12-15-21 Minutes - HPC Special DRAFT
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6874
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
MEETING DATE: 01/26/2022 ITEM: 1
DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING
DECEMBER 15, 2021
The Historic Preservation Committee of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Special Meeting on
December 15, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.
This meeting is being conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent
with Government Code Section 54953, as Amended by Assembly Bill 361, in response to the
state of emergency relating to COVID-19 and enabling teleconferencing accommodations by
suspending or waiving specified provisions in the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code §
54950 et seq.). Consistent with AB 361 and Town of Los Gatos Resolution 2021-044 this
meeting will not be physically open to the public and the Council and/or Commissioners will
be teleconferencing from remote locations. Members of the public can only participate in the
meeting by joining the Zoom webinar.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 3:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Steve Raspe, Vice Chair Timothy Lundell, Committee Member Barry Cheskin,
Planning Commissioner Kendra Burch, Present at 3:14 p.m.
Absent: Planning Commissioner Jeffrey Suzuki
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – November 17, 2021
MOTION: Motion by Committee Member Barry Cheskin to approve the Consent
Calendar. Seconded by Vice Chair Tim Lundell.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously, 3-0 with Planning Commissioners Burch
and Suzuki Absent.
PAGE 2 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING OF DECEMBER 15, 2021
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 89 Broadway
Consider a Request for Demolition of an Existing Detached Accessory Structure and
Construction of a New Detached Accessory Structure with Reduced Setbacks on a Non-
Contributing Property in the Broadway Historic District on Property Zoned R-1D:LHP.
APN 529-04-019.
PROPERTY OWNER: Ilona Merli
APPLICANT: Gary Kohlsaat
PROJECT PLANNER: Ryan Safty
Ryan Safty, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Gary Kohlsaat, Applicant
- This project was started in 2015 and has been updated. The garage now does not
include a second story. They will be matching materials and details to the existing
house and installing a nice garage door. Most of the neighboring detached garages are
three feet or less from the property line. Available for questions.
Committee members asked questions of the applicant.
Gary Kohlsaat, Architect, Applicant
- The structure is somewhat buried and has retaining walls. There is a garden on top and
beyond. The property is very steep with a hill.
Closed Public Comment.
Committee members discussed the matter.
• The current proposal is more attractive than what was previously approved.
• It does not violate the historical integrity of the property and surrounding area.
• The new design fits in very well to the home and neighborhood.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Chair Tim Lundell to recommend approval of the project
as proposed. Seconded by Committee Member Barry Cheskin.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously, 3-0 with Planning Commissioners Burch
and Suzuki Absent.
PAGE 3 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING OF DECEMBER 15, 2021
3. 53 Whitney Avenue
Consider a Request to Remove a Presumptive Historic Property (Pre-1941) from the
Historic Resources Inventory for Property Zoned R-1:8. APN 532-29-068. PROPERTY
OWNER: Danielle Horowitz and Ziv Wolkowicki
APPLICANT: Jay Plett, Architect
PROJECT PLANNER: Sean Mullin
Sean Mullin, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Jay Plett, Applicant
- 2013 HPC member Len Pacheco judged the property not worthy of retaining on the
Historical Property Inventory. In 2015, the prior owner did the construction and
demolition of more than 25% of the front façade. The porch exhibited poor
construction and detailing.
Closed Public Comment.
Committee members discussed the matter.
• This property was reviewed in 2013 by HPC under Other Business instead of Public
Hearing.
• The 2013 findings still hold true. It is not a historically significant property.
• The 2015 demolition and construction further lessened any historical significance.
MOTION: Motion by Chair Steve Raspe to remove a Presumptive Historic Property
(Pre-1941) from the Historic Resources Inventory based on the findings
made in 2013 that the structure does not have sufficient historic
significance or architectural merit. Seconded by Vice Chair Tim Lundell.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously, 4-0 with Planning Commissioner Suzuki
Absent.
PAGE 4 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING OF DECEMBER 15, 2021
OTHER BUSINESS (Up to three minutes may be allotted to each speaker on any of the following
items.)
4. 430 Los Gatos Boulevard
Preliminary Review of a Request for Construction of Exterior Alterations to an Existing
Pre-1941 Single-Family Residence on Property Zoned R-1:8 Located at 430 Los Gatos
Boulevard. APN 532-07-061.
PROPERTY OWNER/APPLICANT: Kyle and Kelly Petrich
PROJECT PLANNER: Jocelyn Shoopman
Jocelyn Shoopman, Associate Planner, presented the staff report
Opened public comment.
Kyle and Kelly Petrich, Owners
- The original window is porous. The new window will match the double hung one next to it
to make it more consistent.
Committee members asked questions of the applicant and staff.
Closed public comment.
Committee members provided the following comments:
• Replace the late addition rectangular window with a square window to match the other
original square window.
• Wood or vinyl clad wood windows are preferred.
• Resulting design is very nice.
• If the applicant adopts the HPC recommendations, the project may move forward with a
building permit and does not need to return before the HPC.
5. 22 Charles Street
Preliminary Review of a Request for Construction of Exterior Alterations and an Addition
to a Presumptive Historic Single-Family Residence (Pre-1941) on Property Zoned R-1:8.
APN 529-24-016.
PROPERTY OWNER: Douglas Rutherford
APPLICANT: Jay Plett, Architect
PROJECT PLANNER: Sean Mullin
PAGE 5 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING OF DECEMBER 15, 2021
Sean Mullin, Senior Planner, presented the staff report
Opened public comment.
Jay Plett, Applicant
- In 2004, Jay and Gary Slough designed the house. The original windows were replaced. The
proposed addition blends well with the current house.
Committee members asked questions of the applicant.
Jay Plett, Applicant
- The section in the dining room is angled to follow the property line and provide a doorway
out. The roof above it will be square. The angled section will read as a bay.
Closed public comment.
Committee members provided the following comments:
• The proposed changes will not diminish the attractiveness of the home.
• The minor changes do not affect the view from the street
• If the applicant incorporates the HPC comments, the project may move forward with a
building permit and does not need to return before the HPC.
6. 2022 Meeting Schedule
Review and approve the 2022 Meeting Schedule Calendar
Committee members discussed the matter.
All meeting times will begin at 4:00 p.m.
Vice Chair Tim Lundell will be traveling this year. He will miss two meetings: one in January and
one in July.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Chair Tim Lundell to approve the 2022 Meeting Schedule
Calendar. Seconded by Committee Member Barry Cheskin.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously, 4-0 with Planning Commissioner Suzuki
Absent.
PAGE 6 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING OF DECEMBER 15, 2021
7. Annual Certified Local Government Report (CLG)
The State offers grants for specific activities such as taking a survey.
The Committee approved that the report be forwarded to the State.
Closing Comments for 2021
Thank you to staff for their work, and to the Planning Commissioners who are completing their
year of service.
Congratulations to Steve Raspe for his appointment to the Planning Commission, and to Sean
Mullin for his promotion to Senior Planner.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 3:48 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
December 15, 2021 Special meeting as approved by the
Historic Preservation Committee.
Jennifer Armer, AICP, Planning Manager