07-27-22 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: 08/24/2022 ITEM: 1
DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING
JULY 27, 2022
The Historic Preservation Committee of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
July 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: Vice Chair Barry Cheskin, Planning Commissioner Kylie Clark, Planning Commissioner
Steve Raspe, and Committee Member Susan Burnett.
Absent: Chair Timothy Lundell
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – June 22, 2022
MOTION: Motion Commissioner Raspe 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 JULY 27, 2022
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 17621 High Street
Request for Review PHST-22-013
Consider a Request to Remove a Pre-1941 Property from the Historic Resources
Inventory for Property Zoned HR-1 Located at 17621 High Street. APN 532-23-095.
Historic Review Request PHST-22-013.
PROPERTY OWNER/APPLICANT: David Hutchison
PROJECT PLANNER: Ryan Safty
Ryan Safty, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Item 2 postponed due to Applicant not being present.
3. 50 University Avenue, Suite 220
Minor Development in a Historic District Application HS-22-038
Requesting Approval for Exterior Alterations to a Commercial Building in the University-
Edelen Historic District on Property Zoned C-2:LHP:PD. Located at 50 University Avenue,
Suite 220. APN 529-02-044.
PROPERTY OWNER: Federal Realty Wester Region
APPLICANT: Ailee Johnson, Tricarico Architecture and Design PC
PROJECT PLANNER: Jocelyn Shoopman
Jocelyn Shoopman, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Applicant presented the project.
Evangeline Chen, Applicant
- This is a new tenant with a brand color of navy blue. The color of the wainscotting is to
balance the awning color. The corner acts as a natural edge termination for the color. The
blue color selection bridges the brand to the shopping center. The blue color will attract
some attention from the street without altering the feel of the center.
Closed Public Comment.
PAGE 3 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF JULY 27, 2022
Committee members discussed the matter.
• This shopping center has a Mission style and is in a Historic District. The center has a
consistent look to it. The blue awning and wainscotting would make it look inconsistent.
The blue awning would face the front along University Avenue. Their proposal has a
modern feel.
• The proposed style of the awnings has open sides and looks more modern.
• Prefer homogeneous mission style and color in the awning.
• Prefer using the awning style with sides.
• The shade of blue is understated. It is not a bright blue.
• No objection to the color. Reasonable for a business to want to use their brand color.
• Agree with using the existing awning style, but not necessarily the change in color.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Raspe to approve the change in the color of
the awning and wainscotting into the color scheme as presented in the
packet. Subject to the requirement that applicant use the awning style
currently in place throughout the shopping center. Seconded by
Commissioner Clark.
VOTE: Motion passed 3-1. Susan Burnett opposed.
Appeal rights were recited.
Item 2 continued. Applicant is now present.
2. 17621 High Street
Request for Review PHST-22-013
Consider a Request to Remove a Pre-1941 Property from the Historic Resources
Inventory for Property Zoned HR-1 Located at 17621 High Street. APN 532-23-095.
Historic Review Request PHST-22-013.
PROPERTY OWNER/APPLICANT: David Hutchison
PROJECT PLANNER: Ryan Safty
Opened Public Comment.
Applicant presented the project.
David Hutchison, Owner/Applicant
- House has been added to over the years. It was built by an amateur during the summer
months. David is the third owner. The second owner is deceased. He’s spoken to the first
owners. There was no historical significance. The property is in disrepair.
Closed Public Comment.
PAGE 4 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF JULY 27, 2022
Committee members discussed the matter.
• It’s a structure originally built in 1936. It is not in an overlay zone, not included in the
Sanborn Maps, nor part of the Bloomfield Study. It originally covered 350 square feet
and has now quadrupled in size. Most of the construction was built after 1941. It has
an interesting story but is in poor condition.
• Comes before HPC based on the date of construction. It has vastly changed since then.
• Sad to see the old cottages go.
• It’s possible to refurbish and reuse old windows.
• Hope the new owners will consider reusing the rocks to build a rock wall in front as seen
throughout the town.
• It’s a different structure from what was built in 1936.
• Impressed by the background work and care by the applicant.
• Hope the elements can be re-incorporated.
MOTION: Motion by Steve Raspe to Committee to Remove a Pre-1941 Property
from the Historic Resources Inventory for Property Zoned HR-1 Located
at 17621 High Street. Seconded by Susan Burnett.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. 4-0
OTHER BUSINESS (Up to three minutes may be allotted to each speaker on any of the following
items.)
4. 114 Wilder Avenue
Request for Review PHST-22-014
Preliminary Review for Demolition of an Existing Non-Contributing Single-Family
Residence and Construction of a New Single-Family Residence to Exceed Floor Area
Ratio (FAR) Standards and a Variance to Front Yard Setbacks Requirements on Property
Located in the Almond Grove Historic District Zoned R-1D:LHP.
PROPERTY OWNER: Alvaro Anzoategui
APPLICANT: David Kuoppamaki
PROJECT PLANNER: Sean Mullin
Sean Mullin, Senior Planner, presented the staff report
Opened public comment.
Applicant presented the project.
Alvaro Anzoategui, Applicant
PAGE 5 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF JULY 27, 2022
- They wanted to make sure what the character of the neighborhood should be. Hopefully no
foam covered by stucco. If so, they will correct it.
Closed public comment.
Committee members and staff provided the following comments:
• Agree with removing and demolishing the structure.
• There are other houses on the street that are over the FAR.
• The original house had white brick. Like the brick chimneys and columns. Like
Incorporating original materials into the new design.
• The garage design is very nice, but the brown door stands out too much. Maybe use a
different color that blends in more.
• Staff: Wrought iron railings around the light wells are used for safety. There are four
lightwells to provide light, air and egress into the basement.
• There are no other white painted brick chimneys present in this historic neighborhood.
• Like the symmetry and design. Material choices are generally good.
• Concerned about the massing. The building seems pushed forward towards the street.
Break up the large vertical face. Possibly set back the second story, instead of a large
straight up and down face.
• The style matches the other homes, but the massing is larger.
• Eliminate or minimize the lightwell on the front porch. If possible, move it to a less
prominent location.
• Staff: The enclosed structure would not enter the setback. Only part of the front porch
would extend into the setback.
• Staff: The proposed structure is skewed to fit the property lines.
• Articulate the front to break up the massing.
• Staff: The proposed structure is pushed further back from the property line and front
street. But it is taller.
5. Welcome to new HPC member Susan Burnett
Susan Burnett was on the General Plan Committee and Housing Element Advisory
Board. She is very happy to be on the HPC. She has learned a lot from being on some of
the other committees. She is not against growth but wants to maintain the feel of the
Town. She considers herself as a steward and feels responsible for what the Town has.
In comparison, Saratoga now only has two historic streets left. This is a result of bigger
homes being built, and lots being taken up. She also hopes to continue learning.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:52 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
PAGE 6 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF JULY 27, 2022
and correct copy of the minutes of the
July 27, 2022 meeting as approved by the
Historic Preservation Committee.
Jennifer Armer, AICP, Planning Manager