Item 2 - 4 Tait - Staff Report with Attachments
PREPARED BY: JENNIFER ARMER, AICP
Senior Planner
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
GENERAL PLAN COMMITTEE
REPORT
MEETING DATE: 01/13/2021
ITEM NO: 2
DATE: January 8, 2021
TO: General Plan Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Consider a Request for Approval for a Zone Change from R-1D:LHP (Single-Family
Residential Downtown with a Landmark and Historic Preservation Overlay) to C-
2:LHP (Central Business District with a Landmark and Historic Preservation
Overlay) and a General Plan Amendment to Change the Land Use Designation
from Medium Density Residential to Central Business District, for Property
Located at 4 Tait Avenue. APN: 510-44-054. Zone Change Application Z-20-002
and General Plan Amendment Application GP-20-001. Property Owner: Town of
Los Gatos. Applicant: Jim Foley.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request for approval for a zone change from R-1D:LHP (Single-Family Residential
Downtown with a Landmark and Historic Preservation Overlay) to C-2:LHP (Central Business
District with a Landmark and Historic Preservation Overlay) and a General Plan amendment to
change the land use designation from Medium Density Residential to Central Business District,
for property located at 4 Tait Avenue. APN: 510-44-054.
BACKGROUND:
The subject parcel is located at the northeast corner of Tait Avenue and West Main Street in the
Broadway Historic District (Attachment 1). The building on the property was constructed in
1927. The property was originally built to be the Town’s Fire House with an associated dwelling
unit for the driver of the new fire truck, and also previously served as the home of the Los
Gatos Museum.
The subject parcel is surrounded by parcels with a Medium Density Residential General Plan
land use designation to the north, south, and west. The parcel to the east has a Central
Business District land use designation.
PAGE 2 OF 4
SUBJECT: 4 Tait Avenue/Z-20-002/GP-20-001
DATE: January 8, 2021
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BACKGROUND (Continued):
The applicant is requesting approval of this General Plan amendment to allow the current
leasees to lease the building for commercial uses (Attachment 2). At this time, no modifications
to the building are proposed.
The applicant has also submitted a Zone Change application (Z-20-002) to rezone the property
from R-1D:LHP (Single-Family Residential Downtown with a Landmark and Historic Preservation
Overlay) to C-2:LHP (Central Business District with a Landmark and Historic Preservation
Overlay).
The subject parcel is bound by parcels with a R-1D:LHP Zoning designation to the north, south,
and west. The parcel to the east has a C-2 Zoning designation.
The role of the General Plan Committee (GPC) is to assist the Planning Commission and Town
Council on matters relating to the General Plan or any specific plans. As a legislative item, the
Planning Commission will make a recommendation to Town Council on the entire project,
including the General Plan amendment.
DISCUSSION:
The following is a brief list of issues and topics for consideration by the GPC. Staff has not
reached conclusions on these topics, and provides them to help frame the discussion and to
solicit input. The main question for the GPC is whether the applicant’s request to change the
General Plan land use designation is consistent with the General Plan.
A. General Plan Land Use Designations
The applicant is proposing a General Plan amendment to change the land use designation
from Medium Density Residential to Central Business District.
The Central Business District land use designation applies exclusively to the downtown and
accomplishes the following:
• Encourages a mixture of community-oriented commercial goods, services, and lodging
unique in its accommodation of small-town style merchants and maintenance of small-
town character;
• Maintains and expands landscaped open spaces and mature tree growth without
increasing setbacks; and
• Integrates new construction with existing structures of historical or architectural
significance and emphasizes the importance of the pedestrian.
PAGE 3 OF 4
SUBJECT: 4 Tait Avenue/Z-20-002/GP-20-001
DATE: January 8, 2021
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DISCUSSION (continued):
The Medium Density Residential land use designation provides for multiple-family
residential, duplex, and/or single-family homes.
The subject parcel is bound by parcels with a Medium Density Residential General Plan land
use designation to the north, south, and west. The parcel to the east has a Central Business
District General Plan land use designation.
B. General Plan Goals/Policies/Strategies
Applicable General Plan goals and policies that will be used to evaluate the proposed
General Plan amendment, as well as the Zone Change application, for this site include, but
are not limited to the following:
Land Use Goals
▪ LU-1 To preserve, promote, and protect the existing small-town character and
quality of life within Los Gatos.
▪ LU-6 To preserve and enhance the existing character and sense of place in
residential neighborhoods.
Land Use Policies
▪ LU-1.4 Infill projects shall be designed in context with the neighborhood and
surrounding zoning with respect to the existing scale and character of
surrounding structures, and should blend rather than compete with the
established character of the area.
▪ LU-1.8 Commercial development of any type (office, retail, research and
development, etc.) shall be designed in keeping with the small-town character
of Los Gatos.
▪ LU-6.1 Protect existing residential areas from the impacts of nonresidential
development.
▪ LU-6.2 Allow non-residential activity in residential areas only when the character and
quality of the neighborhood can be maintained.
▪ LU-6.3 Protect existing residential areas from adjacent nonresidential uses by
assuring that buffers are developed and maintained.
▪ LU-6.4 Prohibit uses that may lead to the deterioration of residential neighborhoods,
or adversely impact the public safety or the residential character of a
residential neighborhood.
▪ LU-6.5 The type, density, and intensity of new land use shall be consistent with that
of the immediate neighborhood.
PAGE 4 OF 4
SUBJECT: 4 Tait Avenue/Z-20-002/GP-20-001
DATE: January 8, 2021
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DISCUSSION (continued):
Community Design Goals
▪ CD-6 To promote and protect the physical and other distinctive qualities of
residential neighborhoods.
▪ CD-10 To maintain the historic character of the Downtown.
▪ CD-12 To preserve significant historic and architectural features within the Town.
▪ CD-13 To support and encourage thoughtful rehabilitation or reuse of historic
structures.
Community Design Policies
▪ CD-6.1 Reduce the visual impact of new construction and/or remodels on the Town
and its neighborhoods.
▪ CD-10.1 Encourage the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, reuse, and
maintenance of existing buildings Downtown.
▪ CD-12.1 Avoid demolishing historic buildings, unless the Planning Commission finds,
based on substantial evidence, that there is no feasible means to ensure the
preservation of the structure.
▪ CD-12.2 Encourage the preservation, maintenance, and adaptive reused of existing
residential, commercial, or public buildings.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
As of the drafting of this report, no comments from the public have been received.
CONCLUSION:
The Committee should consider the existing and proposed General Plan land use designations
and make a recommendation to the Planning Commission on whether the proposed General
Plan amendment from Medium Density Residential Downtown to Central Business District is
consistent with the Town’s General Plan.
Attachments:
1. Location maps (showing existing Zoning and General Plan designations)
2. Letter from applicant
3. Property plans
Distribution:
Jim Foley, via email
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4 Tait Avenue
LowDensityResidential
CentralBusiness District
Medium Density Residential
Existing General Plan Land Use Designation
ATTACHMENT 1
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VICTORY LNS SANTA CRUZ AVBEAN AV WILDER AVLYNDON AVELM ST
W MAINTAIT AVBAYVIEW AVBROADWAY
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W MAIN STMASSOLCTFARWELL LNCLIFTON AVSTATION WYBROADWAY
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C-2
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R-1D:LHP
C-2:LHP
RCR1-D
RM-5:1 2
4 Tait AvenueExisting Zoning
January 5, 2021
Town of Los Gatos
Attn: Jennifer Armer
Planning Dept
110 E Main St
Los Gatos, CA
95030
Dear Jennifer,
This letter serves as the project description and letter of justification for our application for a zone change and
general plan amendment for the property located at 4 Tait Ave, APN # 510-44-054. Pursuant to the request for
proposals the Town of Los Gatos released for the repositioning of the Town owned museum properties, Tait
Firehouse LLC is requesting the re-zoning of the aforementioned property to C-2:LHP to achieve the goal of
attracting a commercial use to locate at the property. Concurrently we are requesting a General Plan Amendment
to Central Business District designation to be consistent with the requested zoning. Given the nature of the
building and its proximity to the commercial core, it is not feasible to occupy the property with a residential use as
currently zoned. This project is the administrative re-zoning to achieve the agreed upon goal, with the associated
necessary general plan amendment.
The rezoning to C-2: LHP is consistent with the General Plan, referencing the following sections:
•LU-14, Paragraph 2, Bullet 3 “Encourages a mixture of community-oriented commercial goods, services
and lodging unique in its accommodation of small-town style merchants and maintenance of small-
town character.
o The proposed zone change is not intended for a redevelopment project. The project maintains
the character of the existing structure in order to attract a small-town oriented commercial use.
•LU-14, Paragraph 2, Bullet 5 “Integrates new construction with existing structures of historical or
architectural significance and emphasizes the importance of the pedestrian.
o The proposed zone change is not intended for a redevelopment project. The project maintains
the character of the existing structure in order to maintain the historic nature of the structure.
Due to the location of the property and its proximity to the Central Business District as well as the
residential neighborhood, this is a key link to the walkability of residents to the local businesses.
•LU-21, G, Goal LU-1 “To preserve, promote, and protect the existing small-town character and
quality of life within Los Gatos.”
o The project complies with this goal as it is restoring a historic building from a blighted vacant use,
to a cared for active commercial use, and preserves the historic nature of the Town.
•LU-21, G, Policy LU-1.4 “Infill projects shall be designed in context with the neighborhood and
surrounding zoning with respect to the existing scale and character of surrounding structures, and should
blend rather than compete with the established character of the area.”
ATTACHMENT 2
January 5, 2021
o This project does not intend to damage the character of the old firehouse, but restore it and
activate it. The nature of the structure is the perfect link between the residential neighborhood
as it is a residential style building from a design and massing standpoint, however we will improve
it to accommodate commercial uses as the street transitions into the commercial district.
• LU-25, Policy LU 6.2 “Allow non-residential activity in residential areas only when the character and
quality of the neighborhood can be maintained.”
o As previously mentioned, the style and character of the structure will not change. The uses in C-
2:LHP are compatible as the zoning of the adjacent property is C-2:LHP and is already in place,
making this the perfect transition from residential to the central business district.
• LU-27, Policy LU 7.3 “Infill projects shall contribute to the further development of the surrounding
neighborhood (e.g. improve circulation, contribute to or provide neighborhood unity, eliminate a
blighted area) and shall not detract from the existing quality of life.”
o The project will make a new use available for the neighborhood, including but not limited to an
office, a business, or another service that will be a walkable amenity to both the nearby residents
and businesses. The existing structure has been unoccupied for several years and is borderline
considered a blight to attract unwanted activity. Breathing new life into the property will benefit
the area.
• LU-27, Policy LU 7.4 “Infill projects shall be designed in context with the neighborhood and
surrounding zoning with respect to the existing scale and character of surrounding structures, and should
blend rather than compete with the established character of the area.”
o The style and historic character of the existing building will be maintained and is currently
compatible with the surrounding structures.
• LU-28, Policy LU 9.6 “Encourage development that maintains and expands resident-oriented services
and/or creates employment opportunities for local residents consistent with overall land use policies of
the Town.
o Brining a commercial use in close walkable proximity to the residential neighborhood provides a
new opportunity for employment and the resulting business will serve the neighborhood.
• CD-3, Policy CD 1.1 “Building elements shall be in proportion with those traditionally in the
neighborhood.”
o The style and historic character of the existing building will be maintained and is currently
compatible with the surrounding structures.
• CD-3, Policy CD 1.2 “New structures, remodels, landscapes, and hardscapes shall be designed to
harmonize and blend with the scale and rhythm of the neighborhood and natural features in the
area.”
o The style and historic character of the existing building will be renovated to enhance the
character of the building, eliminate blight, and harmonize with the balance of the neighborhood
in a greatly improved manner.
January 5, 2021
• CD-11, Policy CD-10.1 “Encourage the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, reuse, and
maintenance of existing buildings Downtown.”
o This policy exactly describes the project. Restoration, Rehabilitation, Reuse, and ongoing
maintenance of a historic building, achieved through change of use.
• CD-18, Policy CD 12.1 “Avoid demolishing historic buildings, unless the Planning Commission finds,
based on substantial evidence, that there is no feasible means to ensure the preservation of the
structure.”
o This project would preserve an existing historic structure.
• CD-18, Policy CD 12.2 “ Encourage the preservation, maintenance, and adaptive reuse of existing
residential, commercial, or public buildings.”
o This project would accomplish this policy by preserving and reusing an existing historic structure.
• CD-19, Policy CD 12.3 “Preserve and protect historic structures, including those that have been
designated or are contributors to existing historic districts. Use special care in reviewing new
buildings or remodels in the vicinity of historic structures to address compatibility issues and potential
impacts.”
o This project would protect a historic building in the downtown/almond grove historic districts.
• CD-20, Goal CD-13 (and every policy thereunder) “To support and encourage thoughtful rehabilitation
or reuse of historic structures.”
o This project will maintain the historic architecture of the structure, renovate a damaged
structure, and comply with all the necessary historic guidance set forth by the Town.
There are many other applicable goals, policies, and actions in the general Plan that apply to theis project. In
Summary, we are re-zoning the property to attract a viable use to the building, and in connection with that effort,
restoring and renovating the historic Tait Firehouse. The project meets the goals of the Town and will provide a
major benefit to both the neighborhood and the central business district by adding a compatible use where
otherwise we are left with a vacant blighted structure.
A subsequent tenant improvement project application will follow after the appropriate zoning and general plan
designation is in place. Please reference the minutes from the Town Council Meeting on August 4, 2020 and that
certain Lease Agreement by and between the Town of Los Gatos and Tait Firehouse, LLC for previous Town Council
direction and additional details on this effort.
Thank you,
Jim Foley
Tait Firehouse, LLC
(408) 813-7490
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