CITY COUNCIL
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
Meeting Date: June 15, 2026
Report #: 2605-6366
TITLE
QUASI-JUDICIAL. Approval of a Record of Land Use Action to Add the Property Located at 855 Hamilton Avenue to the City’s Historic Resources Inventory as a Category 2 Resource Based on Owner Interest Identified Through the 2023 Reconnaissance Survey. CEQA Status: Not a Project.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt the attached Record of Land Use Action (Attachment A) to add 855 Hamilton Avenue to the City’s Historic Resources Inventory, based on specified criteria and expressed owner interest.
BACKGROUND
In March 2022, City Council directed staff and the Historic Resources Board (HRB) to review properties previously identified as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and California Register of Historical Resources but not included on the City’s Historic Resources Inventory. As part of the 2023 Reconnaissance Survey, 147 properties were evaluated to confirm continued historic significance and eligibility for local listing. Following public outreach and HRB review, the board recommended listing the eligible properties whose owners did not object to designation, including 855 Hamilton Avenue. Ultimately, City Council added 21 properties to the Inventory in April 22, 20241 and August 19, 2024,2 limited to those whose owners affirmatively expressed interest in local listing.
Although the owner of 855 Hamilton Avenue did not affirmatively request listing during the 2024 outreach efforts, the owner has since requested that the property be added to the City’s Historic Resources Inventory to utilize zoning incentives available to designated historic properties.
1 April 22, 2024, City Council Meeting Agenda Item 12:
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=6454&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto&searchid=40586f84-4030- 45fe-883d-11d6ae91c780
2 August 19, 2024, City Council Meeting Agenda Item 6:
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=6495&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto&searchid=adbeb284-a9a2- 463d-920e-f2656369a2d5
DISCUSSION
The following is a summary of 855 Hamilton Avenue for nomination including the local criterion met for designation, and a brief description supporting the recommendation from the 2023 Reconnaissance Survey Report:
855 Hamilton Avenue is recommended for placement on the Historic Inventory as a Category 2 resource, under local Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state or nation), and Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important). The subject building is significant as a work of the notable local architect Charles K. Sumner and the builders Collman & Duncan. It is an imposing example of a Period Revival style residence and retains a high level of integrity. The period of significance is revised to 1915, the year of the building’s construction.
Local historic designation would allow the owner to utilize zoning incentives available to designated historic properties, including up to 250 square feet of additional floor area through the Home Improvement Exception (HIE) process for Category 1 through 4 historic residences under Section 18.12.120 of the Zoning Code. The owner has submitted an associated planning application (26PLN-00021) for a minor rear addition that would utilize the HIE incentive, contingent upon designation of the property.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
There is no significant resource impact related to adding the subject property to the local historic inventory. Expenses related to the 2023 Reconnaissance Survey have been previously accounted for in the department budget.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
For the 2023 Reconnaissance Survey the City maintained a project website; provided certified mailing to property owners with eligible historic resources; held a community meeting in April and again in October 2023 followed by several evening public hearings before the HRB. Notice of this hearing was published in the Daily Post on June 5, 2026, at least ten days in advance of the meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Maintenance of historic designation of a property or reclassification of historic designation of a property is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act and CEQA Guidelines Section 21065 because it will not cause a direct change to the physical environment nor a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Additionally, to the extent this action would facilitate a pending planning application, it is exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (existing facilities) and 15303 (small structures).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Draft Record of Land Use Action
APPROVED BY:
Jonathan Lait, Planning and Development Services Director