Staff Report.114 Wilder Avenue
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: 01/27/2021
ITEM NO: 3
DATE: January 21, 2021
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Consider a Request for a Determination Regarding the Contributing Status of
an Existing Single-Family Residence Located in the Almond Grove Historic
District on Property Zoned R-1D:LHP Located at 114 Wilder Avenue. APN
510-17-072. Property Owner/Applicant: Alvaro Anzoategui. Project Planner:
Sean Mullin
RECOMMENDATION:
Review the information provided and make a determination regarding the contributing status
of the structure located at 114 Wilder Way in the Almond Grove Historic District.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1935 per County Assessor’s Database
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: ✓, historic and somewhat altered but still
contributor to district if there is one
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? Yes
4. Is structure in a historic district? Yes, Almond Grove Historic District
5. If yes, is it a contributor? Yes
6. Findings required? Yes
7. Considerations required? Yes
DISCUSSION:
The applicant is requesting a determination of the historic or architectural significance of the
single-family residence located in the Almond Grove Historic District related to a proposal for
demolition of the single-family residence and construction of a new single-family residence.
The applicant has provided a Letter of Justification, historic research, and photos of the existing
residence (Attachments 1 through 3). The County Assessor’s Database indicates that the
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SUBJECT: 114 Wilder Avenue
DATE: January 21, 2021
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DISCUSSION (continued):
residence was constructed in 1935. The 1990 Bloomfield Survey is included as Attachment 4
and indicates a construction date of the 1930s with a preliminary rating for the residence of
“✓” meaning: historic with some alterations but still contributing to the historic district
(Attachment 4). The Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps show that a residence was present on the
property as early as 1891, although shown as a two-story residence with a notably different
footprint from today (Attachment 5). This residence is present on the maps through 1928. A
residence is not present on the 1944 map. A simple rectangular single -story residence is then
shown on the 1956 map with a footprint consistent to what is present today.
The applicant’s Letter of Justification indicates that the existing residence appears to have been
constructed in the 1940s and consists of mismatched additions with vinyl windows
(Attachment 1). The applicant’s letter describes the residence as deteriorating, having no
unique characteristics or original features.
Structures within historic districts are individually classified as to their relative contribution to
the historic character and quality of the district. Contributing structures have been determined
to be historically, architecturally, or culturally significant. Noncontributing structures are those
which are not historical in terms of their design and construction date or have been so modified
over time as to no longer meet the criteria for contributing status.
The Residential Design Guidelines state that the demolition of any contributing structure in
historic districts is forbidden absent a cataclysmic event or upon determination by the deciding
body that demolition is necessary for the proper restoration of the structure. Additions,
alterations, and removal of non-historic additions may be approved as part of the restoration
process, provided the contributing historic elements of the structure are maintained.
CONCLUSION:
The applicant’s Letter of Justification (Attachment 1) outlines their reasons for the request to
remove the contributing status from the residence including construction of alterations that
have impacted the integrity of the residence and the poor condition of the residence. Should
the HPC find that the structure no longer meets the criteria for contributing status, the
structure would be removed from the list of contributors to the Almond Grove Historic District.
The property would continue to be located within the historic district, and any proposed work
would return to the HPC for review under a formal Planning application.
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SUBJECT: 114 Wilder Avenue
DATE: January 21, 2021
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FINDINGS:
A. Findings - related to a request for a determination that a primary structure has no historic
significance or architectural merit.
In evaluating a request for a determination of historic significance or architectural merit,
the Historic Preservation Committee shall consider the following:
1. The structure is not associated with events that have made a significant contribution
to the Town;
2. No Significant persons are associated with the site;
3. There are no distinctive characteristics of type, period or method of construction or
representation of work of a master;
4. The structure does not yield information to Town history; or
5. The integrity has been compromised such that the structure no longer has the
potential to convey significance.
B. 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. Historic Research
3. Photos
4. 1990 Bloomfield Survey
5. Sanborn Map Exhibit