The project site is located on Dolores 2 southeast of 7th on a 12,000 square foot lot comprised of three lots of record (Block: 91, Lots: 6, 8, 10). The applicant is proposing to demolish all improvements across the three lots and construct a 16,898 square foot two story mixed-use development with a 11,371 square foot basement garage. Two-thirds of the project site (lots 6 & 8) are located on part of the Palo Alto Savings and Loan Bank complex which currently occupies Lots 2, 4, 6, and 8 of Block 91.
The Palo Alto Savings and Loan Bank complex, consisting of a bank building and detached community room building, was constructed in 1972 and was designed by noted architects, Walter Burde and William Shaw, both of whom are listed in the City’s Historic Context Statement. While the Palo Alto Savings and Loan buildings are characteristic of the Second Bay Region Tradition of architecture, and designed by noted architects, the complex was deemed ineligible for listing on the City’s Historic Inventory as well as the National Register. In 2019, a Determination of Ineligibility was issued for the property by the City Council following the appeal of the Historic Resources Board’s decision to add the property to the City’s Historic Inventory; the Determination of Ineligibility will expire on October 26, 2022. While the complex is not eligible for listing on the nation or local inventory, it was previously determined that the site is eligible for listing on the California Register of Historic Resources (CRHR) and the complex, as a whole, is a historic resource for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
At the April 19, 2021 Historic Resources Board Meeting, the Board considered a Determination of Consistency for the demolition of the Palo Alto Saving and Loan Community Room. At the April 19th hearing, Staff had prepared a Resolution (Attachment 2) issuing a Determination of Consistency with the Secretary's Standards for the demolition of the Community Room, however, the Board voted 2-1 (2 members absent) to continue the item with direction to Staff to prepare a Resolution issuing a Finding of Noncompliance for the proposed demolition of the Community Room.
Staff has prepared a Resolution issuing a Finding of Noncompliance for consideration and adoption by the Historic Resources Board as directed at the April 19th hearing (Attachment 1).