05-04-05 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 REGULAR MEETING OF THE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS FOR MAY 4, 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 5:35 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
Joel Paulson, Associate Planner
ITEM 1:17005 ROBERTS ROAD
The Committee considered a request to demolish a 3-unit apartment building built prior to 1941.
Burch moved to recommend approval of the demolition to Town Council on the basis that:
1.The structural report documented that the building was in poor condition.
2.The building is not associated with any events that have made a significant contribution
to the Town.
3.No significant persons are associated with the site.
4.There are no distinctive characteristics of type, period or method of construction or
representation of work of a master.
5.Th e b ui ld in g d oe s n ot yie ld in fo rm at io n i mp or ta nt to th e T ow n’s h is to ry.
Co wa n s ec on de d, mo ti on pa ss ed un an im ou sl y.
ITEM 2:35 AND 37 N. SANTA CRUZ AVENUE
The Committee considered a request to repair and remodel the facade of a pre-1941 commercial
building. Burch moved to recommend approval of the application to the Development Review
Committee subject to the condition that a fascia board of the correct proportion is provided
behind the dentils. Pacheco seconded, motion passed on a 4 to 1 vote. O’Donnell voted against
the proposal on the basis that the proposed elevation was repeating an existing elevation and was
a boring solution.
Cowan stated for the record that he had a conflict of interest with the next item since he works
with the arc hitec t. The refore , Cowa n recus ed him self f rom th e meet ing.
ITEM 3:16891 SPENCER AVENUE
The Committee considered a request to construct a second story addition to a pre-1941 single
family residence. Pacheco moved to continue the matter with the following directions:
1.Lower the plate height.
2.Simplify the design.
3.Reduce the number of windows. The proposed windows should be in proportion to the
existing house and windows.
4.Reevaluate the shed dormer. The proposed pitch is too shallow.
5.The roofline needs to be redesigned so that it is more craftsman in character.
6.Reevaluate the freestanding chimney. The proposed chimney looks awkward.
Bu rc h s ec on de d, mo ti on pa ss ed un an im ou sl y.
Cowan retur ned to the me eting.
ITEM 4.156 LOMA ALTA AVENUE
The Committee considered a request to construct a second story addition to a pre-1941 single
family residence. Pacheco moved to continue the matter with the following directions:
1.Redesign the front elevation so that there is a perceived separation between the original
structure and the addition. To achieve this perception, it was recommended that the front
facade be indented to create a shadow.
2.The proportions of the windows should be more compatible with the existing house and
windows.
3.The wood framed chimney should be changed to a cylindrical metal flue or a brick
ve ne er ch im ne y.
Ka ne se co nd ed , m ot io n p as se d u na ni mo us ly.
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. Burch moved to find that the revised plans are
sympathetic to the streetscape and recommend approval of the application to the Development
Review Committee. The basis for recommending approval of the demolition is as follows:
1.The structure was found to unsafe and in a deteriorated condition.
2.The building is not associated with any events that have made a significant contribution
to the Town.
3.No significant persons are associated with the site.
4.There are no distinctive characteristics of type, period or method of construction or
representation of work of a master.
5.Th e b ui ld in g d oe s n ot yie ld in fo rm at io n i mp or ta nt to th e T ow n’s h is to ry.
Pache co seco nded m otio n pass ed una nimo usly. Th e Comm itte e furt her st ated t hat if the gara ge
needs to be revised to a one car garage with an adjacent uncovered parking space, that would be
acceptable. It was recommended that a trellis element be incorporated over the uncovered space
to soften the garage element.
ITEM 6.OTHER BUSINESS
a.54 Chestnut - The Committee considered preliminary plans to attach a garage to an
historic residence. The Committee was supportive of the proposal provided that glazing
is provided in the link between the house and garage so it resembles a solarium.
b.202 Tait Avenue- Cowan stated for the record that he lives within 500 feet of the subject
site and recused himself from the meeting. The Committee considered preliminary plans
to construct a second story addition. The Committee expressed the following concerns
with the proposal:
•The addition and the architectural detailing needs to be sympathetic to the
existing house.
•The house design should be simplified.
•Balconies are questionable.
•Proportion and style of windows will be a concern.
•Push the second story addition back.
•Redesign the rooflines.
Cowan retur ned to the me eting.
c.14329 Mulberry Drive- The Committee considered a preliminary request to demolish a
pre-1941 single family residence. The Committee felt that they could support a
demolition.
d.Save the June 22 date - Baily informed the Committee that the City of Campbell is
organizing a local workshop with the State Architect to discuss how to use the Secretary
of Interior Standards.
e.Pre-1941 Design Guidelines - Baily informed the Committee that Town Council
appro ved th e budge t to co mmenc e the u pdate of the guidel ines a nd to use Ca nnon D esign
Gr ou p. Wo rk is an ti ci pa te d t o c om me nc e i n J ul y.
f.Rescheduling of June meeting - Since a quorum would not be available for the regular
June meeting, the Committee agreed to have a special meeting on June 15th.
ITEM 7:STATUS OF PREVIOUS APPLICATIONS
Baily informed the Committee on the status of previous applications.
ITEM 8:APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes from the meeting of Ap ri l 6 , 2 00 5 w er e p as se d u na ni mo us ly.
ITEM 9:ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 P.M. to a special meeting of June 15, 2005. The regularly
scheduled meeting for June 1, 2005 will be cancelled due to a lack of a quorum.
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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