Staff Report.9 and 11 Montebello Way
PREPARED BY: RYAN SAFTY
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: 4/28/2021
ITEM NO: 3
DATE: April 21, 2021
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Request for Construction of Exterior Alterations (Storefront Replacement) to
a Non-Contributing Building in the Downtown Commercial Historic District on
Property Zoned C-2:LHP Located at 9 and 11 Montebello Way. APN 529-01-
006.
Minor Development in an Historic District Application HS-21-010. Applicant:
Montebello Market, LLC. Property Owner: Los Gatos Investments, LLC.
Project Planner: Ryan Safty.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request for construction of exterior alterations (storefront replacement) to a non-
contributing building in the Downtown Commercial Historic District on property zoned C-2:LHP
located at 9 and 11 Montebello Way.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1956 per County Assessor’s Database
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: New; appears to have been built since 1941
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? Yes
4. Is structure in a historic district? Yes, Downtown Commercial Historic District
5. If yes, is it a contributor? No
6. Findings required? Yes
7. Considerations required? Yes, if findings for removal cannot be made
DISCUSSION:
The applicant is requesting approval to construct front façade changes to a non-contributing
building in the Commercial Historic District (Attachment 1).
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SUBJECT: 9 & 11 Montebello Way
DATE: April 21, 2021
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DISCUSSION (continued):
The Sanborn Maps (Attachment 3) show the property with an “Alpha Stable Livery and Feed”
structure in 1888. A substantial rear addition to the stable is shown in 1891 , 1895, 1904, 1908,
and 1928 Sanborn Maps. The subject property is shown vacant in the 1928-1944 and 1928-
1956 Sanborn Map updates. Per the County Assessor’s Database, the existing structure has a
built-date of 1956. Per Architectural Surveys, the existing structure has an “N” preliminary
rating, meaning that the structure appears to have been built after 1941 (Attachment 2).
Architectural plans provided by the applicant show a proposed two-story office building in
1956. Planning records show a Variance application for 9 Montebello Way submitted in 1956.
The application form stated that the site was a vacant lot at that time with no existing
improvements (Attachment 2). Records do not specify if the Variance was ever approved.
Building Permit records indicate construction in 1959 at 9 Montebello Way, and construction in
the 1950’s and 60’s at 11 Montebello Way (Attachment 2), consistent with the County
Assessor’s Database and the architectural plans provided by the applicant.
The property has a Landmark and Historic Preservation (LHP) Overlay Zone and is located at the
edge of the Downtown Commercial Historic District, adopted by Ordinance 1843 in 1991
(Attachment 4).
The current mid-century modern building is single-story with retail and personal service
tenants. The subject property has an approved Conditional Use Permit for a new restaurant
and specialty market. To facilitate the new use, the applicant is proposing to update the
modern clear anodized aluminum storefront while maintaining the existing building envelope
(Attachment 1 and 6). The existing CMU walls will be retained, along with the awning and tile
above. The proposed modern black anodized aluminum replacement storefront would be
pushed forward, with two recessed entries and tiled bulkhead below the windows. The
proposed sign is shown as a place-holder and the final design would need to be reviewed by
Planning and approved with a separate Sign Permit Application.
CONSIDERATIONS:
A. Considerations
In historic districts, the proposed work will neither adversely affect the exterior
architectural characteristics or other features of the property which is subject of the
application, nor adversely affect its relationship, in terms of harmony and
appropriateness, with its surroundings, including neighborhood structures, nor
adversely affect the character, or the historical, architectural or aesthetic interest or
value of the district.
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SUBJECT: 9 & 11 Montebello Way
DATE: April 21, 2021
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CONSIDERATIONS (continued):
Commercial Design Guidelines
Section 3.4 of the Town’s Commercial Design Guidelines offers information on the Historic
Commercial District and guidelines for new construction. (Attachment 5).
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting approval for construction of exterior alterations to a non-
contributing building located at the edge of the Downtown Commercial Historic District. Should
the Committee find merit in the request, the project could be completed with a Building Permit,
and if confirmed through Planning review to be in substantial conformance with the
Committee’s review and recommendations, would not return to the Committee.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Letter of Justification
2. Historic Research and Permit Records
3. Sanborn Maps
4. Downtown Commercial Historic District Ordinance 1843
5. Section 3.4, Commercial Design Guidelines
6. Property Pictures
7. Development Plans