CHAPTER 5

AESTHETICS

The following analysis identifies changes in the visual environment experienced by existing off-
site viewers with exposure to the Castilleja School project (proposed project). In addition, the
analysis discusses the potential impacts associated with implementation of the proposed project
relative to visual compatibility with existing development and consistency with the City of Palo
Alto (City) Comprehensive Plan goals and policies related to aesthetics and design.

The City received several comments addressing aesthetics in response to the Notice of Preparation
for this Environmental Impact Report (EIR). These comments identified neighbors’ concerns
regarding the compatibility of the proposed buildings with the surrounding residential
neighborhood, particularly in relation to building scale, massing and height, proposed setbacks,
tree loss, and the appearance of the garage. The Notice of Preparation, Initial Study and comments
received are provided in Appendix A.

5.1 EXISTING CONDITIONS

Regional Setting

The 6.58-acre project site is located in the City of Palo Alto in Santa Clara County. Palo Alto is
located in the northern part of Santa Clara County, in the portion of the Bay Area known as the
Mid-Peninsula. The City shares a boundary with San Mateo County and six cities. It sits between
the Santa Cruz Mountains and the San Francisco Bay.

The City of Palo Alto lies in the San Francisco Bay Area, which is part of the Coast Ranges
geomorphic province. The regional structure is dominated by the northwest-trending Santa Cruz
Mountains to the southwest and the Diablo Range across the bay to the northeast. The Santa Cruz
Mountains consist of two entirely different, incompatible core complexes, lying side by side and
separated from each other by large faults.

While there are no officially designated scenic highways within the City of Palo Alto, the 2030
Comprehensive Plan identifies several scenic routes including Embarcadero Road, Oregon
Expressway, and El Camino Real. The Comprehensive Plan also recognizes the aesthetic qualities
provided by forested hills, marshland, salt ponds, sloughs, creeks and riparian corridors in and
adjacent to the City and notes that the community values several distinctive qualities of the City,
including its historic buildings, pedestrian scale, high-quality architecture, and beautiful streets
and parks. Maintaining the physical qualities of the City is an overarching consideration,
incorporated in all parts of the Comprehensive Plan.

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Palo Alto comprises 16,627 acres, or about 26 square miles. The City began as a university town
in 1894 to serve the newly established Stanford University. The City grew to many times its
original size over the next century as land to the south and east was annexed.

The City contains at least 35 identifiable neighborhoods. Because the City’s neighborhoods were
developed over more than a century’s time, each has a distinct character. Each neighborhood
demonstrates the architectural styles, building materials, scale, and street patterns that were typical
at the time of its development.

Visual Conditions in the Project Vicinity

The proposed project is located in a single-family residential neighborhood on the south side of
Embarcadero Road. The Professorville Historic District is located north of the project site, on the
opposite side of Embarcadero Road. While the neighborhood surrounding the project site is not a
designated historic district, many of the homes in the vicinity date to the early 1900s. Consistent
with the description in the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan of neighborhoods built prior to the mid-
1940s, this area has a traditional pattern of development with relatively narrow streets in a grid
arrangement, curbside parking, vertical curbs, and street trees between the curb and sidewalk.
Homes are oriented to the street and parking is often located to the rear of the lot (Palo Alto 2017).
As shown in Figure 3-2, Site and Vicinity, in Chapter 3, Project Description, the area around
Castilleja School is heavily vegetated and has a moderately dense tree canopy. Figure 5-1,
Neighborhood Context Photographs, provides representative images of the neighborhood
surrounding the project site.

As described in Chapter 3, Project Description, the project site is fully developed with Castilleja
School facilities, including four academic buildings, an outdoor pool, a grassy area, a
soccer/baseball field, a small maintenance building, and surface parking lots. Two small residential
structures are also located on the project site; one is used as rental housing and the other, the
Lockey Alumnae House, is used for school functions and events. A total of 121 trees are located
on the site, four trees are located adjacent to the site on private property, and 42 street trees are
located immediately adjacent to the site within the public right-of-way. Figures 5-2 and 5-3,
Project Site Photographs, provide images that are representative of views of the Castilleja School
campus from the adjacent streets.

Scenic Roadways

Embarcadero Road runs along the northern boundary of the project site. The Palo Alto
Comprehensive Plan identifies Embarcadero Road as a scenic roadway. It runs from Harbor Road
to El Camino Real and provides secondary access to Stanford University. Embarcadero Road is
lined with trees, homes, parks, and schools, and westbound drivers on portions of this roadway
can enjoys views of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

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5.2 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Federal and State Regulations

There are no federal or state regulations pertaining to aesthetics that are applicable to the evaluation
of the aesthetic impacts of the proposed project.

Local Regulations

Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan

Land uses in the project area are governed by the City of Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan. The Palo
Alto Comprehensive Plan contains the City’s official policies on land use and community design,
transportation, housing, natural environment, business and economics, and community services.
Its policies apply to both public and private properties. Its focus is on the physical form of the City.
The Land Use and Community Design Element of the Comprehensive Plan provides establishes
goals, policies and programs that promote a high-degree of aesthetic quality in all new land
development projects within the City. Goals and policies that are applicable to the analysis of the
proposed project’s aesthetic impacts include:

 Goal L-3: Safe, attractive residential neighborhoods, each with its own distinct character
and within walking distance of shopping, services, schools, and/or other public gathering
places

o Policy L-3.1 Ensure that new or remodeled structures are compatible with the
neighborhood and adjacent structures.

 Goal L-6: Well-designed buildings that create coherent development patterns and enhance
city streets and public spaces

o Policy L-6.1 Promote high-quality design and site planning that is compatible with
surrounding development and public spaces.

o Policy L-6.2: Use the Zoning Ordinance, design review process, design guidelines
and Coordinated Area Plans to ensure high quality residential and commercial
design and architectural compatibility.

o Policy L-6.6: Design buildings to complement streets and public spaces; to

promote personal safety, public health and wellbeing; and to enhance a sense of
community safety.

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 Goal L-9: Attractive, inviting public spaces and streets that enhance the image and
character of the city

o Policy L-9.2: Encourage development that creatively integrates parking into the
project, including by locating it behind buildings or underground wherever
possible, or by providing for shared use of parking areas. Encourage other
alternatives to surface parking lots that minimize the amount of land devoted to
parking while still maintaining safe streets, street trees, a vibrant local economy
and sufficient parking to meet demand.

o Policy L-9.3 Treat residential streets as both public ways and neighborhood
amenities. Provide and maintain continuous sidewalks, healthy street trees, benches
and other amenities that promote walking and “active” transportation.

o Policy L-9.6 Create, preserve and enhance parks and publicly accessible, shared
outdoor gathering spaces within walking and biking distance of residential
neighborhoods.

Architectural Review Board

The Palo Alto Architectural Review Board (ARB) is established under Chapter 2.21 of the Palo
Alto Municipal Code. The ARB is responsible for design review of all new construction as well
as changes and additions to commercial, industrial and multiple-family projects. The ARB was
created to promote high aesthetic quality in land use development projects to ensure new projects
are visually compatible with neighboring land uses. Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 18.76.020
states “The purpose of architectural review is to:

1. Promote orderly and harmonious development in the city;

2. Enhance the desirability of residence or investment in the city;
3. Encourage the attainment of the most desirable use of land and improvements;
4. Enhance the desirability of living conditions upon the immediate site or in adjacent areas;
and
5. Promote visual environments which are of high aesthetic quality and variety and which,
at the same time, are considerate of each other.”

The ARB provides recommendations on projects to the Director of Planning and to the City
Council for their final approval. The Comprehensive Plan notes that the ARB plays an important
role in maintaining the City’s overall design standards and recognizes that “Palo Alto has many
buildings of outstanding architectural merit representing a variety of styles and periods. The best
examples of these buildings are constructed with quality materials, show evidence of

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craftsmanship, fit with their surroundings, and help make neighborhoods comfortable and
appealing” (Palo Alto 2017).

City of Palo Alto Municipal Code

Title 8, Trees and Vegetation

Regulations regarding street trees, shrubs and plants, weed abatement, and tree preservation and
management are outlined in Title 8 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code. Chapter 8.04 establishes that
a permit is required in order to remove or plant street trees, shrubs or plants, which are defined as
those that are in the public right-of-way, parks or public places in the City. A permit is also
required to “excavate any ditch or tunnel; or place concrete or other pavement within a distance of
ten feet of the center of the trunk of any street tree.” Chapter 8.10, the City’s Tree Preservation
and Management Ordinance, provides measures to maintain and protect both public and private
trees to promote health, safety, welfare, and quality of life. This chapter defines Protected Trees
to include coast live oak and valley oak trees that are at least 11.5 inches in diameter, redwood
trees that are at least 18 inches in diameter (measured 54 inches above natural grade), and any tree
designated by the City Council as a heritage tree.

Title 18, Zoning

The Palo Alto Zoning Ordinance (Title 18 of the Municipal Code) outlines the regulations for
development in specific areas of the City and includes provisions regarding the visual qualities of
the built environments. As noted in Comprehensive Plan Policy L-6.2, the Zoning Ordinance is a
key tool for the City to regulate building and site design. It defines specific development standards,
such as building height and setbacks, for each zone district. It also establishes the City’s design
review process, and sets forth the following requirements for all development in the City:
 Interior and exterior light sources must be shielded to prevent visibility from off-site and
lighting in outdoor areas must be of low intensity and operated on a timer.
 Buildings should avoid use of reflective surfaces that can create glare.
 Architectural features and landscaping should be used to reduce apparent building mass
and bulk.
 Trash and storage areas, mechanical equipment, and loading docks should be screened.

The development standards for the R-1 (10,000) zone as established in Chapter 18.12. of the
Zoning Ordinance include the following:

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 Setbacks: a contextual standard for front yard setbacks, 20-foot minimum for rear yard
setbacks, 8-foot minimum interior side yard setback, and 16-foot minimum street side yard
setback.
 Maximum building height: 30 feet for standard roofs, 33 feet for buildings with a roof
pitch of 12:12 or greater.
 Maximum site coverage: 35 percent for multiple-story development, with an additional
five percent permitted to be covered by a patio or overhang.
 Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR): 0.45 for the first 5,000 square feet of lot size and
0.30 for the square footage of the lot in excess of 5,000 square feet.
 Maximum house size: 6,000 square feet

The Zoning Ordinance includes detailed specifications about how the gross floor area is
determined for specific types of building features, such as garages and entry features. It also
defines features that are excluded from the gross floor area, such as first floor porches meeting
certain limitations and basements that comply with the patio and light-well requirements described
in Section 18.12.090.

Chapter 18.23.030. Lighting

Chapter 18.23.030 of the Municipal Code establishes performance criteria related to lighting and
glare impacts for Multiple Family, Commercial, and Manufacturing and Industrial Districts to
minimize the visual impacts of lighting on, abutting, or nearby residential sites and from adjacent
roadways. For example, Chapter 18.23.030 requires that exterior lighting in parking areas,
pathways and common open space shall be designed to achieve the following: (1) provide for safe
and secure access on the site, (2) achieve maximum energy efficiency, and (3) reduce impacts or
visual intrusions on abutting or nearby properties from spillover and architectural lighting that
projects upward. Other requirements include that where a light source is visible from outside the
property boundaries, such lighting shall not exceed 0.5 foot-candle as measured at the abutting
residential property line, and that interior lighting shall be designed to minimize nighttime glow
visible from and/or intruding into nearby properties and shall be shielded to eliminate glare and
light spillover beyond the perimeter property line of the development.

Chapter 18.40.130. Landscaping

Chapter 18.40.130 of the Municipal Code establishes landscaping regulations and performance
criteria for all development within the city with the intent of encouraging creative and sustainable
landscape design that enhances structures, open space areas, streetscapes and parking areas.
Important goals supported by the landscaping regulations include preserving native plant species,

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providing shade, and achieving landscape designs that can contribute to economic vitality and
public health as well as enhance the character of Palo Alto.

5.3 PROJECT IMPACTS

Methods of Analysis

This Draft EIR evaluates whether the project would result in a “substantial adverse effect” to
existing scenic resources and the visual character of the site and surrounding area.

A description of the project site and the surrounding area was prepared based on site visits and
review of aerial photographs. This EIR relies upon the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Municipal
Code to determine what visual elements have been deemed valuable by the community. The impact
analysis focuses on the manner in which development could alter the visual elements or features
defined as important visual resources that exist in or near the project site and the whether the
project would alter the visual character of the project site.

Significance Criteria

Based on Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines and on requirements in the Palo Alto Municipal
Code related to shadowing public spaces, the proposed project would have a significant aesthetic
impact if it would:

 Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its
surroundings;

 Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or
nighttime views in the area ("glare" is defined in this EIR as the reflection of harsh bright
light sufficient to cause physical discomfort or loss in visual performance and visibility);
or

 Substantially shadow public open space (other than public streets and adjacent sidewalks)
between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM from September 21 to March 21.

CEQA Guidelines Appendix G also includes significance criteria related to scenic vistas and scenic
resources that are visible from state scenic highways. The project site does not contain any scenic
vistas and is not a feature within any scenic vistas. Therefore, development of the project would
have no effect on any scenic vistas. In addition, there are no scenic highways in the vicinity of the
project site and development of the project would have no effect related to damage to scenic
resources visible from a state scenic highway. Therefore, these issues are not addressed in this
EIR.

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Impact Analysis

IMPACT 5-1 Would the project substantially degrade the existing

visual character or quality of the site and its
surroundings
SIGNIFICANCE: Less than Significant
MITIGATION MEASURES: None required
SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION: Less than Significant

The project site is relatively flat and is developed with approximately 166,231 square feet of
building space. This includes approximately 122,318 square feet of gross floor area as defined in
the Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 18.10 (which is the amount of above-grade building space
onsite, as discussed in more detail in Section 4.2 and Impact 4-1, in Chapter 4, Land Use and
Planning) and 43,913 square feet of below-grade building space. As shown in Figure 3-3, Existing
Site Plan, in Chapter 3, Project Description, the majority of the existing buildings and
improvements are located along the perimeter of the project site. These include the Campus Center
building and the Gunn Administration building along Bryant Street; the Classroom building along
both Bryant Street and Kellogg Avenue; the maintenance building and Leonard Ely Fine Arts
Center along Emerson Street south of Melville Avenue, and the rental house and Lockey Alumnae
house located on Emerson Street north of Melville Avenue. Additionally, Spieker Field, which is
the school’s soccer and baseball field, is located along Embarcadero Road, with the Elizabeth
Hughes Chapel Theater building visible from the road southeast of the field. Other improvements
within the campus include the Fitness and Athletic Center, an outdoor pool, and a large grassy
circle generally in the center of the campus (the Circle).

There are surface parking lots containing a total of 74 parking stalls located along Bryant Street,
at the corner of Kellogg Avenue and Emerson Street, and on Emerson Street at the terminus of
Melville Avenue. There are 121 trees located on the site, four trees located adjacent to the site on
private property, and 42 street trees are located within the immediate vicinity of the site within
public right-of-way (Appendix C).

The proposed project would allow Castilleja School to increase enrollment at the campus by 125
students compared to the existing CUP enrollment cap and undertake a phased plan to demolish
seven structures within the project site and construct a below-grade parking garage, a new outdoor
pool, and a new academic building (to include the library, classrooms, staff offices, and common
space). The project would not alter the existing land use designation or the zoning at the project
site; although the two single-family residential structures in the western corner of the site would
be demolished to accommodate the expanded campus.

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Construction Period Effects

During demolition and construction activities, there would be a noticeable change in the visual
conditions within and adjacent to the project site due to the presence of heavy equipment and
trucks, and the temporary views of exposed earth and buildings being demolished and constructed.
These activities would result in temporary change in visual character, which is considered a less
than significant impact.

Changes in Campus-Wide Visual Character

Site Coverage and Building Intensity

The buildings proposed for demolition are the Leonard Ely Fine Arts Center building, maintenance
building, pool equipment building, Campus Center, Classroom building, the Lockey Alumnae
House, and the rental house. Combined, these buildings include 90,593 square feet of gross floor
area (above ground building space). Under the proposed phased development plan, Castilleja
School would construct a new academic building that consists of 84,124 square feet of the above-
grade gross floor area, along with approximately 46,768 square feet of below-grade building space.
With implementation of the proposed phased development plan, the total amount of open space on
the project site is anticipated to increase by approximately 12,257 square feet. The total amount
of proposed site coverage is 73,416 square feet, whereas the allowable site coverage for the project
site is 100,374 square feet (based on the Municipal Code standard for a maximum of 35 percent
coverage in the R-1 zone).

Parking

The parking garage is proposed to consist of approximately 50,500 square feet of below grade
building space with 115 parking spaces and a dual-lane pick-up/drop-off area. The existing at-
grade parking lots along Bryant Street and at the corner of Kellogg Avenue and Emerson Street
would be reconfigured. The third parking lot would be demolished and the site redeveloped to
support the below-grade pool. The project would reduce the number of surface parking spots by
47, leaving a total of 27 above ground off-street parking spaces to supplement the 115 spaces in
the garage for a total of 142 on-site parking spaces, where the Municipal Code requires only 104
parking spaces for the 32 proposed teaching stations. With construction of the parking garage,
students and families would be instructed to use the garage for pick-up and drop-off and daily
parking. This would reduce the amount of on-street and off-street at-grade parking, which would
improve the visual character of the project site and surrounding area.

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Changes in Visual Character from Key Viewpoints

The following analysis determines whether the project would result in a substantial adverse change
in visual conditions by considering the proposed building design, materials, scale, and massing in
relation to the existing conditions at the project site and the adjacent streets. The analysis is based
on the site plans provided in Appendix B, which present detailed architectural, landscaping, and
lighting plans for the proposed below-grade parking garage, swimming pool, Academic building,
and open space area in the northwestern portion of the project site. Key elements of the building
plans are included in the EIR in figures presented in Chapter 3, Project Description, as well as the
following:

 Figures 4-1 and 4-2, Building Elevations, which identifies the proposed scale, massing,
fenestration, materials, and colors for the proposed Academic building;
 Figure 5-4, Fence and Wall Types and Locations, which provides a plan view of the
proposed campus modifications, and indicates the location of each of the four different
types of gates and fences proposed to be used within the project site; and
 Figure 5-5, Fence and Wall Designs, which provides the design details that would be used
for each wall and fence type.

Views from Embarcadero Road

Current views of the project site from Embarcadero Road consist of a low brick wall topped with a
steel fence consisting of vertical posts and chain link. Spieker Field is visible behind the fence.
There are 11 street trees along this frontage and five trees growing along the northern edge of Spieker
Field that provide substantial tree canopy in the foreground of this viewshed. All of these trees, the
brick wall, and the steel fence are proposed to be retained in place. Several of the trees near the
midpoint of the project site frontage on Embarcadero Road are deciduous, thus the tree canopy is not
present in winter and passers-by on Embarcadero Road have a clear view of the Elizabeth Hughes
Chapel and the existing Fitness and Athletic center during the winter season. Near Bryant Street,
there are six additional trees growing between the existing parking lot and Embarcadero Road, all of
which are proposed to be retained in place. These trees provide screening of the parking area and
activities within this portion of the campus from Embarcadero Road.

Views from Embarcadero Road would be substantially altered during construction of the below-
grade parking lot, which would be placed below Spieker Field and during the period in which the
temporary campus buildings are onsite. As shown in Figure 3-8, Temporary Campus Plan, the
temporary campus buildings would be placed on Spieker Field, with two rows of classroom
buildings generally parallel to Embarcadero Road and placed approximately 20 feet from the
property boundary. However, at the completion of all construction and restoration of Spieker Field,
the views from Embarcadero Road would not change substantially from the existing condition. Thus

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the project would result in a less than significant change in the visual characteristics of the project
site as viewed from Embarcadero Road.

Views from Bryant Street

Current views of the project site from Bryant Street include a small parking lot near Embarcadero
Road, the Gunn Administration Building, and the Classroom building. A looped driveway that
provides space for student drop-off and pick-up extends along a portion of the site’s Bryant Street
frontage. Under the proposed project, the parking lot would be reduced to provide a single row of
parking along Bryant Street and a driveway ramp into the below-grade parking garage. As shown on
Figure 3-11, Landscaping Plan, and Figure 5-5, there are several trees within and adjacent to the
parking lot; one of these would be relocated and the rest would be retained in place. There are also
ten street trees along the project site’s Bryant Street frontage. Two of these would be relocated and
the rest would be retained in place. No changes to the Gunn Administration Building would be made.

The Classroom building would be demolished and replaced. As shown in Figure 3-6, Proposed
Campus Plan, the proposed Academic building would be constructed with one wing oriented parallel
to Bryant Street, one wing parallel to Kellogg Avenue, and an extension off the westerly end of that
wing oriented parallel to Emerson Street. As shown in Figures 4-1 and 4-2, Building Elevations, the
building frontage on Bryant Street would consist of two primary façades, each 30 feet in height,
connected by a solid wood fence with a pedestrian gate. The northerly of the two building façades
would be sided with wood shingles while the southerly façade would be sided with wood panels.
The northerly façade would be set back from Bryant Street by approximately 50 feet while the
southerly façade would be set back 20 feet. As shown in Figure 3-11, the area within the 20-foot
setback between the looped driveway and Kellogg Street would be landscaped with a bio-retention
swale and perimeter planting.

As shown in Figure 5-4, the fence connection the two façades would be Fence Type 4, a row of
bicycle parking would be placed in front of the northerly façade, a section of Fence Type 3 would
be constructed between the bicycle parking and Bryant Street, and Fence Type 1 would be
constructed between the northerly façade and the existing Gunn Administration Building. As shown
in Figure 5-5, Fence Type 4 would be six feet tall and Fence Type 3 would be four feet tall. Both
would have a steel frame and be faced with 1x4 cedar boards. Figure 4-2 shows that this section of
Fence Type 4 would have all of the 1x4 cedar board oriented with the wide side facing the street, to
provide a solid fence. The Fence Type 3 used in front of the bicycle parking would have sections
where the 1x4 cedar boards would be oriented with the narrow side facing the street and a four-inch
gap between boards, and other sections where the wide side would be facing the street and there
would be minimal gaps between boards (refer to the Plan view of the Fence Type 3 details on Figure
5-4). Fence Type 1 would consist of a 1-foot, six-inch tall brick wall topped with a four-inch layer

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of concrete to match the existing hardscape in this area. This would be topped with a four-foot tall
steel fence painted to match the existing steel fencing at the administration building.

The project would replace the existing Classroom building with a new building that would be similar
in size, scale, and massing to the existing building. The new building would be approximately 4 feet
shorter than the existing building, and the massing as viewed from Bryant Street would be slightly
reduced because of the open section between the northerly and southerly building façades and the
separation that would be created between the northerly building façade and the Administration
building. This would improve visibility of the Administration building, which is a historic resource,
as discussed in Chapter 6, Cultural Resources. Landscaping and fencing would be similar to existing
landscaping and fencing within the project site and would be compatible with the residential nature
of the surrounding neighborhood. Thus the project would result in a less than significant change in
the visual characteristics of the project site as viewed from Bryant Street.

Views from Kellogg Avenue

Current views of the project site from Kellogg Avenue include the southern façades of the existing
classroom building and campus center building, and the small at-grade parking lot at the corner of
Kellogg Avenue and Emerson Street. There are two driveways accessing this parking lot off of
Kellogg Avenue. A looped driveway that provides space for bus loading and unloading extends
through the middle of the site’s Kellogg Avenue frontage.

Under the proposed project, the existing classroom building and campus center building would be
demolished and replaced with the new Academic building. The looped driveway would be
eliminated and the existing parking lot would be reconfigured and shifted towards Emerson Street
such that there would be only one driveway accessing the lot from Kellogg Avenue. The existing
classroom building extends approximately 140 feet along Kellogg Avenue from its intersection
with Bryant Street. There is a 30-foot wide separation between the classroom building and the
campus center building, with a solid wood fence and gate connecting the two buildings at ground
level. The campus center building extends another 195 feet along Kellogg Avenue towards
Emerson Street.

The proposed Academic building would extend for approximately 400 feet along Kellogg Avenue
from its intersection with Bryant Street and would have a maximum height of 30 feet. As shown
in Figure 4-2, Building Elevations, the building frontage on Kellogg Street would have long sections
sided with wood panels and storefront windows separated by solid concrete vertical bands. One
section near the middle of this façade would be sided with wood shingles and narrower windows on
the upper story and a windowed wall on the ground-level. The breaks in the vertical features and
materials coincide with horizontal articulation in the building, as shown on Figure 3-6, Proposed

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Campus Plan, and Figure 5-4. With this horizontal articulation, the building setbacks from Kellogg
Avenue would range from 20 to 45 feet.

As shown on Figures 3-4 and 5-5, there are 11 street trees along this frontage. The street tree
closest to Emerson Street would be relocated while the rest would be retained in place. There are
also 13 trees between the public right of way and the southern façades of the two existing buildings.
The looped driveway along Kellogg Avenue would be demolished; the sidewalk would be repaved
and this area would be landscaped. The horizontal articulation of the Academic building façade
would allow for retention of the landscape trees in this area. The building design anticipated
retention of tree #45, which is a blue atlas cedar with a trunk that is 57 inches in diameter at breast
height. However, Castilleja School recently received a report regarding tree #45, which found the
tree to be diseased and dying from the inside to outside. The report concluded that the tree is
structurally unsound and recommended immediate removal (Bench 2019). Castilleja School has
submitted a separate Architectural Review application for a tree removal permit to the City, as
required by the City’s codes. Because the building design anticipated retention of this tree, and
the proposed project evaluated in this EIR does not require removal of the tree and does not
contribute to the existing disease affecting the tree, the potential removal of this tree is not
considered an impact of the proposed project. One of the 13 trees would be relocated and the
remaining 11 trees would be retained in place.

The project would replace the existing Classroom and Campus Center buildings with a new building
that would be similar in size, scale, and massing to the existing buildings. The new building would
be approximately four feet shorter than the existing building but would be approximately 35 feet
longer and would not maintain the existing break in the massing that occurs between the Classroom
and Campus Center buildings, which is shown in Photo 5 on Figure 5-2, Project Site Photographs.
The horizontal articulation and patterning of the building materials on the southern façade of the new
Academic building would help to break up the massing. All bus loading and unloading would occur
within the parking garage. This would remove bus activity from this predominantly residential
street, which would improve the visual character in terms of its compatibility with the neighboring
residences. Landscaping would be similar to existing landscaping within the project site and would
be compatible with the residential nature of the surrounding neighborhood. Thus the project would
result in a less than significant change in the visual characteristics of the project site as viewed from
Kellogg Avenue.

As discussed previously, if the City approves removal of the blue atlas cedar due to its diseased and
dying condition would affect site aesthetics but would not be considered an impact of the proposed
project evaluated in this EIR. Further, if removal of this tree is approved under the separate
Architectural Review application, the project would accommodate replacement of the tree in the
same location.

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Views from Emerson Street

Current views of the project site from Emerson Street consist of a wooden fence and several closely
spaced trees near Kellogg Avenue, vehicles parked within the on-site parking lots on either side of
the Leonard Ely Fine Arts Center, views of the front of Lockey Alumnae House that are partially
screened with tree canopy and unscreened views of the Lockey house, and views of wooden fencing
and the garage of the rental house located north of the alumnae house.

The proposed project would not substantially change views of the site from Emerson Street near its
intersection with Kellogg Avenue. The street trees and onsite trees in this area would be retained in
place (Figure 5-5). Fencing and additional plantings would be added to the existing landscaped area.
As shown on Figure 5-4, fencing in this area would include Fence Type 3 and Fence Type 4. As
shown in Figure 5-5, and described previously, Fence Type 3 would be four feet tall, have a steel
frame, and 1x4 cedar boards with sections that have varied board orientation and spacing. Figure
5-4 also shows that Fence Type 4 would have the same steel framing and varied sections of 1x4-
inch reclaimed cedar boards but would be six feet in height. A 20-foot wide landscape zone would
be created around this fence. As shown on Figure 3-11, Landscaping Plan, vegetation used in this
area would include a variety of shrubs and flowering plants from the project’s “Perimeter Planting”
plant list. A small parking lot would be constructed behind the wooden fence such that some parked
cars would still be visible from Emerson Street, but the views would be filtered by the proposed
fencing and landscaping.

The Leonard Ely Fine Arts Center would be demolished and the below-grade swimming pool would
be constructed within the existing footprint for the Fine Arts Center and the parking lot to the north.
A bicycle parking area would be established on the north side of the pool area wall. There are five
street trees along the Emerson Street frontage in the area proposed for the new swimming pool. Four
of these would be retained in place while one would be relocated (Figure 5-5). In addition there are
seven trees located between the sidewalk and the Fine Arts Center and adjacent parking lot. All of
these would be retained within the 20-foot setback from Emerson Street (Figure 5-5).

Currently there is no fence or wall along this portion of Emerson Street. With construction of the
new swimming pool in this area, a sound wall would be constructed along Emerson Street adjacent
to the proposed swimming pool. This would shield views of the pool area, but would create a large
wall face along the Emerson Street sidewalk, which would change the aesthetics of the pedestrian
experience along this sidewalk. Figure 5-4 shows that Wall Type 1 would be constructed along the
Emerson Street frontage and between the proposed bicycle parking and pool. Figure 5-5 shows
that the sound wall would be six feet in height, with a kicker at the top. The kicker would be three
feet high but angled in towards the pool, thus reducing the perceived massing of the sound wall to
that of a standard 6-foot high wall. Horizontal wood slats would be mounted on the side of the
sound wall that faces Emerson Street. Additionally, a 20-foot wide landscape zone would be

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 5 – AESTHETICS

created between the sound wall and the sidewalk and planted with shrubs and flowering plants
from the project’s “Perimeter Planting” plant list, as shown on Figure 3-11. A two-foot tall brick
planter, approximately three feet in depth, would be installed adjacent to the sound wall.

The parking garage driveway would be located north of the bicycle parking area, and the private
open space area would be established at the northern end of the site’s Emerson Street frontage.
Both of the residential structures in this portion of the project site would be demolished. The
parking garage would not be visible from any viewpoints surrounding the project site; only the
entrance and exit ramps and associated walls and fencing would be visible. As shown on Figure
5-4, the proposed gate at the parking garage exit ramp would be placed at the below-grade end of
the ramp, immediately at the exit to the garage structure, thus it would not be visible from Emerson
Street. The view from Emerson Street would be of driveway sloping downward to the garage and
of the fencing along each side of the driveway. As shown on Figure 5-4, the fencing on the
northwestern side of the driveway would be Fence Type 2 while Fence Type 4 would be used
along the southeastern side of the driveway and in front of the bicycle parking proposed to be
adjacent to the pool. As shown on Figure 5-5, Fence Type 2 would consist of steel framing with
posts spaced a maximum of five feet apart and 1x4-inch reclaimed cedar boards oriented with the
narrow side facing the street and spaced four inches apart, and with a height of three feet-six inches.
Fence Type 4 would be six feet in height with steel framing and 1x4-inch reclaimed cedar boards.
As described previously, in some sections, there would be a four-inch gap between the 1x4 boards
oriented with the narrow side facing the street and in other sections the 1x4 boards would be
oriented with the wide side facing the street, providing a more solid fence design. There are 22
trees interior to the project site that contribute to the tree canopy in the area surrounding the two
residential structures onsite. All of the trees would be removed or relocated to accommodate
construction of the parking garage. However, most of the trees closer to the street would be retained.

Figure 5-4 indicates that perimeter treatment for the 0.33-acre open space area between Emerson
Street and Speiker Field would include Fence Type 2 along Emerson Street and the parking garage
exit ramp, and Fence Type 5 between the open space and the adjacent private residential property.
Because Fence Type 2 orients all of the cedar boards with the narrow side facing the street, viewers
along Emerson Street would be able to see into the open space area. As shown on Figure 5-5,
Fence Type 5 is six feet tall and consists of horizontal 1x4 reclaimed cedar boards with ½-inch
spacing mounted on 2x6 tube steel posts spaced a maximum of eight feet on center. This provides
a generally solid fence typical of residential privacy fencing. The Emerson Street frontage would
experience a greater degree of change from the existing conditions than the other three frontages.
The two existing residential structures would be demolished, and 26 trees that are visible from this
frontage would be removed. New fencing and landscaping would be added, including the creation
of the 0.33-acre open space area. Considered as a whole, these changes would not substantially
alter the visual character of the project site or the surrounding area. The Emerson Street frontage
would continue to present the character of a school campus for middle and upper grades,

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particularly in the southern portion of this frontage. The project would demolish two residential
structures that do not currently contribute to the institutional nature of the project site, but do
contribute to the residential homes development pattern at this end of Emerson. These structures
would be replaced with the driveway egress from the parking garage and associated fencing, and
with the private open space area. Views of portions of the parking garage structure and driveway
would be filtered by fencing and landscaping. While replacement of one residential structure with
a parking garage egress driveway could be seen as an adverse visual change if viewed in isolation,
the addition of fencing and landscaping to the frontage would soften the views of the driveway
and the replacement of a second residential structure with a landscaped open space area is
considered a beneficial visual change. Further, as noted above, the project would remove much of
the on-street and off-street vehicle parking from view, which is also a beneficial visual change.
Considering all of these factors, the project would not have a substantial adverse effect on the
visual character of the project site viewed from Emerson Street.

Conclusion

In summary, the proposed project would reduce the number of structures onsite and increase the
amount of open space. Although it would increase the total square feet of building area dedicated to
the school use by 40,114 square feet, all but approximately 6,000 square feet of this increase
(represented by the demolition of the two residential buildings) would be located below grade and
there would be no increase in the gross floor area (above ground building space). The project would
improve the visual character of the site and its compatibility with the surrounding residential
neighborhood compared to the existing conditions by reducing the amount of at-grade parking, both
on-street and off-street, relocating bus loading and unloading to the below-grade parking garage, and
creating a private open space area in the northwestern corner of the project site. The proposed
building plans use materials, colors, and details that are compatible with the existing structures on
the site such that the overall campus would have a unified and coherent design. The project design
includes pedestrian scale fencing and gates to provide several paths of ingress and egress for students,
staff and visitors, including convenient bicycle parking.

The scale, massing, and character of proposed buildings, fencing, walls, and landscaping are
compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. As discussed in Impact 4-1 in Chapter 4, Land Use
and Planning, the proposed building would comply with the 30-foot maximum building height limit
in the R-1 zone. Complying with the height limit will help ensure that building scale and massing is
compatible with neighboring residences which consist of primarily two-story buildings. Wall and
fencing details include elements typical for residential properties, such as 1x4-inch cedar boards and
a band of circle detail at the top of iron fencing. The project would result in a greater amount of
open space within the project site and a reduction in the total amount of above ground building space.
Building massing would be similar to the existing conditions and incorporates horizontal articulation
to visually reduce the massing. Proposed landscaping incorporates retention of existing trees where

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feasible, planting of replacement trees and additional landscaping throughout the campus. The plants
included in the landscaping plan are typical of residential landscapes in the vicinity and meet the
City’s requirements for low-water usage. The project also incorporates elements that meet the City’s
sustainability goals, such as rooftop photovoltaics, energy efficiency, and water-use efficiency.
Therefore the impacts of the proposed project on the visual character and quality of the project site
and surrounding area would be less than significant.

IMPACT 5-2 Would the project substantially shadow public open

space (other than public streets and adjacent
sidewalks)?
SIGNIFICANCE: No Impact
MITIGATION MEASURES: None required
SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION: No Impact

There are no public spaces immediately adjacent to the project site other than the public roadways
that form the site boundaries. The nearest public space is the Elizabeth Gamble Garden
approximately two blocks to the east and would not be affected by the proposed project. Generally,
in the northern hemisphere, shadows are cast to the north. Embarcadero Road is located along the
project site’s northern boundary. Shadowing of Embarcadero Road would not be considered a
significant impact. Thus the project would have no impact associated with shadowing public open
spaces.

For informational purposes it is noted that some temporary shadowing of Embarcadero Road could
occur during the proposed Master Plan implementation phases 3 and 4, when Spieker Field would
be used as the temporary classroom building location. Buildings within the temporary campus
would be a maximum of 28 feet tall and would be placed onsite generally as shown in Figure 3-8,
Temporary Campus Plan, in Chapter 3. These buildings could cast some shadows on Embarcadero
Road. After construction of the new Academic building in the final phase of the proposed Master
Plan implementation, the temporary campus buildings would be removed and any shadowing of
the road associated with those buildings would no longer occur.

IMPACT 5-3 Would the project create a new source of substantial

light or glare which would adversely affect day or
nighttime views in the area?
SIGNIFICANCE: Potentially Significant
MITIGATION MEASURES: Mitigation Measure 5a
SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION: Less than Significant

Lighting is necessary to provide proper site visibility, guide movement at and around a project site,
provide security, emphasize signs, and enhance architectural and landscape features. Site lighting

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design considerations include mounting heights, light color, and shielding to focus lighting and to
avoid glare. Construction undertaken in implementation of the proposed Master Plan could result
in increased light and glare affecting surrounding properties and affecting safety on adjacent
roadways through the addition of building lights, parking lot lights, car headlights, and any
reflective building materials, including windows. Outdoor lighting sources create the greatest
potential for light and glare impacts on adjacent properties. Removal of vegetation and trees, which
can act as a natural shield, would also increase the potential for outdoor lighting to shine on
adjacent property.

Direct glare is caused by a light source such as a light fixture or the sun. Sources of glare can also
be surfaces that, after being illuminated by direct lighting or other indirect sources, have
measurable luminance and, in turn, become light sources themselves. Potential sources of light
and glare at nighttime would be lights and structural building features made of glass, metallic,
painted surfaces, and vehicles accessing the site. Light would be emitted from the proposed
buildings and surface parking lots during non-daylight hours. Light would also be emitted from
the pool when it is used for swim meets and water polo games during non-daylight hours. Lights,
aside from security lighting would be rarely used at the project site at nighttime would be directed
downward and would not directly illuminate adjacent residential areas. The Municipal Code
requires that lighting be installed such that no light source within the project site generates a light
level greater than 0.5 foot-candle (the amount of light generated by 1 candle at a distance of 1 foot)
on any off-site residential property.

In the daytime, glare sources would come from building materials and vehicles accessing the site.
In phase 1 (subterranean garage), the proposed materials are primarily concrete, with metal railings
for pedestrian stairways and bridges; the temporary campus buildings that would be installed on
the site under phase 2 use stucco and limited window glass; construction of the below grade pool
and sound wall in phase 3 would use concrete, wood, stone and metal; and the new academic
building constructed under phase 4 would use wood, steel, brick, metal panels, and windows. The
potential for windows to result in glare would be minimized with roof overhangs, tree retention
and planting, and fencing that would reduce direct solar exposure on windows and reduce the
potential for light reflecting off windows to create glare for drivers on adjacent streets. The project
does not propose use of highly reflective surfaces, such as mirrored glass, black glass, or metal
building materials. The project would not result in glare from new project light sources and
therefore would not adversely affect nighttime views or daytime safety.

The building plans in Appendix B2 include lighting plans and (see sheets LT.003 and LT.100
through LT.104). These plans show that lighting fixtures would include bollards and ground-level
fixtures along walkways and near building entrances, building-mounted lighting around building
perimeters and at entrances, ground-level lighting in bicycle parking areas, and wall mounted
lighting on steps and planter walls. Upward-directed spot lighting would be used only to highlight

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specimen trees. Light levels at the project site perimeter would be 0.5 footcandle or less, thus the
project would not create substantial light spillover to adjacent public right-of-way or private
property.

Detailed construction plans have not yet been submitted for future Master Plan implementation
phases. It is not possible to verify at this time that the design, materials, and light levels of each
future improvement would meet the City’s development standards; therefore, this is considered a
potentially significant impact. Mitigation Measure 5a requires Castilleja School to submit
building materials and a lighting plan to the City for approval prior to construction. This would
allow the City to determine whether the proposed lighting plans are compliant with the
development standards in the Zoning Ordinance. The potential for light and glare impacts would
remain less than significant with compliance with the City’s Municipal Code, as stipulated in
Mitigation Measure 5a.

IMPACT 5-4 Substantially contribute to cumulative impacts to the

visual character of the region.
SIGNIFICANCE: No Impact
MITIGATION MEASURES: None required
SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION: No Impact

As discussed in Section 4.1, there are several recently approved or pending projects in the vicinity.
The majority of these, located on single-family residential parcels, consist of modifications to or
demolition and replacement of the existing dwelling units. The projects in the cumulative scenario
are not expected to alter the visual character of the neighborhood around the project site. Thus
there is no significant cumulative aesthetic impact to which the project could contribute.

5.4 MITIGATION MEASURES

Mitigation Measure 5a Prior to issuance of building permits for each construction phase,
Castilleja School shall submit a lighting plan that identifies the specific light
fixtures to be used and their proposed locations. The lighting plan shall also
identify the expected light levels within the property and at the property boundaries.

5.5 REFERENCES CITED

Bench, Michael. 2019. Arborist Assessment for Tree #45. June 11, 2019.

Palo Alto, City of. 2017. Our Palo Alto 2030: City of Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan 2030.
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/62915.

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 5 – AESTHETICS

Palo Alto, City of. 2018. Palo Alto Municipal Code. http://www.amlegal.com/codes/client/palo-
alto_ca/.

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 Photo 1: Houses on NE side of Bryant Street Photo 2: Houses on NE side of Bryant Street Photo 3: Houses on SE side of Kellogg Avenue
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Photo 4: Houses on SE side of Kellogg Avenue Photo 5: Adjacent residence on Emerson Street

SOURCE: Only if non Dudek photos, change color in layout to Gray 60% FIGURE 5-1
Neighborhood Context Photographs
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 Photo 1: Buildings facing Bryant Street Photo 2: Buildings facing Bryant Street Photo 3: View at corner of Bryant Street and Kellogg Avenue
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Photo 4: Buildings facing Kellogg Avenue Photo 5: Buildings facing Kellogg Avenue Photo 6: View from Melville Avenue

SOURCE: Only if non Dudek photos, change color in layout to Gray 60% FIGURE 5-2
Project Site Photographs
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 Photo 1: Emerson Street view of Lockey House Photo 2: View of 1235 Emerson Street Photo 3: View from Embarcadero Road
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Photo 4: View from Embarcadero Road Photo 5: View at corner of Bryant Street and Embarcadero Road

SOURCE: Only if non Dudek photos, change color in layout to Gray 60% FIGURE 5-3
Project Site Photographs
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