Architectural Review Board - May 29, 2025

Board recommends reuse project with fewer setback encroachments

The Architectural Review Board voted 5-0 to recommend approval of an adaptive-reuse project at 975 Page Mill Road, with modifications removing a corner stair along Page Mill Road and the concrete wall parallel to Hansen Way. The recommendation is not the final city action; staff will update the findings and conditions before the Director of Planning and Development Services makes a decision.

The proposal would renovate an existing 50,527-square-foot office building, designate 3,769 square feet for eating and drinking use, and revise the facade, landscaping, site circulation and parking. It would replace 43 substandard parking spaces with 33 code-compliant spaces.

The setback changes were a central issue because the site has 50-foot special setbacks along Page Mill Road and Hansen Way. Staff supported design-enhancement exceptions for facade sun shades but recommended removing patio walls, stairs and other permanent encroachments from the setbacks. The board's recommendation allowed the stair connecting the Hansen Way patio to the building as a design-enhancement exception, while limiting other retaining walls to the minimum needed for soil retention and tree preservation. The applicant may return to an ad hoc committee with a revised Hansen Way railing proposal no more than 3 feet high.

Board adds wireless standards review to lower-priority work plan

The board voted 5-0 to approve its annual report and work plan after adding a review of wireless standards and processes as a lower-priority item. Members also called for revisions to project imagery and report formatting, which staff will finalize.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet