Attachment 1 - Letter of Justification don schallock
Architect AIA
don@donschallock.com
Hi phone: 408.987.1508
14 March, 2021
Town of Los Gatos – Community Development
Civic Center
101 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Attn: Sean Mullins – Asst. Planner/Project Coordinator
Re: 445 Los Gatos Blvd.: Application for Preliminary Planning and HPC Review
APN: 529-20-006
Justification for Project
As Applicant for the Owners – Mr. and Mrs. Nam and Nikki Nguyen - my intention is to provide them
with a residential design that meets their needs as a young family with 2 small children; and that will
allow them opportunity to live, grow, and participate in our wonderful community. I have arrived at a
design according to the best standards of my profession, as well as their personal needs. It is not my
intention to design solely for the satisfaction of the Historical Preservation Committee.
To promote more effective discussion for this ongoing HPC Review, I have split this letter into 2 parts.
The first part dealing with the historical nature and benefits of preservation. The second part
addressing the benefits of the design of the proposed addition.
Part 1 – The Original:
1. The original house of approx. 853 sq.ft. was built in at least 2 stages - the first being in 1905;
2. It is not on the Historic Register, not in the Historic District, and required no official findings.
3. “Consideration” of its contribution to the “fabric” of Los Gatos is required!
4. The front 450 sq.ft. section was built first in the “Folk-Victorian” style. This style was
“transitional” in that it bridges the gap between the sometimes gaudy and frivolous excesses of
the Victorian architectural era, and the more affordable, practical, workmanship of the
Craftsman era.
5. This house is a very modest single-story bungalow - an unremarkable example of this
transitional style, displaying few quality examples of either period.
6.If you have read the previously submitted letters from this office, Daryl Fazekas, and the
comprehensive, 42 page Building Inspection Report it should seem obvious that this is an
legitimate candidate for demolition. In spite of the Owner’s decision to temporarily inhabit the
house, it is in serious disrepair. It has suffered from decades of neglect. It is structurally
unsound, and cannot meet current Building, Energy, and Safety codes. To “preserve” it will
mean to “rebuild’ it.
7. In spite of these reports and inspections, the HPC has canonized this for sainthood. Somehow
this is “Historically” relevant and an important part of the “fabric” of the neighborhood, if not Los
Gatos in general. Given the properties condition, visibility, and adjacent commercial properties
– I don’t see it!! (see attached “Know your Neighborhood” composite drawing). This is not
University Avenue.
ATTACHMENT 1
Justification (cont’d)
8. Still, in spite of this, the Owners have graciously accepted what will be a very costly and time
consuming preservation of these 2 stages.
9. …….and an accurate and detailed floor plan has been developed for the interior remodel which
preserves every window and door size and location!!
10. This should be considered a “Win” for the HPC! Now for Part 2:
Part 2 - The Addition:
1. While sympathetic to the architecture and detailing of the original, it is not our attention to
recreate it. Using a very unremarkable and poorly built 853 sq.ft. residence to determine our
proposed 2835 sq.ft. design is not good architecture. We would only wind up with an even
larger example of unremarkable, if not BAD, design. Building codes have changed, lifestyles
have changed, materials and skilled labor has changed. It seems HPC wants the “Tail to wag
the dog. The result will be an inferior amalgamation of both constructions.
2. Our proposed addition is smaller (275 sq.ft. less floor area, 80 sq.ft. less Garage area, 376
sq.ft. less Site Coverage), lower (1’-5” less) and more visually balanced than the previous
Owners application - that you approved (with conditions) last year.
3. Our addition fits within the limitations of a non-conforming, and shrinking, 50’ x 189’ lot. We are
set back an additional 11ft. due to the Towns new R.O.W. Dedication requirements; and we are
further constrained by the heritage oak in the rear yard. The 50 ft. width lot size necessitates a
long and narrow footprint that pushes it to the South side of the property in order to have room
for a driveway, a new Entry and for some semblance of landscaping.(see drawing, A-2)
4. This addition will not use phony spindle-work, brackets, turned columns, or other
gimmicks to pretend to authentically extend the existing “Folk-Victorian” architecture.
All proposed work will meet current FAR and Site Coverage requirements. Due to the “non-conforming”
frontage and site area, some consideration for reduction(s) in side-yard setbacks are requested. This
might be similar to the R-1D Zone standards.
Sincerely,
Don Schallock
- Architect. AIA
don schallock Architect AIA
Los Gatos, CA Telluride, CO. Old San Juan, PR