HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-05-06 City Council (2)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:
FROM:
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
DATE:
SUBJECT:
MAY 6, 2002 CMR:234:02
2560 EMBARCADERO ROAD (SEA SCOUT BASE):
RECOMMENDATION FROM THE HISTORIC RESOURCES
BOARD TO DESIGNATE THIS BUILDING TO THE CITY OF
PALO ALTO’S HISTORIC INVENTORY IN CATEGORY 1
PURSUANT TO MUNICIIPAL CODE CHAPTER 16.49 (HISTORIC
PRESERVATION ~ ORDINANCE); AND RECOMMENDATION BY
STAFF TO DELAY DESIGNATION UNTIL A STRUCTURAL
EI~IGINEERING REPORT IS COMPLETED.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the decision of the City Council regarding designation of the
building known as the Sea Scout Base, located at 2560 Embarcadero Road, be continued
until a structural engineering report on the building has been completed and evaluated by
staff.
The Historic Resources Board (HRB) recommends that the City Council designate the
building known as the Sea Scout Base, located at 2560 Embarcadero Road, as a
significant building in Category 1 based on the Board’s finding that the building meets
the definition of a Category 1 building and all six local criteria for historic designation as
set forth in Chapter 16.49.
BACKGROUND
The Sea Scout Base, dedicated on May 30, 1941, is a fine example of the Streamline
Moderne style. It is a wood frame building clad in horizontal v-groove siding and is
designed, like many other Streamline Moderne buildings, to resemble the upper portion
of a ship. It is an unusual and inventive example of the style in that its intended maritime
usage caused the design to be closer in appearance to an actual ship than is the case with
most Streamline Moderne buildings. Character-defining features of the style of the Sea
Scout Base include the overall ship-like form, fiat roofs, rounded corners, decks with
CMR:234:02 Page 1 of 6
steep metal stairways, ttiin metal railings, rows of porthole, windows, ribbons of
rectangular windows, strips of colored molding crowning the white walls which visually
serve as "speed lines" running around the building, and the !’pilot house" and mast on the
roof.
The HRB, at its meeting on November 15, 2000, reviewed the application for the historic
designation of the Sea Scout Base (see Attachment E). The co-applicants, Beth
Bunnenberg and Pria Graves, spoke during the public hearing and emphasized that the
focus of the designation should be the historic and architectural significance of the
building and its high degree of integrity, not its current physical condition or possible
future uses. Commissioners also noted that the nautical Streamline Moderne theme is
present in the interior as well as on the exterior, and that most of the original interior
features survive. The HRB unanimously voted (5-0-0-1, Mario absent) for designation of
the Sea Scout Base as a Category 1 historic building and to forward the Board’s
recommendation to the City Council. The Board’s recommendation was based on
consideration of the definitions of the Historic Categories and the criteria for designation
found in Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 16.49, and on consideration of the Dames &
Moore historic survey evaluation of the building.
Upon designation in Category 1, the Sea Scout Base would be subject to a demolition
moratorium of 60 days as set forth in PAMC 16.49.070 (a). In addition, the Architectural
Review Board (ARB), HRB, or any interested person may recommend "that the City
Council extend the moratorium up to one year, as provided in PAMC 16.49.070 (b)(c).
The ARB review of proposed alterations or additions to the building would be required to
include referral to the Historic Resources Board for recommendations, as provided in
PAMC 16.49.050 (1)(A). The Sea Scout Base would not be subject to any maintenance
regulations specific to historic structures. The maintenance regulations for historic
buildings in Chapter 16.49 apply only to the downtown CD zones, as provided in PAMC
16.49.080. Any future review process for the Sea Scout Base under the California
Environmental Quality Act would be the same with or without designation to the Historic
Inventory.
The recommendation from the HRB was scheduled for City Council action on December
11, 2000. On that date, staff requested continuance of the item to allow the Lucie Stem
Maritime Center time to prepare a feasibility analysis of the building’s proposed reuse.
DISCUSSION
As Council considers the proposed historic designation of the Sea Scout Base, it is also
necessary to review the background of the Sea Scout Base project and update the Council
on the progress made by the Lucie Stem Maritime Center (LSMC) in preserving the
building.
On February 10, 1986 (CMR:142:6), staff presented Council with a Yacht Harbor
Building Assessment Report that recommended the demolition of the Sea Scout Base as
CMR:234:02 Page 2 of 6
part of the harbor reclamation project of the Baylands Master Plan. The Plan, adopted by
Council in 1978, called for the removal of the harbor berths and buildings, including the
Sea Scout Base, in order to return the harbor to its natural state. The voters of the City
reaffirmed the Master Plan on November 4, 1980 when a ballot measure to continue
operation of the harbor was defeated.
City Lease Agreements With the Sea Scouts Since 1988
On October 24, 1988 (CMR:495:8), the City Council delayed consideration of the
proposed demolition of the Sea Scout Base by authorizing the mayor to execute a five-
year lease with a conditional five-year extension option in order to give the Sea Scouts
adequate time to find new facilities. The five-year extension option was subject to the
condition that the Sea Scouts remove the piers and existing dock and relocate its five
largest vessels during the primary lease term. The Sea Scouts removed the piers and
dock and moved the vessels to the Port of Redwood City within the allotted time period;
therefore, its request to exercise the option for an additional five years was granted. The
lease expired on June 30, 1998 and there was no provision in the lease tO allow the Sea
Scouts to occupy the facility beyond that date. On June 8, 1998 (CMR:249:98) Council
authorized the City Manager to extend the lease for two years, and directed that the Sea
Scouts be advised to find a new location, given the damaged condition of the Sea Scout
Base floor and foundation, and the apparent infeasibility of repair. To assure that the Sea
Scouts would follow through, the lease extension required that the Sea Scouts make
quarterly reports to the City Manager on their progress in finding a new location.
Community interest in preservation of the. Sea Scout base broadened after May 2000,
when the City’s historic survey consultant, Dames & Moore, found that the building
appeared eligible for the National Register of Historic Places at the State level of
significance (the highest ranking in the citywide survey).
Lucie Stern Maritime Center Organization
In .1999,. a group of current and alunmi Sea Scouts and Mariners formed the Lucie Stern
Maritime Center (LSMC) whose goals include saving the’ Sea Scout Base from
demolition, identifying preservation options, developing a private fundraising program,
and promoting designation of the building to the City’s Historic Inventory to help attract
financial support for the preservation plan. In a letter dated March 26, 1999, prepared by
Kevin Murray, Board President of the Lucie Stern Maritime Center, a proposal to open
the Sea Scout Base for public use and as a maritime library, and to continue usage of the
building for Sea Scout meetings was outlined. A second report followed in October 1999
with a more descriptive outline of the LSMC’s proposal. At its March 22, 2000 meeting,
Council extended the lease to January 31, 2001 in order to allow staff to work with the
Sea Scouts through the LSMC to identify preservation and fundraising strategies. On
March 22, staff sent a letter to Kevin Murray clarifying the information Council would
require before it could take action to encourage the relocation of the building including:
CMR:234:02 Page 3 of 6
¯A professional written evaluation of the condition of the Sea Scout Base, especially
the floor and foundation;
¯An estimate of-all costs associated with the moving and the rehabilitation of the
building including code and ADA accessibility requirements;
¯A detailed report describing how the building would be moved from its current
location.
On May 18, 2000 the City Manager met with the LSMC steering committee and,
referencing the City’s March 22 letter to Mr. Murray, outlined the information that would
be required to determine if the building could be relocated and preserved. The City
Manager also recommended that the steering committee .produce a full formal
preservation plan with indications how each task in the plan would be accomplished,
Condition of the Sea Scout Base
Staff ordered a termite inspection of the building on January 29, 2001. The inspector
found several areas of dry rot in the building’s two decks and recommended that the
decks be closed until they could be repaired. Staff posted a public notice that the decks
were unsafe and plywood was installed to prevent access to the decks. In a letter dated
March 27, 2001 staff informed the LSMC steering committee that the City would no
longer allow occupancy of the building. On March 30, 2001 the lease extension expired
and the parent organization of the Sea Scouts (Pacific Skyline Council of the Boy Scouts
of America) discontinued its insurance on the building.
The LSMC continued to pursue tasks related to preservation of the building and, in a
letter dated December 4, 2001, the LSMC’s structural engineer furnished a report based
on his examination of the exterior of the building. The engineer’s report stated that the
building could be occupied under certain conditions: the building could be used only in
"temperate" weather and only if the level of the tide was below the top of the pile caps.
At a meeting with staff on January 17, 2002, the structural engineer added that he
estimated that the building would have a 50/50 chance of surviving a move. The
engineer also stated that he had not assessed the stability of the floor or the foundation.
Based on this information, access to the building is now limited to a licensed contractor
or a structural engineer.
At the same meeting, LSMC representatives provided written documentation of LSMC’s
non-profit corporation status and furnished a letter from a general contractor estimating
the cost to relocate the Sea Scout Base to a new engineered foundation at $250,000 to
$300,000. The contractor also estimated that it would cost another $200,000 ($90 per
square foot) to allow for upgrades, both optional and as required by regulations and
building condition. Staff believes this estimate is extremely low given that in 1991 the
City spent $211 per square foot to rehabilitate the Harbormaster’s House nearby. More
than two years have passed since the City’s initial request to the LSMC for a report on the
CMR:234:02 Page 4 of 6
building’s condition, especially the state of the floor and foundation which staff believes
will be the key factor in any. plan to preserve the building. The girders and sub-flooring
that are between the floor and the pilings holding up the building have been subject to
flooding since the breakwater failed in 1971, and the building continues to deteriorate.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Designation of the Sea Scout Base to the Historic Inventory will have no funding impact.
Based on Council direction, the General Fund is not proposed to be used for any
rehabilitation or relocation of the building. LSMC presented a prop6sal (see Attachment
F) to apply for state, federal and county historic grants after the building is designated to
the Historic Inventory. The LSMC indicated that it is currently applying for funds from
local foundations that are designed to finance youth services and public education
projects. The LSMC also stated that its 160 members would be a source of funding and
volunteer labor, that the LSMC was commencing a pledge drive, that seven of their
members had already agreed to donate $2,300, and that the Palo Alto Elks Club would
donate $1,000. During the past two years the LSMC has raised only $3,300; staff is
concerned about the time that may be required for the LSMC to reach its goal of
$500,000, and whether that figure will be sufficient to preserve the building.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A:Historic Resources Board.staff report of November 15, 2000.
Attachment B:Evaluation of the Sea Scout Base by Dames & Moore.
Attachment C:Draft National Register Nomination Prepared by Beth Bunnenberg and
Pria Graves.
Attachment D:Photo Survey of the Sea Scout Building Prepared by Beth Bunnenberg.
Attachment E:Verbatim Minutes of the HRB Meeting of November 15, 2000.
Attachment F:¯ LSMC Proposal to the City of Palo Alto for the Restoration of the Lucie
Stern Sea Scout Base, January 17, 2002.
Stern Sea ~cout Base, January 17, 2002.
PREPARED BY:
Advance er
WILLIAM FELLMAN
Manager, Real Property
Administrative Services Department
CMR:234:02 Page 5 of 6
DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW:
ElM ;LIE
Director of Planning and Community Environment
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: ~t-M~--~_xr
Assistant City Manager
cc:Beth Bunnenberg, 2351 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Pria Graves, 2130 Yale Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Kevin Murray, 2069 Harvard Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306
David Bubenik, 420 Homer Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
CMR:234:02 Page 6 of 6
Attachment-A
Historic Resources Board
Staff Report
1
Date:November 15, 2000
To:Historic Resources Board
From:Dennis Backlund,
Historic Preservation Specialist
Department: Planning and.
Community Environment
Subject:2560 Embarcadero Road. Application by Beth Bunnenberg and Pria
Graves for Board review of a proposal to designate the building known
as the Sea Scout Base to the City ofPalo Alto’s Historic Buildings
Inventory. The Board is requested to recommend to the City Council a
Historic Category for the building as provided in Municipal Code
Chapter 16.49 (Historic Preservation Ordinance).
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Historic Resources Board recommend that the City Council
designate the Sea Scout Base located at 2560 Embarcadero Road to the City’s Historic
Buildings Inventory as a significant building in Category 1.
BACKGROUND
In May 1996, the Historic Resources Board received a letter from Sea Scouts member
Danielle Hui requestingthat the Board recommend designation of the Sea Scout Base as a
historic building. In June 1996, the Board prepared a draft Historic Buildings Inventory
form for the property. The City conducted an inspection of the building in September
1996 to assess its condition, determine needed repairs, and explore the options of
relocation and demolition. In February 1997, the Board received a request from the
City’s Real Estate Division to delay making a recommendation to the City Council on
historical designation until staff could analyze the feasibility of the option of moving the
building. Also in February 1997, the Board received a letter from the Office of the City
Attorney clarifying that the Board could initiate the designation procedure for the Sea
Scout Base as provided by the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance; the Board,
however, delayed initiation of the designation procedure for the Sea Scout Base until
completion of a comprehensive update to the City’s Historic Survey by the firm of Dames
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and Moore. The Board assisted Dames & Moore by providing historic field notes for the
Sea Scout Base in July 1998. Dames & Moore completed the evaluation of the building
in May 2000 (see Attachment A), finding the Sea Scout Base to be eligible for the
National Register of Historic Places at the State level of significance under Criterion A:
Events (for providing the national Sea Scout organization with an exceptional meeting
facility through the philanthropy of Lucie Stem) and Criterion C: Design/Construction
(for being an outstanding example, of the Streamline Modeme style in California).
DISCUSSION
The Building
The Sea Scout Base, dedicated on May 30, 1941, is an unusual and inventive example of
the Streamline Modeme style. This short-lived style, which lasted from the mid-1930s to
around 1940, represented, as did Art Deco, a conscious break with the eclectic period
revival styles of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Streamline Modeme grew out of Art
Deco, whose abstract Sharply angled geometrical forms and zigzag ornamentation
expressed the modem machine age. Streamline Modeme, however, featured simpler,
fluid forms which expressed the aerodynamic speed of modem transportation. The
dominant architectural features of Streamline Modeme buildings were based on the forms
and ornamentation of contemporaryautomobiles, trains, and luxury ocean liners and
consequently the style was characterized by an air of chic romantic escapism. After 1940,
Streamline.Modeme was rapidlyand aggressively replaced by the more radically
simplified International Style.
Signature Streamline Modeme features of the Sea. Scout Base include fiat roofs, rounded
comers, rows of porthole windows, ribbons of rectangular windows, thin metal railings,
and strips of colored molding crowning the walls which visually served as "speed lines"
running around the building. The v-groove wood siding contributes to the horizontal
orientation characteristic of Streamline Modeme.
The building has retained a high level of architectural integrity. The principal exterior
changes have been the replacement of the door of the third level "pilot house" and the
covering of the ground level band of windows on the right fagade with horizontal v-
groove wood siding matching the siding of the rest. of the building. These alterations are
completely reversible. Until the 1980s, the Sea Scout Base fronted directly on navigable
water which provided a natural setting that enhanced the nautical image of the building.
Since then, the dredging of the harbor has been discontinued and the area has returned to
marshlarid.
The applicants have submitted a draft National Register nomination form which presents
a detailed analysis of the interior of the building (see Attachment B). The nomination
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form describes a number of surviving original interior features and fumishings, and
shows that the interior continues the nautical theme of the exterior. The form also reveals
that the area surrounding the building is rich in historic sites.
The Arch itect
The Sea Scout Base was designed by Birge and David Clark. David Clark’s nautical
knowledge provided many of the building’s nautical details. Birge Clark was Palo Alto’s-
most important architect. He opened his Palo Alto office in the summer of 1922, and
contlnued practicing until the 1970s. He designed several hundred buildings in Palo Alto
in the course of his career. His significance is summed up by architectural historians
Paula Boghosian and John Beach in the City’s original historic survey report of 1979: "It
seldom happens that a single architect .is so influential that his work actually provides a
major component of the image o.fa city. There are, however, at least 3 California towns
where thls has happened: in San Diego with the work of Irving Gill; in Watsonville with
the work ofW. H. Weeks; and in Palo Alto with the work of Birge Clark." Clark is best
known for his Spanish Colonial Revival buildings of the 1920s and early 1930s, but from
1935 to 1940 he designed four Streamline Moderne buildings: 451 University Avenue
(former Swain’s building--1935); 790 High Street (formerPontiac showroom--1936);
1220 Hamilton Avenue (single-family residence~1938); and the Sea Scout Base
(designed in 1940 and completed in 1941). Under Criterion C of the National Register
(Design/Construction), the major significance of the Sea Scout Base is established by the
small number of Clark buildings in this style as well as by the outstanding quality of this
example oftlle styie.
Local Criteria for Designation and Definitions of Historic Categories
Chapter 16.49, Section 14.49.040 (b) provides general criteria that apply.to all historic
designations in Palo Alto (see Attachment C). The criteria are:
1.The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with important
events in the city, state or nation;
o The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of
life important to the city, state or nation;
The structure or site is an example of a type of building which was once common but
is now rare;
4.The structure or site is connected with a business or use which was once common but
is now rare;
5. The architect or building was important;
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6.The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship.
Chapter 16.49, Section 16.49.020 (b) establishes by Historic Category the level of
importance of properties that meet the general criteria for designation cited above. The
focus of the definitions ~if the Categories is on architectural significance. Category 1 and
2 buildings (significant buildings) are defined as follows:
Category 1: "Exceptional building" means any building or group of buildings of
preeminent national or state importance, meritorious work of the best architects or an
outstanding example of the stylistic development inthe United States. An exceptional
building has had either no exterior modifications or such minor ones that the overall
appearance of the building is in its original character.
Category 2: "Major building" means any building or group of buildings of major
regional importance, meritorious works of the best architects or an outstanding example
of an architectural style or the stylistic development of architecture in the state or region.
A major building may have some exterior modifications, but the original character is
retained.
Recommended Findings for Designation
Based on a review of the criteria for designation and the de’finitions of the Historic
Categories found in Municipal Code Chapter 16.49, and based on a consideration of the
Dames & Moore Historic Survey Evaluation, staff concludes that the Sea Scout Base at
2560 Embarcadero Road meets all six local criteria for designation as follows:
It represents the development of the nationally important Sea Scout organization, the
development of the Palo Alto harbor, and the local philanthropy of Lucie Stern
(Criterion 1).
It is an outstanding example of the Streamline Modeme style in California, and
represents a style that is nationally significant (Criterion 2).
It represents a rare surviving example of a Palo Alto harbor building (Criterion 3).
¯It represents a harbor usage that has vanished along with the harbor (Criterion 4).
¯It is an exceptional example of the work ofPalo Alto’s most important architect, Birge
Clark, and of his distinguished brother, David Clark (Criterion 5).
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¯It is a carefully designed and inventive adaptation of the Streamline Moderne style to
a complex seafaring usage that is in complete harmony with the style. (Criterion 6).
The structure meets the definition of a Category 1 building in that it retains a high level of
integrity and is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places at the State level of
significance under Criterion C (Design/Construction) as an Outstanding example of a
nationally important style.
TIMELINE
Following review and recommendation by the Historic Resources Board, the proposal to
designate the Sea Scout Base to the City ofPalo Alto’s Historic Buildings Inventory will
be forwarded to the City Council for a public hearing scheduled for December 11, 2000.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Historic Survey Eval See CMR Attachment B Base by Dames & Moore.
Attachment B: Draft National Register nomination form ant See CMR Attachment C ion
submitted by the applicants.
Attachment C: Excerpts from Municipal Code Chapter 16.49 regarding historic
designation procedures.
COURTESY COPIES
Beth Bunnenberg, applicant
Pria Graves, co-applicant
Bill Fellman, City of Palo Alto Real Estate Division
PREPARED BY:Dennis Backlund
Historic Preservation Specialist
REVIEWED
JULI CAP "
~cCe~an~ning Manager
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Palo Alto Municipal Code
Chapter 16.49 HISTORIC PRESERVATION*
Sections:
16.49.010
16.49.020
16.49.030
16.49.040
16.49.050
16.49:060
16.49.070
Purpose.
Definitions.
Historic resources board.
Designation of historic structures/sites.
Exterior alteration or historic structures.
Demolition of significant buildings in the downtown area.
Demolition of contributing buildings in the downtown area and
significant buildings other than in the downtown area.
16.49.080 Maintenance of historic structures in the downtown area.
16.49.090 Enforcement.
16.49.100 Severability.
Editor’s Note: Prior ordinance history: Ordinance Nos. 3197, 3243, 3333 and 3523.
16.49.010 Pu.rpose.
It is found that the protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of structures,
districts and neighborhoods of historical and architectural significance located within the
city are of cultural and aesthetic benefit to the community. It is further found that the
economic, cultural and aesthetic standing of this city will be enhanced by respecting the
heritage of the city. The purposes of this chapter are to:
(a) Designate, preserve~ protect,, enhance and perpetuate those historic
structures, districts and neighborhoods which contribute to the cultural and aesthetic
heritage 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,
districts and neighborhoods;
(d)Develop and maintain appropriate settings for such structures;
(e)Enrich the educational and cultural dimensions of human life 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;
(g)Establish special requirements so as to assure the preservation and the
satisfactory maintenance of significant historic structures within the downtown area.
(Ord. 3721 § 1 (part), 1986)
16.49.020 Definitions.
Throughout this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) "Downtown area" means that area 0fthe University Avenue business district
subject to Chapter 18.48 of Title 18 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (the Zoning Code) "
and all zones within the geographical boundaries shown .on the maps incorporated into
Chapter 18.48, including planned community and public facility districts.
(b) "Historic categories" means those, categories established to define and
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categorize the historic structures/sites on the historic inventory. Those categories are as
follows:
Category 1’ "Exceptional building" means any building or group of buildings of
preeminent national or state importance, meritorious work of the best architects or an
outstanding example of the stylistic develop.ment of architecture in the United States. An
exceptional building hashad eitherno exterior modifications or such minor ones that the
overall appearance of the building, is in its original character.
Category 2: "Major building" means any building or group of buildings of maj or
regional importance, meritorious works of the best architects or an outstanding example
of an architectural style or the stylistic development of architecture in the state or reglon.
/~ major building may have some exterior modifications, but the original Character is
retained.
Category 3. or 4: "Contributing building" means any building or group of buildings
which are good local examples of architectural styles and which relate to the character of
a neighborhood grouping in scale, materials, proportion or Other factors. A contributing
building may have had extensive or permanent changes made to the original design, .such
as inappropriate additions, extensive removal of architectural details, or wooden facades
resurfaced in asbestos or stucco.
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16.49.040 Designation of historic structures/sites.
(a) Procedure for Designation of Historic Structures/Sites or Districts. Any
individual or group may propose designation as a historic structure/site or district. Such
proposals shall be reviewed by the historic resources board,, which will make its
recommendation to the council. Designation of a historic structure/site or district must be
approved by the city council. The procedure for such designation is as follows:
(1) Any proposal for designation shall be filed with the department ofpl .amfing
and community environment 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 structure/site or district’s special aesthetic,
cultural, architectural, or engineering interest or value of a historic nature; ’
(C)A description of the historical value of the structure/site or district;
(D)A description of the current condition of and any known threats to the
structure/site or district;
(E) What restoration, if any, would be necessary to return the structure/site or
district to its original appearance;
(F)Sketches, drawings, photographs or other descriptive material;
(G)Other supporting information.
(2)Each proposal shall be considered by the historic resources board at a public
hearing within sixty days of the receipt of the proposal. In any case where 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 board 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
twelve days prior to the date of the hearing by publication at least once in a newspaper of
general circulation, or by mail to the applicant, to the owner or owners of the property,
and to the owners of property within three hundred feet of the site.
(4) The historic resources board shall recommend to the city council approval,
disapproval or modification of an application for designation.
(5) The city council may approve, disapprove or modify a recommendation for
designation and, in any case where an application for a planning or building permit is
pending concurrently with the proposal for designation, such decision shall be made
.within thirty days of the recommendation, if any, of the historic resources board.
(6) After approval of the designation of a structure/site or district, the city clerk
shall send to the owners of the property so designated, by mail, a letter outlining the
basis for such designation and the regulations which result from such designation. Notice
of this designation shall also be filed in the building department and the department of
planning and community environment files.
(b) Criteria for Designation. The following criteria, along with the definitions of
historic categories and districts in Section 16.49.020, shall be used as criteria for
designating additional historic structures/sites or districts to the historic inventory:
(1) The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with
important events in the city, state or nation;
(2) The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or
way of life important to the city, state or nation;
(3) The structure or site is an example of a type of building which was once
common, but is now rare;
(4) The structure or site is connected with a business or use which was once
common, but is now rare;
(5)The architect or building was important;
(6)The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention
to architectural design, detail, materials or Craftsmanship.
(Ord. 3721 §,1 (part), 1986)
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Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 2560 Embarcadero Rd
Other Identifier: 2560 Embarcadero Rd
Location: [] Not for Publication [] Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5’ Quad Mountain View, CA Date 1991 T__; R ~; __¼ of__¼ of Sec ¯B.M.
c. Address 2560 Embarcadero Rd City Palo Alto Zip 94303
d.UTM: (Give more than one for large andlor linear resources) Zone ~; mE/~ mN
*e.Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 008 05 001
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The Sea Scout Base at 2560 Embarcadero Road is a wood-frame structure clad in horizontal siding and covered by flat roofs
at three levels. It is built on pile foundations with exposed concrete pile caps. Thebuilding is designed to look like the upper
part of a ship. Like a ship, it has rounded corners, a mix of porthole windows and bands of windows for continuous views, flat
roof areas that are designed as decks with railings, and a mast. In plan and massing, it consists of four symmetrica!ly arranged
parts: a high central block that is rectangular at one end and rounded at the other. T~is high central block is flanked by lower
rectangular wings and on its roof is a small observation room like a pilot house. Across the front is a system of decks, railings
and stairs. ’"
The design can be compared to other distinguished examples of the Streamlined Moderne style in California like the National
Maritime Museum in Aquatic Park, San Francisco, designed by William Mooser, Sr. and William Mooser, Jr. in 1939 and the
Coca Cola Bottling Company plant in Los Angeles designed by Robert Vo Derrah in 1936-1937.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP39 Other
*P4. Resources Present: [] Building O Structure n Object n Site [] District [] Element of District [] Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b, Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
2560 Embarcadero Rd; view west;
09[20/99; by B. Vahey; roll BRV-85,
ne.q #16
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source:[] Historic
[] Prehistoric [] Both
1941 ; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
City of Palo Alto
2510 Embarcadero Way Palo Alto CA
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Dames & Moore.
221 Main Street Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*Pg. Date Recorded:
2000
*PIO. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
Pll. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
.*Attachments: [] NONE [] Location Map [] Sketch Map [] Continuation Sheet [] Building, Structure and Object Record
[] Archaeological Record [] District Record [] Linear Feature Record [] Milling Station Record [] Rock Art Record
[] Artifact Record [] Photograph Record [] Other (List)’
DPR 523A (1/95)/ EMBA2560.F1 *Required information.
Page ~ of ~*NRHP StatusCode 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 2560 Embarcadero Rd
BI.
B2.
B3.
*B5.
*B6.
Historic Name:
Common Name;
Original Use:B4. Present Use: Other
Architectural Style: Streamlined Moderne
Construction History; (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1941: Built (Palo Alto Times)
ca. 1999: New roof, replacement of wood panels and floors, Waterproofing measures, and "facelifts" on
interior/exterior
*B7.Moved? [] No [] Yes [] Unknown Date:Original Location:
*BS. Related Features:
B9a.
*BIO.
Architect: Birqe and David Clark b. Builder:
Significance: Theme A: Sea scoutin.q; C,: Streamlined Moderne and work of Bir.qe and David Clark Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1940-1980s Property Type institutional Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The Palo Alto Yacht Harbor was created in 1928 under the direction of the city engineer, J.F, Byxbee, at the confluence
of San Francisquito Creek and Mayfield Slough. The Sea. Scout House occupies a site leased from the city and fronting on
Mayfield Slough, which served as docks for training vessels. According to a Palo Alto Times article, of 2 August 1988, the
Baylands Master Plan adopted by the Palo Alto City Council in 1978 had ended the dredging of the harbor and the resulting
marshlands had already ended docking at this site except for the smallest boats.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times printed, on 31 October 1940, an article, "Sea Scouts to Get Base," with an architect’s rendering
of the project. That article named the brothers Birge and David B. Clark as architects and said that the project was made
possible by a gift from Mrs. Louis Stern. Another Palo Alto Times article "Sea Scouts ’Board’ New Base" (18 April 1941 ) said
that the building had been completed by 16 April 1941 and would be formally dedicated 30 May 1941. Birge M. Clark
mentioned the project in An Architect Grows Up in Palo Alto in which he claimed that it was not entirely paid for by Mrs. Stern,
that a city owned dredger and small- pile driver had been used at no charge, and that an anonymous gift of six inch steel pipe
had also been made. There is no documentary evidence of alteration to the structure, but in a Palo Alto Times article of 19 April
See continuation sheet
B11.Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12.References:
B13.
See continuation sheet.
Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: May 12, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
DPR523B(1/95)EMBA2560.F1 *Required Information
Page3 of 5 Resource Identifier: 2560 Embarcadero Rd
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardv (historv) *Date May 12, 2000 [] Continuation Update
History (continued)
1968, "Sea Scout Base problem," a spokesman admitted that the building was in something of a state of disrepair: A Palo Alto
Times article, of 17 January 1974, reported that the building was subject to flooding at more and more regular intervals. Kevin
L. Murray, an official of the Boy Scouts, said (in his "Briefing on the History of the Palo Alto Sea Scouts and Palo Alto Scout
Base" delivered at the Palo Alto City Council Meeting of 8 June 1999) that the base had recently undergone the most extensive
refit in its history which included a new roof, the replacement, of wood panels and floors, waterproofing measures, and
"facelifts" inside and out.
Use: According to the Palo Alto Times article, of 31 October 1940, the Sea Scout House was designed to serve the
requirements of a shore station as well as to provide for small boat work, ship and crew meetings, and social activities of sea
scouting for the Stanford Area Council. The waterside frontage was always used for docking Sea Scout vessels until the 1980s
when dredging of the yacht harbor was discontinued, and the waterv~ays quickly reverted to marshland.
Evaluation
The Sea Scout Base at 2560 Embarcadero appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the State level of significance.
The period of significance is 1940-1980s.
Under criterion A, the building "provided one of the most comprehensive Sea Scout meeting facilities in the nation" according
to Kevin Murray. It also represented a major example of the philanthropy of Lucie Stern of Palo Alto. A reflection of its
significance was its dedication at which the President of Stanford University spoke, a message was read from Herbert Hoover,
"the Stanford band played, and a commander of the United States Navy delivered the invocation and benediction" (Backlund).
Under criterion C, the Sea Scout base is an outstanding example of the Streamlined Modeme style in California. It is also an
important work of the important local architects Birge and David Clark.
References
Backlund, Dennis. Memorandum to the Historic Resources Board. "Sea Scout Base, Palo Alto Harbor." 19 June 1996.
Baird, Mike, City of Palo Alto Building Inspection Supervisor. Memorandum to Emily Harrison, Director of Administrative Services
Department. "Sea Scout Building Inspection Report." 4 September 1996.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Clark, Birge. An Architect Grows up in Palo Alto.
Crowe, Michael (Art Deco Society of California). Telephone conversation with Michael Corbett. 12 May 2000.
Gebhard, David, Eric Sandweiss, and Robert Winter. Architecture in San Francisco and Northern California. Revised edition.
Salt Lake City: Gibbs M. Smith, Inc., 1985.
Gebhard, David and Robert Winter. Los Angeles: An Architectural Guide. Salt Lake City: Gibbs Smith, 1994.
Hui, Danielle. Letter to Mildred Mario. 29 April 1996.
Murray, Kevin L: "History of the Palo Alto Sea Scout Base." 1998.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
DPR 523L (1/95) EMBA2560.F1 *Required Information
Page._4 of 5 Resource Identifier; 2560 Embarcadero Rd
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date May 12, 2000 ~ Continuation [~ Update
References (continued)
Palo Alto Historic Resources Board. "Sea Scout Base (Sea Scouts of the Stanford Area Council)." Historic Resources Inventory,
Form DPR573. 1996.
Palo Alto Times. 31 October 1940, 9 April 1941, 18 April 1941, 29 May 1941, 19 March 1968, 12 August 1968, 17 January
1974, 2 August 1988.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Winslow, Ward and the Palo Alto Historical Association. Palo Alto: A Centennial History. Palo Alto: Palo Alto Historical
Association, 1993. p. 58, 111.
DPR 523L(1/95)EMBA2560.F1 *Required Information
Page ~ of 5~ *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 2560 Embarcadero Rd
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planninq Dept. GIS *Scale= 1":1314’ *Date of Map= 1999
! "
@
Pa 1o AI to
DPR 523J (1/95)
/
2560 Embarcadero
008-05-001
This d~:um~r/Is a g(aphic repr~entation o~ly of bes~ aYa~able soum~$. The Cly o/paso Alto as~’nes no taspons~liy |or any ~mrs.
pmdu~ o~theCity of F~o AJt~ GIS
*RequirecJ Information
NPS Form i0-900
(Rev.-10-90)
United States Department Qfthe Interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM
OMZ~ No. 102~-0018
Attachment C
This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for
indi~idualpropertias, and districts- See instructions in. How to
Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
(National Register. Bulletin 16A}. Complete each item by marking "x" in
the appropriate box or by entering the information requested. If any
it~d~aa.not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for
"not applicable." For functions, architectural classification,
materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and
subcategories from the instructions. Place additional entries and
narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form l0-900a). Use a
typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items.
i. Name of Property
historic name Ruth Lucie Stern Sea Scout Base
other names/site number
2. Location
street & number 2560 Embarcadero Road
city or town Palo Alto
state California code CA county
zip code 94303
not for publication
vicinity
Santa Clara code
3. State/Federal Agency Certification
As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act
of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this __ nomination
request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation
.standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic
Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth
in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property __ meets __ does not
meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property be
considered significant nationally__ statewide locally,
( See continuation sheet for additional comments?--
Signature of certifying official Date
State or Federal agency and bureau
NPS Form 10-900
(Rev.-10-90)
USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form
Lucie Stern Sea Scout Base
Santa Clara, California
OMB No. 1024-0018
Page 2
In my opinion, the property__meets does not meet the National
Register criteria. ( __ See continuation s------heet for additional comments.
.S~,~-nf COmm~-nting or other official Date
State or Federal agency and bureau
4. National Park Service Certification
I, hereby certify that this property is:
entered in the National Register
See continuation sheet.
d~rmined eligible for the
National Register
See continuation sheet.
de--~rmined not eligible for the
National Register
removedfrom the National. Register
other (explain):
Signature of Keeper Date of Action
5. Classification
Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply)
private
Tpublic-local
public-State
public-Federal
Category of Property (Check only one box)
X building(s)
district
site
structure
object
Number.of Resources within Property
Contributing Noncontributing
1 buildings
sites
structures
1 objects
Total
NPS Form 10-900
(Rev. 10"90)
USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form
Lucie Stern Sea Scout Base
Santa Clara, California
OMB No. 1024-0018
Page 3
Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National
Register N/A
Name of related m~itiple property, listing (Enter"N/A" if property is no
part of a multiple property listing. }
N/A
6. Function or Use
Historic Functions (Enter categories
Cat: Social
Defense
Social
from instructions)
Sub: clubhouse
militar~ facility
civic
Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions)
Cat: Social Sub: clubhouse
7. Description
Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions)
Modern Movement: moderne
Materials (Enter categories from instructions)
foundation wood, metal, concrete
roof asphalt,
walls ,wood
other metal railings, wood plank decks
and balconies
Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of th~
property on one or more continuation sheets.)
NPS Form 10-900
(Rev..10-90)
USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form
Lucie Stern Sea Scout Base
Santa Cla~a,California
OMB No..i024-0018
Page 4
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark "x" in one.or more boxes
the criteria qualifying the property for National Register listing)
X A Property is associated with event~ that have madea significant
contribution to the broad patterns of our history.
X B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in
our past.
for
X C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type,
period, or method of construction or represents the work of a
master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a
significant and distinguishable entity whose components ’lack
individual distinction.
D Property has yielded, or is likely.to yield information important
in prehistory.or history.
Criteria Considerations (Mark "X" in all the boxes that apply.)
A
purposes.
B
owned by a religious institution or used for religious
removed from its original location.
C a birthplace or a grave.
D a cemetery.
E a reconstructed building, object, or structure.
F a commemorative property.
G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within th~
past 50 years.
Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions)
Architecture
Maritime History
NPS Form 10-900
(Rev..10-90)
USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form
Lucie Stern Sea Scout Base
SantaClara, California
Period of significance. 1941 -1980’S
OMB No. 1024-0018
Page 5
Significant Dates 17 December,. 1941
WWII
Significant Person (Complete if Criterion B is marked above)
Stern, Lucie
Cultural Affiliation
Architect/Builder Clark, Bizge
Clark, David
Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the
prQperty on one or more continuation sheets.)
9. Major Bibliographical References
(Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form
on one or more continuation sheets.)
Previous documentation on file (NPS)
preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been
requested.
previously listed in the National Register
previously determined eligible by the National Register
designated a National Historic Landmark
recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey
recorded by Historic AmericanEngineering Record
Primary Location of Additional Data
State Historic Preservation office
Other State agency
Federal agency
X Local government
University
X Other
Name of repository: Palo Alto Historical Association archives
NPS Form 10-900
(Rev. 10-90).
USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form
Lucie Stern Sea Scout Base
Santa Clara, California
OMB No. 1024-001
Page 6
i0. Geographical Data
Acreage-of Property .399 + .153 acres
UTMReferences .(Place additional UTMreferenceson a continuation
Zone EastingNorthing Zone Easting Northing
1 3
2 4
See continuation sheet.
sheet
Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property on
continuation sheet.)
Boundary Justification (Explain why the boundaries were. selected on a
continuation sheet.)
11. Form Prepared By
name/title ~r ~’ ~_ ~ r~ v
organization
street & number
telephone
city or town Palo Alto
Additional Documentation
date
state CA zip code 94306
Submit "the following items with the completed form:
Continuation Sheets
Maps
A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property’s
location.
A sketch map for historic districts and properties having large
acreage or numerous resources.
Photographs
Representative black and white~photographs of the property.
Additional items (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items)
NPS Form i0-900
(Rev. ¯ 10-90 )
USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form
Lucie Sterm Sea Scout Base
Santa Clara, California
OMB No. 1024-0018
Page 7
Property Owner
(Complete this item at the request of the SHPO or FPO.)
name City of PaloAlto
street & number 250 Hamilton Avenue
telephone
city ~r town PaloAlto state CA zip code 94301
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected
for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate
properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list
prQperties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is
required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the National Historic
Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C, 470 et seq.).
Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is
estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including the time for
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing
and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate o~
any aspect of this form to the Chief, Administrative Services Division,
National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and th
Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Project
(i024-0018), Washington, DC 20503.
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
United States Department
National Park Service.
of the Interior
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINEATION SHEET
Section 7
~MB No. 1024-0018
Page 8
Lucie Stern Sea Scout
Santa Clara, California
Narrative Description Section 7
~e Sea Scout Base is a wood-frame structure clad in horizontal siding
and covered by flat roofs at three levels. The building is designed to
look like the upper part of a ship.and stands by itself on the edge of
the marshland that was once dredged to form a harbor. Like a ship, it
has rounded corners, am ix of porthole windows and bands of windows for.
continuous views, flat roof areas that are designed as decks with
railings, and a mast.
Across Embarcadero Road on Parcel 1 is the anchor pole structure for a
bosun’s chair, used bythe scouts to practice land to sea rescue
procedures.
The design can be compared to other distinguished examples of the
Streamlined Moderne style in California. Examples include the National
Maritime Museum in Aquatic Park, San Francisco (designed by William
Mooser, St. and WilliamMooser, Jr. in 1939) and the Coca Cola Bottling
Company plant in Los Angeles (designed by Robert Vl Derrah in 1936-1937).
Since the building was dedicated in 1941, it has been in continuous use
as a Sea Scout base. Very few interior or exterior modifications have
been made and all are reversible. There have been instances of
deterioration due to weather andsalt-water intrusion, In sum, the
building possesses a high degree of integrity. ¯
Foundation
The structure rests on 6" steel pipe piles with exposed concrete caps~dr~
20’ deep to a shell bank. On top of the caps are wooden beams that
support the building. A sea wall of concrete sandbags protects the
building from tidal action along the south face where the harbor used to
be.
Exterior
In plan and massing, the Sea Scout Base consists of four symmetrically
arranged parts: a high central block that is rectangular at one end and
rounded at the other. This high central block is flanked by lower
rectangular wings and on its roof is a small observation room like a
pilot house. Across the front is a system of decks, railings and stairs.
The nautical theme .is dominant throughout. Most notable among the
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
OMB NO.
N~TIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET
Section
1024-0018
Page 9
Lucie Stern Sea Scout Base
Santa Clara, California
nautical features are the 24" porthole windows used throughout the
building, the pilot .house, and the mast flag pole. The str~cture is cl~
in v-groove wood siding which emphasizes the. elongated lines.
The seven iarge windows on the east side of the building have been
covered with V-groove wood siding whichmatches the exterior of the
building. The windows are intact behind the siding so this alteration
could be reversed.
Interior
The interior continues the nautical theme of the exterior with many
features found on ships. According to the finish schedule on the
architects" drawings many common materials of the day were used. These
include: pine flooring~ celotex ceiling panels, marine plywood, etc. In
keeping with the Streamlined Moderne style, 1 ~" diameter round metal
railings are used to form long deck railings that connect with
streamlined rounded curves throughou~ the structure. Architects Birge
and David Clark used nautical terms on their architectural plans to
designate rooms and areas. Their terms are used below.
"MainDeck" (Large Central Meeting Room)
The large main meeting room is shaped like the stern of a ship with a
rounded end. This main two-storyvol~une has second-story "Lower Bridges~"
at either end. Natural lighting is provided by ten 24" porthole windows
at the second-story level. Two additional porthole windows on. the south
"Lower Bridge" provide additional light. Eight 4’ X 3’ horizontal steel-
framed windows at the ground level also provide light and a view of the
duck pond areaand the bosun’s chair structure across Embarcadero Road.
Four of these windows open out horizontally and are operated by brass
[?] casement latches. The other four windows are fixed. Artificial
lighting is’supplied by two Overhead fluorescent fixtures. It is
uncertain if these are original to the building.
The ceiling consists of 4’X4’ sections of Celotex with 1 ~" wood strips
covering the joints. An electrical space heater is hung high on the
south wall; it may or may not be original.
A fireplace constructedof used brick is located at the north end of the
room. The opening is 44" wide and 26 ~" high and is lined with firebrick.
The exterior used brick creates a pattern at both ,corners by.alternately
matching the plane of the front of the fireplace and the angle of the
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
OMB No. 1024-0018
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEE~
Section 7 Page 10
Lucie Stern Sea Scout
Santa Clara, California
L
sides. Thebrick hearth is 16" X 56". No fireplace ¯hardwareis
evident. A metal flue extends from the top of the firebox up through
the roof like the stack of a ship. Plywood walls enclose the flue at
the interior. On either side of the fireplace are simple built-in
benches with slant supports.
Other seating original to the room consists of a number of 82" X 14 ~"
wooden movable benches. They are constructed with 2" solid wood tops
and simple tapered wooden legs that protrude through the tops. They
appear to be hand made as was.typical of many furnishings in WPA
projects of the era. Several of these benches are still in use.
The walls are ~" marine plywood. Square molding is used at ceiling
level. A 1 5/8" rounded molding reminiscent of a ship’s bumper rail is
located 4’ above the floor level. Below this molding the plywood walls
are currently painted white. The molding is royal blue. The
architect’s drawings indicate wood stain for the walls.
High display shelves along the east and west walls appear to be .newly
installed. A framed wooden alcove houses the fire extinguisher~
Entry Way
From the exterior deck on the waterfront (south side of the building), a
36" X 80" wooden door is the main entry into the building. This small
entry way area is two steps below the Main Deck meeting room. The entry
way has one large bulletin board on each side wall and a ledge shelf for
holding the Log Book below the bulletin board on the east wall. One
overhead electric light bulb provides lighting.
North "Lower Bridge" - above the Main Deck
This balcony-like area on the north end of the main room is raised to
second-story level over the fireplace. The front edge is suspended from
the ceiling by two long metal rails, which are threaded and bolted under
the balcony floor. The back edge is attached to the wall. Round bent
moderne style metal rails on the front are reminiscent of a ship’s
railings. Currently these rails are painted royal blue.
NPS .Form 10-900-a
(8-86}
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET
OMB No~ 1024-001
Section 7 Page 11
Lucie Stern Sea Scout
Santa Clara, California
~he function of this area is unknow~ as there is no stairway to the
area. It may be just a decorative.element as the fireplace is the foc~
point of the room.
Sou~h ~Lower Bridge" - above the Main Deck
The south end of the Main Deck contains a functioning Lower Bridge.
is reached by a wooden ship’s ladder-type stairway which ascends steep]
to the second floor level. The top landing is a quarter circle
protruding, from the balcony, and the round handrails are in bent,
moderne style. A unique original metal wall bracket secures the handrai
to the wall. These rails are painted royal blue.
This bridge has two 24" diameter porthole windows and a door to the
outside upper deck of the building. One small electric light bulb
provides lighting.
On the east end of the bridge is a small restroom currently designated
as the "Women’s Head". It has one porthole window,, which has sustained
some damage to the framing. The roomcontains a porcelain sink, which
appears to be original-and a toilet, which appears tobe newer. The
walls .and ceiling are painted plywood. Square molding is used at the
ceiling and shaped molding at the floor. The floor covering is not
original. One central light globe, provides light.
On the west end of the bridge is a-small storage area designated "’Locke:
7"_ It also has one round 24" porthole window, plywood walls and
ceiling. The. floor is pine. The locker contains racks for hanging
uniforms. Other materials are stored here as well.
The door hardware on this bridge is of interest: the interior doors haw
round brass 2" "ship’s pull" door openers on the front and back of the
doors. The exterior door has round matching door knobs with fern-like
patterns. ..
Galley (south end of the "Main Deck")
The small scale of this room ~s typ~cai of a sh~p’s galley. It provides
m~.n~.mum space and connections for a small stove and refrigerator. Two
round 24’ d~_ameter metal framed p,orthole w~ndows are each secured w~th
two bolts. One w~ndow is designed to center p~vot open and ~.s secured by
an elongated brass casement latch. Carefully f~tted round~.ng wood pieces
form a smooth c~.rcle framing each porthole. One kitchen w~ndow frame has
partially come apart, but the p~eces are ~ntact.The arch~tect~’ plans
~nd~cate that the original ce~l~ng was painted plywood. This has been
removed. Exposed ce~l~ng w~ring ~nd~cates one overhead electrical light-~
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
United States Department of the~Interior
National Park Service
~
No. 1024-0018
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET
Section 7 page 12
Lucie Stern Sea Scout
Santa Clara, California
type of fixture is unknown. Molding at the ceilinglevel is square 1
1/8" strip. At the floor it is 1 1/8" shaped. The original sink has
been removed and the mahogany 1 ~" wood drain board was cut away.
Portions of the original coved mahogany back splash remain. The
faucet fixture (which may be original) is double handled with a
central swing faucet. A shaped 14 3/8" X 6 3/4" vent is located above
the sink area. Simple unadorned cabinets hang above the refrigerator
area and above part of the L-shaped countertop/drain board area. The
original plans indicate lower cabinets had some drawers and similar
cabinets of painted marine plywood. Simple thumb turn hardware was
used to secure the cabinets. The floor has some remains of asphalt-
tiles.
Ship’s Offices (South side of building)
This one story section is two steps below the Main Deck meeting
room. A wooden door with a 24 1/2" X 26 3/8" window space (glass is
missing) connects the Main Deck with the southwest side offices.
There are four offices, a men’s head, and two closets connected by a
central hall. The hall has an exterior 80" X 35" door with-an
exterior metal face and metal framed opening.
The paint locker and supply closet opening into the hall have metal
door frames and replacement doors.
The hall and some of the offices have suffered water damage. The
lower 18" of the plywood walls have been replaced in these areas with
new cement board and in others with masonite.
Men’s Head
The Men’s Head (restroom) as shown on the plans, consisted of a single
toilet enclosed by a partition, a urinal, two sinks and a small
shower. The ~loor is concrete. The walls and ceiling are painted
plywood. Square molding is used at the ceiling. The two 24" porthole
windows in the south side of the room have frosted, horizontally
grooved glass. The hall door has a rectangular vent similar to that
used in the Galley.
The painted aluminum shower stall appears.to be unmodified. It has a
round globe light fixture and unremarkable hardware.
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86).
United States Department of
National Park Service
the Interior~~
NATIONAL REGISTER OFHISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET
OMB No. 1024-0018
Section 7 Page 13
Lucie Stern Sea Scout
Santa Clara, California
The partition enclosing the toilet at the east end of the room appears
to beoriginal and has a nicely styled swinging partial door (see
photograph) which also appears to be original.. The toilet itself
appears to be newer.
The remainder of the room is currently divided by a partition that
does not appear on the architectural plans. This alteration can be
easily reversed. The middle section contains a porcelain urinal that
appears to be original. The west third of the room contains a
porcelain sink with an off-center combined hot and cold faucet. This.
may be Original.
Ship’s Office 1 (now a gear room) - north endof west wing
According to the architectural plans, this office has a pine floor and
painted plywood walls. The Celotex ceiling joins are exposed. There
is evidence of water damage on the ceiling. This office has two 4’ X.
3’ windows; one is fixed and one opens horizontally. They are
currently covered with plywood on the inside for protection. The
office is lighted with one fluorescent light.fixture.
Ship’s Office 2 - west wing, north corner
This corner office is slightly larger than the others, with pine
flooring and painted plywood walls and ceiling. There is some
evidence of water damage where the floor meets the west wall. Some
Masonite has been used as a replacement material. This alteration
is easily reversible. Quarter-round molding is used at the ceiling and
lighting is provided by one large fluorescent fixture. This office
has three 4’ X 3’ windows on the west side and two matching windows on
the north. Four are fixed windows and one opens horizontally with a
brass casement latch. The 80" X 32" original metal faced, metal
framed, door still retains the original hardware: round, 2’ diameter
brass ring pulls on both sides.
Ship’s Office 3 - west wing, middle
This small office has pine flooring, painted plywood walls and
ceiling, a fluorescent fixture, and square molding at the ceiling. It .
has two 4’ X 3’ windows. One window is fixed and one opens horizontally.
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
United States Department of theInterior
National Park Service
C~B No. 1024-0018
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET
Section 7 Page 14
Lucie Stern Sea Scout
Santa Clara, California
~hip’s Office 4 - west wing, south corner
¯ This small office has one window on the south side and two on the
west, one of which opens horizontally. The south wall of the o~fice
is V-grooved banded siding like the exterior. The other three walls are
painted plywood. The ceiling is Celotex with exposed joins. There is
one overhead fluorescent fixture. This office has an original door
with round 2" diameter brass ring pulls on both sides. According to
the architect’s plans, the flooris pine.
Square molding is used at the ceiling.
Work Room (east wing)
This exterior of this one story section mirrors the west wing. It is
also two steps down from the Main Deck meeting room and has the same
window placement. As noted above in the exterior description, the seven
windows on the east wall have been covered over for protection.
The Work Room has maintained the same usage during the entire history
of the building. In the 1970’s the north east corner was partitioned
off for an additional office (for the first girl’s Sea Scout Unit to
use the building). These partitions could be easily removed.
The pinefloor boards are 3/4" thick, with an overlap cut for an
overall width of 3 1/2". The inside wall is left roughly finished,
with diagonal boards 7/8" thick. The ceiling is open beam’
construction revealing large redwood beams. Large racks for nautical
gear, tackle, oars, etc. are suspended from the beams.
The three fluorescent fixtures appear newer. A very old (probably
original) deep bowl work sink is on the interior wall. The north and
south walls have identical 96" X 82" overhead garage doors to allow
movement of boats and large equipment. The doors can be lifted from
outside by a turning door handle. Large tracks and springs facilitate
the lift. The door leading to the Main Deck is a replacement.
NPS Form 10-900-a
. (8-86)-
United States Department of the
National Park Service
Interi0r~~
OMB No. 1024-0018
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET
Section 7 Page 15
Lucie Stern Sea Scout
Santa Clara, California
Upper Bri~e or Pilot House
On the top of the building at the third floor level is an observation
structure like a ship’s pilot house. This Upper Bridge affords
excellent views of the surrounding area and the south end of San
FranciscoBay.
The interior of this very small spacehas beenreplaced due to
weathering. The original plans call for stained plywood walls. The
door has also been. replaced. The ceiling has been removed exposing open
beams.One incandescent light fixture is located in the ceiling space.
The window on the east wall is 29" wide X 4’ high. Three windows of
the same size face the water on the south, and two more are located
on the west side. All are fixed windows (to resist high winds).
Building Dimensions
Overall building dimensions from the blue prints: width 63’ i0", greatest
length with. outside deck, 51’ 3".
ROOM. ’Width Length
Workroom 19’ 5"30’ i0"
M~n Room 24’39’ (maximum)
Galley 8’6’
Downstairs Head.12’6’
office 1 9’ 6"8’ i0"
office 2 9’ 6"13’ 2"
office 3 i0’8’ i0"
Office 4 I0’8’ i0"
Corridor 4’
Upstairs Head 6’6’
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET
Section 8
OMB No. 1024-0018
Page 16
Lucie Stern Sea Scout
Santa Clara, California
~istorlcal Context
The Palo Alto SeaScout Base is located at the foot of Embarcadero
Road (Spanish name for pier or docking place). This historic road led
to the early Wils0n’s landing, the first port for Palo Alto, which was
somewhat inland and closer to the current intersection of Embarcadero
Road and Geng Road.
A 1926 John Byxbee mapping of the PaloAlto Baylands indicates a
number of sloughs and the outflow of San Francisquito Creak at Sand
Point (near the SSB). The marshland was owned by the Morgan.Oyster
Company which produced the large mass of oyster shells still found in
the area and Continental Salt Company. John Byxbee, PaloAlto City
Engineer form any years envisioned a multiuse recreational park in the
area when many people still considered the land "practically
worthless" (as stated in a November 25, 1896 Palo Alto Live Oak
newspaper). The City had purchased a small piece of the land for the
City refuse disposal. Byxbee actively encouraged the City to
purchase more land.for his 1930 recreation plan which included a
municipal airport, a salt water swimming pool, a yacht harbor and
clubhouse, a game reserve, golf course, and picnic grounds. In order
to accomplish this plan, some of the marshland needed to be
"reclaimed"; this involved dredging and diking with sea walls which
was common practice in the 1930’s. Many parts of this recreation plan
remain around the Sea Scout Base. The current dedicated park area is
named for John Byxbee.
Duck Pond
The current oval Duck Pond was originally built in the 1930’s as a
salt water swimming pool. Due to silting and pollution problems, it
was converted into a bird refute in 1948 with funds from the estate of
Lucie Stern, heir to part of the Levi Strauss fortune.
A high pole and platform structure by the Duck Pond was built for the
Sea Scouts to do training in bo’sn chair and breeches buoy. It
remains in place and continues to be used for training and regattas.
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86) ¯
United States Department
National Park Service
of the Interio~~
OMB No. 1024-0018
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET
Section 8 Page 17
Lucie Stern Sea Scout
Santa Clara, California
Narrative Statement of Significance Section
PaloAlto Yacht Club
In 1930, the Palo Alto Yacht Club was built on the parcel to the north
east of the Sea Scout Base. That building was the center of social
and boating activities at the newly created PaloAlto Yacht Harbor.
The Yacht Club as part of its public service became the meeting place
for the newly formed Palo Alto Sea Scout unit (Ship 58) until the Sea
Scout Base was built in 1941. The Palo Alto Yacht Club burned and was
demolished as part of the plan to close the Palo Alto Yacht Harbor in the
1980’s.
Harbor Master’s Cottage (listed on the Palo Alto ~nventory and as a
California Point of Interest)
The Harbor Master’s Cottage was built in 1937by the Works Progress
Administration. Local bay adobe soil containing traces of oyster
shells was used to make the bricks. The small 2-room Spanish colonial
.revival style building with red tile roof served as the office of the
Harbor Master till the harbor closed in 1986. The City voted to close
the harbor due to environmental concerns about the destruction of
marshlands caused by repeated dredging. The harbor and boat docking
areas have been allowed to silt in and salt marsh plants such as salt
grass and pickle weed are growing in those areas. However the high
tide does still reach the Sea Scout Base. A few pilings remain. The
sea walls remain in place with a few broken areas. To the south west
on the sea scout parcel are the sites of the San Jose Sea Scout Base
and the Santa Clara Sea Scout Base. Both buildings were demolished.
Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center
The Baylands Nature Center located in the vicinity of Sand Point was open
in 1969. This low building on pilings at the edge of the salt marsh is na
for Lucy Evans who fought to preserve the natural marsh environment here.
PaloAlto Baylands
The Palo Alto Baylands also contain a greatly expanded Palo Alto Municipa
Airport. San Francisquito Creek was rerouted twice in order to accommoda
the airport. Therefore the creek now drains directly into San Francisco ~
rather than through the Yacht Harbor area. The Palo Alto Golf Course, tb
Water Treatment Plant, and The Palo Alto Landfill occupy spaces to the we
of the Sea Scout Base. The Palo Alto Landfill is in the process of
gradually being sealed and closed. Large public art installations now
occupy the natural grass mounds visible from the Sea Scout Base.
NPS Form 10-900-a
8-86
United States Department of
National Park Service
the Interior
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET
Section 8
Lucie Stern Sea Scout
Santa Clara, California
OMB No. 1024-0018
Page 18
The. Baylands/Byxbee Park area is rich in historic sites. There was once
boat repair yard near the landfill. Now the Palo Alto Sea Scout Base an
the Harbor Mater’s House are the only remaining structures that represen
the sailing history of this PaloAlto section of the San Francisco Bay.
NPS Form 10-900-a
(8-86)¯
United States Department of the
National Park Service
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC
Section i0
¯
~MB No. 1024-0018
Interior
PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET.
Page 19
Lucie Stern Sea Scout Base
Santa Clara, California
This property is.identified as parcel number 008-05-001 in the County of
Santa Clara. records.-It consists of two parcels leased to the Sea Scouts
Parcel 1
Beginning at a ~" iron pipe wi~h plug stamped CPA LS5223being N 51° 55’
32" E 1380.43 feet from a monument in the centerline of Embarcadero Road
Said monument being N 51° 37’ 00" E 1558.72 feet from the intersections
of the centerlines of Embarcadero Road and Faber Place.
Thence N 48° 45’ 42" E 256.11 feet to a ~" iron pipe with plug stamped C}
LS5223;
Thence N 420 04’ 53" W 34.34 feet to a ~" iron pipe with plug stamped C~
LS5223;
¯Thence S 45° 23’ 46" W 247.34 feet to a ~" iron pipe with plug stamped
LS5223;
Thence S 45° 02’ 06" E 19.79 feet to the point of beginning.
Containing 0.153 acres of land more or less. ,
Being part. of that certain 29.66 acre parcel recorded January 14, 1921
volume 532 of deeds at page 59 of Santa Clara County Official Records.
NPS Form 10-900-a~
(8-86)
United States Department
National Park Service
of the Interi~
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET
OMB No. 1024-0018
Section i0 Page 20
Lucie Stern Sea Scout Base
Santa Clara, California
Parcel 2
Beginning at a ~" iron pipe with plug stamped CPA LS5223 being N 53° 44’
04" E 1492.79 feet from a monument in the centerline of Embarcadero Road.
Said monument being N 51° 37’ 00" E 1558.72 feet from the intersections
of ~he centerlines of Embarcadero Road and Faber Place.
Thence S 54° i0’ 44" E 77.29 feet to a wooden hub;
Thence N 33° i0" 40" E 30.82 feet to a ~" iron pipe with plug stamped CPA
LS5223;
Thence S 52° 52’ 02" E 17.56 feet to a ~" iron pipe with plug stamped CPA
LS5223;
Thence N 42°. 52".37" E 122..32 feet;
Thence N 46° 36’ ii" E 44.92 feet;
Thence N 430.23, 49" E 16.10 feet;
Thence N 46° 36’ ii" W 45.06 feet;
Thence N 42° 52’ 37" E 29.58 feet to a nail set in a concrete sea wall;
Thence N 45° 08’ 45" W 78.14 feet to a ~" iron pipe with plug stamped CPA
LS5223;
Thence S 45° 49’ 01" W 212.41 feet to the point of beginning.
Containing 0.399 acres of land more or less.
Being part of that certain 29.66 acre parcel recorded January 14, 1921 in
volume 532 of deeds at page 59 of Santa Clara County official Records.
Photos by Beth Bunnenberg-Applicant
;nt D
Eas~Side Palo Alto Sea Scout Base with Embarcadero
Road on the right. July 2000
East s~de and rounding north end of Palo Alto Sea
Scout Base. Note Workroom garage type door and
V grove s~d~ng c0ver~ng intact w~.ndows on east wing
Palo Alto Sea Scout Base Breeches
bouy structure w~th Duck Pond ~.n
background. July 2000
Below breeches bouy structure ~n
use during Sea Scout Reunion of
May 1999.
West s~de of Palo Alto
Sea Scout Base during
Reunion of May 1999.
Note operating original
w~ndows and rounding bay
of second story deck w~th
ra~ i ~ ng.
Palo Alto Sea Scout Base In~erJor of "Main Deck" ~oom
Note original bench furniture Ju!y 2000
Palo Alto Sea Scout Base Intern.or of
"MaJ.n Deck" room with fireplace and
North "Lower Bridge" July 2000
Palo Alto Sea
Scout Base South
end w~th work-
room door and
w~ndow deta~.is
July 2000
Palo Alto Sea Scout Base
Interior "Main Deck" room
w~th sh~.p’s ladder stairs
July 2000
Palo Alto Sea Scout Base
Detail of galley porthole
window
Sample of round 2" brass "ship’s
pull" door openers found through-
out the building.
Above see Women’s Head with or]g]na]
door. Also the Ma~n Deck Celotex
ce]].]ng ~s v]s~ble.
INTERIOR DETAILS PALO ALTO SEA SCOUT BASE
July 2000
24" porthole window ~n Men’s
Head has frosted horizontally
grooved glass
Left: Detail of the exterior
door knob with fern-l~ke
pattern.
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Attachment E
HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD
Verbatim Minutes
. November 15, 2000
2560 Embarcadero Road: Application by Beth Bunnenberg and Pria Graves for Board review
of a proposal to designate the building known as the Sea Scout Base to the City ofPalo Alto’s
Historic Buildings Inventory. The Board is requested to recommend to the City Council a
Historic Category for the building as provided in Municipal Code Chapter 16.49 (Historic
Preservation Ordinance).
Chair Murden: Thatbrings us to Agenda Item Number 1, 2560 Embarcadero Road. This is an
application by Beth Bunnenberg and Pria Graves for Board review of a proposal to designate the
building known as the Sea Scout Base to the City ofPalo Alto’s Historic Buildings Inventory.
The Board is requested to recommend to the City Council a Historic Category for the building as
provided in Municipal Code Chapter 16.49 of the Historic Preservation Ordinance. Do we have
a staff presentation?
Staff Caporgno: Madam Chair, I believe all of the information that we wanted to convey to the
Board is in the staff report. However, Dennis will briefly give you an overview of that study.
Chair Murden: Thank you.
Dennis Backlund, Historic Preservation Specialist: Thank you. In this staff report I reproduced
some sections from the Historic Preservation Ordinance that indicate processes and criteria and
standards by which buildings are designated. As you see in the staff report we recommended a
Category 1 designation over a Category 2. I think we would agree that the firm of Dames &
Moore who studied this building is a nationally known historic consultant. They found the
building eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Most. of the buildings that they
study are eligible at what they call the local level of significance. This was the only building in
the entire survey that was designated at a level higher than that. Out of 6,000 buildings that they
studied this placed number one in the entire survey. Nevertheless, we have extremely high
standards in the criteria for designation which allows even a Category 2 to be designated for
what is termed an outstanding example of the style, which Dames & Moore said that this is. So
consequently, why did we recommend a Category 1? That is found on page five of the staff
report. It is an outstanding example of a nationally important style. In Palo Alto there are many
styles that are local, regional, and statewide. For example, the Spanish Colonial Revival is
significant in the southwest but the Streamline Modeme style is nationally important. Therefore,
we believe that that tied in with the Categqry 1 designation of national importance. Therefore,
that was our designation. Thank you.
Chair Murden: Thank you. Does anyone hfive any questions for staff?. Yes, Marty.
BM Bernstein: Thank you, Chairman. Just for education of the public, does the existing
condition of a structure have anything to do with its eligibility to be on the local registry?
City of Palo Alto
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StaffBacklund: The condition ofthe building does not except insofar as a condition of
deterioration has led to the loss of significant elements on the building. That is not the case with
this one. Consequently we still held to Category 1 after considering that matter. Thank you.
BM Bemstein: Thank you.
Chair Murden: If there are no other questions of staff I’ll open the meeting to the public. I do
have one card, Beth. Bunnenberg.
Ms. Beth Burmenberg, 2351 Ramona St., Palo Alto: Good moming. As you hear, I am here to
request designation of the Sea Scout Building.. I hope you will consider it as a Category I
building.
When this structure was last presented to this Board on May 17, 2000 there were major concerns
around the hazard of the height of the flagpole. You remember our discussion on the flagpole
having to do with the airport safety zone. I am happy to report that that is now a non-issue. On
the board over there you will see survey reports from a new survey that the City Surveyor began
about the 16th of May. It clearly shows that the Sea Scout Building is outside of the 1,000 foot
clear zone for the airport. The end of this measurement roughly runs along the road and
intersects only a comer of the parcel of the Sea Scout lease. Could we have the whole packet up
for the Board so they can see? Thank you.
There is a dark line which indicates the edge of that zone and the whole Sea Scout Building is
outside of that zone. It is also well outside of the 55-foot height boundary. So that on both
counts it is outside and the breeches buoy structure is under the height requirement. I see Bill
Fellman here of the Real Property Division who provided these drawings. If there are further
questions he would probably be a good person to ask. As was discussed, a continuing hazard to
the building i~ the tendency to flood during high tides, especially since the City raised the
roadway four feet. Just as a sample; this summer a fairly high tide, which was 7.1, resulted in
about 3.5 inches of water on the east and west wings, not on the main deck or the main room.
That gives you an idea of the kind of water that does come in at times. As was mentioned, there
were questions about the substructure of the building, possible costs of repair, but as you heard
the focus of this meeting is on the historic and arcliitectural merit of the structure. Merit
certainly abounds in this case.
I’d like to highlight some of the aspects of these reports as they relate to Historic Inventory
Category 1. First of all, Michael Corbett, evaluated the building, as you heard, at the State level
of significance and compared it to the Maritime Museum in San Francisco and the Coca-Cola
Bottling Company in Los Angeles. As you know, our Sea Scout Base is still adjacent to the
water when it is high tide. For this harbor setting, distinguished local architect Birge Clark and
his brother David designed a rare example of nautical Streamline Modeme. The theme is carried
from the exterior to the interior both in the overall concept and in the small details that you will
see in some of the photographs. It is reported that this reflects the nautical knowledge of David
Clark. The waterside setting and the usage through all these years are in harmony with the
nautical theme of the building. Secondly, the Palo Alto Sea Scout Base has retained a high
¯ City of Palo Alto 2
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degree of architectural integrity since its dedication May 30, 1941. The only exterior changes
are a weathered upper door in the pilot house and the covering of the east side windows with v-
groove siding. You can see that covering in the photograph that we are circulating. These
windows can be still seen from the inside of the building, from the workroom and the little store
room. The protective covering was done in the 1980s but the windows are in place and intact.
Therefore, of the four sides, three sides are completely intact and the east side could be easily
reversed to its original condition.
In terms of its historic significance, the Sea Scout Base is another piece of the very important
benevolent legacy of Lucie Stem. Her inheritance from Levi Strauss money provided funds for
many community structures and jobs for numerous workers during the Depression. Her
buildings helped to shape both the look of Palo Alto and the community focus on youth
activities, thus, I believe, qualifying her as an historic figure in the shaping of Palo Alto. The
completion of this Base just seven months before our country entered the Second World War,
meant that many of the Sea Scout officers and the young men in the program soon found
themselves in the U.S. Navy, and they servedwith distinction. The building was mobilized for
the war effort. Visitors still come to the Base and recall their mothers doing Red Cross work
there like folding bandages. It was also offered as an airplane spotting post for Palo Alto’s
defense effort. And, most importantly, since 1941 to the present the usage remains the same--as
a land-base for the Sea Scouts of the area. In short, this one building has been evaluated as
potentially eligible for the National Register on Criterion A, which is events, and C for design
and construction. I would personally suggest eligibility under Criterion B for significant ¯
persons. I therefore appeal to the HRB to approve the designation of the Sea Scout Base as a
Category 1 structure for the Historic Buildings Inventory of Palo Alto. Thank you.
Chair Murden: Thank you, Beth. I have another card from Pria Graves.
Ms. Pria Graves, 2130 Yale, Palo Alto.: Good moming. I have to put my two cents worth in.
Beth has provided a very tough act to follow. She has covered most of the salient points, the
incredible integrity of this building, the fact that even a lot of the interior is still intact. As part of
your packet you see the preliminary draft application for State status that we are working on
together at the recommendation of this Board when you last reviewed this building. You can
see, if you read through that, that much of the nautical theme continues inside and is still intact
and completely in place. There are a few bits missing but I think this is an extraordinary
opportunity to recognize a very complete example of the Streamline Moderne style. The Nature
Conservancy has a phrase that I think is applicable, "to save the last of the least and best of the "
rest." In this case Streamline Modeme was a very short-lived style and there are not terribly
many structures of that type. I think that having this waterfront setting building of the nautical
Streamline Modeme style is something extremely rare and something we need to recognize. I
would also like to reiterate what Marty said about the fact that-the issue is not the condition of
the building. I’ve sat here many times as you have rem!nded yourselves and the public that the
current status of the building has-nothing to do with whether it is historic or not. The future
possibilities for the building also have nothing to do with its historic status. You have spoken
eloquently to that in the past and I would ask you to remember that as you deliberate this
morning. Please support staff’s recommendations as a Category 1 structure. Thank you.
City of Palo Alto
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Chair Murden: Thank you, Pria. Is there anyone else in the audience who would like to address
us on this issue? Does the Board have any questions for the speakers? If not, I will close the
public hearing and bring it back to the Board for comments or a motion. Marty, should we start
at your end?
BM Bemstein: I toured the building and, just as the speakers made reference to today that the
nautical theme is very present, it does give you the impression that you’re in some kind of a boat
or ship. So that’s why I do agree with what the speakers are referring to. I looked at the report
and feel this is a very unique and outstanding structure for this particular style. In looking at the
other references of who the architects were and the owners and contributions to the world efforts
of World War II .and that history, and connections to Bay Area citizens, I am prepared, and I will
¯ make a motion that we accept the staff’s recommendation that we, the HRB, make a
recommendation to the City Council to designate the Sea Scout Base Building to be on the City’s
Historic Buildings Inventory as a Category 1.
Chair Murden: Thank you. Does anyone want to second that?
BM Kohler: I’d like to second that.
Chair Murden: We have a motion by Martin Bemstein and a second by Roger Kohler.
Comments?
BM Kohler: I’d like to say that this happens to be one of the first buildings that, as a Board
Member, I became involved with back in about 1995. We had a tour out there early in the
morning. It happens to be one of those really unique buildings, not only for Palo Alto, but I
think for the whole Mid-Peninsula here. It stands out. It is kind of its own little icon, little
feature, little element of the entire Bay Area. It, for me, has memories as a kid being involved
with the Scouts, knowing a lot of the Sea Scouts who are out there. So to me, it is almost a no-
brainer. In fact, I’m thrilled that it has come before us and that someone has taken it upon
themselves to do all the history and provide the report. So I wholeheartedly support the motion
and the staff report.
Chair Murden: Thank you. Does anyone else want to comment? Michael?
BM Makinen: Likewise, I’ve been through the structure and we toured it this past fall. I am in
full agreement and support of the motion here to designate it Historic Category 1. I would hope
that this might open up some possibilities for funding support once it is designated that will
prevent it from falling into demolition by neglect.
Chair Murden: Thank you.
BM Haviland: I would like to thank Beth and Pria for the long hours that they have put into this
project. It has been amazingly difficult to get this building, which is one of my favorite
buildings in all of Palo Alto, to.this designation. Your persistence in ferreting out some
misconceptions and some misinformation about it, I think, are highly applauded and we are
CiO, of Palo Alto 4
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deeply indebted to you. I wholeheartedly support the staff recommendation for designation as a
Category 1 building.
Chair Murden: Thank you. I also obviously support this. It is a wonderful building, and
certainly the Board has structures come before it that maybe meet one or two of the criteria of the
City. To have something come that meets all six of them is extraordinary, I think. The building
is, as you say, intact virtually. Certainly the two things that have been changed are reversible.
So I also heartily endorse this as a Category 1 building on the City’s Inventory, and heartily
endorse the recommendation to the City Council that this be a Category 1 building. Shall we
vote then?
All those in favor of the motion? (aye) Opposed? That passes with all five Board members
present and Millie Mario absent.
Historic Resources Board Action: Bemstein moved, seconded by Kohler, to recommend that
the City Council designate the Sea Scout Base to the Historic Inventory in Category 1.
Vote: 5-0-0-1 (Mafio absent)
CiO~ of Palo Alto
Attachment F
|Luc±e Stern Maritime
Center
Proposal to the City of Palo Alto
for the restoration of the
Lucie Stern Sea Scout Base
by the
L.S.M.C. Staff
17 January 2002
Purpose:
The Complete restoration of the Lucie Stern Sea Scout
Base.
The Lucie Stern Maritime Center Association (hereafter
known as the LSMC) - upon the favorable recordation
¯ ofstaff and approval by the city Council -~will be
issued a lease by the city to continue to use the
Lucie Stern Sea Scout Base as a training and meeting
site for local Sea Scouts and create a public Maritime
Museum on Sundays’ and a rental meeting site in the
main hall midweek.
The following "Reports" disclose progress on several
fronts required to realize the purpose of this
proposal. If there are additional requirements the
LSMC staff would like to accept the offer, put forward
by city council members, to work directly with the
city staff in meeting any and all other requirements.
Reports:
B.
C.
D.
.m.
G.
H.
I.
Structural Engineering Report
Soil Sample Report
General Contractor Report
HistOric Designatfon Report
Historic Architect Report
Formation of LSMC Report
Implementation Report
ADA requirements
Funding Sources Report
LSMC Staff:.
Kevin Lyle Murray, President
Scott Langdon, Vice President
Dave Collins, Secretary
Nadir Haqq, Treasurer
Rocky Trujillo, Site Project Manager
Akiko. Koda, Schedule Project. Manager
Gary Pigg, CPA Accountant
Scott Barton, Contract Attorney
Structural Engineer Report:
Please refer to attachment i.
Soil Sample Report:
The LSMC secured the services of the firm Romic
Engineers at a cost of $3,200.00 dollars for a service
that normally costs $9,000.00 dollars. Given the
nature of this Sea Scout restoration project, Romic
Engineers agreed to perform their service and write
off their normal costs as a donation to the LSMC. A
copy of this ’report will be forwarded to the city
staff early next week.
General Contractor Report:
Please refer to attachment 2.
Historic Designation Report:
The Palo Alto Historic Resource Board recommended in
November of 2002 that the Lucie Stern Sea
Scout Base be designated a category 1 city historic
site. The City of Palo Alto council received this
recommendation and tabled discussion on this issue at
a December 2000 meeting. Yesterday, 16 Jan 2002, the
Historic Resource Board received a report that this
meeting (17 Jan 2002) would be taking place today.
They express their continued support of this historic
designation and recommend to the city cbuncil
designate said building at an city historic site.
Formation of the LSMC Report:
Please refer to attachment 3.
Implementation Report:
Please refer to attachment 4.
H ADA Requirments:
The LSMC had a general contractor and a historic
architect review the site to meet ADA requirements..
Both professionals in the knowledge of. ADA
requirements on several past projects indicate that
all ADA requirements can be easily met. Specifically,
the doors leading to the main hall meet width
requirements and a ramp will not exceed grade
requirements. Also, the Ist floor restroom can be
easily converted to a unisex facility meeting wheel
chair access requirements too.
Funding Report:
The LSMC is applying for funds from local foundations
specifically designed to finance youth service and
public educational projects of this nature.
In addition, we believe once we have secured a city,
county, state and federal designation(s) as an
historic site - we then become eligible for county,
state, and federal funding specifically earmarked for
historic restoration projects. We also then qualify
for some code exemptions as an historic site.
LSMC members will also provide some funding and all of
our volunteer labor. At present our membership is at
160 members. These.members are Sea Scout and Mariner
Alumni who, at some point in their life, were touched
by the affect the Lucie Stern Sea Scout Base had in
their lives by providing an outstanding training and
meeting site. In addition, some of our members are
citizens committed to historic preservation of
noteworthy local structures. Our annual membership
dues is $25 dollars. Based on this initial source of
income and additional donations by its members this is
how we financed the soil engineering study..
I.Funding Report (cont):
We are now beginning a "pledge" drive that goes in to
effect provided the city of Palo Alto agrees to this
restoration plan. At present, the following have
registered a pledge with the LSMC:
Kevin L Murray
Rocky Truijjo
Rod Taylor.
Dennis Diesinger
Ken Murray Sr.
Scott Langdon
Miguel Pena
$500.00
$5OO.OO
$5OO.OO
$2OO.OO
$200.0o
$:200.00
$200.00
We estimate that mith half our membership registering
a $200.00 dollar pledge and the other half registering
a $500 dollar pledge we can raise an additional
$50,000.00 thousand dollars as start-up capital.
H. Funding Report(cont:
Moreover, local firms and civic organizations
will be contacted to support this worthwhile project.
For example, the Palo Alto Elks Lodge - a sponsor of
Palo Alto Sea Scouts since 1941, has just approved a
$500.00 dollar donation with the prospect of another
$500.00 dollar contribution to be confirmed at their
next general meeting.