APPROVAL NO. 2024-____
RECORD OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO LAND USE APPROVAL FOR 1680 BRYANT STREET: HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY CATEGORY 2 TO CATEGORY 3 (25PLN-00204)
On November 17, 2025, the Council held a duly noticed public hearing and, after considering all of the evidence presented, approved the property owner’s request to reclassify the commercial building at 1680 Bryant Street, currently a Local Category 2 Historic Resource. The Council approved the staff recommendation to reclassify to a Category 3 Historic Resource on the City of Palo Alto Historic Resources Inventory. In approving the application, the Council makes the following findings, determination, and declarations:
SECTION 1. Background.
A.On July 25, 2025, with the owner’s request and funding, staff obtained a historic resource evaluation from the City’s consultant, Page & Turnbull. The historic resource evaluation concluded that the property does not meet the criteria for a Category 2 resource but retains sufficient integrity and significance to be classified as a Category 3 resource under local criteria 2, 5, and 6.
Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state or nation):
The residence is a locally rare example of the Prairie style, a design movement more commonly associated with the Midwest and rarely executed in Palo Alto. Its asymmetrical massing, low-pitched hipped roof with broad eaves, and applied Secessionist motifs speak to an architectural vocabulary that is unusual and sophisticated within the regional context. As such, the structure is particularly representative of a stylistic expression that is extremely rare at the local level. Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important):
The building was designed by John Hudson Thomas, a notable Berkeley-based architect whose work played a formative role in shaping the eclectic architectural character of the Bay Area. Thomas is particularly known for his fusion of Prairie, Arts & Crafts, and Secessionist design vocabularies. Although most of his known works are concentrated in the East Bay, this residence is one of two known Thomas commissions in Palo Alto, underscoring its architectural significance and satisfying this criterion. Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship):
Despite alterations, the residence at 1680 Bryant Street retains exceptional design features that reflect a high level of architectural detailing and craftsmanship. These include its massive front porch with shallow pointed-arch opening, geometric Secessionist ornamentation, corner piers with vertical battens, carved rafter tails, and inset four-square muntins in windows and doors. The use of these details, especially in conjunction with a restrained and well-executed material palette, reflect a level of design integrity that demonstrates Thomas’ outstanding attention to architectural details and craftsmanship.
B.On August 19, 2025, the property owner requested a reclassification of a two-story residential building designed by John Hudson Thomas in the Prairie style completed in 1914 from a ‘Major Building’ Category 2 resource to a ‘Contributing Building’ Category 3 resource on the Palo Alto Historic Inventory.
C.On October 9, 2024, the HRB received a staff report (ID #2509-5221), conducted a public hearing, and recommended against the consultant’s evaluation and staff’s recommendation to reclassify the current local historic inventory Category 2 to Category 3. The HRB recommended with a 3-1-1 vote (one member voting no and one member absent) to keep the existing Category 2 status.
SECTION 2. Environmental Review. The project is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as it is not a project under 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 1680 Bryant Steet met many of the above criteria when it was first listed on Palo Alto’s Historic Resource Inventory in 1978. While cumulative changes since the 1978 evaluation have affected some areas of integrity, 1680 Bryant Street retains sufficient integrity to convey its local significance under Criteria 2, 5, and 6 as a Category 3 resource. per Page & Turnbull’s conclusion.
B. The definition of Category 3 in Municipal Code Section 16.49.020 (b) must be met to allow the structure’s category reclassification:
Category 3 or 4 Definition: "Contributing building" means any building or group of buildings which are good local examples of architectural styles and which relate to the character of a neighborhood grouping in scale, materials, proportion or other factors. A contributing building may have had extensive or permanent changes made to the original design, such as inappropriate additions, extensive removal of architectural details, or wooden facades resurfaced in asbestos or stucco.
Page & Turnbull historic consultant supported the applicant’s request. The City’s consultant found the building at 1680 Bryant Street meets the Palo Alto Inventory Category 3 Definition. 1680 Bryant Street no longer meets the criteria for a Category 2 resource which requires retention of the original character with limited exterior modifications. Given that over half of the original structure was demolished in the 1990’s and the inventory form prepared in 1978 was not updated to reflect this, the residence more appropriately aligns with the Category 3 definition that applies to buildings that have undergone sustain or permanent changes and still convey a good architectural style. Retaining the Category 2 listing would not be consistent with the Municipal Code.
SECTION 4. Category Change Approved. The City Council approves the property owner’s request for re- classification of 1680 Bryant Street to a Category 3 historic resource on the City’s Historic Resources Inventory.
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INTRODUCED AND PASSED: November 17, 2025
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
_________________________ ____________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________ ____________________________ Assistant City Attorney City Manager
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Director of Planning and
Development Services