Item 4 - Staff Report and Attachments 1 to 7
PREPARED BY: ERIN WALTERS
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: 08/24/22 ITEM NO: 4
DATE: August 19, 2022
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval for Construction of an Addition to a Contributing Building in
the Downtown Historic Commercial District, including Variances for Maximum
Floor Area and Driveway Length on Property Zoned C-2:LHP. Located at 25 W.
Main Street. APN 529-01-017. Architecture and Site Application S-22-039 and
Variance Application V-22-011. Property Owner: Reveal Corp. Applicant:
Gordon Wong, Gkw Architects. Project Planner: Erin Walters
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request for approval for construction of exterior modifications and an addition to a
contributing commercial building in the Downtown Historic Commercial District on property
zoned C-2:LHP located at 25 W. Main Street.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date structure was built: 1880’s
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: 5D, Appears eligible for local designation as an
individual property (Residential Design Guidelines, Appendix E)
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? Yes
4. Is structure in a historic district? Yes
5. If yes, what district? Downtown Historic Commercial District
6. If yes, is it a contributor? Yes
7. Findings required? No
8. Considerations required? Yes
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DISCUSSION:
The property is located at the corner of Park Avenue and W. Main Street. The Santa Clara
County’s Accessor’s Database lists a construction date of 1901. The 1990 Anne Bloomfield
Survey indicates that the commercial building was constructed in the 1880’s and is a
contributing building (Attachment 1). The Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps show the commercial
building at the subject property in 1895, having a consistent footprint through 1956
(Attachment 2).
On May 25, 2022, the Committee conducted a preliminary review to consider exterior
modifications and addition (Attachment 6) to the existing two-story contributing commercial
building in the Downtown Historic Commercial District (Attachment 3). The Committee
discussed the proposal, supported the relocation of the front door, and expressed support of
the overall project. The project has not changed since the Committee’s last review. The project
requires approval of an Architecture and Site application and Variance applications to exceed
the maximum allowable Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and a reduced driveway length. This application
was received by the Town on July 28, 2022.
DISCUSSION:
The applicant’s request for exterior modifications includes: demolition of the rear storage room
and construction of a 243-square foot two-story enclosed stairwell at the rear elevation. The
proposal includes removal of the existing front door located at the corner of Park Avenue and
W. Main Street and relocation of the front door to the front elevation on W. Main Street. The
project proposes to replace two large store front windows at the front elevation and three
second story windows located on the east elevation. The windows and trim are to be replaced
to match in-kind the existing windows. A window and two doors on the rear elevation are to be
removed and replaced with a new door at on the first floor. The applicant submitted a project
scope of work and a project description letter providing details on the project and justification
for the modifications (Attachment 5) and development plans (Attachment 7).
Town Code Section 29.10.020 defines demolition of historic structures as removal, enclosure,
or alteration of more than twenty-five percent of the wall(s) facing a public street, or fifty
percent of all exterior or walls. The proposal does not propose demolition to the contributing
building, per the definition.
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CONSIDERATIONS:
A. Considerations Required with Recommendation
Sec. 29.80.290. Standards for review.
In evaluating applications, the deciding body shall consider the architectural style,
design, arrangement, texture, materials and color, and any other pertinent factors.
Applications shall not be granted unless:
1. In historic districts, the proposed work will neither adversely affect the exterior
architectural characteristics or other features of the property, which is the
subject of the application, nor adversely affect its relationship, in terms of
harmony and appropriateness, with its surroundings, including neighboring
structures, nor adversely affect the character, or the historical, architectural, or
aesthetic interest or value of the district.
B. Standards
That the work proposed is consistent with the standards for review of new commercial
structures and all exterior remodels and additions (Exhibit 6 - Ordinance 1843, page 5).
CONCLUSION:
The applicant requests approval for construction of exterior alterations and an addition to an
existing two-story contributing commercial building located in the Downtown Historic
Commercial District. Should the Committee find merit in the proposed project, it should make
the above considerations and make a recommendation of approval to the Community
Development Director. The project will not return to the Committee.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey
2. Sanborn Maps
3. May 25, 2022 – HPC Minutes
4. Ordinance 1843
5. Project Description Letter
6. Preliminary Review Development Plans
7. Development Plans
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