connected with a business or
use which was once conunon but is now rnre.
(S)· The architect or bui.lding was important.
(6} The proposed landmark contains clements demonstrating
outstanding attention ~o architectural design, detail, materials
or craftsmanship.
(7} The proposed historic district is a collection of
builui.ngs in "' geographically dct:inable area posscssi.ng a sig
niticant concentration or continuity of buildi.ngs unified by
past events, o:r. aesthetically .by plan or physical development.
'I'he di=>Ll-i.ct should have integrity of de~>:i.g!1p sct.ting, rnaterial!;,
workmanship, feeling and association.
(8) The collective value of the historic district taken
together may he grec:~ter than the value of each individual
building.
16.49. 0 60 P~·o£_~a_ura fox 5le~>·ig:n~ion. Any i~di vidua~ or.
group may propose dcs~gnat1on of a landmark buildJ.ng or d1str1ct.
Such proposals .shall be reviewed, as appropriate, by the Archi··
tectural ReviE.M Bon.rd or the Hist0x·ic Resources Committ:ec which
body will make its reconunendat.ion to the Council. Designati0n
of a landmark building or district must be approved by the City
Council.~ The procedure for such designation is as follows:
(11 Any proposal for designation shall be filed wi~1 the
Planning Division and shall include the following data:
(a) The address and Assessor's parcel number of the
site or boundaries of the proposed district.
(b) A description detailing the building or district's
special aesthetic, cultural, architectural, or engineering interest
or value of cin historic nature.
(l} A description of the historical value of the
building or district;
(2) A description of the current condition of tho
bui.lding or district; and
('3) \\lhat resto.rat.ion,· if any, would· be necessary
to return the buiiding or district to its original appearance.
(c) Sketches, drawi.nr;s, phot.ographs o:c other de
scriptive material.
(d) Other supporting information.
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(2) Each proposal shall be considered by the Historic Re
sources Committee at a public hearing within sixty days of the
receipt of the proposal. In any case whP.re an application for a
planning or building permit affecting the exterior of a building
is pending concurrently with a proposal for designation, the
recommendation of the Historic Resources Committee shall be made
within twenty days of receipt of the proposal.
(3) Notice of the time, place and purpose of the hearing
shall be given at least ten days prior to the date of the hearing
by publication at. least once in a ne'I!Spaper of general cirr.1.1lation.
or by mail ~o the applicant, to the owner or owners of the property,
and to the owners of property within 250 feet of the site.
(4) '!'he Historic Resources Cc·mrnittee shall reconunend to the
City Council approval, disapproval or modification of an applica
tion for designation.
(5) The City Council may approve, disapprove, or modify
a recommendation for designation and in any case where an appli
cation for a planning or building permit is pending concurrently
with the proposol for designation, such decision shall be made
within thj.rl:y days of tt:~ recommendation, if any, of the Historic
.Re~:curces Co1Tllnittee. I£ the Council approves designation,. the
review process of ~his cha~ter shall apply to the designated
structures.
(6) After approval of the designation of a building or
district, the City Clerk shall send to the owners of the property
so designated by mail a lett.e!' O'.ltlining the basi~ for sqch desig
nation and the regulations which result from such designation.
Notice of this designation shall also be filed in the Building
Department and Planning Department files.
16.49.070 Demo!ition of designated buildings. Any person
desiring to demolish a desrgnated building shall first file an
application for C\ demolition pe:i:.~i t .in accordance with th,9 pro
cedures prescribed under t.he Palo Al'to ?-1m'licipal Code. At the
time of applicatio';'l, the applicant shall subrni·t. one clear photo
graph of the front of the building and shall submit such other
information as may be required by the Building Official in
acc0~dance with his requirements for said permit. A copy of this
application and photograph shall be included in the next City
Council packet. No actio~ may be taken by the Building Official
on any application for demol; tion of a designated building J:or
sixty days following receip'.._ :Jf a co1npleted ap.i:Jlication. Any
application for demolition of a designa~ed building should be
refer.red to the Architectural Review Beard or Historic Resources
Committee for t'eview and reconnnendatior;. to ths Building Official
within the six~y-day moratorium period. Any interested party
may request tl".e Council to extend the moratorium. This sixty
day period may be extended by the Council for a period up to
six months.
SECTION 2. Section 16.48.070 of the Palo Alto Muntcipal
Code ~s hereby amended to read;
"16. 48.070 Ac:tion of. ·the ,arohiteC'it:.ura·l ·
review board. Tht=:.arcfiitectural review board
may approve or dt~~pprove the design as sub-
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rnitted, or suggest changes, modifications or
a ~.terations therein or in1pose conditions f all
in accordance with the standards contained in
this chapter, and such additional standards
as may be adopted and published by the board
from time to time. The architectural review
board shall act upon each application within
two meetings, or thirty days, whichever occurs
later, from the first consideration thereof,
unless the applicant consents to further con
tinuance. Failure of the architectural revie'v'J
board to act within said period will be deemed
a disapproval of the application. Notwith
standing the foregoing, the time period
established in this section shall be tolled
during the review of an application by the
Historic Resources Committee pursuant to
Chapter 16.49."
SECTION 3. The Council findo that this proj-:'ct \'lill have
no significant adver3e environmental impact.
SEC"' ION 4.
commencement
This ordinan~s shaJ.l become effective upon
uf the thirty-fir~t day after the day of it$
passage.
INTRODUCED: Apri 1 7, 1980
PASSED: April 21, 1980
AYES: Brenner, Eyerly, Fazzino, Fletcher, Henderson, Levy, Renzel, Sher, Withers·poon
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: None
APPROVED;
~~ . yor 1
ci~er
~·~ ~reetOi'OP lcmn~ng and
Community Envil.ionment
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