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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 8226 City of Palo Alto (ID # 8226) City Council Staff Report Report Type: Study Session Meeting Date: 8/28/2017 City of Palo Alto Page 1 Summary Title: Historic Resources Board and Council Joint Study Session Title: Study Session: Joint Meeting of HRB and Council From: City Manager Lead Department: Planning and Community Environment Recommendation Staff recommends that Council conduct a joint meeting with the Historic Resources Board (HRB). Below are the potential topics of discussion for the joint meeting with the Historic Resources Board. I. Overview/Update a. Introduction to the HRB by staff b. HRB presentation on recent accomplishments and proposed work program additions II. Council Questions and Comments/Discussion Background The last time Council met with the HRB was May 6, 2015. Council and HRB members provided comments and recommendations on matters related to Palo Alto’s historic preservation work program and activities. No actions were taken. A recording of that meeting can be found at http://midpenmedia.org/city-council-special-meeting-3/. HRB Responsibilities The HRB is tasked with responsibilities set forth in Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 16.49 to carry out the Historic Preservation program for Palo Alto, which is a Certified Local Government (CLG). Staff submits an annual report to the Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) each year, to summarize the activities, meeting attendance, and annual required training of HRB members, in accordance with CLG guidelines. 2016-2017 This year, staff provided training on how moving of homes on a property comports with City of Palo Alto Page 2 the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Staff also provided the HRB members with an update on state law regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and the City’s response. Also during the past year, the historic preservation team reviewed several notable development projects, including the Avenidas building expansion and Junior Museum and Zoo. In addition, the HRB reviewed Guidelines projects, such as the Professorville Guidelines (adopted by Council in October 2016). In the fall of 2016, the HRB reviewed a bulletin intended to aid staff and applicants by providing a summary of the City review process for modifications to historic resources and potential historic resources. Improvements to the Historic Preservation Program website are underway. The HRB has also formed subcommittees this year to explore specific topics. One subcommittee was regarding Governance, and explored the HRB’s role in relationship to the Architectural Review Board and PCE Director. Another subcommittee formed to consider potential features of a new Mills Act program for Palo Alto. Eichler Guidelines Project Historic preservation staff began work with the consultant, Page and Turnbull, in early 2017. After two successful workshops to gather input from Eichler owners in the spring 2017, staff has been working on a walking tour brochure for the two National Register District Eichler neighborhoods. Staff also orchestrated the recent Eichler Memory Event. The Draft Eichler Design Guidelines are tentatively scheduled for formal presentation to the HRB in September 2017. Staff anticipates bringing these Guidelines and potential code changes to Council for consideration in early 2018, following review by the HRB and Planning and Transportation Commission. Discussion There are two additional projects that members of the HRB are interested in adding to the Department’s work program: 1. Modern Age Context The HRB is interested in developing a Modern Age Context Statement for Palo Alto. A context statement can provide the foundation for preservation planning, to describe the broad patterns of historical development of a community represented by the physical development and character of the building environment. A context statement, typically developed during the early stages of survey planning, can be developed as a separate activity from a survey and can identify important property types and establish eligibility criteria and integrity thresholds. A context based survey can allow the city to evaluate resources for land use planning purposes without needing to research each individual property. The OHP offers guidance in developing these statements. Staff had prepared a draft Certified Local Government (CLG) grant proposal for development of a Modern Age Context Statement in 2016, but has not had resources to focus on this effort. If the Council is amenable, staff could submit the grant proposal to the Office of Historic Preservation in 2018 following completion of the Eichler Guidelines project. City of Palo Alto Page 3 2. Mills Act Program The Mills Act allows local jurisdictions to enter into contracts with property owners of historic properties much like the Williamson Act allows jurisdictions to enter into contracts with owners of agricultural properties. In both cases, the contract requires preservation of the resource in exchange for a property tax adjustment. The City of Palo Alto has one Mills Act contract, but has never crafted a Mills Act program to incentivize historic preservation. In the next month or so, the Council will see an amendment to an existing Mills Act contract for the Squire House on their consent agenda. From time to time, other property owners have expressed interest in entering into a Mills Act contract and the HRB held three sessions to discuss establishment of a program, beginning with April 27, 2017. The April 27th report recalled the May 6, 2015 HRB-Council meeting suggestion that the HRB discuss possible parameters for an updated Mills Act application, and how to strike a balance for the right amount of incentive for preservation without taking too much revenue away from the schools. Links to the three HRB reports on the Mills Act are here:  April 27th report: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/57244  May 25th report: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/57907  June 8th report: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/58117. Minutes of the June 8th meeting are found at: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/58351. Councilmember input on these potential additions to staff’s work program would be appreciated. Given limited staffing for the historic preservation program, both projects would have to be completed as time permits.