Staff Report.435 San Benito
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: 12/16/2020
ITEM NO: 7
DATE: December 8, 2020
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Preliminary Review of a Request for Construction of Exterior Alterations and
an Addition to a Presumptive Historic Residence (Pre-1941) on Property
Zoned R-1D Located at 435 San Benito Avenue. APN 410 -17-053. Property
Owner: James Holtz and Barbara Bowman. Applicant: Sandra Paim, Architect.
Project Planner: Sean Mullin.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a preliminary review of a request for construction of exterior alterations and an
addition to a presumptive historic residence (pre-1941) on property zoned R-1D located at 435
San Benito Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1932 per 1941 Housing Survey
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: N/A
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
DISCUSSION:
The applicant requests preliminary review of a proposal to construct a single -story addition of
approximately 303 square feet to the south side of the existing two-story residence. The
proposed addition would be setback approximately nine feet from the front façade of the
existing residence. The roof of the proposed addition would rise to a point five inches taller
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SUBJECT: 435 San Benito Avenue
DATE: December 8, 2020
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Benito.docx
DISCUSSION (continued):
than the existing roof with a pitch to match. The propose exterior materials of the addition
would match the existing residence.
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is seeking preliminary feedback from the Committee on the proposal. Should the
Committee find merit in the request, the project could be completed with a Building Permit ,
and if confirmed through Planning review to be in substantial conformance with the
Committee’s review and recommendations, would not return to the Committee.
CONSIDERATIONS:
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. Application s
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 2).
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Letter of Justification
2. Historic Research
3. Building Permit Records
4. Section 3.9, Residential Design Guidelines
5. Development Plans