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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-04 Architectural Review Board Summary MinutesPage 1 of 4 Architectural Review Board Meeting Summary Minutes: 9/4/25 ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD MEETING MINUTES: September 4, 2025 Council Chamber and Zoom 8:35 AM Call to Order / Roll Call The Architectural Review Board (ARB) of the City of Palo Alto met on September 4, 2025, in Council Chambers and virtual teleconference at 8:35 AM. Present: Chair Chen, Vice Chair Adcock, Board Member Hirsch, Board Member Rosenberg, Board Member Jojarth Absent: None Oral Communications None Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions None City Official Reports 1. Director’s Report, Meeting Schedule, and Upcoming Agenda Items Historic Preservation Planner Steven Switzer listed the 3 items on the agenda for the September 18 meeting: the Tier 2 Wireless Facility, a study session with the Urban Land Institute for the Palo Alto Transit Center, and a San Antonio Road Area Plan update. Vice Chair Adcock asked if those items were placed in order for the next meeting. Mr. Switzer said the agenda placement was not finalized. Action Item 2. PUBLIC HEARING / QUASI-JUDICIAL. 180 El Camino Real [25PLN-00092]: Recommendation on Applicant’s Request for Major Architectural Review Approval for Exterior Storefront Revisions and Improvements, Including a New Outdoor Dining Area, Façade Revisions and New Signage for Page 2 of 4 Architectural Review Board Meeting Summary Minutes: 9/4/25 a New Tenant, Ralph Lauren (Space #383, Building M), at the Stanford Shopping Center. CEQA Status: Exempt from CEQA per Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). Zoning District: CC (Community Commercial). Tamara Harrison, Planner for Michael Baker International, presenting on the new tenant Ralph Lauren and Ralph’s Café, located within the Stanford Shopping Center. The Stanford Shopping Center is subject to the Master Tenant Façade & Sign (MTFS) Program, which determines which tenant spaces require certain levels of City review. Storefronts above 35 feet in length require an ARB public hearing. This tenant is located at the Sandhill Road entrance. The proposed exterior façade improvements are to repaint the existing metal awnings, storefront systems, and doors; add a new entry/storefront system for the café on the south elevation; add new outdoor café seating/dining area on the south elevation; add new exterior lighting, furniture, floor tiles, and door hardware; and have new signage. Slides of the proposed changes were shown. The façade design was found to be consistent with the MTFS program and the Shopping Center’s character. All signage was determined to be consistent with the MTFS program except the primary wall sign on the southwest elevation, which exceeds the allowable wall sign height by 4 inches. Staff added a Condition of Approval (COA) to the project that the sign will be lowered to a maximum of 2 feet at the time of building permits. The key considerations and conditions are to ensure the project is in conformance with ARB findings, the MTFS program with COA, and PAMC 16.20, the City’s Sign Code. The recommended motion is to recommend approval of the proposed project’s façade changes and signage to the Director of Planning & Development Services based on findings and subject to staff’s conditions of approval. Vice Chair Adcock noted the report said the maximum height for capital letters was 18 inches and asked if the proposed sign with the COA complied. Vice Chair Adcock questioned if there was a font height limit for the primary sign. Ms. Harrison clarified the sign was considered a primary sign, so the maximum height is 24 inches. Mr. Switzer referenced a slide image showing both the primary and secondary signs. The secondary sign’s font height was about 5 inches and was detailed in the plan set. The COA was regarding the top, primary sign, for which there was no font height limit, only panel height and width restrictions. Board Member Hirsch asked if the perimeter concrete will be removed and if the new slate material will be inside or outside the building. Chair Chen asked for clarification on how primary and secondary signs were defined and if the Master Signage Program limits the number of them. Ms. Harrison confirmed the existing concrete in the walkway area will remain and the slate will be used in the entry vestibule area. Ms. Harrison clarified the Master Program allows one primary sign per tenant but with corner tenants or those who have 3 façades, primary signs are allowed on each façade to maximize advertising. Not all wall signs are considered primary signs. Jason Smith, from Landshark Development, as applicant for Ralph Lauren, said the pin-mounted letters on the primary sign were 12 inches and the background was 28 inches. Page 3 of 4 Architectural Review Board Meeting Summary Minutes: 9/4/25 Nadir Naqvi, Director of Store Development at Ralph Lauren, wanted to retain the integrity of the building and embrace the canopies. The interior design took cues from the exterior. Mr. Naqvi explained how the on-brand color palette was chosen and highlighted the proposal to add a window to activate the side alley. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no requests to speak. Board Member Rosenberg asked about the upper windows, noting how they looked closed in the renderings. Board Member Rosenberg wondered how the sizing of the exterior café seating area was determined. Vice Chair Adcock asked what the intent was for quality and durability of the paint on the canopies and if the storefront system will be powder-coated in place. Vice Chair Adcock queried if the proposed light level was lower than existing given the reduction in the light fixture count. Mr. Smith clarified the upper windows belonged to the Stanford Medical offices and were not part of the Ralph Lauren project. The number of café seats was limited to maintain the required 8-foot clearance. Mr. Smith noted the canopies were steel structures and will be left in place, sanded, cleaned, painted, and maintained when necessary. The new portion of the storefront windows and glazing in front of the café area will be powder coated off-site and then installed. Mr. Naqvi said the existing stainless steel will be clad with powder-coated metal both inside and outside. The lighting had been reviewed and discussed with the mall. Light additions include sconces, which emit a higher light level, and street lamps that run along the alley. The lights above the windows in the white stucco are proposed to be removed and the spots will patched and painted. Board Member Hirsch asked if the façade color scheme will match what is presently on the building, what the light fixture between Ralph Lauren and Bang & Olufsen will be, and if there will be a separation between the outdoor eating area and pedestrian walkway. Vice Chair Adcock asked what color green the stucco around the café will be painted. Mr. Naqvi said the painting of the façade is not in the scope of Ralph Lauren and the last column will have a B&O light fixture. The stucco around the café will be painted an Essex green with a 10 percent black as a way to differentiate the café from the retail area. Mr. Smith noted the landlord had obtained permission to repaint Building M. The upper portion and trim have been repainted already. Mr. Smith confirmed there will be a single element of stanchions flanked by landscape planters. The color and elevation renderings did not reflect the recent façade repainting as there was not time to update them. The landlord picked lighter colors, moving away from browns to more neutral greys. Board Member Rosenberg wished the Shopping Center would remove the posts in the middle of the walkway, referencing page G-005-00, but appreciated the applicant was utilizing the alley. Vice Chair Adcock felt the drawings were hard to read and assumed the RL logo on the corner of the building did not need to meet the signage size requirements and felt it would be a nice piece. Page 4 of 4 Architectural Review Board Meeting Summary Minutes: 9/4/25 MOTION: Board Member Rosenberg moved, seconded by Chair Chen, to approve the project as designed with the COA from staff regarding the signage included. VOTE: Motion carried 5-0. Board Member Questions, Comments, Announcements Or Future Meetings And Agendas Chair Chen announced the ad hoc committee for 975 Page Mill Road with Board Member Hirsch. Adjournment Chair Chen adjourned the meeting at 9:21 AM.