Staff Report.445 Los Gatos BlvdPREPARED 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: 01/27/2021 ITEM NO: 2
DATE: January 21, 2021
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Consider a Request for Demolition of a Pre-1941 Residence, to allow
Construction of a New Single-Family Residence with a Detached Accessory
Structure on Nonconforming Property Zoned R-1:8 Located at 445 Los Gatos
Boulevard. APN 529-20-006. Property Owner: Nikki B. and Nam H. Nguyen.
Applicant: Don Shallock, Architect. Project Planner: Sean Mullin
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request for demolition of a pre-1941 residence, to allow construction of a new
single-family residence with a detached accessory structure on nonconforming property zoned
R-1:8 located at 445 Los Gatos Boulevard.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1.Date primary structure was built: 1905
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? No
5.If yes, is it a contributor? N/A
6.Findings required? Yes
7.Considerations required? No
BACKGROUND:
The subject property is located on the west side of Los Gatos Boulevard at the intersection with
Spencer Avenue and is developed with a one-story folk Victorian residence, which features a
front facing gable and spindle work porch in front of a pyramidal roof. The Santa Clara County
Assessor’s estimated construction date for the residence is 1905. Preliminary reviews of a
previous proposal for rehabilitation of the original residence and construction of new first and
second story additions were conducted by the HPC on December 13, 2018, January 23, 2019,
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: 445 Los Gatos Boulevard DATE: January 21, 2021
N:\DEV\HISTORIC PRESERVATION\HPC Reports and Attachments\2021\01-27-21\Item 2 - 445 LGB\Staff Report.445 Los Gatos Blvd.docx
1/21/2021 4:10 PM
BACKGROUND (continued):
and February 27, 2019. Recommendations made by the HPC were incorporated into the
development plans for a Minor Residential Development application, submitted on July 13,
2020. The HPC reviewed this application on August 26, 2020 and forwarded a recommendation
of approval to the Community Development Director.
Following the August 26, 2020 review by the HPC, the property was sold to the current owner
who has revised the project. The revised project has been referred to the HPC as the project
proposes demolition of the existing house.
DISCUSSION:
The subject property is approximately 9,992 square feet and is nonconforming, having a lot
width of 50 feet where 60 feet is required. The applicant is requesting a preliminary review of a
proposal to demolish the existing residence, to allow construction of a new residence with
reduced setbacks, and a new detached garage with reduced setbacks. The applicant has
submitted a Letter of Justification and supporting documents indicating that demolition of the
residence is necessary due to its poor condition and lack of foundation (Attachment 1).
Additionally, the Structural and Architectural Evaluation provided by the applicant concludes
that the residence does not have any distinguishing features or other architectural merit and
the current condition of the residence is unsafe for habitation (Attachment 3).
As viewed from the street, the form and mass of the front of the new residence is proposed to
resemble that of the existing residence (Attachment 5). The proposed expansions would be
made behind the front portion of the residence and would consist of both one-story and two-
story elements. The two-story portion of the residence would step up behind the front portion
and be centered on the ground floor of the residence. The main entrance to the residence
would be in the middle of the north elevation with a small covered balcony located above.
Exterior materials would match the existing materials, including eight-inch horizontal wood
shiplap siding, double-hung aluminum clad wood windows, and composite shingles.
The applicant also proposes construction of a new detached garage at the rear of the property.
The form and exterior materials would be consistent with the proposed residence.
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting consideration of a proposal to demolish the existing residence, to
allow construction of a new residence and a detached garage. The applicant has submitted a
Letter of Justification and supporting documents indicating that the residence does not have
any distinguishing features or other architectural merit and the current condition of the
residence warrants demolition as it is unsafe for habitation. Should the Committee find that
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: 445 Los Gatos Boulevard DATE: January 21, 2021
N:\DEV\HISTORIC PRESERVATION\HPC Reports and Attachments\2021\01-27-21\Item 2 - 445 LGB\Staff Report.445 Los Gatos Blvd.docx
1/21/2021 4:10 PM
CONCLUSION (continued):
the structure has no historic significance or architectural merit, demolition would be allowed
thus removing the structure from the Historic Resources Inventory and any proposed work
would not return to the Committee.
FINDINGS:
A. Findings
___ As required by Town Code Section 29.10.09030(c) Demolition of historic structures, a
demolition permit for a historic structure may only be approved if:
1. The structure poses an imminent safety hazard; or
2. The structure is determined not to have any special historical, architectural or
aesthetic interest or value.
Any request to demolish an historic structure shall be reviewed by the Historic Preservation
Committee. Applications to demolish a non-contributing historic structure shall be
accompanied by a detailed report describing all aspects of the structure's physical condition
prepared by an architect, licensed design professional, or registered civil engineer at the
applicant's expense.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Letter of Justification
2. Building Inspection Report
3. Structural and Architectural Evaluation
4. Photos
5. Development Plans
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank