01-12-21 Minutes - HPC Special
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6874
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 12, 2021
The Historic Preservation Committee of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Special Meeting on
January 12, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.
This meeting was conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with
State of California Executive Order N-29-20 dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID-19
pandemic and was conducted via Zoom. All committee members and staff participated from
remote locations and all voting was conducted via roll call vote. In accordance with Executive
Order N-29-20, the public could only view the meeting online and not in the Council Chamber.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Vice Chair Steve Raspe, Planning Commissioner Kendra Burch, Planning Commissioner
Kathryn Janoff, Committee Member Barry Cheskin, Committee Member Timothy Lundell.
Absent: None
Staff present: Jennifer Armer, Joel Paulson, and Sally Zarnowitz.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – December 16, 2020
MOTION: Motion by Planning Commissioner Kathryn Janoff to approve the
Consent Calendar. Seconded by Committee Member Timothy Lundell.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously, 4-0.
Planning Commissioner Kendra Burch arrived after vote.
PAGE 2 OF 4 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING OF JANUARY 12, 2021
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
DISCUSSION ITEMS (Up to three minutes may be allotted to each speaker on any of the
following items.)
2. Los Gatos 2040 General Plan Revised Initial Draft Land Use Element and Revised Initial
Draft Community Design Element.
Vice Chair Steven Raspe opened and closed Public Comment.
The Committee discussed the item.
Revised Initial Draft Land Use Element
Key Terms
Intensity
There is a typo in the definition of intensity, where a period should replace a comma. (page
3-3)
Multi-family Residential
The definition should be revised to clarify that Accessory Dwelling Units are not included.
(page 3-4)
LU-16 Provide for the protection of Los Gatos’ cultural heritage through the protection and
maintenance of historic resources.
LU-16.1 Historic Districts and Landmarks
Revise the first sentence to state that both maps and the Historic Resources Inventory list
will be maintained on the website. Everything after the first sentience in this Policy is a
general description and should be moved to the introductory description of historic districts
at the top of page 3-33. (page 3-35)
3.14 Implementation Programs
The language in Implementation Program F is appropriate. An Implementation Program
should also be added, reiterating comments provided by the HPC on the Initial Draft of the
Environment and Sustainability Element, to state the following: “Consider conducting an
updated Historic Resource Inventory (HRI) survey, reviewing Historic District and
neighborhood boundaries, and reconsidering the construction date for presumptive historic
resources,” under Goals LU-13 and LU-16. (page 3-42)
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General comments were made that there are many small neighborhoods that may have
some level of historic significance, where individual properties may not have historic
significance. When properties are found by the HPC not to have historic significance, the
HPC may have comments regarding certain historic elements that could be considered in
the review of the new design by the decision makers. A process to forward those
comments could be considered.
Revised Initial Draft Community Design Element
CD-2 Encourage all development in Town to be designed holistically, complementing the
existing urban fabric, and incorporating sustainable design principles.
CD-2.24 Outdoor Dining
This Policy may appear to conflict with the current program for semi-permanent parklets in
the public right-of-way. (page 4-14)
CD-3 Preserve significant historic and architectural features within the Town. Encourage all
development in Town to be designed holistically, complementing the existing urban
fabric, and incorporating sustainable design principles.
CD-3.1 Avoid Demolition of Historic Buildings
The policy should be revised to replace “substantial evidence” with “required findings.”
(page 4-24)
CD-3.2 Reuse of Existing Buildings
Consider moving this Policy under Goal CD-4 to support and encourage thoughtful
rehabilitation or reuse of historic structures. (page 4-24)
CD-3.3 Historic Structure Preservation
Include noncontributors in the list of buildings that the Town will use special care in
reviewing. (page 4-24)
CD-3.4 Historic Preservation Programs
Revise the Policy to state the following: Continue the Town’s careful and proactive historic
preservation programs “recognizing the changing needs of the community.” (page 4-24)
CD-3.7 Potential Impacts to Historic Landmarks and Features
Replace the term “consider” with the term “identify” and consider combining this Policy
with
Policy CD-3.8 Historic Site Impact Mitigation. (page 4-25)
CD-3.9 Historic Structure Use or Donation
Consider moving this Policy under Goal CD-4 Support and encourage thoughtful
rehabilitation or reuse of historic structures. (page 4-25)
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CD-4 Support and encourage thoughtful rehabilitation or reuse of historic structures.
CD-4.2 Historic Structure Renovations
Revise the Policy to state the following: Require “exterior” renovations or remodels of
historic structures to be architecturally “compatible” with the original structure. (page 4-25)
CD-4.4 Financial Benefit Information
Revise the Policy to remove the phrase “and the vibrant historic downtown” because
vibrancy is not a financial benefit. (page 4-25)
CD-8 Preserve the character of Downtown Los Gatos and the quality of life for its citizens
through high-quality building design.
CD-8.6 Historic Architectural “Downtown” Core
Include “Downtown” in the title and revise the Policy language to state the following:
Reinforce the historic architectural “downtown” core of Los Gatos by “encouraging
compatible” architecture Downtown. (page 4-33)
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 5:02 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
January 12, 2021 meeting as approved by the
Historic Preservation Committee.
/s/Sally Zarnowitz, AIA, LEED AP, Planning Manager