Historic Resources Board recommends bonus floor area for rehabilitation at 271 University Ave.

The Palo Alto Historic Resources Board voted 4-0, with one member absent, to recommend that the director find that a rehabilitation project at 271 University Ave. complies with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and to award 2,500 square feet of bonus floor area under the city's transfer-of-development-rights (TDR) program.

The board's action, taken at its July meeting, covers accessibility upgrades and other rehabilitation work on a building that staff described as a locally inventoried Category 2 resource in the Downtown North neighborhood. City staff said the request seeks the maximum allowable bonus floor area — 2,500 square feet — for rehabilitation projects that meet municipal-code criteria for historic resources in the commercial downtown district.

Staff member Steven Switzer told the board the building was constructed in 1930 and has undergone several storefront and canopy alterations over the years. He said the city's consultant, Page & Turnbull, prepared a memorandum finding the current plans comply with the Secretary of the Interior's standards, subject to a minor design revision to address drainage from a proposed canopy across a public walking surface. Switzer said that if the design changes substantially it would return to the board, but staff expected the drainage issue could be resolved administratively.

Ken Hayes of Hayes Group Architects, representing applicant Thoits Brothers, described proposed work concentrated on the front facade: restoring steel-sash windows and plaster details, recessing the storefront to improve accessibility, and installing a minimal steel-and-glass canopy. Hayes said the recessed storefront would move the entry back about 5 feet to meet accessibility requirements and create room for sidewalk seating. "We look forward to your recommendation to the director for approval of the project so that we can move forward," Hayes said.

A representative identified in public comment as speaking for the Thoits family said the TDR program helps offset rehabilitation costs and supports seismic upgrades and other preservation work. The board debated an aesthetic detail — whether to include horizontal mullions in the proposed storefront glazing — and signaled strong support for the mullions before taking the motion.

During the meeting the board's motion asked the Historic Resources Board to recommend to the director that the project conforms with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. The motion passed by voice vote; the clerk recorded "motion carries." Staff noted the floor area award can be used on-site or sold to eligible receiver sites on the private market and that the city bookmarks the award until a sale and transfer are finalized.

The board's recommendation will be transmitted to the director for a final administrative determination. Staff also noted an open technical issue about canopy drainage and compliance with updated California building-code provisions; staff said that if the project's design changes substantially the project would return to the board for further review.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the recommendation by voice vote, recorded as 4-0 with one absence; individual roll-call votes were not read into the record for this item.

Proper names referenced in the proceeding include Palo Alto, 271 University Ave., Hayes Group Architects, Thoits Brothers, Page & Turnbull, University Avenue and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. The board indicated the item would proceed to the director with the board's recommendation.