HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-11-23 City Council (17)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
DATE:NOVEMBER 23, 1998 CMR:450:98 ~
SUBJECT: JUANA BRIONES HOUSE UPDATE
This is an informational report and no Council action is required.
BACKGROUND
At the November 16 regular City Council meeting, several members of the public inquired
about the status of the Juana Briones House. Since these comments occurred under the oral
communications portion of the City Council agenda, staff was directed to prepare a response
for the next City Council meeting.
DISCUSSION
The owners of the Juana Briones House are currently subject to a Mills Act contract with the
City of Palo Alto. Earlier this year, the property owners notified the City of their intention
not to renew the contact which, therefore, will expire in January of 2009.
More recently, the owners of the Juana Briones House made a formal application to demolish
the structure. They were informed that the demolition permit could not be approved because
the home was still under the provisions of the Mills Act contract and because the structure
was also protected under the interim historic regulations and under the existing Historic
Regulations. A letter to this effect was mailed to the property owners on November 9, 1998.
This letter is attached for reference.
As a result of this demolition request and other information relating to the condition of the
home, Planning staff has requested that the City Attorney’s office review the Mills Act
contract on this property as well as all other pertinent information contained in the City files
regarding the history and condition of this house.
Staff will report back to the Council once a full evaluation of the situation, including the
legal obligations of the property owners and the City under the Mills Act contract, is
completed.
CMR:450:98 Page 1 of 2
ATTACHMENT
Letter of November 9, 1998 to Jaim Nulman and Avelyn Welczer from George White,
Planning Manager
PREPARED BY: George White, Planning Manager
DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW:
~ ~G. EDWARD GAWF
Director of Planning and Community Environment
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
EMILY
Assistant City Manager
cc: Jaim Nulman and Avelyn Welczer
CMR:450:98 Page 2 of 2
Cityof Palo Alto
Departrtwnt oLfPIanning and
Community Environment
November 9, 1998
PlanningDMsion
Jaim Nulman and Avelyn Welczer
4272 Suzanne Drive
Pitlo Alto, Ca 94306
Subject: Demolition Permit Application for 4155 Old Adobe Road, Palo Alto
Dear Mr. Nulman and Ms. Welczer,
This letter is in response to your application for demolition permit submitted to the
Building Division on October 16, 1998. This permit cannot be issued for the
following reasons:
1. The subject address is listed as a Category 1 structure on the City Historic
Building Inventor?’. As such, it is considered a "significant building" as
defined in Section 16.49.030 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC). The
building is also a "Historic Landmark Residence" and is considered a
protected residence under the Interim Historic Regulations, Section
16.50.020(e) of the PAMC. Pursuant to Sdction 16.50.030 of the same
Interim Regulations, the demolitior; of protected residences is prohibited
except upon the determination from the Historic Resources Board that the
protected residence is without historic merit.
2. The propertT is also subject to the provisions a Historic Property
Preservation Agreement effective January 26, 1988. Section 4(a) of this
agreement stipulates that the" Owner shall preserve and maintain the historical
structures and land as a qualified historic property". As long as this a~eement
is in effect, demolition cannot be permitted. A notice of non-renewal was
submitted to the CitT on November 14, 1997 which means that the
Preservation Agreement will be in force until January 26, 2009.
Since the demolition permit cannot be issued at this time, a refund will be processed
for the submitted demolition fee minus an amount equal to the amount of the City’s
cost in reviewing this application.
250 Hamilton Avenue
P.O. Box lC?.50
Palo Alto, C4 94303
415.329.2441
415.329.0__2940 Fax