Staff Report.18 Walnut 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: 4
DATE: May 18, 2021
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Preliminary Review of a Request for Construction of Exterior Alterations and
an Attic Addition to an Existing Pre-1941 Single-Family Residence on Property
Zoned R-1:8 Located at 18 Walnut Avenue. APN 510-41-011. Property
Owner: Lauren Shelly and Tom Richards. Applicant: Chris Spaulding,
Architect. Project Planner: Sean Mullin.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a preliminary review of a request for construction of exterior alterations and an attic
addition to an existing pre-1941 single-family residence on property zoned R-1:8 located at 18
Walnut Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1910 (effective year built 1980) per County Assessor’s
Database
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: N (New, probably built since 1950) or R (historic
but grossly altered)
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 is requesting a preliminary review of a proposal for construction of exterior
alterations and an addition to existing attic space above the second story (Attachment 5). The
Town Code requires that portions of attics with interior heights of seven feet or more be
counted as floor area whether the space is finished or not. The applicant indicates that the
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SUBJECT: 18 Walnut Avenue
DATE: May 18, 2021
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DISCUSSION (continued):
existing attic space is already counted as floor area given its interior height. The proposed
project would improve and expand the attic space to make it habitable and introduce several
shed dormers resulting in an addition of 44 square feet. Two shed dormers would be added to
the right-side elevation and one shed dormer would be added to the left -side elevation. The
roof of the proposed shed dormers would intersect the existing roof just below the roof ridge.
The proposed exterior materials of the new shed dormers would match those of the existing
residence.
Double hung windows are the predominant window type on the existing residence with some
including grids in the upper sash. Each of the proposed shed dormers would include two or
three new casement windows without grids. Sections 3.7 and 4.8.4 of the Residential Design
Guidelines provides recommendations for incorporating new windows into an existing
residence (Attachment 4).
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting preliminary feedback for construction of exterior alterations and an
addition to an existing attic above the second story of 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. Application s
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 4).
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SUBJECT: 18 Walnut Avenue
DATE: May 18, 2021
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ATTACHMENTS:
1. 1990 Bloomfield Survey
2. Sanborn Map Exhibit
3. Sections 3.7 and 4.8.4, Residential Design Guidelines
4. Section 3.9, Residential Design Guidelines
5. Development Plans