Staff Reportwith Attachments 1 through 6
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: 11/15/2023 ITEM NO: 1
DATE: November 10, 2023
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval for Construction of Exterior Alterations to a Contributing
Residence Located in the Fairview Plaza Historic District on 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-23-037.
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 a contributing residence located in the Fairview Plaza Historic District on
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
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: 92 Fairview Plaza / HS-23-037 DATE: November 10, 2023
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BACKGROUND:
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 (Attachment 1). 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 (Attachment 2). 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 (Attachment 3). The Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (Attachment 4) 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 Committee reviewed a request for new garage door and patio door additions to the rear
multi-family building back in July. The applicant is now requesting additional exterior
modifications as a part of their remodel project. Specifically, they would like to remove
windows from the front porch of the contributing residence at the front of the lot. The existing
front porch facing Fairview Plaza has windows along the western corner, while the rest of the
porch is open without windows (Attachments 5 and 6). The applicant claims these windows
were not original. Town records do not show any permits for these windows.
CONSIDERATIONS:
A. Considerations
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:
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.
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: 92 Fairview Plaza / HS-23-037 DATE: November 10, 2023
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CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting approval for construction of exterior alterations to a contributing
residence located in the Fairview Plaza Historic District. 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. Appendix B of Residential Design Guidelines, Fairview Plaza Historic District
2. 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey
3. Fairview Plaza Historic Resources Inventory
4. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
5. Property Pictures
6. Site Plan
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank
Residential Design Guidelines82
Town of Los Gatos
APPENDIX B
Historic Districts
86 Broadway 1930s
93 Broadway 1880s
107 Broadway 1870s
131 Broadway 1870s
16 Clifton 1910s
24 Clifton 1910s
249 W Main 1880s
251 W Main 1870s
253 W Main 1910s
325 W Main 1920s
Source: Historic Inventory Survey conducted by Anne Bloom-
field
Architectural
The proposed district contains approximately 51 struc-
tures, many of which were built before 1900 and are sig-
nificant both historically and architecturally. A variety of
architectural styles are represented in the area, including
Victorian, Craftsman/Bungalow, Colonial Revival and one
Norman French. The Norman French is unique, not only
to the district, but to the Town of that era. Although it is
not as old as many of the other houses, it was designed
by Henry Crall, whose family has been in Los Gatos since
the late nineteenth century. The house was originally an
exact replica of a house Mr. Crall had seen in Normandy,
France. The exterior remains unchanged.
The structure located on the corner of Tait and Main
Street was the first fire house built in Los Gatos for that
specific purpose. It was constructed in 1927 with funds
raised through a bond issue and housed a 750-gallon
American LaFrance pumper. The building now houses
the Los Gatos Museum.
One of the architectural gems of the area, the Water-
man House, built in 1883 at 45 Broadway, is a superb
and excellently preserved example of Victorian Italian-
ate style.
Taken together, the homes in the Broadway and Main
Street area offer a diverse and irreplaceable sample of
architectural styles, including some of Los Gatos’ oldest
and most distinctive buildings.
Listed below are Town features recommended for
preservation. Review by the Historic Preservation Com-
mittee is required for any changes to these features.
1.Roads are concrete and should be repaired to
maintain appearance as of the year 1992.
2.Date stamps in concrete sidewalks.
FAIRVIEW PLAZA HISTORIC DISTRICT
Historical
“Fairview Plaza” was the original name given the cul-
de-sac termination of Pennsylvania Avenue in the
subdivision known as “Fairview Addition”, surveyed in
June, 1885 by Herrmann Brothers, Land Surveyors, San
Jose, California, for Mr. F. H.McCullagh and recorded in
County of Santa Clara, Book 5 of Maps, page 26.
“Fairview Plaza” retains the same configuration as
originally mapped and contains a landscaped island as a
focal point. Approximately three quarters of the homes
within the subdivision were built prior to 1900 and retain
the character of that era. The pedestrian walk labeled
‘’Turnstile Walk” on the original map remains essentially
unchanged and is located at the eastern end of the cul-
de-sac.
While originally named “Pennsylvania Avenue,” that
portion of the street within the “Fairview Addition”
subdivision has been renamed Fairview Plaza (from the
cul-de-sac west to the intersection with Oak Knoll Road,
Manzanita Avenue, and Wadsworth Avenue). Both the
street and adjoining houses are popularly referred to as
“Fairview Plaza.”
“Fairview Plaza” is a rare and unique neighborhood
because of the authentic, well-maintained Victorian and
Craftsman houses in close proximity with one another.
The atmosphere is enhanced because the street is not
a “through street,” thus allowing a scale and sense of
“apparitions” which is not found in most other neigh-
borhoods.
Contributors to the District
Street Address Estimated Date of Construction
44 Fairview Plaza 19108
48 Fairview Plaza 1900s
52 Fairview Plaza 1890s
57 Fairview Plaza 18908
63 Fairview Plaza 1890s
75 Fairview Plaza 1880s
78 Fairview Plaza 1890s
80 Fairview Plaza 1860-1890s
89 Fairview Plaza 18708
90 Fairview Plaza 1890s
91 Fairview Plaza 19008
92 Fairview Plaza 19008
95 Fairview Plaza 1890s
98 Fairview Plaza 1890s
99 Fairview Plaza 1910s
ATTACHMENT 1
Residential Design Guidelines 83
Town of Los Gatos
APPENDIX B
Historic Districts
Source: Historic Inventory Survey conducted by Anne Bloom-
field
Listed below are Town features recommended for
preservation. Review by the Historic Preservation Com-
mittee is required for any changes to these features.
1. Central Plaza Island.
2. The access to Turnstile Walk.
3. Date stamps in concrete sidewalks.
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ARCHITECTURAL /CULTURAL SURVEY
LOS GATO S RESEARCH
A R CHIT ECT URA L HIST O R Y
<41 5 1 922-1063
22 2 9 WEBSTER STREET
S AN FRANC I S CO . CA 941 1 5
-File address ~ _.. _?-,a
PAR CEL MA P I NFORMATION
Parc el # ~~ 0-4 '-2., -.:J •
Lot shape: Rectangle __ L __ _
Loc a tio n : N
Lot size : 4.3 ,. -
fr o nt ft . x ~~~ f t. dee p
Rectangle with small rear j o g_ Othe r r'o .2 qrt.N'I.~)
side of F St Ave Ot he r P/a-z.a..
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distanc e to cross st: -4. ~ ft. N ___ S __ E __ W / from ~ r" , P » r/1-
at NE NW SE SW c o rner of ------------------------
HISTORIC INFORMATION ON PARCEL MAP
Old tract or subdivision name h rJ/ie,_. c::; L.P Old Block # Old lot # / ~ --------------------
FIELD SURVEY INFORMATION (handwritten in red)
Preliminary rating -f Estimated age 1 4 90-.. Style c;;/c;n ~ft./~ v• V # stories 2---
Alterations {) Yt +-s -~~--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other ______________________________________________________________ _
~OUNTY ASSESSOR--PROPERTY CHARACTERISTICS (paste on copy) EFFective date ---------
OWNERSHIP SHOWN ON MAPS
Source Source Source Location of property, or Lot Owner
Name Date Page Old -tract/block/lot Size Name
1891 I
Blk Book 1908
Survey 1944 l
I
I
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MISCELLANEOUS PHOTOS: Roll/frame # ~9¥A.:: Date 18./, q)
Nat1onal Reg1ster l1sted date~------------------.
County Inventory 1979 ______________ ~------------
Town of Los Gatos : Designation ___ Recognition __ _
District Name ~-------------------------------
ATTACHMENT 2
PtJBLISBID Mm)UNC.!M.Blft'S
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ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY BUILDING RESEARCH
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ARCHITErTURAL HISTORY (41 51 922-1063 222� ..:BSTER STREET SAN FRANCISCO. CA 9411 !5
Volume _______ Date· Page __ Nature of�announcement: __ Contract notice __ Notice of completion _BP issued _Photo Copy exactlyz _Elev/sketch/rend'g _Floor plan __ Arch't/cont'r pub __ Real e1t.
� Builder/Contractor Architect/Enginee; Location
BUILDING_ I>ERMIT$
sources Permit Register Pr•••
Address requested,.._ ____________ _
• -Application Date Dem., or . . . Number Location £2.li ..........
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OTHD SOURCE (specify thoroughly)
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ARCHI'rBC~C..l/.t.'l'URAL SURVBY
NAME DSBARCH
ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY
141 5 1 922 ·1 063
2229 WEBSTER STREET
SAN FRANCISCO. CA 94 1 15
•-(peraon, })\aildillq, or~iaation, etc)'::::'---------------------------------., . ,_-
'ddre•••• aaaociatec! with lllame. _ __.;....._..:,f-__.~;..."-;.:.f~V-"_-·-' ..;;\...;.....--------------------------
Alevant c!atea : conatr~ction~--birth~.-__ • death, ___ • other __________ _
1 . DIRECTORY s&ARCH (City Direc:toriea , county Direc:toriea, Telephone Booka, aociety directoriea, etc:.)
Year Book . Naae/Claaaified Naa.4··,.,,. Liatincr (cODY entire exactlY •• ahown• uae • for boldfa<>el
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BIOGRAPHICAL SBARCR, illdexea • other alphabetical liatinqa.
finitialt
Mark 'X' (infd.or ••• (nothinq found) et each aouroa you try. Liat tindtllqa below.
dttt
Los Gatos Library: Californ~a Hi stor y Center, De Anza College :
I City directories (name & street index) ___ Biographical file
P1f$.11+f .(His toric Collection Index (green boxes) Photo collection
~~ 1
___ Thompson &_West, 1876 (bi o index)
___ Pen Pictures, 1888 (bio index)
Su nshine Fruit & Flowers, 1895 (bio
---Guinn, 1904 (bio index)
Sawyer, 1922 (bio index)
index)
San Jose Historical Nuseum:
___ Great Registers (of voters)
Indexes
Extended index to Bruntz
Blo index of Munroe Frazer, 1681
Photo co llection (2 boxes)
Photo collection
(Survey box)
Other sources:
____ Indexes, California Historical 0narterly
.Los Gatos Museum (Forbes Mill): State Library Information Index (fiche)
Death r ecords by year State Library-S.F. Newspaper Index (")
Funeral records (index c ards to big books)
Photo collection
III. LIST ALL REPER!IIICES FROM ABOVE. Fine! them. Copy 9ood material 6 attach. Or copy below if only
a few worda . Or explain why not relevant (aa, wron9 peraon). j _ / /la"""~f..t r, ~ 31 A~ /~-S ,;9~7-P/J, 'I /~..::.... L 1-~/C-~~ ,-
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