Item 4.Addendum with Exhibits.253 W Main Street
PREPARED BY: SEAN MULLIN, AICP
Senior Planner
Reviewed by: Planning Manager and Community Development Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6872
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MEETING DATE: 01/11/2023
ITEM NO: 4
ADDENDUM
DATE: January 10, 2023
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Consider an Appeal of a Historic Preservation Committee Decision to Deny a
Request to Modify the Previously Approved Front Door on a New Single-
Family Residence Located in the Broadway Historic District on Property Zoned
R-1D:LHP. Located at 253 W. Main Street. APN 510-45-006. Minor
Development in a Historic District Application HS-22-051. PROPERTY
OWNER/APPELLANT: Mike and Kim Wasserman. APPLICANT: Bess Wiersema,
Studio Three Design. PROJECT PLANNER: Sean Mullin.
Remarks:
Exhibit 10 includes a letter from the property owner describing inaccurate statements made
during discussion of the request leading to the Historic Preservation Committee erring in its
decision to deny the request to modify the previously approved front do or.
Exhibit 11 includes public comment received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, January 6, 2023, and
11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
EXHIBITS:
Previously received with the January 11, 2023 Staff Report :
1. Location Map
2. Required Findings and Considerations
3. Historic Preservation Committee Staff Report and Attachments, December 14, 2022
4. Historic Preservation Committee Action Letter, December 14, 2022
5. Appeal of the Historic Preservation Committee Denial, received December 20, 2022
6. Residential Design Guidelines, Section 4.10
7. Summary of Architectural Style by the Project Architect
PAGE 2 OF 2
SUBJECT: 253 W. Main Street/HS-22-051
DATE: January 10, 2023
EXHIBITS (continued):
8. Summary of Neighbor Outreach
9. Public Comments Received by 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 6, 2023
Received with this Addendum Report:
10. Email from Property Owner, dated January 7, 2023
11. Public Comments Received Between 11:01 a.m., Friday, January 6, 2023, and 11:00 a.m.,
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
From: MIKE WASSERMAN
Sent: Saturday, January 7, 2023 4:59 PM
To: Sean Mullin <SMullin@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Architect Bess Weirsema Studio 3 <bess@studio-three.com>; Kim ; MIke's
Mail
Subject: Correcting HPC misstatements
Dear Commissioners,
Below are the specifics of erroneous statements made in the 12/14/22 HPC meeting that I think are
critical for you to have prior to Wednesday.
We have concerns that the style of the proposed antique door was not considered appropriately during
HPC review, and that erroneous assumptions were made and stated by Ms. Burnett leading to the 2-1
vote against the door despite it being harmonious with and relevant to the style of the home.
Because of my 20 years of experience in government, I know all information from the HPC meeting has
been given to you, so I’m sending this to you to correct that information for the public record.
At the HPC meeting, motion maker Ms. Burnett began her comments at time stamp 1 hour and 17
minutes into the meeting as follows: “I was driving down Tait. And I saw this door and I thought, what
happened? Is that sort of a door that’s like a safety door to protect the door that’s behind it?”
I have no idea why she said this. The reality is our front door is not visible if you’re driving on the right
side of Tait towards W. Main St. Nor is it visible if you look for it when stopped at the stop sign (please
see photo below as proof of this).
At time stamp 1:23:30, she said “We have direct directives here. There are 3 areas that doors are
addressed.”
That’s not true. These are guidelines, not directives. And none of them apply to doors.
At time stamp 1:31:12. Ms. Burnett quoted from page 55 of the Residential Design Guidelines and said
“All exterior elements subject to review should be consistent with the proposed style.”
The paragraph she quoted is under section 4.11.1 “Remodel to a Contributing Status“ and in red letters
states “this section applies only to existing houses located within one of the Town’s designated historic
districts.”
Ours is not a remodel to a contributing status and does not fall under the sentence she quoted.
In the Design Guidelines, there are no specific rules for style of doors, other than they be relevant to the
style of the home and that they prefer them to be front facing and articulated in some way, so as to
have some detail to them.
Thank you……….Mike Wasserman
EXHIBIT 10
From: ADCOCK STEPHANIE
Sent: Friday, January 6, 2023 12:39 PM
To: Planning <Planning@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Wasserman door
EXTERNAL SENDER
I think the Wasserman’s should be allowed to install their family heirloom door. It will look much better
than a door made in China. Thank you
Kaye Little
Homeowner
EXHIBIT 11
From: Stephanie Adcock
Sent: Friday, January 6, 2023 12:43 PM
To: Planning <Planning@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Wasserman door
EXTERNAL SENDER
Please allow The Wassermans to install their family door. The history behind the door is something to be
proud of! The wood will look much better than a door made of metal and glass.
Stephanie Adcock
Homeowner since 1973
From:
Sent: Friday, January 6, 2023 2:21 PM
To: Planning <Planning@losgatosca.gov>
Cc:
Subject: “Wasserman’s Front Door”
EXTERNAL SENDER
Hello,
We live across the street from the Wasserman's new house on W. Main Street and walk by their home
multiple times per day. We’ve viewed and carefully considered their carved wood entry door as opposed
to the aluminum clad glass door in the original design and feel it is congruent to the house design and
neighborhood. It is agreeable to us as immediate neighbors. Their historic door appears to meld better
with their particular home design.
Please grant the Wasserman’s appeal, so they may use their hand carved wooden door, instead of the
aluminum clad glass door in the original plans.
The front entry is set back from the street a bit, and is not immediately visible to passers-by like many
other houses. Solid wood doors provide more security and safety for the residents inside as well as a bit
more sound and weather insulation so there is a practical consideration of use as well as aesthetic
harmony.
Best regards,
Kat Battaglia & Rob White
From: Nancy Pearson
Sent: Friday, January 6, 2023 2:54 PM
To: Planning <Planning@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Wasserman Door
EXTERNAL SENDER
Good Afternoon,
Hopefully this email is not arriving too late! I wanted to let you all know of my support of Mike and Kim
Wasserman and their antique door. It has character, shows true artisanship, and is a family heirloom. Surely
this is something that the Town can approve as an amendment to their house plans. I can see no logical
reason why it shouldn't be allowed!
Thank you,
Nancy Pearson
From: MITZI ANDERSON
Sent: Friday, January 6, 2023 4:30 PM
To: Planning <Planning@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Wasserman door
EXTERNAL SENDER
Dear Planning Commissioners,
I have lived in LG for years and love the beauty and uniqueness of the historic district. The Wasserman’s
door is a beautiful addition and fitting for his house and the neighborhood. The glass door he is being
asked to use is a generic, cookie cutter door that does not add to the beauty of the neighborhood. Using
this antique door makes the house authentic and avoids the “expected” glass door most houses use
nowadays. I’m asking you to allow the Wassermans to use their historic wooden door as their front
door. Every residence on W. Main St. has signed a petition in favor of the wooden door over the glass
door.
Sincerely,
Mitzi Anderson
Los Gatos
From: Mark Regoli
Sent: Monday, January 9, 2023 3:58 PM
To: Planning <Planning@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Maria Ristow
Subject: 253 W. Main Street-Historic District Application HS-22-051
EXTERNAL SENDER
Dear Friends and Neighbors, and Los Gatos Planning Staff,
I have lived across from Mike Wasserman for almost 20 years, in the historic Broadway District, and urge
you to approve the instillation of his hand carved door. His contractor David Zicovich built my home to
historic standards and has done excellent work for years in Los Gatos. Even going by Mike’s current
home under construction, you can tell this home is going to be beautiful. Dave and Mike’s attention to
detail and design are exemplary to others doing ground up construction or renovations.
Mike has always been sensitive to the historic area and a huge supporter of Los Gatos.
Please approve his request.
Sincerely,
Mark
MARK REGOLI
From: Mark Regol
Sent: Monday, January 9, 2023 4:52 PM
To: Planning <Planning@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Sean Mullin <SMullin@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Re: 253 W. Main Street-Historic District Application HS-22-051
EXTERNAL SENDER
Sean,
I just wanted to reach out about Dave and Mike, and their request for this modification.
Dave does top quality work. He built my home at and I fell in love with it the moment I
saw it. He has built several other homes in the historic district, and I would encourage to see a
few. Mike’s home under construction looks amazing. This is a minor change and allows a little personal
expression which I believe is an enhancement to the design and community.
I am sorry that I can’t attend the Zoom meeting, but I encourage you to keep and open mind regarding
this matter.
Sincerely,
Mark
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