Architectural Review Board - March 20, 2025

Board members favor less signage and more street activation

Architectural Review Board members called for California Avenue’s emerging sign and wayfinding program to be folded into a broader street plan, with less emphasis on directional signs and more on public activity, landscaping and art. The March 20 study session ended without a vote, and no street layout or sign design was approved.

Staff presented a “modern optimism” identity, modular signs, pedestrian directories, banners, three gateway concepts and potential outdoor-activity zones for the car-free segment between Birch Street and El Camino Real. The work follows the City Council’s March 10 decision to permanently close the segment to through traffic and designate it a community street.

Staff said the planning would preserve building and emergency access, 8-foot pedestrian ways, a slow two-way bicycle lane and roughly 80 stalls for the Sunday farmers market. Near-term improvements at El Camino Real, Ash Street and Birch Street include retractable bollards, decorative paving, planters, signs and bicycle-lane markings, with completion anticipated by the end of April.

David Hirsch supported the Cal Ave identity but said the plan should sharply reduce wayfinding and prioritize performance space, family activities, public art and other programming. Peter Baltay argued that a master plan covering access, landscaping, gathering spaces and future street changes should precede a detailed sign program, though he urged near-term attention to the funded El Camino Real marker. Members differed over whether that gateway should be an overhead arch or a lower monument sign.

Kendra Rosenberg raised emergency-access concerns and supported a pickup and drop-off area near Birch Street; staff said retractable bollards at El Camino Real, Ash Street and Birch Street would allow emergency vehicles to enter and exit. Yingxi Chen proposed interactive landmark art and a potentially digital tenant directory, while Mousam Adcock asked who would keep tenant listings current as businesses change. Staff said a future merchant association could be one option.

Staff plans community outreach in April on how street space should be allocated and hopes to report to the City Council in June on outdoor-activation guidelines. It will also continue developing street-design alternatives, cost estimates, signage implementation plans and funding proposals using the board’s feedback.

De la Rosa design wins 5-0 approval amid clearance questions

The board voted 5-0 to approve De la Rosa’s proposed storefront, facade, lighting, four signs and redesigned outdoor dining area at 180 El Camino Real as presented. The restaurant is planned for the former California Pizza Kitchen space at Stanford Shopping Center.

Members broadly supported the architecture but questioned how a recorded 20-foot utility easement, a 20-foot aggregate mall-egress clearance and an intended 8-foot pedestrian path were being applied. Peter Baltay said the requirements appeared inconsistent with other mall conditions, particularly because existing trees and light poles would remain within the path, while still supporting approval.

Mousam Adcock suggested a more substantial patio edge and planter treatment, and Kendra Rosenberg said canopy supports and patio-egress details could receive further review. The board’s motion added no design conditions based on those comments. The applicant will still need to resolve canopy engineering, facade connections and drainage during plan review, while the recorded easement document is expected to be provided to the city for clarification.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting agenda