03-13-24 Minutes - HPC SPECIAL (PDF)
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6874
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 13, 2024
The Historic Preservation Committee of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a special meeting on
March 13, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Susan Burnett, Vice Chair Lee Quintana, Planning Commissioner Adam Mayer,
and Committee Member Martha Queiroz (arrived at 4:10 p.m.).
Absent: Committee Member Barry Cheskin
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. 137 and 139 N. Santa Cruz Avenue
Request for Review Application PHST-24-004
Requesting Approval for Construction of Exterior Alterations to a Pre-1941 Commercial
Building on Property Zoned C-2. APN 510-17-061. Categorically Exempt Pursuant to
CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 Existing Facilities.
Property Owner: Casey Connelly, Seecon Partners
Applicant: Hannah Micallef
Project Planner: Maria Chavarin
Committee Member Queiroz recused themselves from Item 1, as their property is located
within 1,000 feet of the subject property.
Maria Chavarin, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
PAGE 2 OF 5 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING OF MARCH 13, 2024
Applicant presented the project.
Hannah Micallef, Applicant, Studio KDA
- Scope of work is to expand a restaurant at 137 into the adjacent space at 139. The goal is to
unify the two storefronts. They’ll be replacing the door at 139 with a window and adding an
awning as well as two sconces. They brought samples of the tile to show the finish and size.
They chose the darker black tile to recede and not compete with the existing green tile. The
tile trim will be a subtle gold tile as a reference to the art deco style of the building.
Closed Public Comment.
Committee members discussed the matter.
• The proposal is an improvement.
• Material palette suites the building. Owners are investing in the downtown by using high
quality materials.
• Prefer to see a continuity of the awning style and position.
• Consider update to signage and lighting.
• Consider making windows operable.
MOTION: Motion by Chair Burnett to Recommend Approval for Construction of
Exterior Alterations to a Pre-1941 Commercial Building on Property
Zoned C-2. APN 510-17-061. Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Section 15301 Existing Facilities. Seconded by Commissioner
Mayer.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. Committee Member Queiroz was
recused.
Appeal rights were read.
2. 50 Hernandez Avenue
Request for Review Application PHST-24-002
Requesting Approval for Modification (Window Change) of a Previously Approved
Project on an Existing Pre-1941 Single-Family Residence on Property Zoned R-1:8. APN
510-20-003. Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301: Existing
Facilities.
Property Owner: Richard Archuleta and Chrissy Klander
Applicant: Jay Plett, Architect
Project Planner: Sean Mullin
PAGE 3 OF 5 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING OF MARCH 13, 2024
Chair Burnett recused themselves from Item 2, as their property is located within 1,000 feet
of the subject property. Committee Member Queiroz has joined. Vice Chair Quintana chosen
at random to meet quorum.
Sean Mullin, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Applicant presented the project.
Jay Plett, Architect
- Proposal is to enlarge a small window to match another window in the entry space. The
materials will match. The original house had a door and a large window which was
remodeled in 1951 into a smaller window.
Closed Public Comment.
Committee members discussed the matter.
• The change is an improvement.
• Would prefer if the window was centered.
MOTION: Motion by Committee Member Queiroz to Recommend Approval to the
Director for Modification (Window Change) of a Previously Approved
Project on an Existing Pre-1941 Single-Family Residence on Property
Zoned R-1:8. APN 510-20-003. Request for Review Application PHST-24-
002. Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301:
Existing Facilities. Seconded by Commissioner Mayer.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. Chair Burnett was recused.
3. 323 Pennsylvania Avenue
Architecture and Site Application S-23-018.
Requesting Approval for Construction of an Addition to an Existing Single-Family
Residence, an Accessory Structure with Reduced Side Yard Setbacks, Demolition of an
Existing Accessory Dwelling Unit, Removal of a Large Protected Tree, and Site
Improvements Requiring a Grading Permit on Property Zoned R-1:8. APN 510-43-044.
Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301: Existing Facilities.
Property Owner: Megan Jellinek
Applicant: Gary Kohlsaat, Kohlsaat & Associates, Inc.
Project Planner: Sean Mullin
PAGE 4 OF 5 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING OF MARCH 13, 2024
Commissioner Mayer recused themselves from Item 3, as their property is located within
1,000 feet of the subject property. Vice Chair Quintana chosen at random to meet quorum.
Sean Mullin, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Applicant presented the project.
Gary Kohlsaat, Applicant
- Costs have escalated over the past year, so they scaled back the project by foregoing the
second story. The front elevation stays the same. The rear still has the loggia, but with a
little more glass. On the driveway side on the east, they brought back the bay window.
They have added an arched window, which matches the arched window the front, in the
second gable. They are using the same details and materials. Owner successfully purchased
100-year-old tile from Sacramento.
Closed Public Comment.
Committee members discussed the matter.
• Like the suggestion to install stucco corbel shapes on each side of the garage door to add
character and not compromise the function of the door.
• Like the suggestion to add Ironwork about the window on the garage to add character.
• Like the approach of the stairs into the basement lightwell.
• The rear is very modern with lots of glazing.
MOTION: Motion by Committee Member Queiroz to Forward a Recommendation
of Approval for Construction of an Addition to an Existing Single-Family
Residence, an Accessory Structure with Reduced Side Yard Setbacks,
Demolition of an Existing Accessory Dwelling Unit, Removal of a Large
Protected Tree, and Site Improvements Requiring a Grading Permit on
Property Zoned R-1:8. APN 510-43-044. Categorically Exempt Pursuant
to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Seconded by Chair
Burnett. With additional conditions to add corbels to the garage door
frame, add ironwork over the front facing garage window, and consider
reducing the expanse of glass in the rear of the house.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Mayer was recused.
PAGE 5 OF 5 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING OF MARCH 13, 2024
OTHER BUSINESS (Up to three minutes may be allotted to each speaker on any of the following
items.)
None.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
March 13, 2024 meeting as approved by the
Historic Preservation Committee.
/s/ Jennifer Armer, AICP, Planning Manager