07-28-21 Minutes - HPC
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6874
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING
JULY 28, 2021
The Historic Preservation Committee of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
July 28, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.
This meeting was conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with
State of California Executive Order N-29-20 dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID-19
pandemic and was conducted via Zoom. All committee members and staff participated from
remote locations and all voting was conducted via roll call vote. In accordance with Executive
Order N-29-20, the public could only view the meeting online and not in the Council Chamber.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Steve Raspe, Vice Chair Timothy Lundell, Committee Member Barry Cheskin
Absent: Planning Commissioner Kendra Burch, Planning Commissioner Jeffrey Suzuki
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – June 23, 2021
MOTION: Motion by Committee Member Barry Cheskin to approve the Consent
Calendar. Seconded by Vice Chair Timothy Lundell.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously, 3-0.
PAGE 2 OF 3 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF JULY 28, 2021
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 202 University Avenue
Architecture and Site Application S-21-019
Forward a Recommendation to the Community Development Director on a Request for
Construction of a Second-story Addition to a Contributing Single-family Residence to
Exceed Floor Area Ratio Standards and Construction of an Accessory Structure with
Reduced Side and Rear Setbacks in the University-Edelen Historic District on Property
Zoned R-1D:LHP. APN 529-04-001.
PROPERTY OWNER: Tyler and Kristine Shewey
APPLICANT: Jay Plett, Architect
PROJECT PLANNER: Sean Mullin
Sean Mullin, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Jay Plett, Architect
- They took into consideration the Committee’s prior comments. They lowered the roofline
and preserved the side and rear neighbors’ views. The neighbors are aware of the plans for
a second story and new ADU. There are existing street trees maintained by the Town that
screen the house. They can add and maintain landscaping between trees and from the
sidewalk to the house. The rear house on Miles Avenue has unobstructed windows. The
side neighbor’s house is still visible from the street. The exterior matches the style of the
neighborhood. If they add a pool it will be a small below ground pool.
Committee members asked questions of the applicant.
Closed Public Comment.
Committee members discussed the matter.
• The Committee’s prior concerns were well addressed.
• It is an eclectic neighborhood with a mix of styles.
• Likes having no second story step back.
• The sightlines from neighbors are good.
• Concerned about the second story. A two-story porch on an Italianate building is rarely
seen.
• The designs for the garage, sightline, landscaping, and lowered roofline, are all
improved.
• The second story porch visually breaks up the vertical mass. The neighborhood style is
not formal but eclectic. A second story porch exception could be made.
PAGE 3 OF 3 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF JULY 28, 2021
Opened Public Comment for a special question to Jay Plett.
Special question to Jay Plett:
Is there a reasonable opportunity to step back the second story?
Jay Plett
- No. The design would become too busy. It is a two-frontage property. If the second story is
stepped back, the difference will be visible from the side.
Committee members discussed the matter.
Closed Public Comment
MOTION: Motion by Chair Steve Raspe to Forward a Recommendation of Approval
to the Community Development Director on a Request for Construction
of a Second-story Addition to a Contributing Single-family Residence to
Exceed Floor Area Ratio Standards and Construction of an Accessory
Structure with Reduced Side and Rear Setbacks in the University-Edelen
Historic District. This includes the Findings regarding Floor Area Ratio
(Sec.29.40.075) and Considerations regarding Standards for Reviews (Sec.
29.80.290). Seconded by Vice Chair Timothy Lundell.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously, 3-0.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:27 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
July 28, 2021 meeting as approved by the
Historic Preservation Committee.
/s/ Sean Mullin, AICP, Associate Planner