Publication Date: Wednesday Feb 11, 1998

HISTORIC RESOURCES: 805 Channing appeal denied

The Palo Alto City Council voted 5-4 to deny the appeal of contributing status and its accompanying design review for a single-story, gray bungalow at 805 Channing Ave. on Feb. 2. The discussion focused on what might go up in place of the house, not whether the house itself had character and integrity.

"This particular lot is a corner lot. It is visually very important," said Council member Dena Mossar in making the motion to deny the appeal. Mossar said she visited the site twice before making her decision.

Council member Lanie Wheeler said the house, built in 1901 but altered over the years, fit in with its neighbors. "The area surrounding this house has a definite character and flavor and this house certainly contributes," said Wheeler. "It does not detract at all."

At one point, City Attorney Ariel Calonne cautioned council members from straying from the original intent of the interim historic ordinance, saying they should separate what might be built on the site from whether the house should be designated contributing.

The owner, Tim Flagg, said he was unable to attend the original Historic Resources Board hearing because he couldn't find a baby-sitter, but was surprised to learn the result. "Some architects call it a bungalow, others don't," he said. "For me, it's not a good example of whatever you want to call it."

At the initial hearing on Dec. 4, 1997, the HRB voted 4-3 to designate his house contributing, meaning he could significantly remodel it or even demolish it as long as his plans were approved by the city's contract architect.

Some of the City Council members who voted against the motion and in support of Flagg's appeal--Council members Vic Ojakian and Gary Fazzino and Vice Mayor Micki Schneider and Mayor Rosenbaum--said the fact that the three dissenting HRB votes were from the only architects on the board was significant.

"It is a totally unremarkable building. Period." Fazzino said. He added that he was nervous about pushing contributing status onto homes that may be of borderline significance. "That, I really believe, could create problems in the support of the initial objectives of the ordinance."

Schneider showed concern that a photo of the house was not included in the staff report, and instead many examples given of bungalows "with a very distinctive style" were included.

Former Mayor Joe Huber, whose wife, Nancy, is president of Palo Alto Stanford Heritage (PAST), was the only council member who didn't comment on the issue. He voted to deny the appeal.

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