04-27-22 Minutes - HPC 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: 05/25/2022 ITEM: 1
DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING
APRIL 27, 2022
The Historic Preservation Committee of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
April 27, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.
This meeting This meeting is being conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means
consistent with Town Council Policy 2-01 entitled Town Agenda Format and Rules and Town
Resolution. In accordance with Town Policy and Resolution, the public may only view the
meeting online and not in the Council Chamber.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Timothy Lundell, Vice Chair Barry Cheskin, Planning Commissioner Kylie Clark,
and Planning Commissioner Steve Raspe
Absent: None
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – March 23, 2022
MOTION: Motion by Vice Chair Cheskin to approve the Consent Calendar.
Seconded by Commissioner Clark
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PAGE 2 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF APRIL 27, 2022
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 17200 Los Robles Way
Historic Review Request PHST-22-005
Consider a Request to Remove a Pre-1941 Property from the Historic Resources
Inventory for Property Zoned R-1:20 Located at 17200 Los Robles Way.
APN 532-36-076.
PROPERTY OWNER: Mark Von Kaenel
APPLICANT: Tony Jeans
PROJECT PLANNER: Ryan Safty/Sean Mullin
Sean Mullin, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
Applicant presented the project.
Tony Jeans, Applicant
- Property was annexed in 1979. Owners lived there from 1953 until recently. Heirs provided
the historic information. No people of note lived there.
- One of three portions was sold to Mark Von Kaenel. They propose to demo the existing
house. The structure and decking are in poor shape. Engineers recommend that it not be
retained. The siding is not fireproof. The building has no historic note.
Committee members asked questions of the applicant.
Tony Jeans, Applicant
- The proposed plans for the three parcels are to build one house on an acre and a half at the
top of the hill. Wooster Lane will provide access to the two smaller parcels at the bottom of
the hill. There is a lot line adjustment due to a neighbor not wanting a house built near
them.
Opened and Closed Public Comment.
Committee members discussed the matter.
• The building is barely within the historic time frame.
• The structure is unsound.
• Satisfies criteria for removal from the inventory.
• Was not part of the Town until 1979 and was not part of the Bloomfield Study.
• The photos do not show any significant historic architecture.
• Commissioner Raspe expressed concern with the potential for overdevelopment of the
site. Firetruck access is difficult there.
PAGE 3 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF APRIL 27, 2022
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Clark to Remove a Pre-1941 Property from the
Historic Resources Inventory for Property Zoned R-1:20 Located at 17200
Los Robles Way. Seconded by Vice Chair Cheskin.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Appeal rights were recited.
3. 100 Tait Avenue
Minor Development in a Historic District Application HS-22-022
Requesting Approval for Construction of Exterior Alterations to an Existing Contributing
Multi-Family Residence Located in the Almond Grove Historic District on Property Zoned
R-1D:LHP. APN 510-18-015.
PROPERTY OWNER/APPLICANT: Laurie Babula
PROJECT PLANNER: Ryan Safty/Sean Mullin
Sean Mullin, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
Applicant presented the project.
Chris Spaulding, applicant
- Project replaces the deck and steps for access to three units. Changing the front landing by
removing the rock stairs. These are not historic nor the appropriate style and materials for
the Almond Grove district.
- Connect the front and side door landing for consistency and usefulness for the owners.
- Enlarge overhang over one of the doors to encompass both entry doors.
Committee members asked questions of the applicant.
Chris Spaulding, applicant
- The base of each deck will consist of horizontal siding. This matches the siding under the
water table on the main house. They are removing all the stone.
Opened and Closed Public Comment.
Committee members discussed the matter.
• Proposed changes are consistent with the style of the house.
• The stone was added later. Victorian homes typically do not have stone.
• The change in materials improves the structure.
PAGE 4 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF APRIL 27, 2022
• Keeping the entrance from the side is not necessary for historic style. Converting to the
front matches other buildings in the neighborhood.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Raspe to Recommend Approval for
Construction of Exterior Alterations to an Existing Contributing Multi-
Family Residence Located in the Almond Grove Historic District on
Property Zoned R-1D:LHP. Seconded by Chair Lundell.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Appeal rights were recited.
4. 327 University Avenue
Minor Development in a Historic District Application HS-22-016
Requesting Approval for Construction of Exterior Alterations to an Existing Contributing
Single-Family Residence Located in the University-Edelen Historic District on Property
Zoned R-1D:LHP. APN 529-04-060.
PROPERTY OWNER: Johan Back and Vibha Rao
APPLICANT: Greenberg Design Gallery
PROJECT PLANNER: Sean Mullin
Sean Mullin, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened and Closed Public Comment.
Committee members discussed the matter.
• Why are the chimneys being removed? They are important features of the building.
They are beautiful and have historical significance. Do not see any mention of structural
issues.
• The rebuilding of the house after the earthquake was to retain the historic details and
the proposed changes are not consistent.
• The sliding glass doors don’t match the historical features and involves removing a set of
double doors.
• The left elevation has an upper window that would be removed and this creates a large
blank façade on the upper story of the building.
• Need to explain and justify these exterior changes because they are caused by interior
remodeling.
• The changes are more contemporary than the rest of the house.
PAGE 5 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF APRIL 27, 2022
MOTION: Motion by Vice Chair Cheskin to Deny the Request for Approval for the
Construction of Exterior Alterations, As Is, Without Explanation, to an
Existing Contributing Single-Family Residence Located in the University-
Edelen Historic District on Property Zoned R-1D:LHP. Seconded by Chair
Lundell.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Appeal rights were recited.
5. 222 Nicholson Avenue
Minor Development in a Historic District Application HS-22-020
Requesting Approval for Construction of Exterior Alterations and Additions to an Existing
Contributing Single-Family Residence Located in the Almond Grove Historic District on
Property Zoned R-1D:LHP. APN 510-17-048.
PROPERTY OWNER: Chris and Alicia Cougill
APPLICANT: Jay Plett, Architect
PROJECT PLANNER: Sean Mullin
Sean Mullin, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
Applicant presented the project.
Jay Plett, Applicant
- Convert the existing garage into a master bedroom. The young family needs the space. The
garage door will be replaced by a window. The side archway may be raised to match the
height of the window. The wall lights may be removed to accommodate this.
Committee members asked questions of the applicant.
Jay Plett, Applicant
- The arch shape would not change. Would like to keep the option to raise or not.
Opened and Closed Public Comment
Committee members discussed the matter.
• Really well done. Didn’t notice the raised archway since it blended in so well.
• The design improves the appearance of the property.
• It fits in with the neighborhood.
PAGE 6 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF APRIL 27, 2022
MOTION: Motion by Chair Lundell to forward a recommendation of approval of the
above request to the Community Development Director. Seconded by
Vice Chair Cheskin.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Appeal rights were recited.
OTHER BUSINESS (Up to three minutes may be allotted to each speaker on any of the following
items.)
None.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:48 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
April 27, 2022 meeting as approved by the
Historic Preservation Committee.
Jennifer Armer, AICP, Planning Manager