HomeMy WebLinkAbout0152.094. '
•
~ . 6
• • ""'" .,,' -" • 0
February 17, 1994
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Palo Alto: California
HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD RECOMMENDATION TO ADD
THE TOWER WELL SIT!! AS A CATEGORY 2 (SIGNIFICANT)
SQ1tuJ1NG TO THE HISTORIC BUILDING IW.JBNTORY
Members of the Council:
REPORT IN BRIRE
This report 1) transmits the attached Historic Resources Board
(HRBl recommendation to add the Tow~r Well site at 201 ~ma
Street as a category 2 building on Palo Alto's Historic Building
Inventory. and 2) discusses the effects of. the invento~ addition
if the City Council approves the HRB reconme,ndation"
On May 19~ ~993. the Tower well site was referred to tbe Historic
Resources Board by th~ .Tower Well City proposal Evaluation
Committee that was r~Bponsib~e for reviewins ccn~eptua1 proposals
~or reuse of the site. The HRB was asked by the committee to
determine if it believed the Tower Well had hietoric merit or
~~ue. The Tower Well site is net currently on the Historic
Inventory. On ~y 19~ 1393, tbe HR2, in discussing the Tower
Well site. con~luded that tnis structure quite likely would
qualify for inclusion on the HiBtoric Inventory, because the
Tower effectively symbolized the first u~ility to be owned and
operated by the Cit:;·. As a result, the HRB directed its chair to
reqt:est that Council defer further rl!! .... iew. by the Bwuan Relations
Commission and the Planning Commission of the conceptual
proposals for the site until, the HRB could formerly consider the
hi8toric merits of the site at a public hearing.
CMR:152:94
-·o'f-0 •
o o
On AUgust 4, 1993, the KRB held a public hearir.g ~o consider
adding the Tower Well site to the Historic Building In\tent.ory.
In this discussion of the Tower Well's historic value. Board
members noted that Palo Alto's original Historic Euilding
Invent.ory, as 'Well as subsequent Inycntory additions, focused
principally on architectural merit rather than on purely historic
value. Therefore, structures such a.s the Tower Well, that have
significant historic but not necessarily architectural value, may
have been overlooked in the origillal Inventory or in subseq-..lp.:!lt
Inventory addition~. Following ~he conclusion of the August 4,
1993 public hearing, the Historic Resources Board, on Aug~et 18,
1993, voted to recommend that ~he City Council designate the
Tower Well site at A.lma and Hawthorne aa a Caeego:y 2 building on
Palo Alto's Historic Building Inventory. Attached are ~) ERE
minutes of 5/19/93. 8/4/93 and e/1S/9); 2) an ~~ transmittal of
5/23/93 to the City Council and Real Bstate Department re'i\lesting
deferral of further review of concept~al proposals for the site,
3) a memo from HRB Chair~ Montgomery Anderson~ of 8/~2/9J, to t.he
Board, 00 the historic significance of the site; 4) a draft
Hiscoric Inventory description of the site; and 5) a HRB
transmittal of 1/26/94 to the City Coun~il recommending counci~
designation of the site as a category 2 building on the Historic
Builtiing I"vento~.J
imCTS OF roSSlBI,S RXCLbSS1i'IQJION
If the City Council approves the fiRE recommendation to designate
the TOwer Well Bite as a categorf 2 building on the Historic
:nventory~ the Category 2 classification would acknowledge the
historic significance of this structure, which is the only
remaining water tower in Palo Alto~ The designation also would
result in the Tower serving as an effective symbol of Palo ~to/s
first uti~ity operation.
In addition, provisions in Palo ~to~s Kistoric Preservation
Ordinance would place substantial limitations on demolition of
this building, as well as add req~irements to mainta~ it above
minimal standards required by the City' a Building Code. (See
attached sections 16.'9.~60 and 16.49.080 of Palo Alto's Historic
preserJ&tion Ordinance.) Nonetbeless~ the Kistoric preservation
Ordinance'S definition of a Category ~ building ~d allow some
exterior modifications. provided the original character of the
building is retained.
CMR.:1S2:94
1',\ .... \IlrtI.r.=
'----_ .. _--
2/17/94
Page :2
•
-,
· ,'~ ~-' -. -
HIStoRIC RESQURCES BOARD RECOMMENDATiON
The Bis~oric Resources Board recow.~nds that the City Council
designate the Tower Well site, at the northeast corner of Alma
and Hawthorne, as a Category 2 building or. Palo Alto's Historic
Building Inventory.
Respectfully submdtted.
JrlfCial
~~ B~l!'tk:~JNY
~1nrrH R. SCHRE!BBR
Director of Planning and
Community Environment
Assistant City Manager
Attachments ..
1) HRB minutes of 5/19/93, 8/4/93, and 8/18/93
2) HRB transmittal to Council of 5/23/93
3) Memo from HRB Chair of 8/12/93
4) Draft Inventory Description
S) HRB transmittal to Council of 1/26/94
6) Sections 16.49.050 and 16.49.080 of the Historic
Preservation Ordinance
CC~ Historic Resources Board
Palo ~to Housing Corporation
carrasco and Associates
Palo Al to Child care Task Force
CMR,152,94
1': \_I"bdo.",",
2/17/94
Page 3
! •
I
i
· ' .. -
i(~ ; ....
MINUTES _._-----_._--
May 19, 1993
ihe meeting was caJled to order at 8:15 A.M.
Members Present: Linda Scott, Monty Anderson, Neil Heyden, Elizabeth rutas
(arrived Clurina item 3), and john Baer
Members No! Present: Jim Mc:Fallmd Mark Marcinl.k
Starr Liaisoa: Georae Zimmerman
I. REVIEW 01' MINUTES:
Tbe lIIiIIutes for 3/3 and 5" "ere approved "jib the folJowing CXlfTec:Uons
to the 5/3 minutes. Tbe vote onlbe 533 Bryant item was clarifjed to 3-1
wilb Scott opposed and tile vote CIII 100 Waverley Oaks was 4-0 vilb
Andersoo DOt participatina.
2. 545 EMERSON:
This applialion vas vithdrawn.
3. TOWER WELL SITE, ALMA AND HAWTHORNE;
janet FreeJan .. Rea.! Estau staff joined Ibe Board for a discussloo 0{ the
future ol this site turned over by Utilities. The site vas initially CODsidered
[or n SRO complez but 1ft the direction ol Council a lX>mmittee was
established to review alternatives. Last Ilel:ember this committee of RE and
PIanniD& staff and an ORe member issued a Request For Conceptual Proposal.
TlIree proposals have been received and reviewed by the committee. The
Tover WeU Site is not currently on the inventory but the committee vanted
to CODIuJt with the ro. The Board discussed tIla!, beyond the buildin8',
____________ City of P.lo Alto ___________ _
A IT ACHl'tENT 1
/
o o·
Page 2
minimal architectural significance, it may bave significant potential historkal
value, given its role in Ibe inception 01 city owned utilitie •. Palo Alto·. city
owoed utilities have contributed to its unique character. The cbalr
designated)Ghn BIIer to draft a memo informin8 Ibe City Councillhat HRB
has requested staff to put the prolK"al revi"" process 00 bold pending HRB·!
consideration 01 formally reoogniz.ing the ,ite. MOTION; HRlI should initiate
!be process 01 considering tbe Tower Well Site for inclusion on Ibe Inventory
with Ibe intent to preS<'rve il. lU!SULTS: ~·O
1. lIRB PROJECTS FOR CTh"fENNIAL:
A) Council Proclamation: be Board reviewed -.be "Where A s" list
include<! in its padllle and decided to include an addit.~al clause defining a
"Berita8e DistricL". Tile Board will review and vote on the tell r or & Council
proclama1ion at iU nen meeting.
S) sOcial BventlPlaqu.s;!be subcommittee 01 Baer and Scott has nOt
yel mel wltb PAS!. They will return wltb an uJXl&te lUI d suaeruon;:--.
S. COMMUNICATION:
• LiDda Scott requested that staff ask Nancy LyUe to attend a fut!lre
Board meeting to dilCUll criteria for new COIlstrUCl.ion in historic districts.
• Elizabeth UtIaS provided the folJawing data as th. !>est means to
COiltact her dlllinlller leave: EIizalletb l[itll!, 12~9 E1 Camino· 180, Menlo
Part, CA. 9402~; by pbone 8S~"8072.
• Mooty Aodenon asked staff to insure that IB8Gda items 00 IllU!
Goals and Criteria For New Construction In Historic DiS'.ricts be moved up to
insU1'e their consideration.
Neil Heyden will nO! be able to attend !be 612 meeting.
jolin S-is respOO,ible far goodies for the 6/2 meeting·
The meeting adjourned at 10: 12 A.M.
,--. :.,
4,1993 MINUTES
Chainna..'1 Anderson called the meeting to order ii.[ 8:05 a.m.
Members Present; Monty Anderson, Chairman
Elizab om J( itt3s, V ice-Cn ,j rperson
Linda Scon, S<"etary
lim McFall
John B,er(Arrived 8: 1 0)
Members not Pr-esen! : Neil Hayden
~ark ~arc!nik
Staff Liaison:
eo""dl Liaison:
Gemge Zimm~rman
Lani. Whoder
L Review of Minule';;
2.
Motion: Appro". minutes for April 21, 1993 3!ld June 2, 1993.
Approved 4-0
63ll Ramorul Street
Charks Ho!DulIl presented a proposal to install 1 internally illuminated mer.'
cases at the front of for Blue ChaII: eare 0" Ibe «llun",. a' either side of the
~ The applicant also asked for support for the reuse of 2 existing
spot ligbt:. on either side of Ibe restJIunnt sign for illumination.
The board concluded the columns were not wide enough to mount the menu
boards and did not want III see • ."C6erl ele<:trioal conduit as a means to li,II'
tbem.
Motion: Th. Board recommends the menu boards b. moun led 00 the outer
piers of the building :ather than Ibe columns.
Approved 4-\ ( Baer)
Motion: The Board recommends the proposed lighting for the sign at the
entry Dol be approved and L~at the applicant .rudy other ,,,iurions.
Approved 4-1 (Kinas)
Jim Mcfall will attend the ARB bearing on tbis project
Tower Wen Site I John B= asked Lie Board !o consider adding this site to the historic
invento<y as a Category 2 .tructlUe. AlthQugh this slnJcltJre cannot be said
to be an important architectural work it servict~ as a symbolic reminder
______________ Cil)' or Palo Alto ______________ _
-.,. .. ---_.
o
of the cities unique'! history resulting in t.~e control and ownership of
the city utilities. A category 2 d~signatian would .give the structure some
protection from. demolition.
In regard 10 the pr-ese-nr applications which ha"te been recehfed fOT use of
this site Jim McFa.lI asked for clarification on the Board's review of them.
There would be a ~t!bsequcn~ meeting with the B.ppJican~ to review the
proposals.
The bOArd concluded designation of the ,ite was import.ant and appointed a
subcommittee consisting of Mooty Anderson and John Haec t(J draw up !
written d<scription and a narrative for the next meeting.
4. HRB Projects for th, Palo Alto Ceotenni,l:
The Board endorsed the IODS term r~ognition of the Hopkins Tract The
designation requires no regulation and promotes voluntary CODSen"atioil.
Jim McFall recommended Ih. wording descnoilig the boundary east of
Middlefield Road be improved for the centenni,L
M otio.: The S"",d endorsed the Proclamation as presented.
5·0
5. Lighting Slandards for SOFA:
Mike Beeland of the Utilities Department attended to answer board member
questiOllJ regarding the olDYent UDdergrOWlding project iD til. SOFA and the
PrDfessorville area. The HRB was Dot consulted as to the appropriateness 01
the desi8D of the light standard whicb is to b. used. Mr. Beeland recognized
that this was probably • mislake, but offered no remedy if the board was
not in ogreement wi th the .election. The standMd was approved by the
ARD. The same standard wiU be used for both the commercial and rolail
areas as well as the "",ideDtiBl. Board member Scott commented a different
selection for the resideDtial than the commercial would probably been
appropriate 10 differentiate the areas both functioDally and eslbedcally.
Member Scott r"""mmen~ed the board begin • study to establish standards
for street improvements in the Profes,orville area. The board agreed the
public area is an importBl!l part of !he historic district.
6. HRB tasb for balance of 1993:
Continued to next meeting.
7. CommuDications
George Zimmerman reported there was as ~el no action on the CLG
Grant funds from the slate.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
~---,..-
-:..-:---.-.
"
MINUTES
Augusl 18, 1993
The meeting ""as catled [0 order at 8:06 A.M.
Members Present: Linda Scott, Monty Anderson, Neli Heyden, John B.er
l1l'rived during item 2 and deparled during Item 61, Jim McFall, and Marl.:
Marcinii: (dep med d u ring ite m 8'
Members Not Present: Elizabeth unas
Staff Liaison; George Ii :!Imer m an
Council Liaison: Larue Wheeler
I. REVIEW OF MINUTES:
There were no minutes aVllilable for review.
2, TOWER WELL SITE:
The Board provided comments and suggested changes to the draft phvs'",l
and histori<:al significance Inventory description. MOTION: Request tbat the
City Co~nc!l de$ignate the Tower WeU Site at Alma and Hawthorne a
category II building on the City s Historic Structure Inventory because of its
llistorical significance as described in the accompanying description
IESULrs: 5-0-1 with MarciniJ;. abstaining.
3.535 BRYAJI,j fBYXBEE HOUSE)
John Baer did nOl participate because of a l'otentiaJ conflict. 0{ interest Tbe
Board condycted a Public Hearing to considerins reQassification 0{ tile bouse
from a category IV \0 a category II on the Inventory, Jim Baer informed the
Board 0{ plans \0 preserve tht b~ilding. The CllfTent buildmg would beoome
a two Unil residential strUClure. joining the current structure on tbe site
would be a complimentary four unit apartmenl oom;::ol. fhis oompleI
______________ City of P3ioAlto ______________ _
-..
•
. "
~-riIA
..souRCES '
Bo\RD 1 __ _
r..y 23, 1993
TO; Members of th.e Palo Alto City Council
Palo Alto Real [state Dep.rtment
Tne purpose of this letter !s to notify tne City 'ouneil and City Staff that
the Historic Resources Board is requesting that staff place a temporary hold
O~ all efforts to dispose of the Tower Well Site located on the corn~r of Alma
and Hawtnorne Street in Downtown Palo Alto.
Our request for this hold is based Dn the fol1cw1ng cQnsiderations:
I) As of Wednesday, May 19th, the HRB initiated efforts tu determine
whether the Tower We" should be classified as a hlstoric strutture and
placed on tke Cityl$ Historic Inventory. Our investigation will
co~sider both the physical e1ements of the structure as well as t"e
sYBioolic value it may represent to the C.onmunHy.
l. Wedr.esday, May 19th, was the first presentation to HRB about the Tower
Well. At the time of this preliminary HRB discussion, Requests for
Conceptual PrDposa's l~FCPJ for the use of tne site .already had bi!er.
distributed to '"terestea p~rties and subsequent conceptual proposals
reviewed by an evaluation <ommittee consisting cf repre$entiti~es from
the Plann.ing Co:rmission, Human Relatiolls COlTInission and staff. This
RFCP process pre~iously was appro~ed by Council. However, since the HRB
n~ver had consider&d this site is an addition to the Inventory, the
Soard feels that efforts to pC5sib1y preserve the structure would be
t~warted u~less the Board has the opportunity to consider adding the
site to the Inventory and preserving U,e structure. ThiS interest and
concern to preserve the site is further heightened bj the language found
in the fir.t paragraph of the RFCP:
-The we') facilities, including a 79·fo~t high re1nforced concrete
tower. remain ~n the site. B~yer/Tenant will be r~sponsi~lt for
removdl of well facilities and equipment.·
.:tglllb:t~.oold
o
3. Finally, _e iijree with the declaration m~de by the Mayor at tne State of
t~. City Add'·." ..... tn.t the City shoul d not· reach for easy budgetary
salutions through the ·fisca11zation of valued properties.-The
demolition of the Tower Well may repr~sent such a s~enario which will
provide l1ttle ec~nomfc benefit while taking from ~s all 3 valued Si~bol
of our heritag •.
~e request that this h~1d Qn the process be put into effect immediat~ly so
tnot ... tlngs sened.led w,th the Human Rel.tions commission on June lOth and
wfth t~e Pl~nning Commission on June 30th ire delayed until late summer when
presumably the HRB will have completed its efforts in determining Whether the
Tower Well structure and site snou1d be preserved.
Yours truly,
. .~ ~ ~L
Kontgoaery Anderson, Chair
Historic ResDurces Board
. "
..
. r
',,,, .
81_::1"~" 1'='::
August 12.1993
Dear Board Members;
The foUow'.ng is the description 10 aocompcmy the Inventory form for
!he Towet Well site. Please review and be prepared to cam.nen! and
word smt!h at OUI nex1 meeting.
Physlca] DescI1pt!on:
This tower was construa!ed of reinforced concrete. It is 30' In
diameter and rises to a height 01 18 leel It has a co:p<;ICity of
155.000 gallons and sils on a site rneasurtnq 75' x 115 1/'1. A
square one sto:y pump house pIOj$C1$ out fiorn the lower ixD;e.
The extanor walls are sccred creuting a tuStiOated base which
t!nnly ancholS the Iall lower structwe. A pair 01 docn With
dIagcaal wood pc:rttem adorn th& opening 01 the pump hou8e
faclnQ Alma Street
S!gnlticonoo:
The Tower Well was cons!ruG1ed in 1910 and CIbcmdorl$d by the
City In 1987. The water Company was the first ut1l!ty pwchcIsed
by the City shortly after 1ncapc:lrcrlion In 1893. Previously wuler
tor the town hod been pwch.:Ised from Jooes Water Comp:my
whlch :provl<:led an unreliable suWly at otten exorbitant rates.
Palo Alto became one of the first cities in the country 10 ~
their own utilities. The water oomPCUly was tremendously
success!Ul. fueling City coHen; ctuling the 1o\lI\ding' yean;. The
wateI assured Palo Alto of a cheap and abundant supply of
water. en5JJring pra>pertty and fire pro1ectior\ 10 a City bWlt c!
wood. Many of the City Park.&' enjoyed by c:I'dzerls today con. be
attdbutec! 10 this stabIli2ad wuler suwly. The Tower Well stands
CIS (I symbol 01 !he C!ty's S'.JCCe5SIul beginnings and forward
thinklng Ioonding fathers.
Slncerely.
An.~CIiMENT 3
.. . ., ..
I: HISTORIC RESOURces INVENTORY
IOE.NTIF.j~TION
Tower W'el1 Site •. ~mm~r~~:~ __ ~~~~!!~~~~ ___________________________________ __
2. Hinoric Mme, R al1O'WTl: ___ !T.Qo~w.!.'!.r_lI~e~l!..lUS.!.i tE:'~· ______________ ..:.. __________ -:-___ -:--____ _
3.. StrHt 01 hlrJl .cIqr~st. . ....;s~o~u~t;!;h~e~a~s..:t:...'::c:::o:..rn:.:e:.r~o:,f,..,::.A:.:l~ma::....:S:.:t::r..:'..:'.;t:..· .:~..;.:n.:a;:wt.:.h_o".r __ n-,-' ' ______________ _
Citv: __ ....::.pa::.l:.:o::...oA:.:.l.::t:::o.~~C::A:... _____ 211"; 94301 County: Santa Clip"a
C1' t f P 10' "to 'dd""'. 250 tlami 1 tor. Ave. "-~~nt D'M'Itr, if known: y 0 a " • .... ,
, City: ___ P~a!!.l!)o"_'A:!.l~t~O:....._....,-~------ZI P;,.--____ Owr.ership i:J". f'~b"ric: []
6. Prtsem Use :Sea 1 ed WI! 1.1 & \'acarit Water T0ill1tTgi." .. 1 ~u"'ldpa1 water , .. ~1l ilrod StQl"'§Oe TQ'~er
OcfIer pest U$H:.~._.:N~o::ne::..._...:.. __ ,,-~ ___ ~:-____ ~ __ ....:. _____________ _
Ot:SCFI; "T ION
~'e-;'~ d.tscn-t.e. ~1:e pment !)hYJicaf .ppea~ cf thlt ,Tte ocr f1;nl~u~, ,';,d .de~ti~e; 0111'1')1 m,;j~ .rtffiltkms Trom iu orisiNl
condition: . • ~ ." ~ ."
This. tower l\.as constructed of ,reinfo,~ced concrete. It is 30 I in diameter and rises
to a 'height of 78 feet. It has a capacay of 15,5.000 ga1ions and Sits on a s.ite
~asurfng 75 1
, 115i J
• A sGuare one story pump house projects out from the tower
base. The ext~rior walls are scored creating a rusticated base ~nich firmly
anchors the tall tower strutture. A pair of dQors with ~:a90nal wood pattern adorn
the opening of·the pUmp hOUSE faCing Alma Street.
9. Condition: (check fine)
b. Good 0
d. Otw-~o;'lt2d 0 e. No 1orI&e~ in exi!ter.ce 0
10. Is the feature L AJteroed? 0 b, Ur.arClrtd' [JI
11. Surroun.dlr.~: ICheelr. rTlCl!1i than ant H n~uatyl
II. Open bod 0 b. Scatttred buildings 0
c. Oensely btJnHJp 0 d. RU·ldmliat rn
e. Cornml!fdJI [!] 1. I~u:nrial 0 .
a· Cthrr 0 '------
12. Thtn!lto:S::lf:
.. NOr'~\:no~ 0 b. Frn~UIi'~tIQpmer.t 0
c. Zoni nit 0 d. Pubii!; Worlc l prcjK1: 0
It. V;J"d.i:ism 0 f. Oth~ ~ Pcterjt;~e
13. 0...14 of oodo<ed pt""'",""'14. :::_":'-'-___ _
AITACHMENT 4
, ,
I
1
i
i
~ ... ~
NOTE: 1M f4f1Dwing (lfM?S 14-t9/ .,.1a"tlVCfllfa only,
14. P'rinu,.., Ulta'riUf buitdin" mated.l: •. Stane 0 b, etick ,0
r. Other l!I Reinforced Concrete Tower
c. s .. = 0 d. ,""obe 0 •. Wood 0
15. hlh. stl\u=~rl!: .t. On lu crigiMI $1.1 rn b. ~i" 0
Ie. YW'cliniti.alCCr.'l'llucti:on ~ T1'11sd'at.lis: a. F .... '"tUI1 0 b. Estimated [[I
_JR~l-~C~h .• ~-!~ti~n~:~S-!."~.d~S~O~n~s~.JC~;~v~;~l~En~g[j~"~ee~r~s __ ~ ______ ~ ____________ __ 11. Ard'liwctl,"'ncwn}: 1'0. ::!
la. BLlM«(ifllnown):. City of Palo .Alto
19, R~t&ted (U.t.Jfl!:$~ A. sarn 0 b. f"..ar:iagl! hou'!I! 0 C. CkJ~ 0 d. & ... :cl'($1 0
,: WlndmlU 0 ' .. wuerto't'>'r.l~houR G h. Oth!!!" rn Pum!l House
SIGNlf'ICA.r..IC€
e, Fonnal gardenlsJ U
L No,," 0
20. Btlefty stlti~ tnd/or arthh.ecw.-.l' impcr12nct' lindud. !tates. ftlmb:. &."'011 petsoos ~.ted wiU1 Ihllt site' when It r'IOWl'.): . -. .
The Tower Well was constnuct~d in 191C~ In 1987 t the City discontin~ed it's activ~ use.
The Water Ccmpsny W1lS tne first utility purchased by the City shortly aft.er incorpQratfon
in 1893. Previously water for tf,e town had bee~ purchased from Jones Water Company
which prawided an unre1iable supply at often ex~rbitant rates. Palo Alto b2carr~ one of
the first cfties in the country to purchase their own utilitjes~ The water company was
tremendously successful. fueling tHy coffet-~ during the foundin9 years. The water
assured Palo Alto of a cheap and abundan~ supply of water. ensuring prosperity and fire
protection to • City built of wood.' Itlny of the City Parks enjoyed by citi,en, tad,x.-
can be attributed to this stabilized' water supply_ The Tower Well stands CIS a symbol,'
of tMe City's successful beginnings and forward thf~1ng founding fat~~
21. M.ilin th.-ne Df tnt hll5tOJk resource: jCheck O!IIy one): .;1. Atd\iteoure U h. Att:s &0 Leis.! ra U
c.. Ecor.omie/lnd'VS;rial 0 d. ExplomionJ'S.llnlenmt 0 It. GonmmOl1l 0 t Military 0
I-.Rengion .0 h.. SocidIEc!~tiol'l 00 Symbol of ear:-ly CHy OWTl':!rs'hip ·and oper-ation
water company.
:22. So-urCl"t: liit OO¢r~ doc:uml!nu.. III.':I"A'.(S. pvs:;.~ h~iews" .1'1d their _cbtl:S:
of its
23. Dill! form pr-epvl'd.___ ByJI".-rM'l: ___ ~ ______ ~ ______ ~_~ ___________ __
. ..,d"", "--_____________________ OtY __________________ ZLP, __
Pf1ont::
(State l'20nlyl
I
January 26.1994
le!:ter to City Counc:il
RE: Tower WeDs Si1e
Dear Counc:il Members;
The Historic Resources Board is very Interested in having Council
0CI!lSIder all optiOns for the p:eservatiOn of tba Tower WeD site. The
HRB strongly belleves IhaIIts cu1Iura1 significance 10 the City ci. Palo
Alto Is SUCh tlla! the structure and the site shoulQ be jXeserved. '!be
Board held a pul:)I1c meeting In August and afterword the Board
suppaled the idea thai the structure and si1e be clesignated a
Category n afferlng it some p:oIec:tion from demo1itiorL
The ctta::h9d 1:laclcgrcR.L'ld infcrmaiian gives yo'.l tt glimpse of why we
feellhis sINc!we is WOOh jXeseMng.
SinceIely.
A ITACHMENT 5
· .
BI.J1l.DlNG REGVLA nONS 1649.O&J
The: rel.ationship of the bullding. in
ony and appropriateness. wi th its
inclu®lg neiJhboIllood SUUctll'."
(C) A . M>Y i!Ilel<s!ed p':')' may
BpJ:<al In I!!e city !be decision of the .. 'Chi-
tccrural re'licw boan:1 ~ approval
of an appli.c.uicn tor I bu permit to alter la~
exterior of my bi.5tDric: . the oownU)'A-'D
ma, or a significaru sttu...'"tm'e Ii: he~ in the
city or in. historic distria. Sucb be
pro«ssed in acamImc<.n1h Se<lion 16. .
(O:tI. 3721 II (part). 1986)
If,42,%Q DemaUtloD at srCDHicant
buDd.iDp In. the dDwtl.tt)WD area.
(a) P'emlil IUld 1iodiDis· No permit Wll be
iSS'.Jed to _ '" C>IlSe ID be demolJsh<d all
or "'1 pan of I ~ buildiIlg L. IIlc doWI>
lDwn.area unless:
(1) Tbo city cooncil _ tha: under
tbf bi!Wn.; desigDll!oo. IlIl:i!!g inlO aoc:ouo! the
_ man.. _!be vahle oftmlSf<nble de·
velopment riIbIJ, mI tbf """ oCrehabGiWion ID
meet Ihe ..... ..,. ~f Ihe boiiIdlni code or
oIher city. sw. D< _ laws, the pmpezty ...
tains no as~rAA o:onomic IS; or
(2) Tbo cl:ief bulIdlz>i ollicial or the fire
chief, after oonp;l~rion. 10 d!e extatt fusible.
.nlflthe I!epanmetIi of pIamI!Da mI """"'unity
cuvironment. defermioes1bat III imminent Wety.
__ mllbIr demolltioo or Ihe building is
!he only f ... ible mWlS ID lIOC1m Ihe public
safelY. or
(3) '!be cityCll<l!lCil"""" __ <lemo1l-
ti~. of the bWldirlf .nIi DOt ha> •• siSnilicanl
effect em tbe _om"'" of Ihe purposes of tbi.s
dl.apt<t'.
(b) Appljcalion fir. pemW 10 <Iemolish. An
app~03Iio. Ii>< • pemUl to demoIisb any signi/i
Cint buiI4ing in 1I!e downtown .... Wll """,ply
wilh Cbapa:r 16.04 of1l!e Polo AlIO Municlpol
C<>de.1n odlIioOf! to Ihe CO!'OiOII!S spec;fied under
O'I.8ptcr 16.04, any Ipp.licalion for I pennit to
demolish a significaru building in the dowruown
a~. Oll the grounds sped fied in Section
16.49.060{aXI). Wll conuin any 'ppropri&'"
and rdcvant economic lnformation which v.'ill
enable the coWlcil til =1:, Ihe necessary detcnni·
nation
(c) Review of awlica:ion.
(I) Historic l<SOWU, bean!. Appli<:ations
which a.~ accepted as complete for a perntillO
demolish a significmt building in the downlOWD
area on th-e grounds 5~dfled in SectioD
l5.49.060{aXI) or (3) .hal: be pl.ced 00 the
...,.,. of Ihe hi""ric '""'" «<5 bean: fo r "".arlng
and recommendation IT the histone RSOurces
board dDe3 !lOt act 00 Ihe app!i<:ation .n_thirty
days of refemllO it, Ihe :it)' <OUIJci! may pnx:eed
'Witbout I reccmme:nd£tion from She historic re
""""'" boud.
(2) City C.'<>\l:lcil hu.'ing and decision. M>y
appli<:ation for permillO domollsb • sigulfianr
buil<!lng in the downlD'Oln 11'<& on Ihe ilOunds
lpedfiod in 5«:tion l6.49.01!O{'XI) or (3) shall
be _ bylhe city _ Noll", shall be si-
by mailed noli'" 10 oil 0Mle!S of propeUy imIDe
dimly adjacenllO Ihe propmy that is tbe subject
oftbe oppIicat!OIl. BOd by jlIlbliulloo at leas: ODe<
in a loc:alDCWSpOpOr of senonl cimllaIiOll. The
~ shall baY< Ihe bom!", or .... blWlini that
Ihe~. lOt forth in Se<lioo 16.49.060(aXl) or
(3) bas b<= met Tbo COUDCil may ;;pprove, dIs·
approve or IpplO'Ye Ihe Ipplitatioc with c:ondi
tiOllS, mlWll mall: liDdlng> r<l1!ing its decisioo
10 Ihe ot:mdanls set fotCl in Secti .. 16.49.060(1).
The decision of the coWlcil Wll be· render«!
.n<bin IbiUy days from Ihe dm of !be cmlclusion
oflhe beuing.
(d) Permit tD mOlle I signifio:a.rJ building In
the c!ovmtown an:a or in.. historic district In rt:
viewing an appDc:ation for a pcnnitlO demolish a
tfgni ficant buUding in the 4ownto'WD .area. or in a
historic district on Ihe JI'IlUIld5 specified In Sec
lion 16.49.06O(aXl) or (3).1he bi5tndc resoun:a
board may decide _ Ihe bWldini may be mewed
_ destroying its hi.!loric d. Il<Iliu:ctcr.II in·
tzgrity and imporl3D<%, aod =y ",rom."OO 10
the city council tiW the demDlilion permit be
denied. but Illa' • permi' In r<locate be processed.
pm.uaJU 10 Olap<cr 16.32 of this cod,. L'!hat
16105
ATIACHMENT 6
-. , ----.---------
1
\6.49.070 PALO ALTO MUNICIPAL CODE
C".asc, the time limits and notice requlrem.em.s of
s<ction 16.49.070(c) shaIl a1so he applicable.
(Crd. 372! t I (part). 1986)
6.49.070 Demolition Df' contributih,
b Udings Ib the downtown aru lind sIe"
rn can f bull dinp other than in the down ..
to area..
(_ Applica!ion.oo morawrium. Any PO"""
to demolish • COOIn1>lling buDding In the
area or I significant building other
do'IiI(lI<)WII'iban liIe OIl appIi<alioo for a demo
. in..."nIance with !be proce<lweo
by Ch>pter 16.04 of this codt. Will>
the appIleal!! shaIl .. !:mit 0-"<:
of the IhmI of !be buildinglitld
iDfi!..".Iic· lIlU may he requited by !be
• !II ~ with 1lIe reo
demoliliolt pe:mit. A copy ef
~~~~i!s!WIheeor.--0< III ioIlmnsIiOl! _ in the
nen toW>tiI The cblof buiIdina emcill
may DOt lake action the appli<alian for .my
days foIlowilli J=ipt • """P""" oppIlc:aticn.
(b) RderralIO art: .!eCtIIr.II review _ or
llistoricol ~ bo VwitI, tbe siny-dly
morar:or;um. !be cblef ot'!idal shaIl refer
Ihe application for. dmlo&b ., the IT-
chi=:unl ~vie ... board, in case of all \>Oild.
ings ocher than slng\e" and duple.< "';.
dences, for ttvit.w and enc2itiOll. "The ar·
chi_ ",view be.,1l shaIl die appli<lIIion
to the historic resources beard reoommtQda..
tio'" on die llistoric:al and/Or .;p,m.
c:aru% of !be buildilu! IIOd the lime for
the mOlilIDriu:D.. A' danrnirioo applicmon
for a si!tiJe.liuDl!y or duple.< shaD he
n:f~ 10 the bisIorlc """"""" ..,;om.
mendarinn
(c) Comx:i1 action.. 'Ibt ~view
_,die llistori, resources board, or III !mer,
estblperson may n:catllIlW !hal Ibe
t:.nd the: moralOrium. The council sbatli
such • request and may extmldle sixty~y
od for I periiJd up 10 one year. 11:: !be case 0
e~Ler.ded moratOrium, lhe council, upon !be
.endation of 1.'11: historic ~ board. may
requi lOpriate and t:aSOr.able public
I"'.o~ce of the IV •. of rhe structu.--e be pro-
vided ~y <he applicant.
(Ord. 3721 tl (parV, 1986)
16.42.080 Malnfenanu of hist~ric
structures [n the downtown Il'ea.
The 'Owner, lessee or other p:tSOO legally in
po~ion of II l"JstOrlc strua:ute in the down~
!Own an:a shall comply with all topplicabl< codes,
laws and reguLuions gove.miJlJ: me maintenance
of propeny. MditiozWly, it is !he inI<lII of Ibis
5eCIioo In P'!!"""" from deli.."... or lnadveztent
r«g1ee! !he e,terior feanues of buildinp desig.
ruled 1$ signifiCiilDC or contributory in Ibe down
town ..... 2nd !he interiOr portions Ibereof wben
suctl m~ IS DeCUSary In prevcm 4eleri·
oration and.:.cay .r!be ._. AlII1ld! bu!ld
"'" shaIll>e __ cd agalnst.u.:h deay &Cd
doterior>Jion, and IhaII r=ain!me from J:rlICIW>!
delCClS Ihr01:p prompt conectiolls of Illy of the
foDowir4 clc!ods:
(3) Facodis _ may faIllD4 injure memo
bers of die PIlbIlt or property,
(1)) Pc:=riarued Dr iDadequaIe f_oo,
der.m .. or _rated floorinB or IIoor SlIp
pons, dtteriorated waI!s or ocher venicll SUUC·
lUr.Il"'ppom; .
(e) Members of ceiEngs. IOofa. ceiling and
mof ~ Of _ 110_ members which
sag. split Dr bur...l::l(: du.e 10 defecti\le m:tteri_al or
de:c.riorarior.;
(<I) ~ori!>elfective_fing
of exterior walls .. roofS. fcr.mduions or Ooofi. includlna _ windows Dr doon;;
Ce) Oefc:cdve or insu!!icicn! -.. proIec·
tion for exterior wall awe""" iDcludllli lacI: of
paint Dr ocher proIeCIive <Overing;
(t) Any r.uJt or defect in:be buildiDI which
rwden it _ properly w...mgb! 0< l'O'\lQUIally
umafe.
(On!. 372 I §I (paJt), 1986)
16106
•
"'" QlLL
-.-~