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
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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
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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
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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
Historic Resources Board Application
Submitted on 13 February 2026, 1:06am
Receipt number 18
Related form version 20
Name Ronald Katz
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?
Palo Alto Weekly
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 Author 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.
B.A. NYU (history major)
M.A. Oxford University (Politics, Philosophy & Economics) J.D. Harvard Law School
Retired Member of the California Bar
Author, Sport, Ethics and Leadership (Routledge, 2017, with 2d edition in process)
Please describe your involvement in community activities, volunteer and civic organizations, including dates and any offices held.
Board member, Association of American Rhodes Scholars, 2018-2026 Board Vice-Chair, Institute for Intellectual Property and Social Justice, 2023- present
Please select all that apply to you. 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
1. Why are you interested in serving on the Historic Resources Board and what experience would you bring to the position?
I would like to serve my community in an area in which historical knowledge is important
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’m interested in the process of categorizing homes as historically significant.
3. If appointed, what specific goals would you like to see the Historic Resources Board achieve, and how would you help in the process? Preserving what is historically significant without stifling progress or unfairly penalizing owners of historic properties.
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 have no experience with these documents, but I believe that I could come up to speed on them in relatively short order.
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.
Many homes in old Palo Alto are good examples of historic architecture, in part because they were designed by distinguished architects like Pedro de Lemos.
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
Application Questions
2 of 3
Name of signatory: Ronald S. Katz
Link to signature
Date Completed 02/13/2026
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