Desk Item and Attachment.Consulting Architect ReviewPREPARED 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: 10/27/2021 ITEM NO: 5 DESK ITEM
DATE: October 27, 2021
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Consulting Architect Review of Historic Preservation Committee Projects
REMARKS:
Attachment 2 includes public comments received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, October 22,
2021, and 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 27, 2021.
ATTACHMENTS:
Previously received with the October 27, 2021 Staff Report:
1.Historic Preservation Committee Enabling Resolution 2021-043
Received with this Desk Item:
2.Public comments received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, October 22, 2021, and 11:00 a.m.,
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
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T.H.I.S. DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT P.O.Box 1518, Los Gatos, CA 95031
Tel: 408.354.1863 Fax: 408.354.1823
Town of Los Gatos
110 E Main St,
Los Gatos CA 95030
Attn: HPC Review
October 25th, 2021
HPC Meeting Oct 27th Item #5
Architectural [P]review of HPC Projects
HPC Members & CD Director:
I am unsure that I will be able to attend – so I offer the following comments:
General Discussion:
I am a firm believer of the adage “If it ain’t broke – don’t fix it”, and I am not sure that
there is something that needs fixing. In reading the staff report, I cannot tell whether
staff is seeing issues with the approval process in ‘Historic’ properties that has resulted in
this question being asked, or whether this is just an idea for general consideration.
Obviously the Consulting Architect provides a [too?] rigorous analysis as to neighborhood
compatibility and architectural styling for new homes and significant additions. I am not
certain that his input on a typical HPC project is warranted, however. I also question the
added cost in both $$ and time for a homeowner. This is obviously a cost that I would
pass on to a client, but we have to look at what the town is gaining for this additional cost.
My experience with the HPC:
I have brought several projects to HPC over the years and, all in all, have typically found
the deliberation and comments to be well thought out and beneficial to a project. That is
not to say that I have agreed with all of them, but when we have discussed projects from
a historical perspective, I feel that we have always reached a resolution that works.
How would the Process work?
The HPC and the Consulting Architect are looking at different things, so I am uncertain
that it would be beneficial to the HPC to hear from the CA. I do not expect the CA to be
given the directive to review the historic nature of a property because this would remove
the need for the HPC. The HPC includes Planning Commission members and it is capable of
considering the neighborhood compatibility aspects of a project when appropriate. But
with a HPC project, it may well be that the historic nature of a home might be what makes
it unique – and true neighborhood compatibility might not be the goal the Town is seeking.
Thank you
Tony Jeans
ATTACHMENT 2
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