Item 3 - Staff Report and Attachment 1
PREPARED BY: SEAN MULLIN, AICP
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: 02/27/2019 ITEM NO: 3
DATE: FEBRUARY 21, 2019 TO: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE FROM: JOEL PAULSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SUBJECT: PROJECT LOCATION: 445 LOS GATOS BOULEVARD. PROPERTY OWNER/APPLICANT: SHAHBAZ AKHTAR. REQUESTING PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF A PROPOSAL FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SECOND STORY ADDITION TO A PRE-1941 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE ON PROPERTY ZONED R-1:8. APN 529-20-006.
RECOMMENDATION:
Review the project and provide preliminary review regarding the proposal.
BACKGROUND:
A. Property Details
1. Date primary structure was built: 1905
2. Town of Los Gatos Preliminary Historic Status Code: None
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 is proposing exterior modifications to the existing one-story folk Victorian
house which features a front facing gable and spindle work porch in front of a pyramidal
roof. The proposed project includes construction of a new two-story addition.
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BACKGROUND (continued):
On December 13, 2018, the applicant requested feedback from the Historic Preservation
Committee (Committee) on the proposed addition and remodel ahead of submitting a
formal Planning application. At the meeting, the Committee discussed the matter and
recommended that the applicant consider retaining more of the existing residence and
designing the addition to be more sympathetic to and compatible with the existing
residence. On January 23, 2019, the applicant presented a revised project in response to
the Committee’s feedback. At the meeting, the Committee discussed the revised project
and recommended that the applicant consider the following:
• Maintain the front of the residence in its existing configuration;
• Avoid increasing the height of the existing residence;
• Concentrate the additions to the rear of the existing residence;
• Specify windows that are complementary to the existing residence; and
• Include eave depths consistent with the existing residence.
In response to the Committee’s feedback, the applicant has submitted revised project
plans (Attachment 1). The owner has chosen to maintain the front of the existing
residence, including the height and pitch of the pyramidal roof. The proposed addition is
concentrated at the rear of the residence, with a single-story addition connecting to a
two-story addition at the rear. The addition would include a hip roof with pitches that
match those of the existing residence. The revised project plans include consistent eave
depths and divided-lite windows to match those on the existing residence. It is
recommended that the Committee focus discussion on the following:
• Three proposed windows on the left (south) elevation that may not be consistent
with the other window types and shapes;
• Consistency of eave details between the existing residence and the addition; and
• Consistency of trim widths and sills across the proposed residence.
Town Code Section 29.10.020 generally 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 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
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BACKGROUND (continued):
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
The proposed exterior modifications would not remove more than twenty-five percent of
the wall(s) facing a public street; however, it is unclear whether the modifications would
remove more than fifty (50) percent of all exterior walls.
The applicant is seeking a recommendation from the HPC regarding whether the proposal
is appropriate and will not affect the exterior architectural character or other features of
the property. Should the HPC find merit in the request, the request could be approved
through a Planning application, and demolition findings may be required. Once filed, the
appropriate Planning application would return to the HPC for a recommendation.
DISCUSSION:
A. Considerations
Sec. 29.80.290. Standards for review.
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.
Attachments:
1. Revised preliminary development plans (six pages)
Distribution:
Cc: Shahbaz Akhtar, shahbaz937@hotmail.com
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