HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2605-6350CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, August 24, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
1.Review Applications and Select Candidates to Interview for Vacancies on the Historic
Resources Board (HRB); CEQA Status – Not a Project
City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: August 24, 2026
Report #:2605-6350
TITLE
Review Applications and Select Candidates to Interview for Vacancies on the Historic Resources
Board (HRB); CEQA Status – Not a Project
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council review applications, select all three (3) candidates to
interview for the Historic Resources Board, and provide direction on continuing HRB
recruitment efforts.
BACKGROUND
The Spring 2026 Boards & Commissions recruitment opened on January 13, 2026, and closed on
February 18, 2026. Three full-term positions on the HRB were included in the recruitment, and
three applications were received for the HRB during the initial recruitment period. Recruitment
for the Historic Resources Board was extended to remain open until a sufficient number of
qualified applications were received.
The City Clerk’s Office has continued additional recruitment efforts, including additional
outreach and advertising. Two applicants from the initial recruitment period are still under
consideration, and one applicant has since withdrawn. One additional application was received
during the extended recruitment period, totaling three applications currently under
consideration.
Staff recommends moving forward with interviews for the three current applicants to avoid
further delays in filling the HRB vacancies, and to allow timely consideration of applicants who
have been awaiting the next steps in the recruitment process.
Council may direct staff to continue the extended recruitment. Ordinance 55291 allows for
commissioners with expired terms to continue serving on a temporary basis until appointments
are made. Two commissioners have continued to serve on expired terms while recruitment is
1 Ordinance 5529 https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=47708&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto
open, though only one of these commissioners is seeking reappointment. One commissioner
with an expiring term chose not to continue serving during extended recruitment. While the
holdover provision provides continuity during the recruitment process, relying on
commissioners to serve beyond their appointed terms is intended to be temporary and may not
be sustainable through continued recruitment extensions. Further delay in appointments may
result in lack of quorum for the HRB.
3. Per the approved process, Councilmembers will vote on whom to
interview, with each Councilmember allotted twice as many votes as openings. Candidates
must receive a threshold of two votes to be interviewed4. The candidates receiving the top
number of votes are interviewed. The number of candidates interviewed is based on the
number of vacancies as follows:
Interview all candidates if there are 6 or fewer applicants
Interview up to 6 candidates when there are 1-2 openings
Interview up to 8 candidates when there are 3 openings
Interview up to 10 candidates when there are 4 openings
ANALYSIS
3 City Council, May 5, 2025; Agenda Item #11, SR# 2504-4537
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83381
4 October 6, 2025, City Council Action Minutes; Agenda Item #2
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=83755&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto
Historic Resources Board (HRB)
Vacancies and Term
Dates
Seat Numbers Number of
Applicants
Number of Candidates
to Interview
3 Full Terms
4/1/26 – 3/31/29
1, 2, 3 3 3 (Interview all
candidates per Council’s
approved process7)
HRB Eligibility Requirements8:
Palo Alto residency is not required
All members shall have demonstrated interest in and knowledge of history, architecture
or historic preservation.
Two members shall be professionals in the disciplines of architecture, architectural
history, planning, landscape architecture, or related disciplines, or pre-historic and
historic archeology, folklore, cultural anthropology, curation, or conservation.
o This requirement is currently fulfilled by three members of the commission, two
of which do not have expiring terms. Therefore, this requirement will remain
fulfilled regardless of applicant selection in this recruitment.
At least one member shall possess academic education or practical experience in history
or a related field such as American studies, American civilization, or cultural geography.
o This requirement is currently fulfilled by three members of the commission, and
all three have expired terms in this recruitment. At least one new appointment
must meet this requirement.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
None.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
City staff publicized the recruitment through the City’s Uplift Local community newsletter, City
Clerk’s Office newsletters, the City’s website, the City’s social media channels, as well as
LinkedIn advertising. The recruitment was advertised in both print and online in the Palo Alto
Daily Post, and the Palo Alto Weekly print. Recruitment information was posted at Palo Alto
7 City Council, May 5, 2025; Agenda Item #11, SR# 2504-4537
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83381
8 Palo Alto Municipal Code 2.27.010 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0-0-0-
61517
libraries, City Hall, and public facing facilities. Information was emailed to previous applicants,
community-based organizations, and businesses related to the commission’s issue areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
ATTACHMENTS
APPROVED BY:
Historic Resources Board Application
Submitted on 18 May 2026, 6:52pm
Receipt number 21
Related form version 20
Name Aleksandar Patrick Dusan Rakicevic More
Cell Phone Number
Home Phone Number
Email Address
Are you a Palo Alto resident?Yes
Address
City Palo Alto
Postal Code 94306
Do you have any relatives or members of your household
who are employed by the City of Palo Alto, who are
currently serving on the City Council, or who are
Commissioners or Board Members?
No
Are you available and committed to complete the term
applied for?
Yes
Fair Political Practices
California state law requires board/commission members to file a
disclosure of financial interests (Fair Political Practices Commission,
Conflict of Interest, Form 700).
Do you/your spouse have an investment in, or do you or your spouse
serve as an officer or director of, a company doing business in Palo Alto
which you believe is likely to:
1. Engage in business with the City;
2. Provide products or services for City projects; or
3. Be affected by decisions of this Board or Commission?
No
Personal Information
1 of 5
Excluding your principal residence, do you or your spouse
own real property in Palo Alto?
No
How did you learn about the vacancy on the Historic
Resources Board?
Email from the City
Read the code, and check only ONE option below:I request that the City of Palo Alto redact my home address, phone
numbers, and email address from the attached Board and
Commission Application prior to posting to the City’s website.
Consent to Publish Personal Information on the City of Palo Alto Website
2 of 5
Occupation Architectural Designer
Please list your relevant education, training, experience,
certificates of training, licenses, and professional
registration. If describing work experience, please include
company/employer name and occupation.
I graduated from Pratt Institute School of Architecture in Brooklyn,
New York with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. My academic
work focused on architectural history, preservation, and adaptive
reuse, through research and international study programs in Rome,
Berlin, and Argentina.
My professional experience began at RMW Architecture and
Interiors during the summer of 2024, where I later returned
following completion of my thesis in September 2025 as an
Architectural Designer. My work at RMW has included the
restoration and reactivation of the landmark 1920s Bank of Italy
Building in San Jose, and work involving an 1884 residence.
From May - August 2025, I was an Architectural Intern at CAW
Architects, contributing to the restoration of the Castro Theatre in
San Francisco, the Berkeley Community Theater restoration and
addition project, and renovation work involving the 1930s
Stanford Graduate School of Education building and a classical
passive-house enclosure update.
Please describe your involvement in community activities,
volunteer and civic organizations, including dates and any
offices held.
Growing up in Palo Alto, I volunteered at the Lucie Stern
Community Center as a theater technician, actor, camp counselor,
and announcer for the Palo Alto May Fete Parade. I also assisted
in archiving historic photographs for the Palo Alto Historical
Association website from the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre from
the 1940s through the 1980s.
I have participated in community and industry volunteer events
through RMW Architecture and Interiors, including volunteering at
the AIA Conference on Architecture 2026 and participating in
California National Parks restoration efforts focused on the
removal of invasive species and restoration of indigenous coastal
landscapes.
Additionally, I have volunteered at the Architecture Industry
Culinary Challenge event and have been involved with AIA Silicon
Valley chapter meetings, Stanford lecture series, and the
Emerging Professionals Program. I am currently working toward
NCARB licensure and am a member of the American Institute of
Architects.
Please select all that apply to you.I have demonstrated interest in and knowledge of history,
architecture or historic preservation
I am a professional in the discipline of architecture, architectural
history, planning, landscape architecture, or related disciplines, or
pre-historic and historic archeology, folklore, cultural
anthropology, curation or conservation
I possess academic education or practical experience in history or a
related field such as American studies, American civilization, or
cultural geography
Personal and Job Experience
3 of 5
1. Why are you interested in serving on the Historic
Resources Board and what experience would you bring to
the position?
I am interested in serving on the Historic Resources Board because
Palo Alto’s architectural history and neighborhood character
played a major role in inspiring me to pursue architecture as a
career. As the city continues to grow through increased downtown
development and higher-density housing along El Camino Real
and the Baylands area, I have seen many historic structures
disappear or become increasingly vulnerable to insensitive
renovation and demolition.
At the same time, I have been encouraged by recent restoration
and rehabilitation efforts involving historic homes and buildings
throughout Palo Alto and would value the opportunity to support
similar preservation-minded projects in the future. I would
continue to bring both academic and professional experience in
preservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse projects throughout
the Bay Area.
2. Please describe an issue that recently came before the
Board that is of particular interest to you and describe why
you are interested in it.
Archived video meetings are available from the Midpen Media Center.
One recent Historic Resources Board project that particularly
interested me was the October 10, 2024, review for the
rehabilitation and restoration of the historic residence at 1023
Forest Avenue. I was excited to come across the project while
reviewing previous Board meeting footage because it is a home I
have admired for many years while walking through the
neighborhood.
What interested me most was the careful and thoughtful
restoration of the home’s original exterior historic features, while
still allowing for sensitive contemporary improvements. It is
increasingly rare to see historic homes preserved with such
attention to craftsmanship, ornament, and architectural character,
especially as many older homes are heavily altered or demolished
entirely.
Projects like this are important because they help preserve Palo
Alto’s architectural identity and cultural memory while
demonstrating how historic structures can continue to adapt and
remain relevant within the community.
3. If appointed, what specific goals would you like to see the
Historic Resources Board achieve, and how would you help
in the process?
If appointed, I would hope to support the preservation of the vast
diversity of architectural history and movements, neighborhood
character, as well as cultural identity that originally inspired me to
pursue architecture as a career growing up in Palo Alto. I would
bring both my recent academic background in architectural history
and preservation, as well as my professional experience working
on restoration and adaptive reuse projects throughout the Bay
Area.
I believe it is important to encourage thoughtful preservation that
respects the original craftsmanship and historical significance of
buildings while allowing them to remain active and relevant parts
of the community. I would also hope to contribute a distinct
professional perspective while continuing to learn from the great
knowledge and involvement of fellow Board members,
preservation professionals, and community voices.
4. Historic Resources Board Members work with the
documents listed below. If you have experience with any of
Thus far, I have become familiar with historic preservation
guidelines, adaptive reuse strategies, zoning review processes,
Application Questions
4 of 5
these documents, please describe that experience.
Experience with these documents is not required for
selection.
Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element (2017)
Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 16.49
Secretary of the Interiors Standards for the Treatment of Historic
Properties (2017) California Environmental Quality Act
The Professorville Historic District Design Guidelines (2016)
Other documents listed on this website as well.
and design standards related to historic structures. My work on
restoration and rehabilitation projects at RMW Architecture and
Interiors and CAW Architects has required coordination with
existing building conditions, historic architectural elements, code
requirements, and preservation considerations.
Additionally, my studies and professional experience have
involved review of zoning documents, land use considerations, and
environmental review processes related to renovation and
adaptive reuse projects. As I continue pursuing architectural
licensure and preservation-related work, I look forward to further
strengthening my understanding of Palo Alto-specific preservation
guidelines and municipal review processes.
5. Please identify a project or projects that you find to be
examples of good historic architecture, and explain why.
You may attach samples, identify project addresses, or
provide links.
Some of the best examples of historic architecture in Palo Alto are
buildings inlcude the the 1936 Lucie Stern Community Center. Its
Spanish Revival architecture, arcades, gardens, wrought iron
detailing, carved wood beams, and modest yet grand proportions
create a warm and timeless civic environment. The late 90s
addition of the outdoor theater was integrated tastefully through
compatible materials and detailing that respected the original
character of the complex.
Another remarkable example is St. Thomas Aquinas Church,
completed in 1902. Its Carpenter Gothic Victorian architecture,
preserved wood structure, stained glass, and exposed ornamental
trusses make it an increasingly rare surviving example of its kind.
Another unconventional style in a low-density residential context
is the Streamline Moderne residence at 450 North California
Avenue. The home is a rare surviving example of a once-influential
1930s architectural movement that catches my eye every time I
pass it.
If you'd like to provide any additional documents, please
upload below.
PaloAltoForsite.jpg
Hotel-President_2.jpg
106902_original.webp
St._Thomas_Aquinas_Church,_751,_Waverley_Ave.,_Palo_Alto,_CA_5-
27-2012_5-35-22_PM.jpg
98782_original.webp
Please confirm that you have read the Boards and
Commissions Handbook.
View the Boards and Commissions Handbook.
Yes
Signature Name of signatory: Aleksandar Rakicevic-More
Link to signature
Date Completed 05/18/2026
5 of 5
Historic Resources Board Application
Submitted on 23 January 2026, 10:26am
Receipt number 17
Related form version 20
Name Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz
Cell Phone Number
Home Phone Number
Email Address
Are you a Palo Alto resident?Yes
Address
City Palo Alto
Postal Code 94301
Do you have any relatives or members of your household who are
employed by the City of Palo Alto, who are currently serving on the
City Council, or who are Commissioners or Board Members?
No
Are you available and committed to complete the term applied for?Yes
Fair Political Practices
California state law requires board/commission members to file a disclosure of
financial interests (Fair Political Practices Commission, Conflict of Interest, Form
700).
Do you/your spouse have an investment in, or do you or your spouse serve as an
officer or director of, a company doing business in Palo Alto which you believe is
likely to:
1. Engage in business with the City;
2. Provide products or services for City projects; or
3. Be affected by decisions of this Board or Commission?
No
Excluding your principal residence, do you or your spouse own real
property in Palo Alto?
No
How did you learn about the vacancy on the Historic Resources
Board?
Other: Former Council Member
Personal Information
Consent to Publish Personal Information on the City of Palo Alto Website
1 of 3
Read the code, and check only ONE option below:I request that the City of Palo Alto redact my home address, phone numbers,
and email address from the attached Board and Commission Application
prior to posting to the City’s website.
Occupation Art Conservator
Please list your relevant education, training, experience, certificates of
training, licenses, and professional registration. If describing work
experience, please include company/employer name and occupation.
I have served as a member of Palo Alto’s HRB since January 2022 when I
filled a partial term. I have since served a full term, including two years as
chair.
I also have relevant professional experience from my career in art
conservation, where I work with the preservation of art and historical objects.
I am a Professional Member of the American Institute for Conservation and
my work includes documentation of art and historic works, understanding of
object life-cycles, and balancing trade-offs between object use and
preservation. I also have experience as a consultant on architectural projects,
where I have worked on items including original woodwork, built-in
furniture, and stonework. I have previously held positions at The Fine Arts
Museums of San Francisco and SFO Museum. I am currently an art
conservator in private practice in Palo Alto at Mayfield Art Conservation and
Consulting LLC.
Please describe your involvement in community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations, including dates and any offices held.
In addition to my previous service on the HRB (2022-present, with 2 years
as chair), I am a member of the board of the Bay Area Art Conservation Guild
and the board of a local independent school. I also write a regular regional
news column for the Western Association for Art Conservation newsletter.
Please select all that apply to you.I have demonstrated interest in and knowledge of history, architecture or
historic preservation
I am a professional in the discipline of architecture, architectural history,
planning, landscape architecture, or related disciplines, or pre-historic and
historic archeology, folklore, cultural anthropology, curation or conservation
Personal and Job Experience
1. Why are you interested in serving on the Historic Resources Board
and what experience would you bring to the position?
I am interested in continuing to serve on the HRB because I think that the
HRB does important work in the community. Palo Alto has excellent historic
architectural resources and input from the HRB provides a valuable tool for
the preservation of Palo Alto’s heritage. I very much value the community
engagement aspect of the HRB, which serves to not only raise awareness of
historic preservation in the city, but also to connect with community
members who may have questions about how the principles of historic
preservation apply to their own properties. As a professional art conservator,
I understand and value historic preservation, and I am enthusiastic about
sharing this with the community.
2. Please describe an issue that recently came before the Board that is
of particular interest to you and describe why you are interested in it.
Archived video meetings are available from the Midpen Media Center.
Recently the HRB has been working to establish a preservation awards
program. This has been an interesting process because it has required
discussion of what types of projects we would like to highlight to the
community as outstanding examples, how we structure the program to be
achievable for the HRB and staff, and how we avoid duplication or
redundancy with community groups that also give awards in this space. It
has been interesting to visit award candidate properties in person because
this allows me to see different approaches to projects such as renovations
and additions and it is always enjoyable to see historic properties in the city
that I was not familiar with previously. Historic preservation relies on
community engagement and support and I am excited to be developing an
HRB awards program as a way to connect with Palo Alto residents and
businesses.
Application Questions
2 of 3
3. If appointed, what specific goals would you like to see the Historic
Resources Board achieve, and how would you help in the process?
I am very enthusiastic about the HRB awards program that is under
development and that I discussed in Question 2. I am currently supporting
this initiative by reviewing and visiting individual projects and properties.
I also think that the routine project reviews that the HRB does for historic
properties is important ongoing work. These reviews give property owners
important information and guidance about their proposed projects and help
maintain the character of historic properties, while also giving owners the
opportunity to make historic properties functional for modern needs. I look
forward to participating in this process and facilitating partnerships between
the City and property owners.
Finally, it would be wonderful to work with City Council to develop a pilot
program giving property owners access to the Mills Act. The Mills Act is an
important tool for encouraging historic preservation in California and it
would be wonderful to make it available in Palo Alto.
4. Historic Resources Board Members work with the documents listed
below. If you have experience with any of these documents, please
describe that experience. Experience with these documents is not
required for selection.
Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element (2017)
Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 16.49
Secretary of the Interiors Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (2017)
California Environmental Quality Act
The Professorville Historic District Design Guidelines (2016)
Other documents listed on this website as well.
I am a familiar with all of these documents through my previous work as a
member of the Historic Resources Board. I am particularly familiar with the
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
because these standards are often invoked for historic house museums. As
an owner and resident of a Category 2 historic home in Professorville, I am
also particularly familiar with the Professorville Historic District Design
Guidelines.
5. Please identify a project or projects that you find to be examples of
good historic architecture, and explain why. You may attach samples,
identify project addresses, or provide links.
One of the wonderful things about Palo Alto is the historic architecture that
is present throughout the city. It is hard to discuss architecture in Palo Alto
without mentioning the work of architect Birge Clark and developer Joseph
Eichler. The Norris House at 1247 Cowper St. is an outstanding example of
Birge Clark’s work in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. The ironwork and
light on the entrance gate are particularly striking and the PAST award that
the home won in 2004 is a testament to its thoughtful preservation. Its
history as the Newman Center also speaks to the often fascinating use
histories of significant buildings. The designation of the Greenmeadow
Eichler neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places is a
wonderful acknowledgment of the contributions of mid-century architecture
to Palo Alto’s landscape. I also think that the Theophilus Allen House at 601
Melville Ave. is an outstanding example of Craftsman architecture in Palo
Alto.
If you'd like to provide any additional documents, please upload
below.
Please confirm that you have read the Boards and Commissions
Handbook.
View the Boards and Commissions Handbook.
Yes
Signature Name of signatory: Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz
Link to signature
Date Completed 01/23/2026
3 of 3
Historic Resources Board Application
Submitted on 17 February 2026, 7:51pm
Receipt number 19
Related form version 20
Name Nandini Ramamurthi
Cell Phone Number
Home Phone Number
Email Address
Are you a Palo Alto resident?Yes
Address
City palo alto
Postal Code 94303
Do you have any relatives or members of your household who are
employed by the City of Palo Alto, who are currently serving on the
City Council, or who are Commissioners or Board Members?
No
Are you available and committed to complete the term applied for?Yes
Fair Political Practices
California state law requires board/commission members to file a disclosure of
financial interests (Fair Political Practices Commission, Conflict of Interest, Form
700).
Do you/your spouse have an investment in, or do you or your spouse serve as an
officer or director of, a company doing business in Palo Alto which you believe is
likely to:
1. Engage in business with the City;
2. Provide products or services for City projects; or
3. Be affected by decisions of this Board or Commission?
Yes
Excluding your principal residence, do you or your spouse own real
property in Palo Alto?
No
How did you learn about the vacancy on the Historic Resources
Board?
City Website
Personal Information
Consent to Publish Personal Information on the City of Palo Alto Website
1 of 3
Read the code, and check only ONE option below:I request that the City of Palo Alto redact my home address, phone numbers,
and email address from the attached Board and Commission Application
prior to posting to the City’s website.
Occupation Senior Designer, Arcanum Architecture
Please list your relevant education, training, experience, certificates of
training, licenses, and professional registration. If describing work
experience, please include company/employer name and occupation.
I have over twenty years of professional experience in architecture, focused
primarily on residential design, including custom single-family homes,
additions, remodels, and small multifamily projects. Since 2021, I have
practiced at Arcanum Architecture, managing projects through design,
permitting, and construction. Previously, I worked at several firms in Palo
Alto and the Bay Area, where I led residential projects and coordinated
closely with consultants, contractors, and local agencies. I also served as
Planning Staff for the City of Palo Alto, reviewing development applications
for zoning compliance and advising applicants on municipal codes and
procedures. This combination of private practice and public service has given
me a strong understanding of Palo Alto’s regulatory framework, residential
design standards, and neighborhood context. I hold a Master of Architecture
from University of Southern California.
Please describe your involvement in community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations, including dates and any offices held.
Although I have not held formal positions in preservation-focused
organizations, I have been consistently engaged in the Palo Alto community
through both my professional work and prior public service. As an architect
practicing locally for many years, and as a former Planning Staff member for
the City of Palo Alto, I have participated in public hearings, Architectural
Review Board meetings, and neighborhood discussions concerning
residential development, zoning compliance, and neighborhood character.
My work frequently involves projects within established neighborhoods,
where sensitivity to scale, context, and architectural heritage is essential.
These experiences have deepened my appreciation for Palo Alto’s history
and the importance of preserving its urban fabric while allowing thoughtful
and well-considered change. I am motivated to contribute more directly to
the community through service on the Historic Resources Board.
Please select all that apply to you.I am a professional in the discipline of architecture, architectural history,
planning, landscape architecture, or related disciplines, or pre-historic and
historic archeology, folklore, cultural anthropology, curation or conservation
Personal and Job Experience
1. Why are you interested in serving on the Historic Resources Board
and what experience would you bring to the position?
I am interested in serving on the Historic Resources Board because I care
deeply about Palo Alto’s architectural heritage and the role thoughtful
preservation plays in shaping the city’s identity. Having practiced
architecture in Palo Alto for many years, and having previously served as
Planning Staff for the City, I bring a unique vantage point: I understand both
the creative aspirations of designers and homeowners and the regulatory
constraints that guide development.
While I value maintaining and protecting the city’s historic fabric, I am also
interested in how the decisions we make today will become the history of
the future. This period of growth and change will ultimately define another
chapter of Palo Alto’s story. I believe the HRB has an important role in
establishing clear, thoughtful guidelines that not only preserve significant
resources but also ensure that new interventions contribute meaningfully to
the city’s evolving architectural narrative.
2. Please describe an issue that recently came before the Board that is
of particular interest to you and describe why you are interested in it.
Archived video meetings are available from the Midpen Media Center.
I am interested in the HRB's role in reviewing and updating Palo Alto’s
historic inventory. A few cases that stood out to me are 1680 Bryant Street,
411 and 431 - 433 Kipling Street.
Most interestingly, I thought 261 Hamilton Avenue was a fantastic example
of a building worth preserving and an applicant pushing for stronger historic
Application Questions
2 of 3
protection which is not usually the case. It has turned out to be a fantastic
project!
3. If appointed, what specific goals would you like to see the Historic
Resources Board achieve, and how would you help in the process?
I would like to see the HRB continue to advance its thoughtful stewardship
of the Professorville Historic District. Professorville represents an important
chapter in the city's early residential development, and its character
contributes significantly to the it’s identity.
At the same time, properties within the district face evolving needs. I believe
the Board can play a constructive role in clarifying guidelines that allow
sensitive, well-designed development while maintaining the district’s
defining features of scale, massing, materials, and streetscape rhythm.
I would contribute by bringing my experience designing residential projects
within Palo Alto’s regulatory framework, understanding both the constraints
property owners face and the importance of preserving neighborhood
character. My goal would be to help facilitate solutions that respect historic
context while acknowledging that careful change, when thoughtfully guided,
can strengthen the long-term vitality of the district.
4. Historic Resources Board Members work with the documents listed
below. If you have experience with any of these documents, please
describe that experience. Experience with these documents is not
required for selection.
Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element (2017)
Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 16.49
Secretary of the Interiors Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (2017)
California Environmental Quality Act
The Professorville Historic District Design Guidelines (2016)
Other documents listed on this website as well.
I am very well versed in Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 16.49 and The
Professorville Historic District Design Guidelines (2016).
My experience in the Planning Department has exposed me to several of
these documents.
5. Please identify a project or projects that you find to be examples of
good historic architecture, and explain why. You may attach samples,
identify project addresses, or provide links.
Ramona Street is one of the most charming and architecturally cohesive
blocks in the City. The courtyard typology makes Ramona Street naturally
suited to restaurants and street life.
The Lucie Stern Community Center, designed by Birge Clark, exemplifies
Palo Alto's civic identity through its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.
Unlike many civic buildings that outlive their original purpose, I love how
Lucie Stern was designed for community life in all its variety and it shows in
how naturally it still functions today.
The Eichler neighbohoods also represent a very unique and significant
architectural chapter.
And finally the Palo Alto Post Office! It will be interesting to see what the
future holds for this building!
If you'd like to provide any additional documents, please upload
below.
Please confirm that you have read the Boards and Commissions
Handbook.
View the Boards and Commissions Handbook.
Yes
Signature Name of signatory: nandini ramamurthi
Link to signature
Date Completed 02/17/2026
3 of 3