HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-16 City Council (39)TO.;-
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
City
City of Palo Alto
Manager’s Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
MARCH 16, 1998 CMR:151:98
APPEAL BY THE OWNER OF THE DECISION OF THE
DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY
ENVIRONMENT AND THE HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD
TO DESIGNATE THE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE
LOCATED AT 955 ROBLE RIDGE AS A HISTORIC
LANDMARK RESIDENCE.
REPORT IN BRIEF
The existing residence at 955 Roble Ridge was designated a Historic Landmark Residence
upon the recommendation of the Historic Resources Board (I/R) and the Director of
Planning and Community Environment. This designation is under appeal by the applicant.
The subject property has a Dutch Colonial Revival residence that was constructed as the final
home of William Herbert Can’uth, a renowned scholar, author, translator, poet, and social and
religious activist, as well as an academician at Stanford University (see Attachment E).
William H. Carruth invited his family and friends to join with him in settling this portion of
Barron Park, forming a distinctive community. Based on the intact quality of the residence,_
the significance of Carruth, and his role in initiating this unique enclave, the residence is
eligible for the designation of Historic Landmark Residence. This designation carries a
preservation mandate under the Interim Historic Ordinance, except ~in exceptional
circumstances. Alterations of the exterior are subject to review for compliance with the
National Standards.
CMR: 151:98 Page 1 of 6
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council uphold the decision of the Director of Planning.and
Community Environment and the Historic Resources Board to designate the residence at 955
Roble Ridge a Historic Landmark Residence, based on findings (Attachment A).
BACKGROUND
On November 26, 1997, an application was submitted by Frank and Peggy Wiley for Historic
Merit Evaluation of the single family residence at 955 Roble Ridge. On January 7, 1998,
the HRB, by a vote of 4 to 2, recommended that the residence be designated a Historic
Landmark Residence pursuant to Chapter 16.50 (Interim Historic Regulations) of the Palo
Alto Municipal Code. On January 9, 1998, the Director’s designee approved the
recommendation. On January 16, 1998, an appeal was filed. The appeal statement indicates
that the owners do not believe, based on their current understanding of the ordinance, that
the residence is properly classified. The appeal statement does not indicate an alternative
preferred-designation. Appeals of decisions under Chapter 16.50 must be considered by
Cou~ncil within 60 days of filing.
DISCUSSION
There are five criteria for evaluating historic resources as established under the Interim
Historic Ordinance. A resource need only satisfy one criterion to qualify as a historic ¯
resource.
Criteria:
It is associated with events or patterns of events that have made a
significant contribution to the broad patterns of local or regional history
and cultural heritage of California or the United States.
It is associated with the lives of architects, builders, other persons or
historical events .that are important to Palo Alto, the Bay Area, the
nation or to California’s past.
It is an example ot~ a type of building or connected with a business or
use which was once common, but is now rare.
It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or
method of construction, is particularly representative of an architectural
style or way of life important to the City, region, state or nation,
represents the work of a master, possesses high artistic values or
CMR:151:98 Page 2 of 6
contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to architectural
design, detail, materials or craftsmanship.
It has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information to the prehis~.~:~ry
or history of Palo Alto, the Bay Area, the state or nation.
The residence at 955 Roble Ridge satisfies Criteria 1, 2 and 4, and on that basis was.
designated as a Historic Landmark Residence. ~
Basis for Appeal
The following summarizes the appellant’s arguments for appeal, and staff’s response to each.
Their letter is included as Attachment B, and staff has paraphrased and condensed their
arguments in italics below.
o .
The historic aspects of the house are of interest only to the owners.
In the case of a Historic Landmark Residence designation and accompanying review
of alterations for compliance with The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
Rehabilitation (Standards), the purpose of the controls is to preserve historic
resources as well as protect community character. The Standards recognize that
historic properties will continue to change in modem times, and this is both respected
and encouraged.
The house, through its construction by William Carruth, its ~chitects, and its location
as the first house in the Roble Ridge community, has historical significance for the
Palo Alto and Stanford community. See the January 7; 1998 staff report to the HRB
(Attachment E) for a detailed evaluation of historic significance.
The original owner of the house was unknown in the neighborhood; the recent
marketing effort leading to sale of the residence is the only reason that Carruth’s
connection to the property has received attention.
The importance of William Carruth and his connection to 955 Roble Ridge came to
light as a result of staff following a standard background research protocol that is
completed on all residences submitted for Historic Merit Evaluation. The protocol
involves assembly and evaluation of all property and alteration records which include
the following: City of Palo Alto Planning Division; Building Division; review of City
directories and obituary files at the Palo Alto Main Library; review of deed
transaction history at the Santa Clara County Records Office (in the case of Barron
Park properties only); and review of history files at Stanford University (where
connection with the University has. been established by other resources).
CMR: 151:98 Page 3 of 6
The relevance of Carruth, his contribution to thesignificance of this property and his
role in instigating the surrounding ensemble of residences was immediately apparent
to staff based on following this established research protocol, and was fully reported
in the staff report for this property (Attachment E).
The residence is located near a number of modern residences.
The residence is part of an enclave of similar structures that present an intact period
residential environment with a distinctly rustic quality. Within this enclave, there are
eleven period residences that are described in the staff report. The area map
(Attachment H) for this portion of Palo Alto identifies other pre-1940 clusters of
period residences.
The residence has new composition shingle roofing, brickwork changes, and possibly
new wood siding.
Roofing is replaced routinely as part of building maintenance and this process helps
rather than hinders preservation of the structure. Staff noted brick paving elements
at the residence that may be modem; introduction of these elements and alteration of
them does not impact the integrity of the historic resource. The wood siding is in
exceptionally good condition as would be consistent with a careful removal of
accumulated layers of paint and subsequent repainting. No permit records or any
other records on the property indicate replacement of this material. The quality, size
and shape of wood siding is consistent with nearby residences such as 925 Roble
Ridge. In addition, the intersections with window trims and outside comers give no
evidence of alteration of the siding. Based on observations of the existing residence
and review of the property records, staff concluded that the siding is original.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Review and action on this appeal does not change current City policy. "However, Council
decisions on appeals from the decisions of the Historic Resources Board and staff are
valuable in helping the Council resolve the focus of the permanent historic regulations. This
appeal, along with others, helps to clarify the value the City’s historic regulations should
place on preservation of residential structures that may merit a Historic Landmark Residence
designation.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council has two altematives to the staff recommendation:
CMR:151:98 Page 4 of 6
Uphold the appeal and find the residence at 955 Roble Ridge to be a Structure
Without Historic Merit.
2.Determine the residence at 955 Roble Ridge to be a Contributing Residence.
Staff was unable to support a determination of Contributing Residence. Research into the
history of the site identified noteworthy historic people and activities associated with this
residence and development of the surrounding district. Furthermore, it is staff’s judgment
that 955 Roble Ridge is an outstanding example of the Dutch Colonial style in this setting,
as this was a suburban residential style that was novel in the Barron Park area.
TIMELINE
Depending on the outcome 0fthe Council’s determination, the homeowner would be free to
develop and submit plans for modification of the residence on the following basis:
1."Structure Without Merit: Compliance with Residential Estates Regulations required.
Contributing Residence: Compliance also required to the staff-administered
Compatibility Review Standards, if the alteration meets the definition of demolition,
meaning more than 50 percent of the exterior walls are demolished or any portion of
the front facade. If the modifications fall beneath this threshold, compliance with
only the Residential Estate regulations is required.
Historic Landmark Residence: Alterations must meet the Secretary of Interior’s
Standards for Historic Rehabilitation with review and approval by the Historic
Resources Board recommending to the Director of Planning and Community
Environment, appealable to the City Council. Demolition is only permitted under
exception circumstances.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project is Categorically Exempt under the provisions of the California Environmental
Quality Act.
ATTACHMENTS
A.Findings
B.Appeal Application and Letter from Frank Wiley, dated January 14, 1998
C.Notice of the Decision of the Director, dated January 8, 1997
D.Minutes of the HRB meeting of January 7, 1998
E.Staff Report and Inventory Form, January 7, 1998
CMR: 151:98 Page 5 of 6
F.Historic Merit Evaluation Application Form
G.Standards for Historic Designation~
H.Area Map; Detail of Barron Park showing pre-1940 residences
I.Illustrations of the Dutch Colonial Revival style
CC: Historic Resources Board
Owners: Frank and Peggy Wiley, 955 Roble Ridge, PaloAlto, CA 94306
Prepared By: Barbara Judy, Preservation Architect Consultant for Interim Historic Program
DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW:
KENNETH R. SCHREIBER
Director of Planning and
Community Environment
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:EMILN! HARRISON -
Assistant City Manager
CMR: 151:98 Page 6 of 6
FINDINGS
955 Roble Ridge
ATTACHMENT A
The existing residence at 955 Roble Ridge best fits the category of Historic Landmark
Residence based on the following recommended findings:
It is associated with the events that have made a significant contribution to the broad
patterns of local history, including development and protection of the distinctive rural
identity of Barron Park, as it was among the first residences constructed in an enclave
that came to exemplify the identity of Barron Park. An essentially suburban
development within a rural setting, the Roble Ridge community bridged the Barron
Park agricultural environment and Stanford/Palo Alto academic communities that
existed in proximity to one another.
,.
o
It is associated with thelives of persons and events that are important to Palo Alto and
the Bay Area, in the form of William H. Carruth, renowned scholar, author, translator,
poet, and social and religious activist, as well as an academician at Stanford University.
William H. Carruth invited his family and friends to join with him in settling the
beautiful hillside at the back of the Barron estate, forming a unique community united
by friendship and the central role that intellectual, artistic and environment pursuits
played in their lives. 955 Roble Ridge was among the first residences constructed for
this close knit community.
It embodies the distinctive architectural characteristics of a period that was important
to Barron Park and Palo Alto, including the architectural style of the residence, which
is a textbook rendition of the Dutch Colonial style. The Dutch Colonial style became
the signature of the Can’uth family houses on the Ridge, including the nearby
substantial residence at 925 Roble Ridge built for the Walter Carruth family and the
guesthouse on the same property, and a smaller residence at 953A Roble Ridge.
955 Roble Ridge introduced the Dutch Colonial style, a signature of suburban style, to
the Barron Park area. In doing so, it was in marked contrast to the vernacular and
agricultural structures that typified this strawberry growing and orchard farming area
in the 1920s. This style, in combination with the related and more widely-used
Colonial Revival style, is associated with suburban developments during the 1920s and
1930s: its presence in Barron Park in the early 1920s signaled the outward-looking
nature of the Roble Ridge community and its connection to events beyond the
agricultural focus of the majority of Barton Park.
ATTACHMENT B
CITY OF PALO ALTO "", ’r’ r, ~: "ii’: ":’"-"" "Office of,the City Clerk
APPEAL FROM THE DECISION OF DIRECTOR OF PLA~N~’E~ 1~ ] 6 ~] 3: ~’~A~’D co~r~ru~-n-Y E,’~RO~m~’r tmSTOlUC RESOURCE
To be filed in duplicate
Street Ci~ZIP
LOCATION OF PROPERTY: Assessor’s Parcel No.~ ~ - t ~ - ~O do
¯ Name of Property Owner (if other than appellant)
Street
Zone District
city ZIP
The decision of the Director of Planning and Community Environment dated
19 q_..~._whereby the application of eo ta ~" I?_ go~L~L
(original applic~Int)
q
for historical evaluation review was no meEt/contributing/Landmark or avvroved/denied, is hereby appealed.for
the reasons stated in the attached letter (in duplicate).
Date l/I ~’/q ~5 Signature of Appellant//
CITY COUNCIL DECISION:
Date
Remarks and/or Conditions:
Approved Denied
SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS SATISFIED:
I."." Plarts (Applicant)
2.Labels (Applicant)
3.Appeal Application Forms
.4.Letter
5.Fee
By:
By:
03/97
Mr. Eric Riel, Jr.
Designee of the Director of Planning
City of Palo Alto
P. O. Box 10250
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Dear Mr. Riel:
January 14, 1998
955 Roble Ridge
Palo Alto, CA 94306
We would like to appeal the classification of our home at 955 Roble Ridge as a Historical
Landmark Residence by the Historical Resources Board..
We appreciate the house for its history and its period construction and would like to
preserve its appearance. However, we believe these historical aspects of the house are
mostly of interest only to us and its previous owners.
I have lived in Barron Park for almost 25 years and had never heard of the original
owner. I believe the current information developed on Dr. Carruth was almost entirely a
result of the enthusiastic efforts to market the house that eventually resulted in its sale to
us in October of this year.
Dr. Carruth was certainly an admirable and respectable person, but his historical status
seems to rest on his having taught at the University of Kansas and Stanford and on his
having been the initial real estate developer for Roble Ridge in the 1920s. I’m not at all
sure anyone not acquainted with the recent marketing effort of the house would recognize
the name.
I gather from the staff report that the house is built in a Dutch Colonial style. It does have
some similarities with the Cornelius Bol house in the area which was built at that time,
but it is entirely dissimilar to the adjacent houses which are either modem large Spanish
or Country French style constructions or fairly nondescript 1940’s and 1950’s ranch
efforts. The exterior of the house has had new composition shingle roofing, brickwork
changes and possibly new siding.
We believe the house and its yard make a wonderful home for us and our children and we
respect the house and its history. However, we do not believe based on our current
understanding of the ordinance that the house is properly classified as a Historical
Landmark. "-
E. Wiley
ATTACHMENT C
Historic Resources Board
Notice of the Decision of the Director of Planning and
Community Environment on the Action Taken at the Public
Hearing on January 7~ 1998 Agenda Item 3
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
PUBLIC HEARING:
SUBJECT:
January 8, 1998
Owner: Frank and Peggy Wiley (Trust), 955 Roble Ridge, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Barbara Judy, Preservation Architect, Interim Historic Program
Historic Resources Board Meeting of January 7, 1998
955 Roble.. Ridg.e.: Application for Historic Merit Evaluation of a single family
residence constructed prior to 1940 in the RE Zone District (File No. 97-HRB-271.)
REQUEST/PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Historic Resources Board was requested to assign a historic merit designation to 955 Roble Ridge.
Under the City ofPalo AIto’s Interim Historic Program, properties may be assigned a historic designation
of Structure Without Historic Merit, Contributing Residence, or Historic Landmark Residence.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommended assigning an historic designation of HISTORIC LANDMARK RESIDENCE to this
residence.
ACTION TA~KEN:
Under the City of Palo Alto’s Criteria for Evaluating the Significance of Historic Resources, 955 Roble
Ridge xvas assigned the category of HISTORICLANDMARK RESIDENCE by the Historic Resources
Board. The Director of Planning and Community Environment approves that decision with thi~ notice.
APPEALS:
All projects approved are subject to an appeal period, which allows for the applicant.or members of the
public to file an appeal from the decision of the Director on the project.. The appeal period is 10 calendar
days after the mailing of this notice of the Director of Planning and Community Environment, which will
be on January 19, 1998 at 5:00 p.m.
If you wish to appeal this action, contact the Planning Division (329-2441) regarding time and fee. If you
challenge this land use decision in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else
raised in the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of
Palo Alto at or prior to, the public hearing.
COURTESY COPY: Roger Kohler Architect, 721 Colorado #102, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Prepared By:Barbara Judy
Approved By:Eric Riel, Jr. ChiefPlannin
Designee of the Director Planning and Community Environment
Page I
iilSTORIC
RESOI’RCES
BOARD
EXCERPT of Historic Resources
Board meeting of January 7, 1998.
ATTACHMENT D
MINUTES
Wednesday, January 7, 1998
Historic Resources Board bleeting
City Council Chambers
Civic Center, 250 Hamilton Avenue
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Anderson, Backlund, Bemstein, Kohler, Mario, Murden, Willis
ABSENT: None
STAFF: Grote, Reil, Warheit
CONSULTANTS: Judy
CITY COUNCIL LIAISON: Lanie Wheeler
"~L COMMUNICATIONS: None
AGEN~ CHANGEs, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS:
Chief Plannin’g~fficial Riel a.sked io have added to in the agenda the election of Chair and Vice
Chair. Also, und~e~v Business, he asked that the Certified Local Government item be
postponed, and undel’,~ports from Officials, that the Juana Briones House item be continued to
a date uncertain. ~
. Recommendations were moved~M Bemstein.
Seconded bY BM ~acklund"
Motion approved 7-0-0-0. .
BM Anderson moved that Roger Kohler be the.new Chair ~8. Seconded by BM Murden..
Passes unanimously, 7-0-0-0.
BM Willis tumed over the chairmanship to BM Kohler.Mo~,ed by BM Mario that Carol Murden be nominated as Vice Chair, seconded~M Willis.
Motion passes unanimously, 7-0-0-0.
City of Palo Alto
~ moves that this item be designated as a contributing structure. This was a difficult
one for B~ince the block is in a state of transition, it is important that this structure -
have the historic desire would prefer to see it go back to its original historic.
context.
Th~ ~nderful house. BM h BM
Bemstein absent.
955 Roble Ridge: Application for Historic Merit Evaluation of a single-family residence
constructed prior to 1940 in the RE zone district (File No. 97-HRB-271).
Chair Kohler steps down for this item, due to-a possible conflict of interest. BM Bemstein
returns.
B. Judy stated that staff recommends assigning an historic designation of Historic Landmark
Residence to the period residence at this address. Staff made the preliminm’y findings that date
"of original construction was circa 1922 and that the subject property is a large, two-story, L-
shaped Dutch Colonial structure. It is noteworthy for being built by William H. Carruth, an
individual who initiated settlement of the Roble Ridge area. He was a professor at Stanford
University from 1913 to 1924, and was a nationally known scholar. He wrote prolifically in his
area of study, German languages, and was also a published poet and author.
Staff recommends the Historic Landmark Residence status because it complies with three of the
criteria, as follows: (1) It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to
the broad patterns of local history; (staff is referring to development and protection of the unique,
rural identity of Barron Park); (2) It is associated with the lives of persons and events that are
important to Palo Alto and the bay area, primarily the contribution of William Carruth who built
this house and wa.s its first resident; he was noted nationally for his contributions to his area of
scholarship; (3) It embodies the distinctive architectural qualities of the period that were
important to Barton Park and Palo Alto, including this informal and rambling rendition of the
Dutch Colonial style.
BM Willis moves that 955 Roble Ridge be designated as a landmark structure. She felt that it -
has a strong sense of rural community, and the eucalyptus trees are a wonderful landscape
feature. BM Backlund struggled with this item, as he was not entirely certain as to how it relates
to the landmark designation. He agreed that the architectural portion of the house makes it a
contributing structure, however, he did not feel that the events associated with the house were of
any great significance. Although Carruth had written a great deal, BM Backlund did not see any
titles that were of major Califomia or national status. However, the district is a major and
exceptional area that should be considered.
BM Anderson did not find this structure to be a major building. It displays Dutch Colonial
4
styling, and is a contributing residence, but he did not find it too be an outstanding period piece
of architecture. Also, he did not find Carruth to be a preeminent, significant personage. So both
from a building standpoint and from a personage standpoint, he could not vote for the landmark
designation here.
BM Mario seconds BM Willis’ motion to give this structure a Landmark Designation. She found
the setting of the house to be very unique, and the area should be preserved.
BM Anderson made a substitute motion to find the property at 955 Roble Ridge a contributing
structure, seconded by BM Bemstein. BM Backlund struggled with how major or not major
does a house need to be to participate in the aggregate part of the landmark definition and
whether this house meets that level. In the opinion ofBM Mario, this house meets the definition.
BM Willis felt that this house is more significant than others that might be stronger within the
enclave because this is where the concept developed. The man who settled here had the concept
for the entire enclave, and influenced friends to come from around the country to settle nearby.
BM Murden also supported landmark status for the property, since the area is an outstanding
exampleof suburban development in a rural setting. She also felt that William Carruth had the
"vision to develop this area, and is important in that respect. BM Bernstein inquired about
protection of other homes in the area. No others have requested landmark status. Warheit said
that the survey has not yet been completed, so she could not speak to individual addresses, but
currently, there is no protection for the other homes in the area. BM Backlund was supportive of
the original motion, since this is the first property where the aggregate sentence of the landmark
definition has come into extremely strong play.
The vote on the substitute motion, which designated this property as a contributing structure, was
two in favor, Board Members Anderson and Bernstein, and four against, Board Members
Backlund, Mario, Murden and Willis, and Chair Kohler absent.
The-vote on the original motion, designating the property as a landmark structure was four in
favor, Board Members Backlund, Marion, Murden and Willis, two against, Board Members
Anderson and Bernstein, and Chair Kohler absent.
Chair Kohler returns to chair the meeting.
1.Ce~ified Loc~,~rnment - HRB members are requested to provide a completed
smnma~ form reco~ng undertaken in the 1997 year. Item postponed
~’.. _?~sreciati~n.°f~77°iTgC°~cilLiais°n)an~ie~,
Chair Kohler stated that Wheeler had been a great help to the board. B~r
TO:
FROM:
AGENDA DATE:
Si)BJECT:
ATTACHMENT E
Historic Resources Board
Staff Report
Item No. 3
Historic Resources Board
Barbara Judy, Preservation Architect, Interim Historic Program
January 7, 1998
955 Roble Ridge: Application for Historic Merit Evaluation of a single
family residence constructed prior to 1940 in the RE Zone District (File No.
97-HRB-271 .)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staffrecommends assigning an historic designation of HISTORIC LANDMARK RESIDENCE to
the period residence at 955 Roble Ridge. ~
DISCUSSION:
This residence is located in the rolling hills of Barton Park, an area that is characterized by a rustic
country charm not typical at Palo Alto neighborhoods.
Architectural Description:
Date of Initial Construction: circa 1922
The subject property is a large (2107 x 188’) Barron Park parcel contains a mature oak and willow
as well as numerous evergreen trees. Several structures are located on the property which includes
the main residence, a detached garage, and a bedroom cottage. The main residence includes the
following characteristics: two-story, L-shaped, Dutch Colonial structure with a variety of shed
dormers; steeply-pitchedgabled roof masses with jerkinhead ends (and replacement shingle roofing);
exterior walls clad with wide horizontal wood siding; moderate roof overhang with boxed eaves;
grouped casement sash windows throughout structure with four stylized lites and simple, yet
---- prominent casings; two entrances, at the understated front facade with cantilevered shed roofs
supported on profiled wood brackets; rusticated Colusa sandstone chimney with terra-cotta flue
inserts at the structure’s interior and sandstone garden walls surrounding the rear patio. The
sandstone material is the same as is used for the major buildings at Stanford University, and is
reported anecdotally to have come from the university stock.
The large garage is located offan oval-shaped paved driveway. It features a gabled roof with shed
overhangs at both longitudinal sides, vertical siding, and sliding barn doors. There is a brick
walkway underneath the shed overhang facing the courtyard off the residence.
Page 1
The bedroom cottage is located between the garage and a fenced corral facing Roble Ridge. The
simple rectangular-shaped single story structure features a gabled roof with exposed rafters with
moderate overhang, vertical siding, divided lite modem fenestration, and simple casement sash.
William H. Carruth - Background
The street was so named by William H. Carruth (1859-1924), the child of a Protestant missionary
parents who settled in Osawatomie, Kansas during the 1850s, at a time when abolitionist John
Brown and his Free-Soil fighters were engaged in antislavery agitation for control of the territorial
government. Brown moved on in 1859 to Maryland and Virginia, but left behind in Kansas a legacy
of social activism that was adopted by Mr. Carruth, as well as others.
Mr. Carruth was a widely recognized scholar when he came to Palo Alto in 1913 to assttme
leadership of the English Department at Stanfo~dUniversity. He attended UniversityofKansas and
Harvard University, and studied abroad in Munich and Berlin in the 1880s. His academic career
had been launched over some thirty years at the University of Kansas where he was vice-president
of the university and head of the German department at the time of his deigarture for Califomia.~ A
poet as well as a teacher, he wrote "Each in His Own Tongue," a standard work that is collected in
the volume 101 Famous Poems, and accurately captured his guiding philosophy. The residence was
built as his personal home for the final years of his life.
William Herbert Carruth arrived in Santa Clara County in 1913 to assume the role of Professor of
Comparative Literature and executive head of the English Department, a role he filled until 1924,
when he retired a few months before his death on December 18th. During his tenure at Stanford, he
was characteristically productive, and published the following works, among others.
¯The Angel With the Flaming Sword, an allegory. Overland, v. 18:18-19, June 1923.
¯Be not afraid. (Poem) Public, vol. 22:136, February 8, 1919.
¯Bryant’s "A Presentiment" and Goethe’s "Der Erlkhig". Flugel Memorial volume. L.S.J.U.
publications. University series [21] p. 72-75. 1916.
¯The Children of New England (Poem) Pacific Unitarian, v. 29, no. 10, Nov. 1920.
¯By the Ocean of Peace. California to international peace congress, San Francisco Bulletin,
October 11, 1915, p. 5.
¯Heroisms of peace. Reprei ted from the graduate magazine of the University of Kansas. Nov,
1919.
¯The man at the wheel (with respects to Senator Chamberlain) Public, vol 21:313. March, 1918.
¯The modem problem. (Poem) Read at he twelfth annual meeting of the Stanford University
chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, Stanford University. May 20, 1916.
¯The patriotic thug. Public, vol 21:1027, Aug. 10, 1918.
¯The peace is dead? Christian Register, vol. 98, cover, December 25, 1919.
¯The President’s words (Poem) San Francisco Bulletin, Jan. 12, 1918. p. 4.
¯Selections from an address on eugenics. (Eugenics: twelve university lectures) Dodd, Mead,
NY. 1914.
Page 2
¯Status of Comparative Literature. Reprinted from School and Society, Vol. 12, p. 218-23, Sept.
18, 1920.
¯The truth about Kansas (In: Sequoia 26:121-3, Nov. 1916)
¯Verse writing: a practical handbook for college classes and private guidance. NY: Macmillian,
1917, 123 pages.
°What Shall We Say (Poem) no. 66,1915, World Court.
°What Think You Madam of my Creed? Robert Bums reveals his simple religion in his poetry
and...in remarkable letters. The Christian Register, vol. ? pp. 1092-3, Nov 13, 1919, and pp.
115-7, Nov. 20, 1919.
°YMCA Exclusions, New Republic, vol. 17:375, Jan. 25, 1919.
¯Editor: Schiller’s William Tell, NY: Macmillian, 1913.
¯Translator: Carl Comill: The education 6f children in ancient Israel. Chicago, Open Court,
1914.
¯Translator: Carl Cornill: The psalms in universal literature. Chicago, Open Court, 1914.
¯Reviewer: David Starr Jordan: Days of a man. Overland, v. 81, pp. 33-4, May 1923.
¯Reviewer: David Starr Jordan: Democracy and world relations. Stanford Illustrated Review, v.
20, p. t99, January 1918.
¯ -Reviewer: Robert Haven-Schauffler: Magic Flame and other poems. San Francisco journal,
August 5, 1925, p. 9.
Mr. Carruth’s obituary in the Palo Alto Times noted that "Death, which followed a succession of
illnesses, was caused by hardening of the arteries at the base of the brain, as a result of overwork.
He was graduated from the University of Kansas in 1880, and reviewed his master’s degree in 1889,
and his Ph.D. work in 1893. His scholastic work was entirely in German, his thesis dealing with
"The Development of National Consciousness in Germany Before the Twelfth Century."
Mr. Carruth is described as follows:
"Professor Carruth was an instructor in English at the University of Kansas in 1879, the year
before his graduation, and from 1882 to 1887 acted as head of the modem languages department
IN 1887 the department was divided and Professor Carruth became head of the German
department. In 1901, he was elected to the vice-presidency of.the University of Kansas.
"Professor Carruth’s literary work [ncluded, in addition to his poems, some of which are widely
famous, the editing and writing of numerous text books and translations of famous works in n
German. He was author of a collection of sketches, "Kansas in Literature," "Letters to American
Boys," and a book on "Verse Writing." He has publish two volumes of poetry, one of which
bears the title of his most famous poem, "Each in His Own Tongue"...
"Professor Carruth was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the national scholarship honor fraternity;
new York Authors’ Club, the Modem Language Association of America, the American Poetry
Society, the American Advertising Council, the American Dialectic Society, the Commonweallh
Club, and the Sierra Club. The was on of the_ organizers of the Central Modem Languages
Page 3
Association, ans was its president for three terms. He also belonged to Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
He was one of the early advocates of woman suffrage in Kansas, and took an active part in the
beginnings of the movement there. A history of woman suffrage in Kansas is among the works
of his authorship.
"Professor Carruth was an active worker in the Unitarian Church, and has been president of both
the National League of Unitarian Laymen and the Pacific Coast Unitarian Conference.’’2
In describing his most famous poem, The National Cyclopaedia notes that his poems were "notable
for their tone of intense moral earnestness and deep religious feeling. The initial and title poem,
"Each in His Own Tongue," beginning:
A fire-mist and a planet,
A crystal and a cell.
A jelly-fish and a saurian,
And caves where the cave-men dwell~
Then a sense of law and beauty,
And a face turned from the clod-
Some call it Evolution.
And others call if God.
"Was originally published fifteen ago [Ed. note: reference from 1908, then in 1893] by the ’New
England Magazine" after being rejected by nearly every other periodical in the United States. It
sprang into immediate popularity and has been in continuous circulation all over the world ever
since.’’3
In 1926, two years following his death and at the request of "hundreds of ...friends’’4, William
Herbert Carruth was memorialized by the creation of the William Herbert Carmth Poetry Prizes,
awarded annually to for outstanding entries in a yearly poetry-writing contest at Kansas University.
The award was intended to "...establisha memorial to him of such a nature that it would at least by
a measure, express the high idealism of his character.’’~ In the general convocation inaugurating
these awards in 1926, Carruth was eulogized by his longtime colleague Gleed as being:
"...fairly driven, his whole life long, by the crusader, the John Brown spirit. He was an ardent,
persistent, untiring advocate of equality for women; and a very great deal of his time and nervous
energy went into that great reform. He fought not merely for equal voting right but for equality
in every way; equal opportunity; the free pathway for merit; and he grew fairly savage on the
subject of equal pay for equal work...[H]e was almost as generous in his support of the
prohibition cause...he always voted; he went to county conventions; he was active in the State
Historical Society; he did all that he could for our public school system, he labored...for his
church...[f]riends used to protest at the multitude of his activities and point out that the way to
enroll his name among the great poets of the work was to devote himself to poetry. His answer
was ’I desire to be a man and a citizen first; and a poet if God please.’’’6
Page 4
Mr. Carruth’s legacy as a poet sur¢ived long after his death. His widow, Mrs. KatherineCarruth,
reported in 1952 that she had
"...taken charge of the large correspondence connected with the poem [Each In His Own
Tongue]. I have begun to think it has a sort of universal appeal, for I have answered a g good
many hundreds of letters which asked for permission to reprint...Each person, however, in
quoting the part or whole that he wished to re-print, made errors, generally many; it seems that
the poem must be especially susceptible to misquotation...the reply was...that they just couldn’t
help attaching to the poem some ideas of their own!7
Mrs. Carruth continued in residence on Roble Ridge until three years before her death in 1973
Background of the Roble Ridge Community
After residing in Palo Alto for some years and after waiting for closure on the World War that deeply
engaged American energies and limited opportunities for domestic improvements,Mr. Carruth found
a quiet wooded hillside, then called University Hill, and settled with his family and the friends a~d
family he encourage to join him in the sylvan retreat.
Stanford Illustrated Reviewed of 1925 notes the following:
"When life was quieting down.after World War I, a poet who was also a professor at Stanford
explored the oak-flecked ridge at the back of the Barron estate, found a stream that still
maintained its flow in the Santa Clara Valley summer, and declared he had found ’the most
beautiful spot on earth.’
"From it he could see the red roofs of Stanfo~-d,the foothills rising to the mountains, the pleasant
valley orchards, and the little towns of Mayfield and Palo Alto.
"No highways ran near it, but not far away flashed the red electric trolleys that used to run from
Palo Alto to San Jose and Los Gatos.
"So Dr. William Herbert Carruth of Stanford bpught his ’most beautiful spot’ and named it
Roble Ridge. Even before he built his home there, his friends the Roger Shermans, came out
from the East and acquired a site near by (Ed. Note: 975 Roble Ridge). Theirs was the first
house in what was to become a little community of friends and relatives.
That was in 1922. Soon the colony included Professor Carruth’s brother, Walter, and Mrs.
Carruth’s sisters, Mrs. T. W. Todd and Miss Mary Morton; the Shermans and Mrs. Sherman’s
sisters, Mrs. J. H. Clark and Miss Katherine Treat; the Arvin Clins, Miss Anita Hodgkin, Miss
Florence Calderwood and Miss Roseta Reynolds, and the W. F. Wights.
Page 5
"Mr. Wight was for many years a botanist with the federal Bureau of Plant Industry. Traces of
his fine experimental garden are still to be seen on his old Roble Ridge place (ed. Note: 940
Roble Ridge.)
"As the years passed, newcomers moved to the quiet settlement back among the hill. Among
them was the Holland-bomphysicist, Comelis Bol and his family, Dr. Bol, widely known as the
inventor of the mercury vapor lamp, built a swimming pool and lined it with black to absorb the
sun’s rays - a self heating arrangement.
"Other famous names of the Roble Ridge roster are Carl and Shelley Mydans, the photographer-
writer team for Time and Life Magazines.
"By good luck, all the newcomers have fitted in. All have been friendly, all have been interested,
and all have loved Roble Ridge the way it was.9
Period Context for 955 Roble Ridge
T.he following period residences make up the Roble Ridge community.
925 Roble Ridge (ca. 1922) is: a substantial two story residence with jerkinhead massing. The
Walter Carruth family house~ later sold to the Comelis Bol family.
937 Roble Ridge (ca. 1925) is: a modest Craftsman residence, single story with stained wood
shingle and cut-out eave braces.
941 Roble Ridge (perhaps this is 940 Roble Ridge, ca. 1930) is: a substantial Craftsman
residence, two stories with painted woo shingles, applied wood trims, and prominent cut-out
eave braces.
953A Roble Ridge (ca. 1920s) is: a single story Dutch Revival residence with jerkinhead
massing and period brick chimney.
973 Roble Ridge (perhaps this is 979 Roble Ridge, ca. 1925) is: a pair of simple wood frame -
houses with wood siding a side gabled massing, interior stone chimneys.
975 Roble Ridge (1949) is: a modem residence, single story rambling shape with stained wood
siding and a rustic feel. This is the site of the former Sherman residence, built 1923).
954 Roble Ridge (1938) is: a simple single story period residence, rustic in feel.
912 Roble Ridge (ca. 1926) is: a rambling single story residence wit shingle siding and
jerkinhead massing.
Page 6
945 Matadero (ca. 1925) is: a 1-1/2 story vernacular cottage with a stone base and chimney,
single siding with exposed rafter ends.
959 Matadero (ca. 1928) is: a substantial Tudor style residence, originally the home of the
Calderwoods.
960 Matadero (ca. 1932) is: a substantial Mediterranean style residence.
The neighborhood also includes Bol Park, an attractive oasis and a fine example of private¯
benefaction coupled with farsighted community action. Undeveloped because of the neighbors’
wishes, this long, narrow piece of property has two large meadows, which are skirted on the west
by the paved bicycle path and to the east by a footpath. The old upper meadow contains pieces of
farm machinery used by the Bols in the 1930s and 1940s, visible links to the past.~°
Criteria for Historic Designation:
Under the City of Palo Alto’s Criteria for Evaluating the Significance o~" Historic Resources, 925
Roble Ridge satisfies the following criterions:
Criterion 1, as it is associated with the events that have made a significant contribution to the
broad patterns of local history, including:
Development and protection of the unique rural identity of B arron Park, as it was the among the first
residences constructed in an enclave that came to exemplify the identity of Barron Park. An
essential ly suburban development within a rural setting, the Roble Ridge community bridged the
Barron Park agricultural environment and Stanford/Palo Alto academic communities that existed
in proximity to one another and through the Roble Ridge enclave came to have a richer relationship
Criterion 2, as it is associated with the lives of persons and events that are important to Palo
Alto and the Bay Area, including:
William H. Carruth, was a renowned scholar, author, translator, poet, and social and religious
activist, as well as a mature academician at Stanford University. William H. Carruth invited his
family and friends to join with him in settling the beautiful hillside at the back of the Barron estate,
forming a unique and lively community united by friendship and the central role that intellectual,
artistic and environment pursuits played in their lives. 955 Roble Ridge was among the first
residences constructed for this closeknit community.
Criterion 4, as it embodies the distinctive architectural characteristics of a period that was
important to Barton Park and Palo Alto, including:
The architectural style of the residence is a textbook rendition of the Dutch Colonial style and it was
among the first residences constructed on Roble Ridge. The Dutch Colonial style became the
signature of the Carruth family houses on the Ridge, including the substantial residence at 925 Roble
Ridge built for the Walter Carruth family and the guesthouse on the same property, and a smaller
residence at 953A Roble Ridge.
955 Roble Ridge introduced the Dutch Colonial style, a signature of suburban style, to the Barron
Page 7
Park area. In doing So, it was in marked contrast to the vernacular and agricultural structures that
typified this strawberry growing and orchard farming area in the 1920s. This style, in combination
with the related and more widely-used Colonial Revival style, is associated with suburban
developments during the 1920s and 1930s. The residences presence in Barron Park in the early
1920s signaled the outward-looking nature of the Roble Ridge community and its connection to
events beyond the agricultural focus of the majority of Barron Park.
Categorization:
Under the City of Palo Alto’s Criteria for Evaluating the Significance of Historic Resources,
standards for designating HISTORIC LANDMARK RESIDENCES are provided. Under this
criteria, 955 Roble Ridge best fits the category of LANDMARK HISTORIC RESIDENCE. Staff
concluded that the residence is an exceptional building due to its associated events that hav.e made
a significant contribution the broad patterns of local history, its association with the lives of persons
and events that are important to Palo Alto and the Bay Area, and its embodiment ofthe distinctive
architectural characteristics of a period that was important to Barron Park and Palo Alto.
TIMELINE:
All historic designations are subject to an appeal period, which allows for the applicant or members
of the public to file an appeal from the decision of the Historic Resources Board and the director of
the project. The appeal period is 10 calendar days from the mailing of the notice of the decision of
the Director of Planning and Community Environment.
COURTESY COPY:Owner: Frank and Peggy Wiley (Trust), 955 Roble Ridge, Palo Alto,
CA 94306
Applicant: Roger Kohler Architect, 721 Colorado #102, Palo Alto,
CA 94303
Prepared By:Barbara Judy
Reviewed By:Eric Riel, Jr~, Chi~Planning Official
1. Seward, Samuel, Jr. "Dr. William Herbert Carruth’, Stanford Illustrated Review, January 1925.
2. Palo Alto Times, December 15, 1924.
3. The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Vol. 14, NY: James T. White & Co., p. 486.
4. J. Willis Gleed, KU Endowment Digest, p.6 (year not noted)
5. J. Willis Gleed, KU Endowment Digest, p.6 (year not noted)
Page 8
6. J. Willis Gleed, KU Endowment Digest, p.6 (year not noted)
7. Letter to San Jose Mercury titled "Literary Legacy", from Mrs. William Herbert Carruth, 953 Roble Ridge,
’January 21, 1952.
8. Palo Alto Times, "Mrs. Carruth" January 12, 1973.
9. Palo Alto Tim~s Thursday, August 30, 1956, "The Spirit of Roble Ridge’;by Elinor V. Cogswell.
10. Parks of Palo Alto, pp. 9-10.
Page 9
State of California -- The Resources AgencyDEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Page 1 of 4
P1. Other Identifier:
P2.Location:[] Not for
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
NRHP Status CodeOther Listings
Review Code ~ Reviewer
Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 955 Rob/e Ridge
Publication [] Unrestricted a. County Santa Clara
and (P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.)
b. USGS 7.5’ Quad Date T ; R ;114 of 114
c. Address: 955 Roble Ridge City Palo Alto
d~UTM:.(Give more than one for large and/linear resources) ; mE/
e. Other Locational Data (Enter Parcel #, legal description, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriatei
Date
of Sec ;
Tip 94306
mN
Boa.
P3.
Parcel No. 1~9-17-006
Description (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
95_5 Rob/e Ridge is a large (2 l O’ x 188’) Barron Park parcel dotted with mature oak, willow, and evergreen trees. Several structures
are located on the property: the main residence, a detached garage, and a bedroom cottage. The main residence is a two-story,
L-shaped, Dutch Colonial structure with a’variety of shed dormers that create an interesting overall volume. Dutch Colonial features
include the steeply-pitched gabled roof masses with jerkinhead ends (and replacement shingle roofing); exterior walls clad in wide,
horizontal wood siding; moderate roof overhang with boxed eaves; and grouped casement sash windows throughout structure with
four stylized rites and simple, yet prominent casings the rite pattern carries through to rear patio doo’rs).. 955 Roble Ridge features
two entrances at the understated front facade with cantilevered shed roofs supported on profiled wood brackets. There is a
rusticated Co/usa sandstone chimney with terracotta flue inserts at the structure’s interior. The sandstone also appears in the,
garden walls surrounding the rear patio.
P3b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
P4. Resources Present [] Building []Structure [] Object [] Site
P5a. Photograph or Drawing (Photograph required for buildings, structures, and objects)
HP2 - Single Family Property
[] District [] Element of District [] Other (Isoiates, etc.)
P5b. Descdpti0n of Photo: (View, date, accession #)
955 Roble Ridge, main residence
P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources:
[] Prehistoric [] Histodc [] Both
c. 1922
P7, Owner and Address
Frank and Peggy Wiley (Trust)955 Roble RidgePalo Alto, CA 94306
PS. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation, and address)Cathetfne Watts, Barbara Judy Preservation Architect
P9. Date Recorded: 12/18/97
P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Reconnaissance
P11, Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none")
None
Attachments C] NONE ~ Continuabon Sheet ~ Distnct Record E3 Rock Art Record[] Location Map ~ Building, Structure, and Objec! Record ~ Linear Feature Record [3 Artifact Record’
:-q Sketch Map ’q Archaeological Record ~ Milling Station Record E] Photograph Record
Photo Continuation
[] Other: (List)
DPR 523A (1,951H=storyMa~er San B~Jenavenlura Researctt Associates
State of Califomia -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Page 2 of 4 Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 955 Roble Ridge
Recorded by: Catherine Watts, Barbara Judy Preservation Architect Date 12/18/97 [] Continuation [] Update
The large garage is located off an oval-shaped paved driveway. It features a gabled roof with shed overhangs at both longitudinal sides,
vertical siding, and sliding barn doors. There is a brick walkway underneath the shed overhang facing the courtyard off the residence.
Located between the garage and a fenced corral facing Rob/e Ridge is the non-period, single-story, bedroom cottage. The simple
rectangular-shaped structure features a gabled roof with exposed rafters at moderate overhang, vertical siding, divided lite modem
fenestration, and simple casement sash.
Roble Ridge is located in the roiling hills of Barron Park, an area that is characterized by a rustic country charm rarely seen in Pa/o Alto
neighborhoods today. The street was so named by William H. Carruth (1859-1924), a native of Osawatomie, Kansas, who was a widely
recognized scholar when he came to Palo Alto in 1913 to assume leadership of the English Department at Stanford University. He was
educated at the University of Kansas and Harvard University, and studied abroad in Munich and Berlin in the 1880s. A poet as well as a
teacher, he wrote "Each in His Own Tongue," a standard work that is collected in the volume =101 Famous Poems," and accurately
captured his guiding philosophy.
DPR 523L (1/95) HL~IoryMaker San Buenaventura Research Associates
IState of California ~ The Resources Agency Primary #DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
Page 3 of 4 Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 955 Roble Ridge
Recorded by: Catherine Watts, Barbara Judy Preservation Architect Date 12/18/97 [] Continuation [] Update
Supplemental Photograph or Drawing Description of Photo: (View, date, accession #)
955 Rob/e Ridge, notice bedroom cottage at
right foreground with garage and main
residence in background
DPR 523L (1/95)San B~enaventura Researc~ Associates
IState of California -- The Resources Agency Primary #DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD HRI #
Page 4 of 4 NRHP Status Code
Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 955 Rob/e Ridge
B’I. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:955 Roble Ridge
B3. Original Use:Residential B4. Present Use:
B5. Architectural Style: Dutch Colonial
B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
Residential
B7.Moved?[] No [] Yes [] Unknown Date :Original Location:
BS. Related Features:
B9a.
B10,
Architect: Unknown b. Builder:Unknown
Significance: Theme: Architectural Area:
Period of Significance: 1922-1940 Property Type:Applicable Criteria:
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period and geographic.scope, Also address integrity.)
Roble Ridge is located in the rolling hills of Barron Park, an area that is characterized by a rustic country
.charm rarely seen in Palo Alto neighborhoods today. The street was so named by William H. Carruth (1859-
1924), the child of Protestant missionary parents who settled in Osawatomie, Kansas during the 1850s, at a
time when abol#ionist John Brown and his Free-Soil fighters were engaged in antislavery agitation for control
of the territorial government. Brown moved on in 1859 to Maryland and Virginia, but left behind in Kansas a
legacy of social activism that was adopted by Carruth, among others. Carruth was a widely recognized
scholar when he came to Palo Alto in 1913 to assume leadership of the English Department at Stanford
University. He had been educated at the Univers#y of Kansas and Harvard University, and studied abroad in
Munich and Berlin in the 1880s. His academic career had been launched over some thirty yeats at the
University of Kansas; he was vice-president of the university and head of the German department at the
time of his departure for California. A poet as well as a teacher, he wrote "Each in His Own Tongue," a
standard work that is collected in the volume 101 Famous Poems, and accurately captured his guiding
philosophy. Built as his personal home for the final years of his Ire, 955 Roble Ridge expresses the
simplicity and sincerity that guided Carruth’s productive academic life.
Bll. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
B12. References:
Palo Alto Times, 12/15/24, 1/21/52, 1/12/73
Dept. of Special Collection3, Stabford University
Stanford Illustrated Review, Januray 1925
The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Supplement
Edition to v.XIV, 1910
B13. Remarks;
B14. Evaluator: Barbara Judy
Date of Evaluation: 12/22/97
(This space reserved for official comments.)
HP2 - Single Family Property
(Sketch Map with north arrow required.)
PF
DPR 523B (1/95) H~storyMaker San Buenaventu~a Research Associales
Applicat, ion for
H i t.o Review
City of P+do Aho
Delver*merit o[ Planning @ Community Environment,
280 Hamilton A.e, Pale Alto, CA 94301.
%1= (418) 329-2441
,O Applioan~
Other Historic Review:
Non-residential Historic Review
Dowhtown Contributing Residential
Review
~Voltmtary Review
r---]Non-residential Historic Designation
or Re-designation
r~ Mills Act Contract
In~terim~ Regulations for Residential Buildings:
~ Historic Merit Screening
~ " Histodc Merit Evaluation
[-"-"-] Historic Landmark Alteration Review
Compatibitity Review
Compatibility Standards Exception
Historic Property Survey
O P’roF~er~y Loaat.ion 955 Roble l~idge Road, Pale Alto, Ca]ft.
r Address of Subject Property: q,’~’~"~)/~ ,/t~ ~3/]+.a~"
Zone District : ....... - ~... RE Assessor’s.Parcel Number : .. I :~ - .,! ~ - ooG~ Historic Category(if applicable) :
O ApEli~ant.
O FroF~er"r,3, Owner
City: P~ ~U~ State:
NOTE:The APPLICANT & PROPERTY OWNER must be placed on the submitted
__mailing list in order to be notified of Meetings. Hearings or action taken.
The APPLIOANT & PROP£RTY OWNER must be p{aced on the submi~ed
mailing list in order to be notified of Meetings, Hearings or action taken.
I hereby certify that I am the owner of record of the property described in Box #2 above and that I approve of the requested action herein.
this application(s) is subiect to 100% recovery of ptanning costs, I understand that charges for staff time spent processing this application(s)
will be based on the Policy and Procedures document provided to me. I ~l.erstand that my initial deposit is an estimate of these charges
and not a fee, and , agree to abide by the billing policy stated.signature of Owner:~’ 1(" ’)’~_ ~.,...
Date:
"’’,,,, ....I I ! ,,
,’,: ++,4, ,~<. : . ,. ,+ ++
,,.+ __ . _,,, &.3+ ~-+ ~, ~ ~:~ ,+~=i~:+,
.- .. ~ ~.. ~ppg to me ~u,mng ~m~on ~wsm lorotheroriginating ~ent~ for +our Pe~it
ATTACHMENT G
Information Regarding the Interim Historic Ordinance
STANDARDS FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Criteria far
Evaluating the
Significance of
Historical Resources
Criterion 1
Criterion 2
Cdterion 3
Criterion 4
Criterion 5
The following standards for Historic Designation have replaced the former
Historic Categories and Criteria for Designation found in Section
16.49.020 (b) and Section 16.040 (b) of the Historic Preservation
Ordinance. The previous designation Categories 1,2,3 and 4 are replace
by two categories-- Landmark and Contributing. The current designation
edteda is replaced by the new Criteria for Evaluation the Significance of
Historical Resources.
A property would be deemed to be historically significant of it is found to
be of significance to Palo Alto, the Bay Area, the State of California or the
nation under one or more of the following criteria. Historic property may
include building, slruetures, objects, landscape elements or natural
features, e.g., El Palo Alto.
¯ It is associated with events or patterns of events that have made a
significant contribution to the broad patterns of local or regional history.
and cultural heritage of California Or the United States.
¯ It is associated with the lives of architects, builders, other persons or
historical events that are important to Palo Alto, the Bay Area, the nation ¯
or to California’s past.
¯ It is an example of a type of building or is connected with a business or
use which was once common, but is now rare.
¯ It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or
method of construction, is particularly representative of an architectural
style or way of life important to the city, region, state or nation, represents
the work of a master, possesses high artistic values or contains elements
demonstrating outstanding attention to architectural design, detail,
materials or craftsmanship.
¯ It has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to the
prehistory or history of Palo Alto, the Bay Area, the state or nation.
standards for historic designation Page l
Landmark
Properties
Contribu. ting
Properties
Designated historic property will categorized as Landmark or Contributing
according to the following definitions.
Landmark properties axe exceptional or major building, groups of
buildings, structures, objects, landscape elements or natural features which
are of pre-eminent, national, state, regional or local importance, exhibit
meritorious work of the best architects, are an outstanding example of the
stylistic development of architecture or landscape architecture in the
United States, California, the Bay Area or Palo Alto, or are identified with
historic people or with important events or activities in the~city, region,
state or nation. A property may be designated a landmark when it is one
of a ~distinctive contiguous assembly of historically significant structures
with a unified architectural theme or setting that creates a significant and
distinguishable entity. The Landmark may have some exterior
modifications, but the original character is retained.
Contributing properties are buildings, groups of buildings, structures,
objects or sites that relate to and support the historic character of a
neighborhood grouping or district because of historical or cultural
importance or in scale, materials proportions, setting or other factors. A
contributing property may have had extensive or permanent changes made
to the original design, such as inappropriate additions, extensive removal
of architectural details or changes to exterior materials.
standards for historic designation Page 2
ATTACHMENT H
The City of
Palo A1 to
Pre-1940 Residences
in Barron Park
This map is a product
of the
City of Palo Alto GIS
ATTACHMENT I
Eclectic Houses: Colonial Revival
GAMBREL ROOF
I. Louisville, Kentucky; ~92os. Figures ~, 4, and 7 are typical examples
of the popular Dutch Colonial house of the ~92os and ’los. The side-
gambrel shape, most often with a full-width shed dormer (see also figures
and 7), is the most comm6n form.
2. Durham, North Carolina; ~9~os. This is a less common cross-gambrel
form of the Dutch Colonial. Note "the flared eaves, here and in figures
7, and 8. These mimic the Flemish eaves of many Dutch Colonial originals.
3. Lexington, Kentucky; ca. ~9~o. This cross-gambrel form, with wood
cladding, was a popular pattern-book design during the period from about
~9o5 to ~9~5.
4. Cincinnati, Ol~io; *9~os.
5. Union. South Carolina; ca. ,9,o. Figures 5, 8, and 9 are all early
gambrel-roof designs showing varying degrees of adventuresomeness.
They ar~ dearly descendants of the free-form gambrel designs of the pre-
ceding Shingle style.
6. Washington, District of Columbia; ca. ,9oo. An early example with a
full-front gambrel, hole the Adamesque swags on the porch frieze.
7. St. Louis, Missouri; *9~os.
8. Cleveland, Ohio; ca.
9. New Haven, Connecticut; ~9Jo. Brown and Von Beren, architects,
336 Colonial Revival
Colonial Revival