Item 2 - Staff Report and Attachments 1 - 5
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: 12/11/2019 ITEM NO: 2
DATE: DECEMBER 5, 2019 TO: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE FROM: JOEL PAULSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SUBJECT: PROJECT LOCATION: 477 UNIVERSITY AVENUE. PROPERTY OWNERS: ERIC AND LISA HOFFNER. APPLICANT: BESS WIERSEMA, STUDIO THREE DESIGN. REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR EXTERIOR ALTERATIONS TO A PRE-1941 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE ON PROPERTY ZONED R-1:D. APN 529-07-029.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider the proposed project and provide a recommendation to the Community Development
Director on the request for approval.
BACKGROUND:
A. Property Details
1. Date original primary structure was built: c. 1900
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 Santa Clara County Assessor’s estimated construction date for the residence is 1900.
The 1989 Anne Bloomfield survey does not indicate a build date or preliminary rating for
the residence (Attachment 2). The property owners are requesting approval for exterior
alterations, including a new covered front porch and roof addition.
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BACKGROUND (continued):
The applicant is requesting approval for exterior alterations to a pre-1941 residence. The
proposal includes removal of the existing front porch, three-in-twelve gable-end roof, and
scalloped siding on the front elevation; and demolition of the shed roof on the south
elevation (Attachment 5). A new front porch would be constructed across the width of the
residence finished with a wood horizontal lap siding skirt to match the existing siding on the
residence, wood stairs, and wood railings. The existing front window would be replaced
with an aluminum clad wood window in a similar style to the existing window. The front
porch would be covered by a new seven-in-twelve gable-end roof projecting approximately
eight feet from the front wall of the residence supported by square wood posts. The new
roof addition would include wood horizontal lap siding to match the existing siding and an
aluminum clad wood window with wood trim. A one-in-twelve shed roof section along the
south elevation would be replaced with a three-in-twelve shed roof, finished to match the
existing residence. The roof addition would increase the overall height of the residence by
five feet, eight inches.
The applicant has submitted a Letter of Justification including photos of nearby residences
(Attachment 3), Historic Preservation Research (Attachment 4), and proposed Development
Plans (Attachment 5) for the Committee’s consideration. The applicant’s Letter of
Justification indicates that extensive work has occurred on the exterior of the house and
little of the original house remains.
DISCUSSION:
Town Code Section 29.10.020 clarifies that demolition of an historic structure means removal of
more than twenty-five percent of the wall(s) facing a public street or fifty percent of all exterior
walls. The removal of exterior wall coverings and/or additions that are not original to the
structure and which have no historic significance are exempt from the above definition when
approved by the deciding body.
The applicant is seeking a determination from the Committee that the removal of exterior wall
materials and/or additions that are not original to the structure is exempt from the demolition
definition and that the proposed exterior alterations are appropriate. Should the Committee
find merit in the request, a building permit could be approved by the Community Development
Director and the project would not return to the Committee.
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.
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DISCUSSION (continued):
Applications shall not be granted unless:
For pre-1941 structures, the proposed work will neither adversely affect the exterior
architectural characteristic or other features of the property which is the subject of the
application.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Location Map
2. Anne Bloomfield Survey Form
3. Letter of Justification
4. Historic Preservation Research
5. Development Plans
DISTRIBUTION:
Cc: Bess Wiersema, Studio Three Design, 638 University Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95032
Eric and Lisa Hoffner, P.O. Box 1203, Los Gatos, CA 95031
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Update Notes:- Updated 12/20/17 to link to tlg-sql12 server data (sm)- Updated 11/22/19 adding centerpoint guides, Buildings layer, and Project Site leader with label
ATTACHMENT 1
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