Staff Report.320 Johnson 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: 05/26/2021
ITEM NO: 3
DATE: May 17, 2021
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Preliminary Review of a Request for Construction of Exterior Alterations and
an Addition to an Existing Pre-1941 Single-Family Residence on Property
Zoned R-1:8 Located at 320 Johnson Avenue. APN 529-39-070. Property
Owner: Steve and Gina Sprich. Applicant: Steven Plyler, De Mattei
Construction. Project Planner: Sean Mullin.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a preliminary review of a request for construction of exterior alterations and an
addition to an existing single-family residence on property zoned R-1:8 located at 320 Johnson
Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1915 per County Assessor’s Database
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: + - Historic and intact or worthy of special note
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? No
4. Is structure in a historic district? N/A
5. If yes, is it a contributor? N/A
6. Findings required? No
7. Considerations required? Yes
DISCUSSION:
The applicant requests preliminary review of a proposal for exterior alterations and an addition
to the existing pre-1941 Craftsman two-story residence (Attachment 4). The proposed addition
is located on the right side of the first floor of the residence and would accommodate a
proposed interior remodel. The addition would be approximately eight-feet wide and expand
the first floor of the residence approximately 32 feet from the front wall behind the front
porch. The new addition would utilize a gable-end roof form consistent with the residence. At
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SUBJECT: 320 Johnson Avenue
DATE: May 17, 2021
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Avenue.docx
DISCUSSION (continued):
the front elevation, the entry door would be relocated slightly left of its current location and
the existing window to the right of the entry would be relocated into the new addition to the
right. A new double-hung window would be introduced between the entry and existing
window. New windows and sliding doors would be installed on the first floor at the addition on
the right-side elevation and along the rear elevation opening to a new deck. Three existing
windows on the left-side elevation at the rear bedroom would be removed and filled in with
siding to match existing. No work is proposed on the second floor of the residence.
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting preliminary feedback for construction of exterior alterations and an
addition to a pre-1941 single-family residence. 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.
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.
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 3).
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 1990 Bloomfield Survey
2. Sanborn Map Exhibit
3. Section 3.9, Residential Design Guidelines
4. Development Plans