Staff Report.445 Los Gatos Blvd
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: 03/24/2021
ITEM NO: 4
DATE: March 18, 2021
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Preliminary Review for Relocation of a historic (Pre-1941) Single-Family
Residence and Construction of Exterior Alterations and a Second-Story
Addition on 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 preliminary review for relocation of a historic (pre-1941) single-family residence and
construction of exterior alterations and a second-story addition on 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 D ecember 13, 2018, January 23, 2019,
and February 27, 2019. Recommendations made by the HPC were incorporated into the
PAGE 2 OF 4
SUBJECT: 445 Los Gatos Boulevard
DATE: March 18, 2021
4/22/2021 1:26 PM
BACKGROUND (continued):
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. On January 27, 2021, the HPC considered a request for demolition
of the existing residence. The HPC denied this request, finding that the residence has historical
and architectural interest and value.
On February 24, 2021, the HPC considered a preliminary review for relocation of the existing
residence and construction of exterior alterations and a second-story addition. The HPC
recommended that the applicant:
• Ensure the scale of the second-story addition is compatible and proportional to the
original residence;
• Consider locating the second-story addition at the rear of the residence rather than the
middle;
• Include full details in the development plans to show how the addition will be consistent
with the original structure; and
• Consider a single-story addition.
DISCUSSION:
The applicant has responded to the recommendations of the HPC with a revised Letter of
Justification (Attachment 1), additional exhibits clarifying the neighborhood context and the
massing of the proposed residence (Attachment 2), and Development Plans consistent with
those presented at the February 24, 2021 meeting.
The applicant’s revised Letter of Justification provides additional details relative to the historic
nature of the original portion of the residence (Attachment 1). The revised letter also discusses
how the project responds to the constraints of the site and how the addition would
complement the original residence.
Attachment 2 includes an exhibit summarizing the properties and structures surrounding the
subject property and the current visibility of the existing residence from Los Gatos Boulevard.
Attachment 2 also provides an exhibit outlining the massing of the previously approved design
as compared to the current proposal along with an example of Folk-Victorian architecture and a
perspective drawing of the proposed residence.
PAGE 3 OF 4
SUBJECT: 445 Los Gatos Boulevard
DATE: March 18, 2021
4/22/2021 1:26 PM
DISCUSSION (continued):
As summarized in the February 24, 2021 report to the HPC, the applicant proposes relocation of
the existing residence, construction of a second -story addition, and construction of a detached
garage (Attachments 6). The existing residence would be moved approximately 23 feet toward
the street and approximately six feet south and set on a new concrete foundation. A portion at
the rear of the residence would be removed as reflected on Sheet A1 of the Development Plans
(Attachment 6). The applicant intends to preserve and repair the existing exterior walls of the
residence, while recognizing that the existing condition of the residence may require
substantial replacement of structural elements. While relocated, the front portion of the
residence would remain. The Development Plans indicate that the existing exterior materials
would be repaired or replaced to match, including the horizontal wood ship -lap siding; wood
shingle siding in the front gable end; decorative wood gingerbread spindle work, posts, and t rim
at the porch. The original single-hung windows would be removed and replaced with
aluminum-clad wood windows with proportions to match the original windows. The applicant
also proposes replacement of an existing street-facing door on the south side of the existing
residence with a square window to match the other windows. An additional original window
on the south side elevation would be removed and filled in with wood siding to match existing.
The proposed addition would be located behind the original residence consisting of single-story
and two-story elements. The two-story addition would be 27 feet, five inches tall and
constructed at the center of the residence, approximately 32 feet behind the front façade. The
single-story addition would be located at the rear of the residence. A new basement would be
located under a portion of the residence. Lastly, a new detached garage is proposed in the
northwest portion of the property. All exterior materials and forms of the additions would be
consistent with the existing residence.
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. 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.
PAGE 4 OF 4
SUBJECT: 445 Los Gatos Boulevard
DATE: March 18, 2021
4/22/2021 1:26 PM
CONSIDERATIONS (continued):
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 5).
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is seeking preliminary feedback from the Committee on the proposal. The
proposed project would respond to the feedback and return under an Architecture and Site
application for a recommendation to the deciding body.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Letter of Justification, dated March 14, 2021
2. Neighborhood and Massing Exhibits
3. Building Inspection Report
4. Structural and Architectural Evaluation
5. Section 3.9, Residential Design Guidelines
6. Development Plans
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