Staff Report.103 Tait Ave
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: 11/18/2020
ITEM NO: 2
DATE: November 12, 2020
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval for Removal and Replacement In-kind of Wood Siding
on a Contributing Single-family Residence Located in the Almond Grove
Historic District on Property Zoned R-1D:LHP. APN 510-18-038.
Property Owners/Applicants: Michael and Krista Ballou. Project Planner:
Sean Mullin
RECOMMENDATION:
Forward a recommendation to the Community Development Director on a request for removal
and replacement in kind of the existing horizontal wood siding.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1900
2. Town of Los Gatos Preliminary Historic Status Code: C
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? Yes
4. Is structure in a historic district? Yes, Almond Grove
5. If yes, is it a contributor? Yes
6. Findings required? No
7. Considerations required? Yes
BACKGROUND:
The subject property is located on the southwest corner of Tait and Bean Avenues in the
Almond Grove Historic District. On April 24, 2019, the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC)
forwarded a recommendation of approval to the Community Development Director for a
request for exterior alterations to the existing residence, including demolition of portions of the
first and second floors and construction of an addition to the first floor. The request was
approved, and a Building Permit was issued on March 13, 2020 for the alterations. The
applicant has submitted a Letter of Justification (Attachment 1) and photos (Attachment 2)
indicating that during the course of construction, it was discovered that:
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SUBJECT: 103 TAIT AVENUE/B19-0718
DATE: NOVEMBER 12, 2020
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BACKGROUND (continued):
• The existing siding was installed without a paper backing;
• The condition of the existing siding will prohibit a weathertight installation due to
warping and cracking; and
• The existing siding in the old kitchen area has been damaged by fire.
DISCUSSION:
The applicant requests approval to remove the existing wood siding and to replace it in-kind.
The replacement siding would match the dimensions and profile of the existing siding . The
proposed siding was previously approved for use on the new additions to the house currently
under construction.
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 and replacement of in-kind non-repairable exterior wall covering resulting
in no change to its exterior appearance or historic character is exempt from the above
definition.
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is seeking a recommendation from the HPC that the removal and in-kind
replacement of the siding is appropriate and therefore exempt from the demolition definition.
Should the HPC find merit in the request, Building Permit revisions would be approved by the
Community Development Director and the project as proposed would not return to the HPC.
A. Findings
Sec. 29.10.020. Demolition (historic structures)
All remaining exterior walls must be contiguous and must retain the existing exterior
wall covering. No new exterior wall covering shall be per mitted 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 (siding) resulting in no change to its exterior appearance or historic
character if approved by the deciding body.
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SUBJECT: 103 TAIT AVENUE/B19-0718
DATE: NOVEMBER 12, 2020
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CONCLUSION (continued):
B. Required 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:
(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.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Letter of Justification
2. Photos of existing siding