Prior Year
Accomplishments
• Reviewed nine (9) applications including historic category upgrades, rehabilitation projects, accessibility upgrades, adaptive reuse, and transfer of development right projects. • Created the City’s first Historic Preservation Awards program that will occur every 5 years. The HRB reviewed over 100 projects in the past 10 years and selected 10 award winners aligning with FY 25/26 work plan goal #5. This initiative aligns with Comprehensive Plan Program L 7.6, which promotes awards programs and other forms of public recognition for exemplary Historic Preservation projects.• Reviewed the Certified Local Government annual report and continued implementation of the City’s historic preservation program.•An Ad Hoc Committee prepared a list of additional preservation incentives for Council consideration, including establishing a Mills Act Pilot Program, digital preservation through photography and 3D scanning, and the relocation of structures.
Historic Resources Board
Staff Liaison: Steven Switzer, Senior PlannerLead Department: Planning and Development Services About the Commission
The City is a Certified Local Government (CLG) responsible for historic preservation - to identify, evaluate, register, and preserve historic properties within its jurisdictions and promote the integration of local preservation interests and concerns into local planning and decision-making processes. Staff prepares an annual report of the activities of the Certified Local Government each spring for the prior year and submits these to the State Office of Historic Preservation. This HRB Work Plan covers July 2026 - July 2027. The HRB consists of five members with terms for 3 years and are staggered per PAMC Section 2.27.020. For the HRB Webpage: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/CityHall/Boards-Commissions/Historic-Resources-Board. 2026-2027 Workplan
Mission Statement
Per Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 2.27 Historic Resources Board, Section 2.27.040 Duties, HRB purview is:(a) Render advice and guidance to a property owner upon the owner's application for alteration of any historic single-family or duplex building in the downtown area and any such building designated as significant elsewhere in the city (b) Inform the ARB of the historical and/or architectural significance of historic commercial and multiple-family structures in the downtown area and any such buildings designated as significant elsewhere in the City that are under review by the ARB. Submit recommendations to the ARB regarding proposed exterior alterations of such historic structures (c) Recommend to the Council the designation of additional buildings and districts as historic. Research available information and add historical information to the inventory sheets of historic structures/sites. This inventory is maintained in the department of planning and development services. (d) Perform such other functions as may be delegated from time to time to the HRB by the City Council.
Current Commissioners Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz, Geddes Ulinskas, Caroline Willis (Vice Chair), Samantha Rohman(Chair),
TIMELINE RESOURCES NEEDED MEASURE OF SUCCESS STATE MANDATED / LOCAL LAW / COUNCIL-APPROVED Ongoing
Planning staff prepare staff reports, packets and presentations. Other departments, such as the City Attorney, Urban Forestry, etc., may be required from time to time. Consultants, including CEQA consultants, may also be required.
Issuance of recommendations on projects and protection of historic resoruces throughout the City.
Yes
COUNCIL-DIRECTED
POLICY UPDATE
Yes
Historic Resources Board
Staff Liaison: Steven Switzer, Senior PlannerLead Department: Planning and Development Services PURPOSE STATEMENT:
The Board Commission's goals and purposes (purview) are set in Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 2.27 Historic Resources Board, Section 2.27.040 Duties. These duties include reviewing alterations to historic resources and providing recommendations on nominations to the local historic resources inventory. The City's historic program includes the implementation of Comprehensive Plan policies on an ongoing basis including Policy L7.2 (preparation of historic evaluations to determine eligibility for the California Register of Historical Resources and associated tracking), Policy L7.1.1 (recommend eligible resources to the local inventory), and Policy L7.1.2: Reassess Historic Preservation Ordinance. 2026-2027 Workplan
Review Planning applications for conformance with Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Structures.
Protects and preserves the City’s historic and architectural resources, strengthening community identity, character, and cultural and aesthetic value for current and future generations.
HIGH PRIORITY LOWER PRIORITY
BENEFICIAL IMPACTS
PROJECT/GOAL 1:
TIMELINE RESOURCES NEEDED MEASURE OF SUCCESS STATE MANDATED / LOCAL LAW / COUNCIL-APPROVED Subject to Council direction.
City Council direction and accommodation in the PDS department workplan would be needed. HRB subcommittee and staff of planning and city attorney departments to prepare draft amendments for Council review and adoption Well-written ordinance language that assists the public's understanding and calms the fears of property owners about governmental overreach Council may provide direction to modify PAMC 16.49; CLG cities maintain historic preservation ordinances.
COUNCIL-DIRECTED
POLICY UPDATE
Council may provide direction to modify PAMC 16.49; CLG cities maintain historic preservation ordinances
TIMELINE RESOURCES NEEDED MEASURE OF SUCCESS STATE MANDATED / LOCAL LAW / COUNCIL-APPROVED To begin in the first quarter and continue throughout the duration of the 26/27 work plan cycle Staff of PDS would be tasked as well as an HRB ad hoc committee to make progress.
Website contains links to information resources and videos, to assist property owners, staff, and others.
N/A
COUNCIL-DIRECTED
POLICY UPDATE
N/A
PROJECT/GOAL 2:
BENEFICIAL IMPACTS
PROJECT/GOAL 3:
BENEFICIAL IMPACTS
Limited modification to PAMC 16.49, historic preservation, providing clarifications regarding the HRB’s role. The HRB could discuss language providing clarifications of its role with respect to three potential topics: (a) the nomination process, (b) the effect of HRB recommendations regarding exterior modifications to residential historic resources, and (c) category changes (upgrades, downgrades, removals)Education and Creating New User-Friendly Resources/Communication Regarding Historic Preservation. (a) find new ways to promote preservation, including use of the existing zoning code incentives and State historic building code (b) improve upon communication types to provide the community accessible information, including the use of videos (linked to the City’s and State’s webpages) to help property owners understand the local and State preservation incentives and codes, (c) continue to provide updates to the historic review process bulletin as needed to communicate CEQA requirements related to PAMC 16.49 and listed historic resources, and (d) enable the HRB staff liaison(s), the City’s historic preservation consultant, and Chief Building Official to implement training providing an ongoing opportunity for HRB members, staff, and the community to gain working knowledge as to the use of the State’s historic building code
LOWER PRIORITY
Lower priority: Goal item (c) - listed historic resources placed on the City's inventory in the late 1970s and 1980s have not been reviewed to determine whether any modifications reduce critical aspects of integrity and drop or lower the properties' local historic resource category.
The benefits are providing clarification of the HRB's role for the publicThe benefits would be to improve preservation in Palo Alto and clarity for owners of historic properties.Item (a) a table of existing zoning code incentives and another table of historic building code provisions and Item (b) improvements to types of communications used to promote historic preservation.
HIGH PRIORITYHIGH PRIORITY
Priority is high to enable greater understanding of the HRB's role and address property owners' concerns with respect to Goal items (a) and (b)
LOWER PRIORITY
Items (c) and (d)
TIMELINE RESOURCES NEEDED MEASURE OF SUCCESS STATE MANDATED / LOCAL LAW / COUNCIL-APPROVED Continuing efforts from last 25/26 FY workplan targetting completion in the second quarter Staff of PDS would be tasked as well as an HRB ad hoc committee to make progress.
Website contains links to updated Inventory List, to assist property owners, staff, and others.
No
COUNCIL-DIRECTED
POLICY UPDATE
No
TIMELINE RESOURCES NEEDED MEASURE OF SUCCESS STATE MANDATED / LOCAL LAW / COUNCIL-APPROVED On-going throughout FY 26/27
PDS staff and CAO staff. City Council direction and accommodation in the PDS department workplan would be needed.
More historic properties are preserved for future enjoyment of the owners and community, due to the additional incentives.
Yes
COUNCIL-DIRECTED
POLICY UPDATE
N/A
Properties that have been demolished remove from local inventory Providing the public with updated information
HIGH PRIORITY LOWER PRIORITY
PROJECT/GOAL 4:
Properties that have lost integrity over time that may need a category change Prepare an updated Local Inventory Resource list that incorporates the recently designated properties from the 2023 Historic Reconnaissance Survey efforts, Category Upgrades, and removal of properties that have been demolished.
BENEFICIAL IMPACTS
PROJECT/GOAL 5:
Additional preservation incentives (a) discuss and recommend additional zoning code incentives to continue the community engagement process that began with the 2023 reconnaissance survey inventory update; (b) represent the HRB’s interests during public hearings, or participate in joint meetings with the Planning and Transportation Commission and City Council, to review any proposed zoning code modifications incentivizing historic preservation incentives; (c) outreach to the community after adoption of any adopted new incentives.
Benefit will be for all property owners who do not currently see any benefit to listing their property on the City's historic inventory
HIGH PRIORITY LOWER PRIORITY
• Review the Floor Area Bonus and Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs) incentives for historic resources.• Expand incentives to other Category 1 and 2 historic resources such as the text amendment for TDRs at 51 Encina Avenue. • Identify code barriers to rehabilitation, seismic upgrades, accessibility, and adaptive reuse.• Develop guidance tools for property owners and applicants. • Evaluate additional financial incentives, including potential Mills Act or similar tools.• Conduct outreach on preservation incentives and adaptive-reuse opportunities.
BENEFICIAL IMPACTS
2026 HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD AWARDS
For the inaugural Historic Resources Board (HRB) Awards Program, the HRB reviewed 159 preservaƟon projects completed over the past 10 years and selected nine award recipients, including a Board's Choice Award recognizing a block in Professorville for its collecƟve preservaƟon efforts and a special award honoring all residenƟal properƟes that voluntarily completed seismic retrofits during the past decade. CreaƟon of this award program implements Comprehensive Plan Program L7.6, which encourages awards programs and other forms of public recogniƟon for exemplary historic preservaƟon projects. 215 Fulton Avenue| ResidenƟal PreservaƟon 501 Kingsley Avenue | ResidenƟal RehabilitaƟon Listed Category 3 Resource. Work idenƟfied
from a 2016 permit including porch repair,
reroof, and window replacement. This is one
of three remaining Mission Revival Houses
built in the city from 1908-1909.
Listed Category 2 Resource built in 1897.
Work idenƟfied from a 2022 permit including
the removal of non historic addiƟons from
the 1970s (Solarium) and restoraƟon of the
Colonial Revival residence.
2026 HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD AWARDS
1100 Block of Ramona Street Professorville Historic District | Board Choice Award As one of Palo Alto's oldest residenƟal neighborhoods, the Professorville Historic District reflects the unique background of the city’s origins and its early Ɵes to the founding of Stanford. CollecƟvely the homes on the 1100 Block of Ramona Street retain a high degree of historic integrity and conƟnue to exemplify the cohesive character and architectural significance of the Professorville historic district.
2026 HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD AWARDS
2510 Waverley Street | ResidenƟal RehabilitaƟon 1143 Bryant Street | ResidenƟal RestoraƟon Listed Category 2 Resource built in 1937. Early
California style adobe style. Work idenƟfied from a
2022 permit including window and door
replacements and parƟal reroof with interior
modificaƟons.
Located in the Professorville Historic District.
Work idenƟfied from a 2016 permit following
a fire that destroyed the residence’s interior.
Work included restoraƟon of the basement,
first, and second floors.
2026 HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD AWARDS
900 High Street (Peninsula Creamery) |
Commercial PreservaƟon
165 Channing Avenue (Watercourse Way) |
Commercial RehabilitaƟon
Listed Category 2 resource and a family-owned
business over 100 years old. Founded in 1923. Work
idenƟfied from a 2021 permit for voluntary
accessibility upgrades.
Listed Category 4 resource built in 1931. Work
idenƟfied from a 2019 permit for voluntary
accessibility upgrades
2026 HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD AWARDS
450 Bryant Street (Avenidas) | Commercial AdapƟve
Re-Use
Voluntary Seismic Retrofits | ResidenƟal
RehabilitaƟon
Over the past 10 years, 14 residenƟal properƟes have
voluntarily completed seismic retrofits.
Listed Category 2 resource built in 1927. Originally
designed by Birge Clark as the Palo Alto Fire and
Polica StaƟon. The work idenƟfied here is from a
2016 permit for modificaƟons to accommodate the
proposed Senior CiƟzen Center use.