Item 3 - 115 University Avenue
PREPARED BY: JOCELYN SHOOPMAN
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: 06/27/2018 ITEM NO: 3
DATE: JUNE 20, 2018 TO: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE FROM: JOEL PAULSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SUBJECT: PROJECT LOCATION: 115 UNIVERSITY AVENUE. PROPERTY OWNER: LARRY VERTIN. APPLICANT: KOHLSAAT & ASSOCIATES, INC. REQUESTING MODIFIED APPROVAL FOR ADDITIONAL EXTERIOR ALTERATIONS TO A CONTRIBUTING SINGLE-FAMILY HOME IN THE UNIVERSITY-EDELEN DISTRICT ON PROPERTY ZONED R-1D:LHP. APN 529-03-008.
RECOMMENDATION:
Review information and approve the applicant’s request.
BACKGROUND:
A. Property Details
1. Date primary structure was built: 1910
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: I, Preliminary rating: Contributor to
Town’s historic feeling and appears intact
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? Yes
4. Is structure in a historic district? Yes, University-Edelen District
5. If yes, is it a contributor? Yes
6. Findings required? No
7. Considerations required? Yes
B. Comments
On June 28, 2017, the HPC approved a request for a Minor Development in a Historic
Development application (PHST-17-001) to add a gable dormer to the first story of the rear
elevation and add two gable dormers to the second story of the rear elevation, while retaining
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: 115 UNIVERSITY AVENUE JUNE 20, 2018
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BACKGROUND (cont’d):
the existing second story front shed dormer. The applicant has an active Building permit and is
now requesting an additional minor change to the existing two columns at the front porch.
The applicant is proposing to remove the existing wood tapered columns and replace them with
new wood tapered columns that will sit on a stone base (Attachment 3). The applicant has
included a photograph of the residence from the Anne Bloomfield Architectural/Cultural Survey
taken in 1989 which shows that there were no columns at the front porch, only stone bases on
each side of the stairs (Attachment 2).
DISCUSSION:
A. Required 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:
1. In historic districts, the proposed work will neither adversely affect the exterior
architectural characteristics or other features of the property which is the subject of
the application, nor adversely affect its relationship, in terms of harmony and
appropriateness, with its surroundings, including neighboring structures, nor
adversely affect the character, or the historical, architectural or aesthetic interest or
value of the district.
B. Town Policy
That the work proposed is compatible with the neighborhood.
Attachments:
1. Request (one page)
2. Anne Bloomfield Architectural/Cultural Survey Photograph (one page)
3. Existing and Proposed Photographs (four pages)
Distribution:
cc: Larry Vertin, 115 University Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Kohlsaat & Associates, Inc., 51 University Avenue, Suite L, Los Gatos, CA 95030
ARCHITECTURE
Planning Department
Community Development Department, Town of Los Gatos
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos , CA 95030
Re: Ve rtin Fro nt Porc h Re model, US Unive rsity Ave
Dear Membe rs of the Historic Preservation Committee:
June 11 , 2018
RECEIVED
JUN 12 2018
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING DIVISION
The previously approved modifications to the Yertin residence at 115 University Av e. are progressing
quite nicely. Mr. Vertin would like to modify the two columns at the front porch to a more
appropriate detail. The current wood columns in the front on each side of the steps are tapered on
two sides only. These columns are not original or historic and were added after 1989 to hold up the
sagging roof.
The existing house is 30' wide and was originalJy built without intermediate columns on each side of
the steps , as far as we know . If you look at the attached photo from the Anne Bloomfield survey done
in 1989 you can see the short stone bases on each side of the stair and the roof is sagging in the
middle. Thirty feet is a long span even for today's standards.
We would like to remove the columns that were installed after 1989 and replace them with proper
tapered columns that will sit on short stone bases , like in the original photo. We would like to bring it
as close as possible to the original house (like the 89 Bloomfield photo), but with the added support
columns required to hold up the roof. Please refer to the accompanying photos and architectural
renderings ..
I believe you will agree that this is the best way to rectify this problem while bringing back the
original appeal.
Sincerely,
Gary K lsaat
Architect C19245
1,AT TACHMENT 1
51 University Avenue, Suite L o Los Gatos, CA 95030 • 408.395-2555
ATTACHMENT 2
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