09-13-04 Minutes - HPC110 TOWN OF LOS GATOS
110 East Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95032 (408) 354-6872
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SUMMARY MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS FOR SEPTEMBER 13, 2004, HELD IN THE
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS LOBBY, 110 E MAIN STREET, LOS GATOS,
CALIFORNIA.
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The meeting was called to order at 10:40 A.M. by Chair Pacheco
ATTENDANCE
Members Present: Kendra Burch, Jeanne Drexel (arrived at 11:30 am), Len Pacheco and
Joanne Talesfore
Absent: None
Staff Present: Sandy Baily, Associate Planner
Randy Tsuda, Assistant Community Development Director
Suzanne Davis, Associate Planner
Consultant Present: Larry Cannon
ITEM 1: COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES
Tsuda gave an overview of the process for revising the Commercial Design Guidelines.
Following is a summary of the items discussed during the meeting:
· Regulation of color.
· Special emphasis needs to be given to the Historic Commercial District and the other historic buildings
throughout the Town.
· Concerned with the transition of the historic residences on Los Gatos Blvd to commercial.
· The ambiance, scale and character of the Town needs to be maintained.
· Look at creating a checklist for each commercial area for new development submittals.
· The formatting of the document to discuss the definition of an historic structure is important.
· Include regulations for cell tower antennas, solar panels and mechanical equipment on historic
buildings.
· New technology for materials should be addressed.
· Structures should be brought back to its original historic design if possible.
· Rear of buildings to parking lots should be addressed.
· New buildings next to historic buildings should be designed to fit in. The architectural elements and
style should be sensitive to its surroundings with a higher scrutiny for review.
· The character of the architecture and materials should be defined.
· The area north of Highway 9 needs a rhythm. There are no defining architectural features in this area.
· The ambiance of the downtown should continue in the area north of Highway 9 to carry the small town
feeling.
· Los Gatos Blvd should be kept at a human scale, be pedestrian friendly with landscaping and trees.
· Three dimensional letters with backlighting for signage should be encouraged.
· Description of architectural styles should be more descriptive and accurate with numerous examples of
varying styles
· Restoration should be emphasized as being the most important for historic structures.
This matter was continued to a date uncertain, to allow Cannon an opportunity to review the comments and
make some drafts to include in the document.
ITEM 2: ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 PM to the next regular meeting of October 6, 2004.
Prepared by: Approved by:
___________________________ _______________________
Sandy L. Baily, Associate Planner Len Pacheco, Chair
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