Proposed Project Approval Process
On May 15, 2014 the proposal was presented to the Palo Alto Architectural Review Board for preliminary review. A complete set of the architect’s renderings are here. A report of the meeting was published in the Palo Alto Online and the complete video transcript of the proceedings, including remarks by several Barron Square residents is available
The property is currently zoned RM-15 (Multiple residential, 15 units per acre) so the ¾ acre parcel would accommodate 12 units under current zoning. The next step for the proposed project would be a request to the Planning and Transportation Commission for rezoning of the parcel to RM-30. The project would have to go back to the ARB for formal architectural approval. The final project would have to be approved by the City Council.
This property is only 3/4 of an acre. For the owners to develop it with their current plan they require approval of a Zoning change, from RM 15 TO RM 30, which I believe would be opposed by the majority of Barron Square residents as well as the surrounding Community.
As I understand it, the BSHOA has requested the deed for the sale to see if the Codicil that Janet Thain included when she sold the rest of Thain way, was included by the Executor of Janet’s estate when it was sold to the Juan Trust. When that information is obtained I believe that we should “revisit” the use of that parcel in it’s entirety, & continue to follow this very closely.
The Archetect for this parcel designed the “Grey Box looking Bld:g. with the Solar panels on top”, as well as the Bldg. that Houses Starbucks & Subway. That alone causes concern for us.
Ree & Gary Dufresne
I just sent this message to Grennady Sheyner:
….Just getting to read your review of the May 15, ARB meeting. I’m concerned you didn’t include Laszlo Tokes’ very important comments made at the end of the round. He articulated the narrow substandard street, that is Thain Way, no continuous sidewalks, and other onsite private facilities that could attract ‘trespassing’ [my word]. I hope you will be able to write some addendum.
In addition, the suggestion by the ARB chair, that ‘it would be nice for children/people to meander around our sidewalks and get to know out community” is LUDICROUS. After the session, I asked him point blank if he ever visited out complex… because there are no sidewalks to meander around. If one leaves the street, they will be on private property and there are no sidewalks going into it [the complex]. Our substandard street requires our own residents to walk and bike down the middle of Thain and share it with our cars. Adding more pedestrians and bikes from a visiting property will add negatively to an already difficult situation.
thank you
Ruth Lowy
Thain Way, Barron Square
Is ARB’s approval of this ‘over the top’ project their way of punishing for defeat of the Maybell project? I hope we can stand together against this over reach of the zoning laws. Count me in.