[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6479858,"mediaKeyId","5692063-d122a3c42ae0b95ff316bae037bfa59f","parentId",5692063,"title","Palo Alto historic board discusses transferring subterranean development rights to residential historic properties","audioSeconds",1357,"startMs",2347000,"endMs",3704000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692063-d122a3c42ae0b95ff316bae037bfa59f&start=2347&end=3704","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692063-d122a3c42ae0b95ff316bae037bfa59f/thumbnail_2347000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6479858/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Palo-Alto-historic-board-discusses-transferring-subterranean-development-rights-to-residential-historic-properties","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479858-97f6d80884ac807d7ade9f92ee5133a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771020503&Signature=lUa9F-9aKc5y6Qht9gAlq8o1LsATesLermG4HykwsP7saIfqGU~fwZpQWKO~e65vb1iyqR9OTEk5EqBt5OqYabbOMNdzcUODrPxX6PBEWgBFzgZz4m04CGEtSuth5aw4e8OK4URARfLh0kYkYzBzW1tNRNZKZ0-jQgeLY6rJImJtSlgO5w8IMD16urDNa7NU6UJFwdr4InKV6kZcbohW2ViVVJNyaKdYbi-VzsVReZNWe3YKoOsVAmF8ttjxsRZSNU-kP0MqK~95EYrr~mQa7geWHFpLY9bJhF6zaukTgRXjbZwVj3EI2Rnzp26QWPJ-2CzRHjnr2sBQiYL3yc-X1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Palo Alto","date","2025-08-29T04:27:24Z","article","Board members discussed a proposal to add a transferable subterranean development-rights incentive for qualifying category 1 and 2 historic residential properties, a policy the Historic Resources Board framed as an analogue to downtown commercial floor‑area transfer programs.

Board member Pease introduced the concept as part of the board's work plan goal 4, saying the proposal would permit property owners who agree to list qualified historic homes on the local register to construct basements beyond their building footprints or to sell those additional subterranean development rights as transferable development rights (TDRs) to other residential property owners. Pease presented a case study for a house in Professorville (440 Melville) that showed how the proposed benefit could increase developable floor area significantly compared with existing code limits.

Why it matters: The plan is intended as an incentive for owners of qualifying but unlisted historic homes to accept listing and preservation covenants by offering substantial development value in return. Proponents said the approach could lead to more rehabilitations without altering the visible historic character of homes because added space would be below grade.

Details and concerns: In the case study presented, the existing house (~3,900 sq ft) could expand under current code to about 6,500 sq ft; under the proposed approach, subterranean expansion could increase total developable area to about 10,400 sq ft and create roughly 3,800 sq ft in transferable rights. The presenters said such expansion allows more parking and utilities below grade and could convert detached garages to accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

Staff cautioned that implementing such a policy would require zoning and specific‑plan text changes, and it could raise hydrology, groundwater pumping and floodplain management issues. One staff member noted FEMA limits on new basements in some flood areas; the board acknowledged additional technical and regulatory analysis would be necessary. Members discussed potential receiver sites for purchased development rights and noted residential neighborhoods vary in lot size and suitability for subterranean development.

Next steps: Board members said they had briefed the mayor and vice mayor on the idea and expressed interest in preparing a concrete proposal should the city council wish to consider a code change. Staff said a city‑sponsored code change would need council buy‑in and departmental resources or, alternatively, could proceed as a privately initiated text amendment subject to fees and staff review.

No formal action was taken; the discussion focused on whether and how to further refine the proposal for council consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Historic Resources Board Meeting - August 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members discussed a proposal to allow qualifying category 1 and 2 historic residential properties to obtain or sell subterranean development rights (basement expansion beyond existing footprints) as an incentive to accept historic listing and preservation covenants.","taxTitle","Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California","taxId",3867,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6479865,"Palo Alto historic board endorses rehabilitation of 1950 Cowper Street",1254,736000,1990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692063-d122a3c42ae0b95ff316bae037bfa59f&start=736&end=1990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692063-d122a3c42ae0b95ff316bae037bfa59f/thumbnail_736000.jpg","/articles/6479865/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Palo-Alto-historic-board-endorses-rehabilitation-of-1950-Cowper-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479865-7da5894c1714cfecf9b70f2c09e96052/orig.mp4?Expires=1771020503&Signature=PtpBGBdL2jTWVhsDmbqXvuPGapE2nEpQHaUNmWVmvKzeQhDgulXWxIDY8l6G11nJtzz3IYSCjsxTNEJmz8F9AhZFY~90WMRnuAEAY2l3QdeZbeGJ6aGBw2gHP1LwkVYPbEMgzAkRHdbRIyvZOqvbuQMiq0kneMb3Gb1JyJQf4Et4adrCffXBFv2sM~hG~kf8ArAhdjaQLOIgaEad8rtMxUNsPPrWDHDwcCuAp6vmr~rZWvq-9UbgjRgAxqcMN8c3fhM73GD9rhnFkYI4XRBIXnbielF~xafAgxZtHgnOzzGjaaw0hXk~AaP~HgXfrF5ZftDcJJbD39EOM3taHRf~VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Palo Alto Historic Resources Board voted 5-0 to recommend that the director of Planning and Development Services find the proposed rehabilitation at 1950 Cowper Street consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.

The action came after a staff presentation and a brief applicant overview of plans that would remove nonhistoric additions, reopen a covered garage to create an outdoor living pavilion, repair clay tile roofing and restore original fenestration where possible. Steven (staff, Planning and Development Services) told the board the period of significance for the property runs from its 1932 construction through a 1942 garden-house addition designed by architect Burge Clark. Danielle DeYoung, project manager for Marmel Radziner in San Francisco, represented the applicant and said the project aims \"to bring the house closer back to its original design\" and remove later skylights and exterior walls added after the 1930s.

Why it matters: The house, located in the Old Palo Alto neighborhood and described in staff materials as a Spanish Colonial Revival residence designed by Burge Clark for the Lucy Stern family, is listed as a high‑priority (category 1) historic resource in the city inventory. A board recommendation that the rehabilitation meet Secretary of the Interior standards is a formal step that the planning director will consider when reviewing the project for design and permit approvals.

Board members asked about parking and historic character. DeYoung said the brick paved driveway will remain and that the owner expects uncovered parking spaces to be shown on the building‑permit plan set; she said the owners do not currently intend to retain covered parking inside the former garage space and described the area as flexible outdoor living that can be cleared for vehicle parking if needed. Steven said required construction details such as gutters are typically resolved at the building‑permit stage; the applicant confirmed existing half‑round copper gutters will be maintained.

Several board members praised the project as a sensitive restoration of an important local building and thanked the applicant and owner for removing a front wall that staff and the applicant said was a later alteration. After discussion a member moved to approve the plans and to find the project compliant with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation; a second was recorded and the board voted unanimously.

The recommendation now goes to the director of Planning and Development Services for formal review and any subsequent permit approvals. The board did not place conditions that would alter the applicant's current proposal in the motion recorded at the meeting.","The Historic Resources Board recommended that the director of Planning and Development Services find the proposed rehabilitation of the category‑1 Spanish Colonial Revival house at 1950 Cowper Street consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and voted 5-0 to forward the recommendation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6479854,"Historic Resources Board approves prior meeting minutes; roll calls recorded",220,2066000,2286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692063-d122a3c42ae0b95ff316bae037bfa59f&start=2066&end=2286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692063-d122a3c42ae0b95ff316bae037bfa59f/thumbnail_2066000.jpg","/articles/6479854/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Historic-Resources-Board-approves-prior-meeting-minutes-roll-calls-recorded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6479854-4e4b75752e2a0181fdb22dc50b8241da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771020503&Signature=R1zxzrZeFsb1WSQ1gENAFp5Lc2LnaVow4mNnVq18x8cVQ0ocIJpr-MuPz4ZzMblIWTq8RNZIzrGA4ozIJ7buW7tBR-Qyfs7IXlClSj2lI2oCgcaXVkKRAGhstQ1MvtcDqsQtcZm~i29Q3lc0QGLGJ2TeFqjuriF5TDCzKxMRvatf9fV6oTds7m-53hIzzyTmXXXiSHnLvdh6z3nYzByr7FSgImhxmQ3v2DoptnvdVgyOKFtTcB6PONVGCwyRETaRU92eKbRfw4yWpfOALlnZEADo1JTrctB0-c8E5jCKOsa8IhjFF~cFIGCs8vWbnTjiieJNBS5ftqAngfFc5UdyfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Palo Alto Historic Resources Board approved minutes from two previous meetings during its special August session.

The board approved the minutes of the June 12, 2025 meeting by roll call with four votes in favor and one abstention. Vice Chair Roman recorded an abstention; the motion carried 4-0-1. Later the board approved the minutes of the July 10, 2025 meeting by roll call with four votes in favor and one abstention; the chair recorded the abstention in that vote and the motion carried 4-0-1.

Why it matters: Approval of meeting minutes is a routine administrative action that finalizes the official record and enables subsequent actions that rely on past decisions. Staff reminded members absent from a given meeting that abstentions are appropriate when voting on minutes for meetings they did not attend.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes, 06/12/2025: Motion carried 4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain (Roman) — outcome: approved.

- Approve minutes, 07/10/2025: Motion carried 4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain (Chair) — outcome: approved.

No public comment was recorded on either item and staff confirmed there were no additional corrections beyond committee-assignment clarifications discussed during the July‑minutes item.","The Historic Resources Board approved minutes from its June 12 and July 10, 2025 meetings in separate roll-call votes; the June minutes carried 4-0-1 with Vice Chair Roman abstaining and the July minutes carried 4-0-1 with the chair abstaining.","actionData","errors"]

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Palo Alto historic board discusses transferring subterranean development rights to residential historic properties

Palo Alto historic board endorses rehabilitation of 1950 Cowper Street

Historic Resources Board approves prior meeting minutes; roll calls recorded