Loading...
Item 1 - Drafted Minutes 10-28-15DRAFTTOWN OF LOS GATOS 110 East Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030 (408) 354-6872 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS FOR OCTOBER 28, 2015, HELD IN THE TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 110 E MAIN STREET, LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The meeting was called to order at 4:00 P.M. by Chair Len Pacheco. ATTENDANCE Members Present: Len Pacheco, Bob Cowan, Kathryn Janoff, Michael Kane, Tom O’Donnell Members Absent: None Staff Present: Joel Paulson, Planning Manager Marni Moseley, Associate Planner VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS None. ITEM 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Tom O’Donnell moved to approve the minutes of September 23, 2015 and September 30, 2015. The motion was seconded by Bob Cowan and approved unanimously. ITEM 2 304 CHARLES STREET Samir Sharma (property owner) was present and discussed the request to demolish the existing pre-1941 structure. Michael Kane stated that the HPC is only looking at the requested demolition. Tom O’Donnell commented that the information provided shows that the items could be corrected. Michael Kane commented that the report says the concrete foundation is okay. Bob Cowan commented that the architecture of the building is not worth saving. Kathryn Janoff commented that the building doesn’t have architectural merit. Len Pacheco commented that the existing house is a mutation of a mid-century modern structure and that it doesn’t have architectural merit. DRAFTHistoric Preservation Committee October 28, 2015 Page 2 of 7 Len Pacheco moved to recommend approval of the demolition based on the information presented to the HPC and made the required findings. The motion was seconded by Tom O’Donnell and approved unanimously. ITEM 3 68 FAIRVIEW PLAZA Jay Plett (architect) was present and discussed the request to demolish the existing structure and construct a new home in a historic district. Len Pacheco asked if they should comment on the proposed setbacks. Marni Moseley commented that they can look at the setbacks as they relate to the context of the historic neighborhood. Michael Kane asked if there was any feedback from the neighbors. Jay Plett commented that they have not received any negative feedback. Len Pacheco asked if the building had been red tagged. Marni Moseley stated that it had not been red tagged, but that the Building Official has determined it is uninhabitable. Len Pacheco commented that he had looked at it multiple times and it is poor shape. Tom O’Donnell commented that the structural engineer states that there is nothing they can do with it. Jay Plett discussed the proposed home. Len Pacheco commented that the roof is different and asked if the design is driven by the floor plan. Jay Plett stated the design is based on taking all things into account. Michael Kane commented that it looks like a vast improvement for the neighborhood. Tom O’Donnell commented that he agrees with Michael Kane and is interested in Len Pacheco’s comments on the roof. DRAFTHistoric Preservation Committee October 28, 2015 Page 3 of 7 Len Pacheco commented that he would like to capture the flavor of the design elements, that he is uncomfortable with the roof pitch facing the street, and asked if they would consider the pitch in the front and a gable at the rear. Kathryn Janoff commented that the character of the structure was a little modern and that it is a pretty plain craftsman. Bob Cowan commented that the roof pitch should be higher. Jay Plett commented that the proposal fits in with other craftsman’s in the neighborhood. Len Pacheco commented that the existing home if folk Victorian and he didn’t want a replica, that it looks modern, and that it looks like a 2015 ranch house. Bob Cowan commented that there are craftsman style homes in the neighborhood. Jay Plett stated that he could raise the pitch of the roof. Len Pacheco commented that it may not be the right design for the lot and asked if it could be a story and a half given what is in the plaza. Jay Plett stated that raising the pitch to four and twelve would raise the height by approximately a foot and a half. Len Pacheco commented that maybe it should be a different style with a raised roof and a front porch and asked if a cross gable with dormers could be done. Bob Cowan asked about the issue of a seven foot attic. Marni Moseley explained that if the attic is over seven feet in height that the area gets counted as FAR down to five feet. Len Pacheco commented that a vaulted ceiling could remove that concern. Jay Plett stated that he could raise the roof pitch and add a window. Kathryn Janoff asked if a shed roof with a dormer could be done and commented that the front elevation is too modern, more detail complexity needs to be provided, and that the porch columns were light weight and should be revised to be more traditional craftsman columns. DRAFTHistoric Preservation Committee October 28, 2015 Page 4 of 7 Len Pacheco commented that the direction is to provide more verticality. Kathryn Janoff commented that there is a need to provide design element improvement and asked if there was a window behind the posts. Jay Plett stated that there was. Bob Cowan commented that he was okay with the proposed setbacks. Len Pacheco stated that he is okay with the proposed setbacks and that he would like to see photographs of existing structures for design elements. Tom O’Donnell moved to recommend approval of the demolition based on the information presented to the HPC and made the required findings. The motion was seconded by Bob Cowan and approved unanimously. Tom O’Donnell moved to continue the new home with direction to make the proposed home more consistent with other homes in the neighborhood. The motion was seconded by Kathryn Janoff and approved unanimously. ITEM 4 325 W. MAIN STREET Mark De Mattei and Brian Aced (applicants) was present and is requesting approval of exterior modifications to a pre-1941 property in a historic district. Kathryn Janoff asked why the new design strays from the existing design with respect to the front porch and roof. Mark De Mattei commented that this was what the owner desired and that it is consistent with the existing neighborhood. Bob Cowan commented that this is a contributing structure and the architecture of a contributing structure should be preserved. Len Pacheco commented that the original structure has disappeared, that he is concerned with the design, that the original structure should be cleaned up and the additions and modifications should retain the individuality, and he is not comfortable with the proposal. Kathryn Janoff commented that she would like to see a version that keeps the front elevation without the enclosed porch add on. DRAFTHistoric Preservation Committee October 28, 2015 Page 5 of 7 Mark De Mattei asked about a shed dormer. Len Pacheco stated that the existing house is a folk Victorian. Kathryn Janoff suggested looking at the Sanborn Maps to determine the configuration of the original structure. Len Pacheco suggested keeping the existing structure and connecting the addition with a galley element. He commented that there are examples of this approach on Massol Avenue, Johnson Avenue, and Fairview Plaza, that sliding doors and windows are not appropriate, and that the addition should be compatible with the existing structure. Bob Cowan commented that the deck is not deep enough to be functional and asked if there would be a new foundation to raise it and provide more gravitas. Mark De Mattei said yes. Len Pacheco moved to continue the item to address the direction that was provided. The motion was seconded by Michael Kane and approved unanimously. ITEM 5 233 HARDING AVENUE Steve Benzing (applicant) Hooman Bolandi (property owner) were present and are requesting approval to remove a pre-1941 property from the Historic Resource Inventory. Kathryn Janoff commented that the map says 1928. Len Pacheco commented that he visited the site and the house has been remanufactured and has no architectural significance. Bob Cowan commented that it looks like it was built after 1941. Tom O’Donnell moved to approve the request and stated the home is not pre-1941 and that even if it was pre-1941 the findings could be made to remove it from the Inventory. The motion was seconded by Michael Kane and approved unanimously. DRAFTHistoric Preservation Committee October 28, 2015 Page 6 of 7 ITEM 6A 222 BELLA VISTA AVENUE John Gildred and Yana Kushner (property owners) were present and are requesting input on the stucco style. Len Pacheco commented that the stucco could match the gate. John Gildred asked about the window trim and grill details. Kathryn Janoff commented that it should be consistent with what is there regarding the grill and that she is okay with the stucco rounding into the window frames. John Gildred asked about molded stone columns. Kathryn Janoff commented that she was okay with molded stone. ITEM 6B 54 LOS GATOS BOULEVARD Ray and Robin Clayton (property owners) were present and are requesting input on modifications to exterior stairs and railings. Len Pacheco asked if they have considered a metal fence, if the stairs need to have railings, and if they had any examples of shingle style victorian homes with metal railings. Ray Clayton commented that railings provide better ventilation. Len Pacheco commented that the railings could be concrete and that he is not comfortable with the New Orleans style proposed. Bob Cowan commented that the Guidelines state that you should maintain wood railings and stairs. Tom O’Donnell commented that they have made a case for their proposal. Len Pacheco commented that he is okay with brick stairs with a wall with ventilation or a low brick wall with railing. Kathryn Janoff commented that the brick needs to be old brick and that she is okay with or without a side wall or railings and that the proposed railing is too decorative. The item was continued to allow the applicant an opportunity to bring back a refined and simplified design for consideration. DRAFTHistoric Preservation Committee October 28, 2015 Page 7 of 7 ITEM 7 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:57 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for November 19, 2015, at 4:00 p.m. Prepared by: Approved by: _______________________________ ________________________________ Joel S. Paulson, AICP Len Pacheco Planning Manager Chair N:\DEV\HISTORIC PRESERVATION\HPCminutes\2015\HPCminutes 10-28-15.docx