Staff Report with Attachments 1 through 2. 14335 La Rinconada
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: 02/28/2024 ITEM NO: 7
DATE: February 23, 2024
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 14335 La
Rinconada Drive, Parcel 1. APN 409-14-026. Categorically Exempt Pursuant
to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Request for Review
PHST-23-023. Property Owner: Nicholas Gera. Applicant: Greg Zierman.
Project Planner: Erin Walters.
DISCUSSION:
On December 20, 2023, the Historic Preservation Committee met to consider the request to
remove the subject pre-1941 property from the Historic Resources Inventory (Attachment 1).
The Santa Clara County Assessor’s Database lists a construction date of 1920. The property is
not within a historic district or LHP overlay, is not included in the 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey
and not located on the Sanborn Fire Insurance maps.
The Committee discussion included the following comments:
• It seems clear that it is okay to take it off the inventory.
• It is typical of the older homes in that area when it was a farming community.
• There is no foundation, but one can be added.
• How do we honor the past?
• Have there been any major changes?
• The property meets the criteria to be removed.
• It was annexed from the County and there is no record of when it was annexed. It did not
show on Town maps.
• It is an example of the cottage style.
• If on the inventory, it can still remodel but with more restrictions.
• Committee is split two to two and will need to continue when more members are present
to vote.
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: 14335 La Rinconada Drive, Parcel 1/PHST-23-023 DATE: February 23, 2024
N:\DEV\HISTORIC PRESERVATION\HPC Reports and Attachments\2024\02-28-24\Item 7 - 14335 La Rinconda Drive, Parcel 1\Staff Report.
14335 La Rinconada.docx
DISCUSSION (continued):
On December 20, 2023, the Committee made a motion to continue the item to a date certain of
January 24, 2024. The January 24, 2024, Historic Preservation Committee meeting was
canceled due to lack of a quorum and so the item was placed on the February 28, 2024 agenda.
In response to the Committee discussion on December 20, 2023, the applicant has provided a
letter of summarizing the justifications for each required findings to remove the subject pre-
1941 property from the Historic Resources Inventory (Attachment 2).
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 did not find that any
significant persons lived on the site.
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.
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.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. December 20, 2023 Historic Preservation Committee Staff Report
2. Letter of Justification
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: 12/20/2023 ITEM NO: 2
DATE: December 15, 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 14335 La
Rinconada Drive, Parcel 1. APN 409-14-026. Categorically Exempt Pursuant
to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Request for Review
PHST-23-023. Property Owner: Nicholas Gera. Applicant: Greg Zierman.
Project Planner: Erin Walters.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request to remove a pre-1941 property from the Historic Resources Inventory for
property zoned R-1:8 located at 14335 La Rinconada Drive, Parcel, 1.
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, is not included in the
1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey and not located on the Sanborn Fire Insurance maps.
ATTACHMENT 1
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: 14335 La Rinconada Drive, Parcel 1/PHST-23-023 DATE: December 15, 2023
N:\DEV\HISTORIC PRESERVATION\HPC Reports and Attachments\2023\12-20-23 - Special\Item 02 - 14335 La Rinconada\Staff Report. 14335 La
Rinconada1.docx
DISCUSSION (continued):
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 1). Based on the summary letter provided, the estimated construction date based
on the research conducted is 1920. The original 774-square foot residence was built with no
foundation and single wall construction. The applicant states that the windows, front porch,
front door, and rear laundry room addition do not appear to be original. 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 did not find that any significant persons lived on the site.
The applicant has also provided pictures of the current residence and neighboring properties,
provided as Attachment 2. An existing site plan is provided as Attachment 3.
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.
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.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Applicant’s Submittal Packet
2. Property Photographs
3. Existing Site Plan
Dear Committee Members,
We are requesting that 14335 La Rinconada Drive be removed from the Historic Resources Inventory
List in the Town of Los Gatos. According to Santa Clara County the home of 744 sq ft was built in 1920.
We have researched the following documents:
1)Sanborn Maps – Not Located
2)1941 Tax Assessment – Not Located
3)1989 Ann Bloomfield Historic Resource Survey Form – Not Located
4)Polk Directories – Was not found until 1952 P. Danforth, 1962 Albert Blake
5)Historic Property Collection and Tour Books – Not Located
6)Telephone Directories – Included with Polk Directories
The home was built with no foundation and primarily single wall construction. In viewing the home,
it is apparent that the windows are not original. Also, the front porch and front door appear to be of a
newer era than the 1920’s. The rear laundry room with a shed roof looks to be an addition at one time.
We feel the house does not have a defined architectural style, but would classify it close to a beach
bungalow cottage. According to our research, no one of important significance has lived in the house.
The interior of the house has very low ceilings of 7 feet in height. There are no redeeming qualities to
keep this home on the Historic Resources Inventory List and we feel it should be removed. I have
enclosed pictures of the home and the surrounding neighbors. Please feel free to reach out for
questions if needed and thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Thank you,
Nicholas Gera
ATTACHMENT 1
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
HISTORIC RESEARCH WORKSHEET
Applicants shall provide written evidence and supporting documents to justify their request for a
remodel, alteration, addition, determination of significance, or demolition of a designated or
presumptive historic resource. This worksheet is intended to assist the applicant in gatheri ng written
evidence and supporting documents, and to assist the Historic Preservation Committee during
evaluation of the request.
Applicants shall provide written evidence and supporting documents of the historical and architectural
characteristics, regarding both structures (construction date, alteration dates, photographic
documentation) and people (owner and/or resident names). If written evidence cannot fit on this
worksheet, please attach separate sheets.
The Historic Preservation Committee reviews the application using the Town's Historic District Ordinance
requirements. Copies of the ordinance(s) are available at Town Hall. The Committee meets the fourth
Wednesday of every month. The filing deadline is 20 days prior to the meeting by 11:00 AM.
The applicant shall research the following (please check the box once you complete your research):
1. Los Gatos Public Library (see How to Research the History of a House in Los Gatos):
□ Sanborn Maps
□ 1941 Tax Assessment
□ 1989 Anne Bloomfield Historic Resource Survey forms
□ Polk’s Directories
□ Telephone Directories
□ Other
2. Santa Clara County Resources (especially helpful for properties previously located in the county’s
jurisdiction):
□ Santa Clara County Planning Department records
□ San Jose Public Library (California Room)
3. Community Development Department Resources:
Sanborn Maps
□ 1989 Anne Bloomfield Historic Resource Survey forms
□ Community Development Department property files (permit history)
Research was conducted on (please enter date): ____________________________________
Records and Documents found (please attach copies): _______________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
No Record
No Record
No Record
Looked at 1939, 1944, 1952 Plainforth, 1962 Albert Blake, 1968, 1972 Vacant
Historic Property Collection and Tour Books - No Record
Included with Polk Directories
Viewed 11/13/23
Viewed 11/13/23
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
11/6, 11/9, 11/13,11/17
1)Street View
2)Front of House
ATTACHMENT 2
3) Front of House
4) Front of House
5) Front Porch
6) Left Side of House
7) Left Side of House
8) Right Side of House
9) Right Side of House
10) Back of House
11) Front of Garage
12) Right Side of Garage
13) Left Side of Garage
14) Back of Garage
15) La Rinconada Neighbor
16) La Rinconada Neighbor
17) La Rinconada Neighbor
18) La Rinconada Neighbor
19) La Rinconada Neighbor
20) La Rinconada Neighbor
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank
Town of Los Gatos
Historic PreservaƟon CommiƩee
RE: 14335 Rinconada Drive
February 2, 2024
Dear CommiƩee Members,
In addiƟon to our presentaƟon in December 2023, this leƩer is to reiterate our research findings regarding the exisƟng
home located at 14335 La Rinconada Drive. As outlined in the Historic Research Worksheet, the required research was
conducted and the following documents reviewed:
Sanborn Maps – Not Located
1941 Tax Assessment – Not Located
1989 Ann Bloomfield Historic Resource Survey Form – Not Located
Polk Directories – Not Located unƟl 1952 (P. Danforth) and 1962 (Albert Blake)
Historic Property CollecƟon and Tour Books – Not Located
Telephone Directories – Included with Polk Directories
Our research has determined that the structure has no historic significance nor architectural merit:
It is believed that the home may have been built in 1920.
o The home was not constructed with any defined architectural style and has been modified from the
original design.
The home was built with no foundaƟon and porƟons incorporate single wall construcƟon (2 inch
thick walls)
The majority of the interior of the house has very low ceilings of 7 feet in height
There is a laundry room with a shed roof that appears to be an addiƟon.
The vinyl windows are not original to the home, and all may not be in their original locaƟons.
The entry door is not original and has been replaced with a contemporary style door.
The front porch has clearly been modified.
The windows and front door do not reflect the architectural style nor materials used in the era of
the 1920s.
Our research indicates that no one of any significant importance nor anyone associated with the Town’s founding
or history has ever owned the property.
While the home was built prior to 1941, it is not included in historical records, is not located within any historic
district, and has no redeeming architectural qualiƟes.
In its current condiƟon under modern codes, it may be deemed uninhabitable.
The above details, along with the specifics on documentaƟon previously provided, demonstrate that all five required
findings have been proven:
1. The structure is not associated with events that have made a significant contribuƟon to the Town;
2. No Significant persons are associated with the site;
3. There are no disƟncƟve characterisƟcs of type, period, or method of construcƟon or representaƟon of the work
of a master;
4. The structure does not yield informaƟon to Town history; or
5. The integrity has been compromised such that the structure no longer has the potenƟal to convey significance.
Based on the evidence provided above, we strongly believe that this structure should be removed from any historic list.
ATTACHMENT 2
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank