Staff Report
PREPARED BY: DIEGO MORA
Assistant 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: 5
DATE: October 21, 2020
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Preliminary Review for Construction of Exterior Alterations and Addition to a
Pre-1941 Residence on Property Zoned R-1:8. Located at 15 Chestnut
Avenue. APN 510-40-155. Property Owners Mahtab Fatemi and Ben Verwer.
Applicant: Jay Plett. Project Planner: Diego Mora
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a preliminary review for construction of exterior alterations and an addition to a pre-
1941 residence on property zoned R-1:8 located at 15 Chestnut Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1930 per County Assessor’s Database
2. Town of Los Gatos Preliminary Historic Status Code: C, Contributor to Town’s historic
feeling but has had some alterations
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? No
4. Is structure in a historic district? N/A
5. If yes, is it a contributor? N/A
6. Findings required? No
7. Considerations required? Yes
BACKGROUND:
The applicant is requesting preliminary review of a proposal to construct exterior alterations
and an addition to a pre-1941 residence located at 15 Chestnut. The subject property is located
near the southwest corner of Chestnut Avenue and Hernandez Avenue.
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DISCUSSION:
The applicant proposes an interior remodel with a 427.5-square foot addition to the first story
and a 402.5-square foot addition to the second story. The additions are located towards the
rear of the residence. A metal cap rail is proposed on the second story master bedroom.
Exterior siding materials on the proposed rear additions and side porch would match those of
the existing residence: horizontal wood. The new siding is proposed to be mulled to match the
existing wood horizontal siding in width, profile, and exposure. The rear addition includes
double-hung windows with and without pane windows (lites) where appropriate. Plans indicate
that new windows will match the original in material and trim.
Proposed exterior alteration to the existing residence include:
• South elevation (Rear Yard)
o New double hung windows on rear first and second story addition
o New French doors
o New metal cap rail
• North Elevation (Front)
o New second story bedroom gable and window
o New entry door
o Replacement and repair of the front porch post
• West Elevation (Driveway Side)
o New second story front hip roof
o New second story windows with panes
o Rebuild of side porch with new siding
o New column towards the rear of the first-floor addition
• East Elevation (Side Yard)
o New hip roof for the rear addition
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
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CONSIDERATIONS (continued):
3. adversely affect the character, or the historical, architectural or aesthetic interest or
value of the district.
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is seeking preliminary feedback from the HPC on their proposal. Should the HPC
find merit in the request, the project would require approval of a Minor Residential application
for the construction of an addition greater than 100-square feet to an existing second story.
The project would return to the HPC under a Minor Residential application for a
recommendation to the Community Development Director.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Bloomfield Survey
2. Book 2 Bloomfield Survey
3. Residential Design Guidelines Appendix E
4. Sanborn Maps
5. Development Plans