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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-11 Historic Resources Board Summary Minutes City of Palo Alto Page 1 HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD MEETING DRAFT MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 Council Chambers and Hybrid 8:30 A.M. Call to Order / Roll Call The Historic Resources Board (HRB) of the City of Palo Alto met on September 11, 2025, in Council Chambers and virtual teleconference at 8:30 a.m. Present: Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz, Vice Chair Rohman, Board Member Pease, Board Member Ulinskas, Board Member Willis Absent: None. Public Comment There were no requests to speak. Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions There were no changes planned. City Official Reports 1. Historic Resources Board Schedule of Meetings and Assignments Historic Preservation Planner Steven Switzer showed the upcoming meetings with a planned absence for the October meeting. An item will be scheduled for an upcoming meeting to address the workplan goal for the 2025 HRB Awards, to be held in 2026. PUBLIC COMMENT No requests to speak. Action Item 2. PUBLIC HEARING / QUASI-JUDICIAL. 201 Hamilton Avenue[25PLN-00145]: Recommendation on Applicant’s Request for Major Historic Resource Board Review for the Rehabilitation of an Existing Category 2 Resource Including the Removal of Awnings from Three of the Seven Window Bays, Replacement of the Remaining Awnings, Repair and Replacement In-Kind of Existing Multi-Pane Transom Glass, Repainting of Door Alcoves, Installing New Alcove Lighting, City of Palo Alto Page 2 New Backlit Signage Above Entryway Door, and Sidewalk Planters. CEQA Status: Exempt From CEQA Per Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). Zoning District: Downtown Commercial [CD-C (GF)(P)]. Mr. Switzer explained the 201 Hamilton Avenue building was constructed in 1909 by T. B. Downing and Sons. There was no architect indicated but the builder was E. A. Hettinger. The Post Office occupied the first floor until 1928. Changes have been made predominantly on the first floor in the 70s and 80s. The project proposed to remove all 6 single bay awnings on Emerson Street and 3 single bay canopies on Hamilton Avenue, replace 2 double bay canopies on Hamilton Avenue, add new signage on the corner, repaint building entries and alcoves, add 2 new pendant lights in entry alcoves, and replace the door on the Emerson Street entry. The new signage above the front entry door was proposed to be backlit. There were material samples for the Board to look at. Slides showed the existing conditions and proposed changes on the corner elevation, Emerson Street, and Hamilton Avenue. Renderings of the striped awnings were shown. The architectural plans noted a different color for the painting of the alcoves versus the color chosen for the fabric. For consistency, staff recommended utilizing the fabric color rather than the color swatch on the material board. Direction is being sought for the preferred width of the stripe: 16 inches or 9 inches. Staff recommend the Board recommend to the Director of Planning and Development Services that the project conforms to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation Senior Architect & Project Manager Amanda Bridges noted that awnings were not part of the original construction but had been part of the building for a long time. All historic elements of the building, including the initial engraving, will be maintained. Ms. Bridges felt painting the alcoves and entrances was helpful for wayfinding. There will be a café and bookstore by the 2 remaining awnings. There will be a slight increase in height of the entrance on Emerson Street, which is necessary for functionality as there will be large-scale artwork. Ms. Bridges had not been able to update the paint sample but will be sticking to the golden yellow color of the fabric. Multiple renderings were shown. Pictures of nearby businesses were shown to highlight the use of bright colors and striped awnings. Board Member Ulinskas asked if the other 6 colors on the exterior finished materials page were original to the building or if other colors were being introduced. Board Member Ulinskas questioned if the frame and storefront system will be painted the P3 color or just the door. Board Member Willis asked why yellow was chosen. Ms. Bridges confirmed the only color being introduced on the exterior is the yellow paint for the alcoves and the yellow-and-white awnings. The storefront frame will get painted along with the door and alcove. Ms. Bridges explained that yellow is consistent with the branding of Ursula Café, which is Hauser and Wirth’s café and bookstore. Mr. Switzer said the distinguishing factor on the exterior finish materials is field. Field color can be existing conditions. P4 is the terracotta on the alcoves; P3 is the new introduced color; P2 and P1 are the existing conditions on the building; and P5, P6, and P7 are for the signage and awning colors. City of Palo Alto Page 3 PUBLIC COMMENT No requests to speak. Board Member Ulinskas had been to the Hauser and Wirth gallery in Los Angeles and felt it was a vital and active cultural hub. Board Member Ulinskas noted the gallery can function for events and community gatherings as well as a bookstore and café. Board Member Ulinskas said the 16-inch awning stripe width was preferrable. Vice Chair Rohman liked the yellow awnings and preferred the wider 16-inch stripes. Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz agreed the wider awning stripe looked nice and said the proposal was consistent with the SOI standards. Board Member Willis liked getting rid of most of the awnings to open up the windows but was concerned about the white and yellow color scheme being difficult to keep clean. Board Member Willis preferred the wider stripe as keeping in line with the scale of the building. Board Member Willis suggested a different color on the awning in place of white to help keep it clean. Board Member Willis was happy to have another bookstore in town but hoped it enhances Bell’s Books and is not competitive. Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz asked whether to include a striping width recommendation in the motion. Mr. Switzer said the discussion about the stripe width was sufficient. MOTION: Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz moved, seconded by Vice Chair Rohman, to find the project at 201 Hamilton Avenue to be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Rehabilitation. VOTE: The motion passed 5-0-0. 3. Chair and Vice Chair Elections Mr. Switzer detailed the 6-step procedure. First, nominations for Chair and Vice Chair are made. Second, the nominee accepts the nomination. Third, a brief statement is made of why the nomination is supported. Fourth, the nominee may make a brief statement. Fifth, other Board members may ask questions or give comments. Lastly, the Board takes a vote. PUBLIC COMMENT No requests to speak. Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz nominated Vice Chair Rohman for the Chair position. Board Member Pease seconded the nomination. Vice Chair Rohman accepted the nomination. Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz explained that Vice Chair Rohman had served as Vice Chair for a long time and was aware and knowledgeable about the issues in front of the Board. Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz felt Vice Chair Rohman would do good job. City of Palo Alto Page 4 Vice Chair Rohman would be happy to serve in the Chair position. Board Member Ulinskas supported the nomination. MOTION: Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz moved, seconded by Board Member Pease, to elect Vice Chair Rohman as Chair. VOTE: The motion passed 5-0-0. Board Member Pease nominated Board Member Willis for the position of Vice Chair. Board Member Ulinskas seconded the nomination. Board Member Willis accepted the nomination. Board Member Willis expressed a desire to be Vice Chair. Board Member Willis noted having a different perspective than most on the Board and felt a historical perspective would be helpful. MOTION: Board Member Pease moved, seconded by Board Member Ulinskas, to elect Board Member Willis as Vice Chair. VOTE: The motion passed 5-0-0. Announcements Mr. Switzer reiterated that a potential agenda item will be coming to the Board before the end of the year to wrap up planning for the awards. The subcommittee owning the awards is Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz and Board Member Ulinskas. Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz noted there was a list of properties for suggestions of ones that will be award recipients. Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz asked for a reduced list with tenant improvement projects, miscellaneous roof repairs, etc., removed. Mr. Switzer said staff will be preparing the reduced list and will have it available for the Board’s review. Board Member Willis felt the first step was to update the inventory list and wanted to hear what the Board thought should be on the master list besides category and district. Vice Chair Rohman suggested adding year to the list and felt it would add a lot of context. Adjournment Adjourned at 9:05 a.m.