Item 3 - Staff Report and Attachments 1 to 5 (PDF)
PREPARED BY: RYAN SAFTY
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: 6/28/2023 ITEM NO: 3
DATE: June 23, 2023
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Consider a Request to Remove a Pre-1941 Property from the Historic
Resources Inventory for Property Zoned R-1:8. Located at 110 Johnson
Avenue. APN 529-38-001. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Section 15061(b)(3).
Request for Review PHST-23-005.
PROPERTY OWNER/APPLICANT: Gayle Shank.
PROJECT PLANNER: Ryan Safty.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request to remove a pre-1941 property from the Historic Resources Inventory for
property zoned R-1:8 located at 110 Johnson Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1920 per County Assessor’s Database
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: N/A
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? No
4. Is structure in a historic district? No
5. If yes, is it a contributor? N/A
6. Findings required? Yes
7. Considerations required? No
DISCUSSION:
The applicant is requesting approval to remove the presumptive pre-1941 residence from the
Historic Resources Inventory. The Santa Clara County Assessor’s Database lists a construction
date of 1920. The property is not within a historic district or LHP overlay. The property was
included in the 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey with an estimated age listed as 1925 and 1950’s,
giving uncertainty to the construction date (Attachment 1). No preliminary rating was given,
meaning perhaps the residence wasn’t visible from the street when the survey was conducted.
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: 110 Johnson Avenue/PHST-23-005 DATE: June 23, 2023
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DISCUSSION (continued):
The property is included in the Sanborn Fire Insurance maps beginning in 1891 (Attachment 2),
showing a small residence adjacent to Johnson Avenue. In 1895, the lot size increased,
additional residences are shown, and the main residence shown in the 1891 map appears to
have been modified. In 1904, the lot size decreased, and a new, larger residence is shown in a
different location, towards the rear corner of the property. The 1908 map is identical to the
1904 map. In 1928, the lot size increased again, the footprint of the residence changed and was
moved slightly to the east, the previous detached accessory structure was moved, and an
additional accessory structure is shown. The 1928-1944 map is identical to the 1928 map. The
final map, 1928-1956, shows the main residence and detached accessory structures in the same
layout and location as the 1928 map, with a new structure constructed at the rear of the lot
along Alpine Avenue. Based on Google Earth aerial views, it appears that the main residence
has been in its current location since at least 1928.
The applicant has provided an informational packet with their application, which includes a
summary of the history of the residence, and the research conducted as a part of this request
(Attachment 3). Based on the summary letter provided, the estimated construction date based
on the research conducted is 1925. The original residence had 2 bedrooms and one bath. A
third bedroom and second bathroom were added to the back of the residence sometime
around 1943 or 1944. The applicant believes that the required findings for removal from the
Historic Resources Inventory can be made for this property as the residence is not in its original
condition and there is nothing significant or remarkable about it.
The applicant has also provided pictures of the current residence, provided as Attachment 4.
The residence is of Mediterranean Revival style, with stucco exterior, shingled roofing, and
wood doors and windows. Town records are minimal: remodel permit in the 1950s, foundation
work in 1989, and emergency water main repair in 1997 (Attachment 5).
CONCLUSION:
Should the Committee find that the structure no longer has historic significance or architectural
merit due to the loss of integrity, the structure would be removed from the Historic Resources
Inventory and any proposed alterations would not return to the Committee.
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: 110 Johnson Avenue/PHST-23-005 DATE: June 23, 2023
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FINDINGS:
A. Findings - related to a request for a determination that a pre-1941 primary structure has no
historic significance or architectural merit.
In evaluating a request for a determination of historic significance or architectural merit,
the Historic Preservation Committee shall consider the following:
1. The structure is not associated with events that have made a significant contribution
to the Town;
2. No Significant persons are associated with the site;
3. There are no distinctive characteristics of type, period or method of construction or
representation of work of a master;
4. The structure does not yield information to Town history; or
5. The integrity has been compromised such that the structure no longer has the
potential to convey significance.
ATTACHMENT:
1. 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey
2. Sanborn Maps
3. Applicant’s Submittal Packet
4. Property Pictures
5. Town Records
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ATTACHMENT 2
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TO: The Historical Preservation Committee
FROM: Gayle Baggerly Shank - Owner/Applicant
DATE: May 24, 2023
RE: Request for Removal From Historical Preservation Inventory
On behalf of myself, sisters Jeanne Baggerly Pifferini and Carolyn Baggerly Shank,
we are requesting that the Town of Los Gatos remove our residence, 110 Johnson
Ave, Los Gatos, from the Historical Preservation List.
According to the Bloomfield Survey, 110 Johnson was built in 1925 by Hyland and
Caroline Baggerly. It is a Mediterranean style house sitting on an approximately 1
acre lot. The architect/builder is unknown.
Based on oral family history, it was originally used as a summer house and
eventually a permanent residence. According to the Polk Directory, Caroline and
Hyland were listed at the 110 address in 1938 and the first telephone listing was
in 1955. After Hyland died, Cora took up residence in the Lyndon Hotel and their
son, our father, John Seward Baggerly, lived in the house with our mother, Barbara
G.Baggerly and the 4 children, Jeanne, Carolyn, Gayle and brother John Jr. Both
John Sr. and Barbara have died and John Jr. continued to live in the house until
he died on March 8, 2023. His girlfriend, Julia ScottDrew is living in the house
presently.
According to the Sanborn maps, it appears there were 3 structures on the property.
The main house (see recent photos 1-4) a garage, (see recent photo 4) which it
still standing, and a 3rd structure that is no longer there. In the Bloomfield report,
our father indicated it was a large barn but he never mentioned it.
The original house had 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. A third bedroom and an
additional bathroom see recent exterior photo 6) were added to the back of the
house but there is no record of when that took place. We estimate this addition
took place around 1943/44, based on our childhood memories. There have been
no other modifications or changes to the exterior of the house since then.
I believe 110 Johnson Ave should be removed from the Historical Preservation list
because:
ATTACHMENT 3
1. The structure is not associated with events that have made a significant
contribution to the Town.
2. There have been no significant people/person associated with the house or site.
3. There are no distinctive characteristics of type, period or method of construction
or representation of work of a master.
4. The structure does not yield information to Town History
In conclusion, 110 Johnson is an old house, not in its original condition and there
is nothing significant or remarkable about it that should cause it to remain on the
Historical Preservation List.
Thank you for considering this request.
Gayle Baggerly Shank
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
HISTORIC RESEARCH WORKSHEET
NOTES
1. Los Gatos Public Library
a. Sanborn Maps: See Attached
b. 1941 Tax Assessment: See Attached
c. 1989 Anne Bloomfield Historic Resource Survey: See Attached
d. Polk Directories: Hyland and Caroline Baggerly first listing in 1938
e. Telephone Directory: First listing for Baggerly in 1955
f. Other: NA
2. Santa Clara County Resources
a. Santa Clara County Planning Department Records: I spoke with Carl
Hilbrants, Senior Planner on May 10th. He indicated 110 Johnson as
a 1.05 acre lot that had no history of applications or approvals.
b. San Jose Public Library (California Room): I did not contact the SJ Library
3. Community Development Department Resources
a. Sanborn Maps: See Attached
b. 1989 Anne Bloomfield Historic Resource Survey: See attached
c. Community Development Department Property Files: Carl Hilbrants also
indicated that from 1947 to present no permits were issued for
110 Johnson.
Submitted by: ___________________________________
Gayle Baggerly Shank - PropertyOwner
Representing additional owners Jeanne Baggerly Pifferini and Carolyn Baggerly Shank
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ATTACHMENT 4
ATTACHMENT 5
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