HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 340-05DISCUSSION
The purpose of the TDR program is to encourage and support the rehabilitation of historic
buildings. The program provides a floor area bonus for the qualified rehabilitation of Category 1
and 2 historic buildings and Seismic Category I, II, and III buildings which are either owned by
the City of Palo Alto or located in the Downtown CD zone district. The size of the bonus is
2,500 square feet, or 25% of the existing building, whichever is greater. Floor area bonuses may
be transferred (sold) from eligible "sender" sites for use on eligible non-historic "receiver" sites
in the Downtown. For City-owned property, floor area bonuses from eligible sender sites may
be sold by the City on the open market through a public bid process. Funds from the sale will be
used to rehabilitate eligible City-owned historic buildings.
Revisions to the Zoning Code approved by the Council in February 2005 include Chapter
18.32.090 which outlines five provisions for eligible City-owned buildings to participate in the
TDR program. A summary of those provisions is attached (Attachment B). The first provides for
the Council to designate by resolution City-owned buildings that are Category 1 or Category 2
on the City'S historic inventory or Category I, II or IlIon the City's seismic hazards
identification list as eligible to participate as a "sender sites" in the TDR program. As noted in
. the attached resolution, the Children's Library facility, located at 1276 Harriet Street, Palo Alto,
is a Category I historic building on the City of Palo Alto Historic Inventory and as such qualifies
to be a "sender site" in accordance with the first provision of Chapter 18.32.090. The resolution
also notes the Palo Alto Historic Resources Board (HRB) review and recommendation for
approval of the Children's Library project design, the recommendation from the State Historic
Preservation Office (SHPO) and the June 2005 Palo Alto Children's Library Historic Structures
Report. The Children's Library Historic Structures Report fulfills the second provision of the
attached summary requiring preparation of a historic structures report in accordance with the
standards and guidelines of the SHPO.
The second provision, requiring the City Manager to establish a public bidding process to sell the
bonus floor area development rights, will be completed in the next few weeks. The procedure
will be based on the City's formal bidding procedures, and will include an appraisal to establish
the minimum bid and Council approval of a Request for Bid Proposals (RFBP). Completion of
the third and fourth provisions of the attached summary is in process. Regarding the fourth
provision, the Planning Director has received a preliminary application for a determination that
the Children's Library is eligible for a 2,500 square foot floor area bonus. Upon approval of the
attached resolution for the Children's Library designation, the Director of Planning anticipates
approving the application.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Approval of the attached resolution satisfies one of several provisions required prior to the sale
of the transferable development rights for the Children's Library. Sale of these development
. rights will result in revenues to be used for rehabilitation and expansion of the Children's Library
in accordance with approved plans ..
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