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Home My WebLink AboutStaff Report 2605-6366CITY OF PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting Monday, June 15, 2026 Council Chambers & Hybrid 5:30 PM Agenda Item 17.QUASI-JUDICIAL. Approval of a Record of Land Use Action to Add the Property Located at 855 Hamilton Avenue to the City’s Historic Resources Inventory as a Category 2 Resource Based on Owner Interest Identified Through the 2023 Reconnaissance Survey. CEQA Status: Not a Project. CITY COUNCIL Staff Report From: City Manager Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR Lead Department: Planning and Development Services Meeting Date: June 15, 2026 Report #: 2605-6366 TITLE QUASI-JUDICIAL. Approval of a Record of Land Use Action to Add the Property Located at 855 Hamilton Avenue to the City’s Historic Resources Inventory as a Category 2 Resource Based on Owner Interest Identified Through the 2023 Reconnaissance Survey. CEQA Status: Not a Project. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council adopt the attached Record of Land Use Action (Attachment A) to add 855 Hamilton Avenue to the City’s Historic Resources Inventory, based on specified criteria and expressed owner interest. BACKGROUND In March 2022, City Council directed staff and the Historic Resources Board (HRB) to review properties previously identified as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and California Register of Historical Resources but not included on the City’s Historic Resources Inventory. As part of the 2023 Reconnaissance Survey, 147 properties were evaluated to confirm continued historic significance and eligibility for local listing. Following public outreach and HRB review, the board recommended listing the eligible properties whose owners did not object to designation, including 855 Hamilton Avenue. Ultimately, City Council added 21 properties to the Inventory in April 22, 20241 and August 19, 2024,2 limited to those whose owners affirmatively expressed interest in local listing. Although the owner of 855 Hamilton Avenue did not affirmatively request listing during the 2024 outreach efforts, the owner has since requested that the property be added to the City’s Historic Resources Inventory to utilize zoning incentives available to designated historic properties. 1 April 22, 2024, City Council Meeting Agenda Item 12: https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=6454&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto&searchid=40586f84-4030- 45fe-883d-11d6ae91c780 2 August 19, 2024, City Council Meeting Agenda Item 6: https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=6495&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto&searchid=adbeb284-a9a2- 463d-920e-f2656369a2d5 DISCUSSION The following is a summary of 855 Hamilton Avenue for nomination including the local criterion met for designation, and a brief description supporting the recommendation from the 2023 Reconnaissance Survey Report: is recommended for placement on the Historic Inventory as a Category 2 resource, under local Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state or nation), and Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important). The subject building is significant as a work of the notable local architect Charles K. Sumner and the builders Collman & Duncan. It is an imposing example of a Period Revival style residence and retains a high level of integrity. The period of significance is revised to 1915, the year of the building’s construction. Local historic designation would allow the owner to utilize zoning incentives available to designated historic properties, including up to 250 square feet of additional floor area through the Home Improvement Exception (HIE) process for Category 1 through 4 historic residences under Section 18.12.120 of the Zoning Code. The owner has submitted an associated planning application (26PLN-00021) for a minor rear addition that would utilize the HIE incentive, contingent upon designation of the property. There is no significant resource impact related to adding the subject property to the local historic inventory. Expenses related to the 2023 Reconnaissance Survey have been previously accounted for in the department budget. For the 2023 Reconnaissance Survey the City maintained a project website; provided certified mailing to property owners with eligible historic resources; held a community meeting in April and again in October 2023 followed by several evening public hearings before the HRB. Notice of this hearing was published in the Daily Post on June 5, 2026, at least ten days in advance of the meeting. Maintenance of historic designation of a property or reclassification of historic designation of a property is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act and CEQA Guidelines Section 21065 because it will not cause a direct change to the physical environment nor a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Additionally, to the extent this action would facilitate a pending planning application, it is exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (existing facilities) and 15303 (small structures). ATTACHMENTS APPROVED BY: Page 1 of 4 4 1 0 0 DRAFT ACTION NO. 2026- On June 15, 2026, the Council reviewed the recommendation of the Historic Resources Board and staff regarding the placement of 855 Hamilton Avenue previously deemed eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and California Register of Historical Resources, and approved the designation as a category 2 resource, for which no objections were received from the property owners, on City’s Historic Resources Inventory, making the following findings, determination, and declarations: SECTION 1. Background. The City Council of the City of Palo Alto (“City Council”) finds, determines, and declares as follows: A. In 2022, the City Council directed the City to obtain consultant assistance (ID # 14189) and the City’s consultant, Page and Turnbull, conducted the 2023 Historic Reconnaissance Survey, finding 147 properties still extant with integrity and eligible for listing on the local historic resources inventory. B. The Historic Resources Board (HRB) conducted four public hearings to consider the eligible properties identified in the survey, on November 9 and December 14, 2023, and January 11 and January 25, 2024; the HRB received the staff reports and conducted public hearings where public comments were provided, and staff and the HRB received many property owners’ written and oral objections regarding the recommendations. C. Staff held many conversations with property owners, but most owners objected without having conversations or attending the hearings. During and after the HRB hearings, staff tallied the properties for which no objections had been received. D. On April 22, 2024, Council placed 16 properties on the local Historic Resources Inventory, limited to those whose owners positively affirmed the listing, and directed staff to return after the Council break on Consent Calendar with any additional properties whose owners affirmed listing. E. On August 19, 2024, Council placed five properties on the local Historic Resources Inventory following additional outreach efforts and affirmative confirmation of local listing from owners. F. The City of Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan Program L7.1.1 states: “Update and maintain the City’s Historic Resource Inventory to include historic resources that are eligible for local, State, or federal listing. Historic resources may consist of a single building or structure or a district.” Page 2 of 4 4 1 0 0 G. The City of Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan Program L-7.2 states: Policy L-7.2 states “If a proposed project would substantially affect the exterior of a potential historic resource that has not been evaluated for inclusion into the City’s Historic Resources Inventory, City staff shall consider whether it is eligible for inclusion in State or federal registers prior to the issuance of a demolition or alterations permit. Minor exterior improvements that do not affect the architectural integrity of potentially historic buildings shall be exempt from consideration. Examples of minor improvements may include repair or replacement of features in kind, or other changes that do not alter character-defining features of the building.” H. The City of Palo Alto is a Certified Local Government with the obligation to maintain a system for the survey and inventory of local historic resources; the City of Palo Alto has conducted three surveys and also prepares individual historic resource evaluations on a case-by-case basis (when demolition is proposed or in response to property owner request) to determine whether these are historic resources subject to the California Environmental Quality Act. SECTION 2. Environmental Review. Maintenance of the historic designation of properties or reclassification of a historic designation of a property is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and CEQA Guidelines per Section 21065. SECTION 3. Designation Findings. A. The following criteria, as specified in Municipal Code Section 16.49.040 (b), shall be used as criteria for designating historic structures/sites 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. The building at 855 Hamilton Avenue is significant as a work of the notable local architect Charles K. Sumner and the builders Collman & Duncan. It is an imposing example of a Period Revival style residence and retains a high level of integrity. The period of significance is revised to 1915, the year of the building’s construction. B. The definition of Category 2 in Municipal Code Section 16.49.020 (b) must be met to allow Page 3 of 4 4 1 0 0 the structure’s category reclassification: 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. The City’s consultant, Page & Turnbull, found the building at 855 Hamilton Avenue meets the Palo Alto Inventory Category 2 Definition. Since 2001, only minor modifications have occurred including windows replacements and a front door possibly replaced with no additional alterations identified through the permit records. The structure is particularly representative of the Period Revival architectural style. The subject building is significant as a work of the notable local architect Charles K. Sumner and the builders Collman & Duncan. SECTION 4. Placement on Local Historic Resources Inventory Approved. The City Council approves the placement of 855 Hamilton Avenue as a Category 2 resource, under local Criteria 2 and 5 on the City’s Historic Resources Inventory. // // // // // // // // // // // Page 4 of 4 4 1 0 0 INTRODUCED & PASSED: