04-06-05 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 APRIL 6, 2005, HELD IN THE
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 110 E MAIN STREET, LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA.
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The meeting was called to order at 5:30 P.M. by Chair Pacheco
ATTENDANCE
Members Present: Kendra Burch, Bob Cowan, D. Michael Kane, Tom O’Donnell and Len
Pacheco
Members Absent:None
Staff Present:Sandy Baily, Associate Planner
ITEM 1:216 ALMENDRA AVENUE
The Committee considered a request to modify a previous approval regarding the addition of a
dormer window on a single family residence in the Almond Grove Historic District. Pacheco
moved to recommend denial of the plan submitted. O’Donnell seconded. Motion passed
unanimously. Pacheco moved to approve the alternative design presented at the meeting by the
applicant for a gable end dormer subject to the original conditions. O’Donnell seconded.
Mo ti on pa ss ed un an im ou sl y.
ITEM 2:15 JACKSON STREET
The Committee considered a request to remove all exterior siding, as part of a previous approval
to construct a second story addition to a pre-1941 single family residence. Burch moved to
approve the request on the basis that in the 1950's the exterior of the house was remodeled,
which included adding aluminum windows and scalloped trim, and at the time the siding was
most likely replaced. Kane seconded, motion passed unanimously.
ITEM 3:221 ALEXANDER AVENUE
Application not heard since applicant stated they were going to withdraw their application.
ITEM 4.115 LOMA ALTA AVENUE
The Committee considered revised plans to construct a second story addition to a pre-1941
single family residence. Since staff has determined that the Magnolia tree should be saved, and
the applicant had no alternative but to redesign the addition, Pacheco recommended approval of
Scheme 2 with the following directions:
1.The exterior fireplace should be redesigned to look like a tool shed with a shed roof.
2.Redesign the window at the stairway so that the windows are smaller and proportional in
a craftsman style.
3.The second story box bay at the north elevation shall be redesigned to reduce the
projection less than a foot. The gable end shall be maintained for articulation. The eve
overhang shall be minimized as much as possible. The second floor bay shall be
expanded to the first floor below the window line and should include corbels. See
illu strat ions done a t the m eetin g.
Co wa n s ec on de d. Mo ti on pa ss ed un an im ou sl y.
ITEM 5.105 UNIVERSITY AVENUE
The Committee considered revised plans to demolish a single family residence and to construct a
new residence and to construct an accessory structure with reduced setbacks that exceeds the
allowed lot coverage on a nonconforming lot. The Committee recommended that the applicant
should be more responsive to Cannon’s comments. The Committee expressed concern with the
height and mass of the proposed structure. The following suggestions were made to address this
issue.
1.Lower the house by digging a deeper cellar. This will result in shortening the space
between the water table and grade.
2.Lower the plate heights.
Pacheco moved to continue the matter to allow the applicant time to redesign the plans.
O’Do nn el l s ec on de d. Mo ti on pa ss ed un an im ou sl y.
Item 6.509 BACHMAN AVENUE
The Committee considered a request to remove the pre-1941 single family residence from the
Historic Resources Inventory. Kane moved to approve the request based on the following
findings:
1.The building is not associated with any events that have made a significant contribution
to the Town.
2.No significant persons are associated with the site.
3.There are no distinctive characteristics of type, period or method of construction or
representation of work of a master.
4.Do es no t yi el d i nf or ma ti on im po rt an t t o t he To wn ’s hi st or y.
O’Do nn el l s ec on de d. Mo ti on pa ss ed un an im ou sl y.
Item 7.OTHER BUSINESS
a.509 Bachman Avenue- Matter not considered since structure was removed from the
Inv en to ry.
b.17603 Bruce Avenue - The Committee considered a preliminary request to demolish a
pre-1941 single family residence. Based on the evidence provided, the Committee stated
that they felt they could support a demolition request.
c.Draft Scope of Work and Schedule for updating the Pre-1941 Design Guidelines -The
Committee recommended that exterior lighting be added to the scope of work. With this
change, the Committee recommended that the matter be forwarded to Town Council for
approval. The Committee concurred that illustrations would be an important part of the
document. Cowan recommended that staff look at what the City of Palo is recently doing
with their guidelines.
ITEM 8:STATUS OF PREVIOUS APPLICATIONS
Baily informed the Committee on the status of previous applications.
ITEM 9:APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes from the meeting of Ma rc h 2 , 2 00 5 w er e p as se d u na ni mo us ly.
ITEM 10:ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 P.M. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of May 4,
2005.
Pr ep ar ed by:Ap pr ov ed by:
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Sandy L. Baily, Associate Planner Len Pacheco, Chair
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