Item 3 - Staff Report with Attachments 1 through 4.258 Edelen Ave
PREPARED BY: Sean Mullin, AICP
Senior 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: 07/24/2024
ITEM NO: 3
DATE: July 19, 2024
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval for Construction of Exterior Alterations to a Contributing
Single-Family Residence Located in the University-Edelen Historic District on
Property Zoned R-1D:LHP. Located at 258 Edelen Avenue. APN 529-05-013.
Minor Development in a Historic District Application HS -24-034. Exempt
Pursuant to CEQA Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Property
Owners/Applicants: Marsie and Reilly Sweetland. Project Planner: Sean
Mullin.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request for approval for construction of exterior alterations to a contributing single-
family residence located in the University-Edelen Historic District on property zoned R-1D:LHP
located at 258 Edelen Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1905 per County Assessor’s Database; 1920s per Anne
Bloomfield Survey
2. Town of Los Gatos Preliminary Historic Status Code: “✓” or historic and some altered,
but still contributor to district if there is one
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? Yes
4. Is structure in a historic district? Yes, University-Edelen Historic District
5. If yes, is it a contributor? Yes
6. Findings required? No
7. Considerations required? Yes
BACKGROUND:
The subject property is located on the east side of Edelen Avenue near the intersection with
Bentley Avenue. The property is developed with a two-story single-family residence. The
County Assessor lists that the residence was constructed in 1905 and the 1990 Anne Bloomfield
PAGE 2 OF 3
SUBJECT: 258 Edelen Avenue/HS-24-034
DATE: July 19, 2024
N:\DEV\HISTORIC PRESERVATION\HPC Reports and Attachments\2024\07-24-24\Item 3 - 258 Edelen Ave\Staff Report.258 Edelen Ave.docx
BACKGROUND (continued):
survey indicates a construction date of the 1920s with a preliminary rating of “✓” or historic
and some altered, but still contributor to district if there is one (Attachment 1).
DISCUSSION:
The applicant is requesting approval to remove an existing set of double hung windows on the
left side elevation near the rear of the residence and fill it in with siding to match the existing
(Attachment 4). The window removal is part of an interior kitchen remodel that locate s the
new cooktop adjacent to the existing window. The applicant proposes to eliminate the existing
window to adhere to limitations on the proximity of combustible materials to the cooktop
(Attachment 3). The applicant’s Letter of Justification provides additional details on the
proposal. The window would be filled in with siding to match existing without signs of
patchwork.
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting approval for construction of exterior alterations on a contributing
single-family residence located in the University-Edelen Historic District on property zoned R-
1D:LHP located at 258 Edelen Avenue. Should the Committee find merit in the request, a
recommendation would be forwarded to the Community Development Director and the project
would be completed with a Building Permit. The project would not return to the Committee.
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:
X 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: 258 Edelen Avenue/HS-24-034
DATE: July 19, 2024
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CONSIDERATIONS (continued):
B. Residential Design Guidelines
Section 4.8.1 of the Town’s Residential Design Guidelines offers general guidelines
applicable for exterior modifications of a historic residence that are applicable to this
project, including:
• All protected elements of the existing exterior facade should be retained and, if
necessary, repaired.
• When a remodel requires the use of newly constructed exterior elements, they should
be identical in size, dimension, shape and location as the original, and should utilize the
same materials as the existing protected exterior elements.
• Any alteration of an existing structure should incorporate and continue the form,
architectural style, materials, and details of the existing structure.
• All exterior elements including, but not limited to, roof lines, porches, doorways,
windows, trim and siding should be consistent with and continue the architectural
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey
2. Sanborn Exhibit
3. Letter of Justification
4. Project Plans
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ARCHITECTURAL/CULTURAL SURVEY LOS GATOS RESEARCH
File address ;;2,5<f5 £'".k/e,,.,,,.
PARCEL MAP INFORMATION
ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY
141511122·1063
22211 WEBSTER STREET
SAN FRANCISCO. CA 9411!1
I
Parcel 15$1-0...; � {;)i """ Lot size: er.o front ft. x .;� ft. deep
(' Lot shape: Rectangle� L_ Rectangle with small rear jog_ Other _________ _
�_/ -� Location: N_ S_(� W_�_. side of Z: St��e.-L-Other _____ _
distance to cross st: ____ ft. N __ S_ E_ W_ from _________ _
at NE NW SE SW corner of __________ _
HISTORIC INFO RMATION ON PARCEL MAP
Old tract or subdivision name I}, ,1./J 'li:l. '?!I t� I ·h Old Block #_1..___ Old lot #_/ ____ _
FIELD SURVEY INFORMATION (handwritten in red)
Preliminary rating ✓ Estimated age /� :i.O.s Style ___________ # stories..!.:!.. 2
Alterations ------------------------------------
Other U-la."i
COUNTY ASSESSOR--PROPERTY CHARACTERISTICS (paste on copy)
OWNERSHIP SHOWN ON MAPS Source Name
-----
SourceDate
1891
Blk Book 1908
Survey 1944
MISCELLANEO US
Source Page Location of property. or Lot Old-tract/block/lot Size
National Register listed date ---------County Inventory 1979 ____________ _ Town of Los Gatos: Designation __ Recognition __
District Name '----------------
Previous Survey
Gebhard: page# illustration page# Butler/Junior League ----
Owner Name
EFFective date ----
ATTACHMENT 1
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ATTACHMENT 2
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June 3rd, 2024
Town of Los Gatos
Historic Preservation Committee
Re: 258 Edelen Ave | Proposed Side-Window Removal
Dear Historic Preservation Committee:
We tried various designs to keep the window in the attached design, but ultimately decided it
would be functionally, aesthetically, and historically optimum to remove it.
The factors considered were:
● The necessity for a wooden window for historic accuracy
● The wood must be 30”+ above the cooktop for fire safety
● The current window looks directly to our neighbor’s wall
● The evolution of the original footprint of the home
● Plumbing costs and logistics to change the existing (and likely original) sink location as
well as the dishwasher.
It is only possible to see this window from outside the house from a small section of our back
yard (shown in the photo). It is not visible from the front.
Making a historically accurate replacement window given these constraints is nearly impossible.
At some point in the home’s history, a sunroom was added, extending the home beyond its
original footprint.The yellow house was also built next door. We propose the removal of this
window as a natural evolution of the home given all these various factors.
In place of the window, the siding will be replaced like-for-like without visible signs of patchwork.
We would greatly appreciate a Committee decision/direction on this issue in the next meeting so
that our kitchen construction can happen while we are out of town this summer.
Thank you!
Marsie and Reilly Sweetland
ATTACHMENT 3
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ATTACHMENT 4
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