Item 3 - 16 Pennsylvania Avenue
PREPARED BY: ERIN WALTERS
Associate Planner
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6874
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
MEETING DATE: 05/23/2018 ITEM NO: 3
DATE: MAY 16, 2018 TO: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE FROM: JOEL PAULSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SUBJECT: PROJECT LOCATION: 16 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE. PROPERTY OWNER: NIKAN OMIDI LANGROUDI AND FARHAD SHAFAI. APPLICANT: DUSTIN MOORE, STRATA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE. REQUESTING RECOMMENDATION ON MODIFICATIONS TO FRONT YARD STONE RETAINING WALLS ON A PRE-1941 PROPERTY ZONED R-1D. APN 510-42-014.
RECOMMENDATION:
Review the proposed project, and provide a recommendation on the proposed modifications to
the existing river rock landscape walls in the front yard of the property.
BACKGROUND:
A. Property Details
1. Date primary structure was built: 1908
2. Town of Los Gatos Preliminary Historic Status Code: I
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? No
4. Is structure in a historic district? No
5. If yes, is it a contributor? N/A
6. Findings required? No
7. Considerations required? Yes
B. Comments
The applicant proposes landscape improvements, including, removal of the existing river
rock landscape walls in the front yard and replacement with new stone veneer walls.
The Anne Bloomfield Survey evaluation form denotes the existing stone fence-U-plan at
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: 16 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE MAY 16, 2018
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BACKGROUND (continued)
16 Pennsylvania Avenue, which mirrors the stone wall configuration at the western
property, 28 Pennsylvania Avenue.
In 2016, the HPC recommended approval of minor exterior modifications to the house.
In 2016, the Planning Commission approved the expansion of the existing below grade
square footage (cellar). Currently the property is under construction with approved
building permits. The contractor removed the top two river rock retaining walls for
construction access.
Building permits are required for the proposed improvements, including construction of
the retaining walls.
The applicant’s request, the Bloomfield Survey, existing photos, and the proposed
development plans are attached.
DISCUSSION:
A. Considerations
In evaluating applications, the deciding body shall consider the architectural style, design,
arrangement, texture, materials and color, and any other pertinent factors. Applications
shall not be granted unless:
For pre-1941 structures, the proposed work will neither adversely affect the exterior
architectural characteristics or other features of the property which is the subject of the
application.
B. Town Policy
That the work proposed is compatible with the neighborhood.
Attachments:
1. Letter of Justification (three pages)
2. Bloomfield Survey (five pages)
3. Photos of Existing Landscape Walls (six pages)
4. Development Plans (12 pages)
Distribution:
Cc: Nikan Omidi Langroudi and Farhad Shafai, 16 Pennsylvania Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Dustin Moore, STRATA Landscape Architecture, 136 Freelon Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
STRATA
Landscape Architecture
Justification for the Proposed Landscape Improvement
16 Pennsylvania Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030
RECEIVED
MAY 09 Z018
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING DIVISION
It is important to preserve our historically significant elements in the community to keep
a strong connection to Los Gatos' past. The town's guidelines help maintain historically
important architecture . The proposed landscape improvements at 16 Pennsylvania
Avenue align with the goals of the guidelines .
The proposed retaining walls are approximately in the same locations as existing walls
to minimize earthwork and to not disturb existing trees. The proposed stone walls will be
constructed with stone in a historically accurate aesthetic. They will utilize reinforced
concrete to make them stronger and safer for the homeowners and public.
The stone veneer that is proposed has the appearance of dry stack stone compared to
the river rock veneer that previously existed. River rock should not be used as a vertical
stone veneer as the round edges could not be held up by gravity. It was the advent of
concrete and mortar that allowed such veneers to be used and thus do not have a
history in architecture. They are inaccurate to traditional construction methods and do
not add to authentic classical details in the design guidelines of Los Gatos.
The landscape design respects the existing topography with a terraced garden. The
front retaining wall at the street level is intact to be consistent with the northwest
neighbor's street front rock wall. The precast concrete cap is in disrepair and must to be
replaced . The proposed precast cap is to match the existing cap providing consistency
with the existing rock wall at the sidewalk and the existing driveway stucco wall as well.
The proposed new front garden utilizes native, adaptive and drought tolerant
plants. While we have a drought tolerant plant palette, the overall look has a lush
feeling that is consistent with cottage gardens. The planting has also been selected to
136 Freelon Street Phone 415.431 .9200
San Francisco, CA 94107 www.strata-inc.com Fax 415.43_1.9201
tATTACHJ\.fENT 1
STRATA
Landscape Architecture
minimize the impact of the proposed rock walls and break down the scale from the
street.
We have surveyed many homes on Pennsylvania and almost all the homes display a
unique wall type and a different type of masonry. T he river rock veneer is on three of
the homes on the block while other homes have flagstone and ledge stone veneer. We
believe that there is not precedence for river rock due to the lack of this detail on the
block and the same find ings support moving to a more accurate stone ve neer.
The front garden includes a moderately sized fire p it. There is very little usable space in
the rear garden due to the steep slope and LRDA restrictions and we have the
opportunity for a large terrace near the home in the front garden . It is only space that
could accept a fire pit or lounge seating area. The fire pit is a held low at 18" above
grade, uses the same stone materials as the walls and includes screening plants to
minimize visibility from the street.
The proposed fence is a good neighbor fence and utilizes trad itional details visible from
both sides of the fence . The design is found throughout the neighborhood .
Overall , the proposed landscape improvements align with the town design guidelines
and will be a great improvement to the streetscape both aesthetically and functionally.
136 Freelo n Street
Sa n Fra n cisco, CA 94 107 www.strota-inc.com
Ph one 4 15.431.9200
Fax 41 5 .43 1.920 1
STRATA
Landscape Archi1ec1urc
Removed Retaining Walls
16 Pennsylvania Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030
RECEIVED
MAY 1 i 2018
TOWN O F LOS GATO S
PLANNING DIVI SION
The second and third retaining walls from Pennsylvania Ave were remo ve d .
The retaining walls were removed because the General Contractor needed access for
the construction of the basement.
136 Freelon St reet
San Fran cisco, CA 94107 www .strata-inc.com
Phone 415.431 .9200
Fax 415.431.920 1
r
Summarv of McCu11a~h Blod:{ 1 ~{ L-;rndc.·n B1od.: D Parcels bv B1)b Schumacher
f t...; ~ ~
for Los Gates Hist;;.-,ricai R t:-sc.u.rc~s Survev.2/ i 6/~: I •
Summary Of# !6 Pennsyivania:
Built bet.we en 1 90& and 192 8
T11e lots presently containmg ;;;-8_. # 16_. and ~28 Pennsylvania '-Nere
€far1y on 11eld as one parcel • .,,Ti.thin Block "D" of the Lyndon Subd ivision and
contained at least one imp rovement. In 1 gog this was :r1eld by Larder. i \6'as
unable to reconstruct ovvnersllip of tl1e sepa ra te presen t day lot:3. Tll~
Sanborn maps determine t.t1e age.be t V·.Teen 1 CJO() and 192&.
ATTACHMENT 3