Historic Resources Board Application
Submitted on 11 March 2024, 1:02pm
Receipt number 10
Related form version 15
Name H. Caroline Willis
Cell Phone Number
Home Phone Number
Email Address
Are you a Palo Alto resident? Yes
Address
City
Postal Code
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
No
Excluding your principal residence, do you or your spouse own real property in Palo Alto?
Yes
How did you learn about the vacancy on the Historic
Resources Board?
Other: currently serving on the Board
Personal Information
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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 Occupation Landlord, housewife
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.
Architectural degree from the Rhode Island School of Design Licensed to practice Architecture in California, License # C 14615 Please describe your involvement in community activities, volunteer and civic organizations, including dates and any offices held.
Former President of PAST Heritage
Docent for PAST Heritage
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 believe that the structures from our past have important messages to convey to us: reminding of us of the history we are building on, how quickly life changes, that we are making decisions influencing future generations.
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.
The Board is currently trying to bring the Historic Inventory up to date for the first time since its inception in the 70s. This action is long overdue.
The fact that it has been ignored for so long has created an unfounded dread in the community that there are lurking unknown negative consequences to being on the Inventory.
3. If appointed, what specific goals would you like to see the Historic Resources Board achieve, and how would you help in the process?
We need to move forward and update our Inventory and create a system for keeping the Inventory up to date. Property owners need to be supported in their efforts to maintain their historic properties instead of being made to feel that they are subject to additional burdens and regulations. We need a staff person with a deep understanding of and appreciation for preservation and the willingness to advocate for our historic property owners.
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.
I am familiar with the PA code section 16.49 regarding preservation and the Sec'y of the Interior Standards. I have referenced these documents to help my decision making while serving on the Board and over the years restoring historic houses and advising homeowners.
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.
I am particularly partial to the Ramona Street Historic District for its unique architecture. I love wandering through and admiring the many handcrafted details. It contains the work of the Architect Birge Clark and the designer Pedro de Lemos who contributed some of our most treasured buildings around town. It represents an early destination shopping district predating the mall concept. It pains me to see the Application Questions
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hodgepodge assembled in the street and I am hopeful that we will invest in finding an appropriate response to the streetscape in the not too distant future.
If you'd like to provide any additional documents, please upload below.
Please confirm that you have read the Boards and
Commissions Handbook.
Yes
Signature Name of signatory: H Caroline Willis
Link to signature
Date Completed 03/11/2024
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