Item 7 - Staff Report with Attachments 1 through 4.15116 Blossom Hill Rd
PREPARED BY: Jocelyn Shoopman
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: 7
DATE: July 19, 2024
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval to Remove a Pre-1941 Property from the Historic
Resources Inventory for Property Zoned HR-1. Located at 15116 Blossom Hill
Road. APN 527-16-001. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061
(b)(3). Request for Review PHST-24-011. Property Owner/Applicant:
Gamaleldin Elsayed. Project Planner: Jocelyn Shoopman.
RECOMMENDATION:
Requesting approval to remove a pre-1941 property from the Historic Resources Inventory for
property zoned HR-1 located at 15116 Blossom Hill Road.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1940 per County Assessor’s Database
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: ✓?, historic & some altered but still contributor to
the district if there is one
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 removal of the pre-1941 property from the Historic Resources
Inventory (HRI). The Santa Clara County Assessor’s Database lists a construction date of 1940
for the residence. The property is not within a historic district or LHP overlay or located on the
Sanborn Fire Insurance maps; however, it is included in the 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey
(Attachment 1).
PAGE 2 OF 3
SUBJECT: 15116 Blossom Hill Road/PHST-24-011
DATE: July 19, 2024
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Hill Rd.docx
DISCUSSION (continued):
The applicant has provided an informational packet with their application, which includes the
research conducted as a part of this request (Attachment 2).
A review of Town records yielded Building Permit records for 1988 (patio cover and screen
enclosure), 2003 (reroof permit), 2013 (vinyl siding on the east wall of the sunroom), and 2016
(water heater replacement) (Attachment 4).
The existing residence is a two-story farmhouse style structure with a composition roof. In
August 1988, a Building Permit was issued for an enclosed patio cover to the rear and side
elevations (Attachment 4). No additional building plans are available for the property.
The applicant’s letter concludes from their research that the structure is not associated with
any significant events or persons of significance, the architectural style of the structure does
not exhibit distinct characteristics of a particular period, and the structure has been
compromised through alterations over the years. (Attachment 2).
CONCLUSION:
If the Committee can make the findings for removal from the Historic Resources Inventory
based on the information provided by the applicant, a recommendation of approval should be
forwarded to the Community Development Director. Once removed from the Historic
Resources Inventory, 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; and
5. The integrity has been compromised such that the structure no longer has the
potential to convey significance.
PAGE 3 OF 3
SUBJECT: 15116 Blossom Hill Road/PHST-24-011
DATE: July 19, 2024
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Hill Rd.docx
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Anne Bloomfield Survey
2. Applicant’s Submittal Packet
3. Property Photograph
4. Town Records
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File address
PARCEL MAP INFORMATION
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HI STORIC INFORMATION ON PARCEL MAP
Old tract or subdivision name _____ (_, ___________ Old Block # ________ Old lot # ____________ _
FIELD SURVEY INFORMATION (handwritten in red)
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OWNERSHIP SHOWN ON MAPS
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Name Date Page Old ·tract/block/lot Size Name
.1891
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Blk Book '1908 .J
I i Survey i 1941
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MISCELLANEOUS PHOTOS: Roll /frame#~' /.J Date . ....:.._ __ _
National Register listed date. __________________ _
County Inventory 1979 ____________ ~~-----------
Town of Los Gatos: Designation ___ Recognition __ _
District Name -------------------------------
Previous Survey
Gebhard : page # illustration page #
Butler/Junior League ----
ATTACHMENT 1
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15116 Blossom Hill Rd,
Los Gatos, CA, 95032
06/22/2024
Dear Members of the Historic Preservation Committee,
I am writing to formally request the removal of my house, located at 15116 Blossom Hill Rd,
Los Gatos, CA, 95032, from the city's historic inventory. After conducting thorough research
into the history and architectural significance of the property, I believe that it meets the criteria
for removal as outlined in the city's regulations concerning historic structures.
In accordance with the criteria for evaluation of historic significance or architectural merit, as per
the city's guidelines, I present the following findings:
1.Not Associated with Significant Events: The research indicates that the house has not
been associated with any events that have made a significant contribution to the Town's history.
It served primarily as a residential structure without any documented noteworthy events
occurring on the premises.
2.No Significant Persons Associated: There is no evidence to suggest that any persons of
significant historical importance resided at or were associated with the site during its history.
3.Lack of Distinctive Characteristics: The architectural style and construction methods of the
house do not exhibit distinctive characteristics of a particular type, period, or represent the work
of a master builder. It is a modest example of residential architecture typical for its era.
4.No Contribution to Town History: Despite efforts to uncover any historical significance, the
structure does not yield substantial information that contributes to the broader history of the
Town.
5.Integrity Compromised: Over the years, the historic integrity of the structure has been
compromised through various renovations and alterations, diminishing its ability to convey
historical significance or architectural merit. For example, a major permitted renovation was
done in 1988 making addition to the southern part of the house.
We came to this determination through:
1) Our own Research done in Los Gatos Public library: we visited Los Gatos Library on
05/16/2024 and searched library records to find information about the house. We failed to find
any record of significant events related to our house.
2) Our own research surveying previous owners: we reached out to previous owners asking
about people living in the house. The previous owner mentioned they believe the house only
ATTACHMENT 2
had two owners before us. They also mentioned they do not believe there is any historic
significance of the house.
3) Search conducted by Los Gatos Library staff: Los Gatos Library staff Shawnte Santos
conducted her own research on 05/21/2024. The only record she found about the house is the
one we attached to the application, which is an architectural cultural survey.
Based on this comprehensive evaluation, I respectfully request that the Historic Preservation
Committee considers my application for the removal of my house from the historic inventory.
The property does not meet the threshold for preservation based on its historical or architectural
significance as defined by the city's criteria.
Enclosed with this letter are copies of the research findings and supporting documents that
substantiate the conclusions drawn regarding the property's historical and architectural context.
I am available to provide any additional information or documentation that may assist in your
review process.
Thank you for considering my request. I appreciate your attention to this matter and look
forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Owner 15116 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos, CA, 95032
ATTACHMENT 3
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ATTACHMENT 4