Staff Report
PREPARED BY: RYAN SAFTY
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: 10/28/2020 ITEM NO: 3
DATE: October 20, 2020
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Forward a Recommendation to the Director on a Request for Construction of
a Detached Garage with Reduced Setbacks on a Contributing Single-Family
Residence in the Almond Grove Historic District on Property Zoned R-1D:LHP.
Located at 225 Wilder Avenue. APN 510-17-024. Minor Residential
Development Application MR-20-010. Property Owner/Applicant: Van Le.
Project Planner: Ryan Safty
RECOMMENDATION:
Forward a recommendation to the Director on a request for construction of a detached garage
with reduced setbacks on a contributing single-family residence in the Almond Grove Historic
District on property zoned R-1D:LHP located at 225 Wilder Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1899 per County Assessor’s Database
2. Town of Los Gatos Preliminary Historic Status Code: I
Contributor to Town’s historic feeling and appears intact
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? Yes
4. Is structure in a historic district? Almond Grove
5. If yes, is it a contributor? Yes
6. Findings required? No
7. Considerations required? Yes
BACKGROUND:
The Santa Clara County Assessor’s estimated construction date for the residence is 1899. The
property owner is requesting approval to construct a new detached garage in the rear yard,
along the alley, with reduced side and rear yard setbacks. The garage would be located in
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BACKGROUND (continued):
approximately the same location as the existing storage shed that is proposed to be removed
(Attachments 2 and 4).
The HPC previously reviewed a proposal for exterior modifications to the main residence and
detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 225 Wilder Avenue on November 13, 2019 and
approved the proposed modifications.
A Minor Residential Development application was submitted on September 14, 2020 and is
required because the project proposes a detached accessory structure with reduced setbacks.
Should the HPC find merit in the request, planning and building permits could be approved by
the Community Development Director and the project would not return to the HPC.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed project includes construction of a new 260 square foot detached garage at the
rear of the lot, accessed from the alley. The applicant is requesting setback exceptions through
the Minor Residential Development application of three feet for the rear and side yards when
five feet is required.
The proposed detached garage would be 12 feet in height with the garage door oriented to the
north, with the driveway and back-up area contained within the property boundaries. The
proposed exterior materials would match the existing horizontal siding and shingle-roofing of
the main residence and ADU. The new door and window materials would also match the main
residence and ADU and would be black metal clad with white trim.
CONSIDERATIONS:
A. Considerations – related to the request for approval of detached accessory structure in an
Historic District.
X 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:
2. 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.
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CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting approval for construction of a new detached garage with reduced
setbacks on a contributing single-family residence in the Almond Grove Historic District. Should
the HPC find merit in the request, the recommendation would be forwarded to the Community
Development Director and the project would continue through the Minor Residential
Development application review process as required for projects that include reduced setbacks
on detached accessory structures. The project would not return to the HPC.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Project Description Letter
2. Property Pictures
3. Bloomfield Survey
4. Development Plans