Item 3 - 221 Almendra 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: 09/26/2018 ITEM NO: 3
DATE: SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 TO: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE FROM: JOEL PAULSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SUBJECT: PROJECT LOCATION: 221 ALMENDRA AVENUE. PROPERTY OWNER: DEVCON CONSTRUCTION INC. APPLICANT: BRETT BRENKWITZ. REQUESTING PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF A PROPOSAL FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A SECOND STORY ADDITION TO A NON-CONTRIBUTING STRUCTURE IN THE ALMOND GROVE HISTORIC DISTRICT ON PROPERTY ZONED R-1D:LHP. APN 510-14-044.
RECOMMENDATION:
Review information and provide a preliminary review of the applicant’s proposal.
BACKGROUND:
A. Property Details
1. Date primary structure was built: 1900
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: None
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? Yes
4. Is structure in a historic district? Yes, Almond Grove Historic District
5. If yes, is it a contributor? No
6. Findings required? No
7. Considerations required? Yes
B. Comments
The applicant is proposing exterior modifications to the existing building, including
alterations to existing windows, new windows, removal of an existing covered porch,
and a new second story addition.
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BACKGROUND (Continued):
On June 5, 2018, the Town Council approved a request for a zone change from O:LHP
(Office with a Landmark and Historic Preservation Overlay) to R-1:D:LHP (Single-Family
Residential Downtown with a Landmark and Historic Preservation Overlay) requiring the
office use to cease within two years of the zone change. The building was previously
used as a medical office and the applicant is proposing to convert the building to a
single-family home.
Due to the location of the property in the Almond Grove Historic District, the applicant
has chosen to pursue feedback on the request ahead of submitting a formal Planning
application. If a Planning application is submitted, the proposed project would return to
the Historic Preservation Committee for a recommendation.
Town Code Section 29.10.020 defines demolition of historic structures as removal,
enclosure, or alteration of more than twenty-five percent of the wall(s) facing a public
street, or fifty percent of all exterior or walls:
Demolition (historic structures) means:
(1) Removal of more than twenty-five (25) percent of the wall(s) facing a public
street(s) (or a street facing elevation if the parcel is a corridor lot or is
landlocked) or fifty (50) percent of all exterior walls; or
(2) Enclosure or alteration (ie: new window and or window relocation) of more than
twenty-five (25) percent of the walls facing a public street (or a street facing
elevation if the parcel is a corridor lot or is landlocked) or fifty (50) percent of
the exterior walls so that they no longer function as exterior walls; or
All remaining exterior walls must be contiguous and must retain the existing exterior
wall covering. No new exterior wall covering shall be permitted over the existing
exterior wall covering. The following are exempt from this definition:
a. Replacement. The exterior wall covering may be removed if the covering is not
original to the structure.
b. Repair. The removal and replacement of in kind non-repairable exterior wall
covering resulting in no change to its exterior appearance or historic character if
approved by the deciding body.
c. Removal. The removal of an addition(s) that is not part of the original structure
and which has no historic significance, as determined by the Historic
Preservation Committee. Demolition shall be determined by subsections (1) and
(2) above for the original structure, where walls enclosed by additions shall be
considered as exterior walls.
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BACKGROUND (Continued):
The project would propose to remove or alter less than 25 percent of the front
elevation, as stated in the applicant’s request (Attachment 1).
The Residential Design Guidelines encourage owners of non-contributing structures not
wishing or unable to reconstruct a structure back to contributing status to make
changes that are sensitive and supportive of the historic district.
DISCUSSION:
A. Considerations Required with Recommendation
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.
Attachments:
1. Request (two pages)
2. Development Plans (nine sheets)
Distribution:
Cc: Brett Brenkwitz, PO Box 597, Aptos, CA 95001
ATTACHMENT 2