Item 2 - Staff Report and Attachments 1 to 4PREPARED 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: 7/26/2023 ITEM NO: 2
DATE: July 21, 2023
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval for Construction of Exterior Alterations to an Existing
Multi-Family Residence Located in the Fairview Plaza Historic District on a
Contributing Property Zoned R-1:8:LHP. Located at 92 Fairview Plaza.
APN 510-43-015. Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section
15301: Existing Facilities. Minor Development in a Historic District
Application HS-23-019. Property Owner/Applicant: 92 Fairview Ventures LLC.
Project Planner: Ryan Safty
RECOMMENDATION:
Forward a recommendation of approval to the Director on a request for construction of
exterior alterations to an existing multi-family residence located in the Fairview Plaza Historic
District on contributing property zoned R-1:8:LHP, located at 92 Fairview Plaza.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1.Date primary structure was built: 1901 (effective year built 1945) per County Assessor’s
Database; 1900s per Bloomfield Survey
2.Town of Los Gatos Preliminary Historic Status Code: +; historic and intact or worthy of
special note
3.Does property have an LHP Overlay? Yes
4.Is structure in a historic district? Yes, Fairview Plaza Historic District
5.If yes, is it a contributor? Yes
6.Findings required? No
7.Considerations required? Yes
BACKGROUND:
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The Santa Clara County Assessor’s estimated construction date for the residence is 1901, with
an effective year built date of 1945. According to Appendix B (Historic Districts) of the
Residential Design Guidelines, the primary residence has a 1900s construction date, and the
property is listed as a contributor to the Fairview Plaza Historic District. The 1990 Anne
Bloomfield Survey also lists a construction date of the 1900s, noting that the single-family
residence is of Colonial Revival style and a preliminary historic rating of historic and intact or
worthy of special note. The Fairview Plaza Historic Resources Inventory Form lists a
construction date of 1897-1899, with a note that units were added to the rear of the property.
The Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps show that the property was vacant in 1895, with the historic
single-family residence fronting on Fairview Plaza first appearing in 1904. The primary
residence remains unchanged throughout the map iterations. In 1928, a detached garage at
the rear of the lot is shown. In 1928-1944, the garage was removed, and a detached dwelling
unit was added at the rear of the lot. No changes occurred in the 1928-1956 iteration. The
historic research attachments can be found in the June 28, 2023 Historic Preservation
Committee report.
A similar request was reviewed by the Committee last month; however, the applicant was not
present to answer questions and the Committee wanted to discuss alternative design options
for the rear patio doors and garage doors. Specifically, the Committee denied the previous
request without prejudice noting that the single-pane glass door is too contemporary for the
property, and the carriage style garage door does not complement the design of the existing
buildings on the site.
On July 19th, 2023, the applicant submitted a new application for Committee review,
responding to the Committee’s previous comments (Attachment 1), and providing additional
design options for the rear patio doors (Attachment 2) and the garage door (Attachment 3).
Property pictures from the previous hearing are included as Attachment 4.
CONSIDERATIONS:
A. Considerations – related to the request for approval of detached accessory structure in an
Historic District.
X 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:
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CONSIDERATIONS (continued):
2. 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.
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting approval for construction of exterior alterations to an existing multi-
family residence located in the Fairview Plaza Historic District on a contributing property.
Should the Committee find merit in the request, the recommendation of approval would be
forwarded to the Community Development Director and the project would continue through
the building permit process. The project would not return to the Committee.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Response Letter to the June 28, 2023, Historic Preservation Committee Denial
2. Rear Patio Door Design Options
3. Garage Door Design Options
4. Property Pictures
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ATTACHMENT 1
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Stoekbrtdge ATTACHMENT 3
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ATTACHMENT 4