Prior Year
Accomplishments See attached summary for more information.
Architectural Review Board
Staff Liaison: Steven Switzer, Senior PlannerLead Department: Current Planning, Planning and Development Services Division About the Board The Architectural Review Board is composed of five members, at least three of whom are architects, landscape architects, building designers or other design professionals.
Terms are for three years. See Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Chapter 2.21. Residency is not required. For the ARB webpage go to bit.ly/paloaltoARB. 2026-2027 Workplan
Mission Statement The Palo Alto Architectural Review Board aims to maintain and enhance the aesthetic of planned, built, and landscaped environment of Palo Alto. Current Commissioners Mousam Adcock (Chair), Yingxi Chen, David Hirsch, Kendra Rosenberg (Vice Chair), Marton Jojarth
TIMELINE RESOURCES NEEDED MEASURE OF SUCCESS STATE MANDATED / LOCAL LAW / COUNCIL-APPROVED On-Going
Planning staff prepare staff reports,packets and presentations. They ensure paper plan sets and material boards areready for ARB review. Other departments, such as, City Attorney, Urban Forestry, Transportation, etc., may be required from time to time. Consultants, including CEQA consultants, may also be required.
Issuance of recommendations on projects and high-quality architecture throughout the City.
Yes
COUNCIL-DIRECTED
POLICY UPDATE
N/A
2026-2027 Workplan
This is the Board's main mission and serves to ensure the City develops high quality projects. This includes preliminary review early in the planning process.
LOWER PRIORITY
Architectural Review Board
PROJECT/GOAL 1:
BENEFICIAL IMPACTS
Review Planning applications for conformance with ARB Findings and Objective Standards Staff Liaison: Steven Switzer, Senior PlannerLead Department: Current Planning, Planning and Development Services Division PURPOSE STATEMENT:
The Architectural Review Board reviews and makes recommendations to the Planning Director on the building design, site planning, landscape planning, massing and facades, material selection, lighting, signage and other related issues for most major new construction including additions and renovations that alter the exteriorbuilding face. The type of buildings reviewed include commercial, industrial, and multiple-family residential. In addition, the ARB is a resource as knowledgeable observers of many varied urban environments, to assist Palo Alto as it develops area plans to accommodate additional housing.The ARB Scope of Review is fully noted in Title 18 of the Municipal Code, Chapter 18.76 under Section 18.76.020, Chapter 18.77 under Section 18.77.073, and Chapter 18.38.
HIGH PRIORITY
TIMELINE RESOURCES NEEDED MEASURE OF SUCCESS STATE MANDATED / LOCAL LAW / COUNCIL-APPROVED On-Going Staff time. Council Approval Yes
COUNCIL-DIRECTED
POLICY UPDATE
Yes
TIMELINE RESOURCES NEEDED MEASURE OF SUCCESS STATE MANDATED / LOCAL LAW / COUNCIL-APPROVED FY 2026-27 with major code and policy milestones anticipated in calendar year 2026 and 2027 Additional staff at Planning so that the quality and completeness of the work is maintained.
Council Approval No
COUNCIL-DIRECTED
POLICY UPDATE
Yes
PROJECT/GOAL 3: Assist the City as it considers modifications to Objective Standards; Provide feedback based on research from projects as they go through the objective standards ministerial processes. Suggest ways to better address different housing typology.
HIGH PRIORITY LOWER PRIORITY
•Design guidance for major growth areas
BENEFICIAL IMPACTS
The ARB has unique feedback to provide as a stakeholder as they have interest in approving the aesthetic environment of the City while also understanding constraints that architects/developers may come across when implementing standards being considered•Housing generation, feasibility and design quality.•Downtown Housing Plan and SB 79 implementation•Review and recommend aesthetic standards for Wireless Communication Facilities (WCFs) as part of an ongoing WCF Ordinance update.
PROJECT/GOAL 2:
BENEFICIAL IMPACTS
Provide feedback to staff and Council on the creation of new guidelines, ordinances, and/or streetscapes, as directed by Council Streamline the objective standard review process and ensure that projects using the streamlined review process/objective standards conform to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Goals and Policies, including its high-quality design standards
HIGH PRIORITY LOWER PRIORITY
•Modifications to South of Forest Area Coordinated Area Plan (SOFA) subjective development standards with objective standards consistent with Housing Element Program 3.7.•Objective standards for diverse housing types
TIMELINE RESOURCES NEEDED MEASURE OF SUCCESS STATE MANDATED / LOCAL LAW / COUNCIL-APPROVED On-going
Planning staff to help research policies and programs; coordination with long range planning section staff.
Increased adherence to Comprehensive Plan policies Yes
COUNCIL-DIRECTED
POLICY UPDATE
Yes
TIMELINE RESOURCES NEEDED MEASURE OF SUCCESS STATE MANDATED / LOCAL LAW / COUNCIL-APPROVED On-going Staff time
•Have staff continue to provide updates in the pending projects attachment on development proposals. •The ARB can appoint a representative to attend Council and PTC and to provide feedback on reviewed projects.
No
COUNCIL-DIRECTED
POLICY UPDATE
No
PROJECT/GOAL 5: Improve Coordination between the Architectural Review Board and other boards, commissions, and Council.PROJECT/GOAL 4:
HIGH PRIORITY LOWER PRIORITY
This project would enhance implementation of the City's Comprehensive Plan.
BENEFICIAL IMPACTS
•San Antonio Road Area Plan•Downtown Housing Plan •South of Forest Area (SOFA)•California Avenue •University Avenue streetscape improvements
Discuss specific Coordinated Area Plans/ streetscape improvements and provide comments that the ARB would recommend exploring/implementing.
BENEFICIAL IMPACTS
Improved coordination between boards/commissions and council to get feedback from colleagues on other boards. Provide more coordinated feedback from the City for developers.
HIGH PRIORITY LOWER PRIORITY
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD ANNUAL REPORT
PRIOR YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS FISCAL YEAR 2026
ITEMS OF NOTE
• The ARB provided valuable feedback to assist Council with respect to the San Antionio Road Area Plan, Cubberley Master Plan, and California Avenue Pre-Approved Parklet designs. This work was consistent with Goal 2 and 4 of the 25/26 Work Plan. • The ARB designated board members as representatives to attend Council and Planning and Transportation Commission meeting to provide feedback on reviewed projects. In addition, the ARB selected board members to represent the board with the Urban Land Institute Initiative with Palo Alto, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), and Stanford related to the Palo Alto Transit Center. This work is consistent with Goal 5 of the 25/26 Work Plan.
• The ARB reviewed around 17 projects, including multi-family housing with below-market units, mixed-use developments, master sign programs, and retail modifications at Stanford Shopping Center aligning with Goal 1 of the 24/25 Work Plan.
APPLICATION REVIEW
The ARB prides itself on its collaborative review process, where board member’s diverse perspectives enhance proposed projects and improve Palo Alto's built environment. Our oversight has made a significant impact, as shown in the renderings section of this report, comparing initial proposals to final designs.
ADDRESS/PROJECT DESCRIPTION
975 Page Mill Road Commercial Office Renovation, Façade modification 180 El Camino Real Tenant improvement (Cedar and Sage Restaurant) 762 San Antonio Road Multifamily residential development 660 University Avenue/511 Byron Street Mixed Use and Housing 2280 El Camino Real Façade
180 El Camino Real Tenant improvement (Ralph Lauren)
250 Hamilton Avenue/1661 Page Mill Road Tier 2 Wireless Modification in Right-of-way 340 Portoga Avenue Signage
2100-2400 Geng Road Builder’s Remedy (145 For Sale Townhomes) 375 Hamilton Avenue Public Parking Garage
3606 El Camino Real Builder’s Remedy (321 Rental units) 3781 El Camino Real Builder’s Remedy (177 Rental units) 4103 Old Trace Road Streamlined Housing Development (Single-Family Residences with ADUs/JADUs; total 16 units)
450 Lytton Avenue (Lot T) Streamlined Housing Development (72 Rental units) 800-808/814 San Antonio Road Planned Home Zoning (174 Rental units) 788 San Antonio Road Planned Home Zoning (167 Rental units)
ADDRESS/PROJECT DESCRIPTION
4000 Middlefield Road (Cubberley Community Center) Cubberley Master Plan San Antiono Road Area Plan San Antiono Road Area Plan
Cal Avenue Pre-Approved Parklets Pre-approved parklets for car-free streets
RENDERINGS
Below are renderings of approved projects, showcasing the evolution from their initial proposal to designs with the incorporated ARB feedback. A summary of key design modifications made based on ARB feedback is also provided. 2100-2400 Geng Road
Initial Proposal: Final Design:
Incorporated Feedback:
• Incorporated a third duplex building typology to the project. • Softened contrast of colors for a more muted color palette to align with the Baylands Master Plan.
• Tiered retaining walls and landscaping on Geng Road and entry drive to allow for a more gradual transition to the raised grade of the site. 3606 El Camino Real
Initial Proposal: Final Design:
Incorporated Feedback:
• Continued the fin design motif to both building corners • Included an accentuated massing break along El Camino Real and more inset balconies. • Enhanced landscaping on the south side to transition the building into the lower density development of the Barron Park neighborhood. • Revised podium level courtyards with improved access and circulation. 3781 El Camino Real
Initial Proposal: Final Design:
Incorporated Feedback:
• Expanded the podium level patios to maximize usable outdoor space and strengthened the connection between the building and the street. • Improved bike circulation with direct connections to the parking garage and relocated trash staging to avoid right-of-way conflicts. • Redesigned garage entry to better screen the two levels of parking from Curtner Avenue.