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: 12/16/2020
ITEM NO: 3
DATE: December 10, 2020
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval for Construction of an Addition Greater Than 100
Square Feet to an Existing Second Story of a Historic Residence (Pre-1941) 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:
Forward a recommendation for approval to the Director on a request for construction of an
addition greater than 100 square feet to an existing second story of a historic residence
(pre-1941) 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: None
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 Santa Clara County Assessor’s estimated construction date for the residence is 1930. The
subject property is located near the southwest corner of Chestnut Avenue and Hernandez
Avenue. The applicant is requesting approval for exterior modifications to the existing two-
story residence, which includes additions to the first and second story. Preliminary review of
the proposal was conducted by the HPC on October 28, 2020. During the last review, the HPC
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SUBJECT: 15 CHESTNUT AVENUE
DATE: DECEMBER 16, 2020
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BACKGROUND (continued):
recommended that the applicant conduct neighborhood outreach and did not raise any
objections to the project as proposed. The project included the removal of rear additions that
are not part of the original structure. As a result, the removals would be exempt from the
demolition of historic structures definition. A Minor Residential Development application was
submitted on November 16, 2020 and approval, including notice of adjacent neighbors, is
required because the project proposes an addition greater than 100 square feet to an existing
second story.
DISCUSSION:
The applicant proposes an interior remodel with a 427.5-square foot addition to the x-square
foot first story and a 402.5-square foot addition to the x-square foot 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 horizontal wood siding materials on the proposed rear
additions and side porch would match those of the existing residence. 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
o Removal of existing rear additions not part of original structure
• North Elevation (Front)
o Alteration of second story bedroom with a new gable and window with panes
o Alteration of a new entry door
o Replacement and repair of the front porch post
• West Elevation (Driveway Side)
o Alteration of second story bedroom window with panes
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 rear of the first-floor addition
• East Elevation (Side Yard)
o New hip roof for the rear addition
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SUBJECT: 15 CHESTNUT AVENUE
DATE: DECEMBER 16, 2020
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CONSIDERATIONS:
Should the Committee find merit in the request, it should make the following considerations
and make a recommendation of approval to the Community Development Director.
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.
B. Residential Design Guidelines
Section 4.9 of the Town’s Residential Design Guidelines offers recommendations for
additions to historic resources through reference to Section 3.9 (Attachment 4).
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting approval for construction of exterior alterations and additions to a
an existing two-story pre-1941 single-family residence, including additions to the first and
second story. Should the HPC find merit in the request, the project would continue through the
Minor Residential Development application process as required for projects that include an
addition greater than 100 square-feet to an existing second story, and the project would not
return to the HPC.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Bloomfield Survey
2. Book 2 Bloomfield Survey (Potential District Survey)
3. Section 3.9, Residential Design Guidelines
4. Sanborn Maps
5. Development Plans