Staff Report.311 Johnson
PREPARED BY: Suray Nathan
Assistant 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: 8
DATE: July 19, 2024
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Preliminary Review for Exterior Alterations and Construction of an Addition
to an Existing Pre-1941 Single-Family Residence on Property Zoned R-1:8.
Located at 311 Johnson Avenue. APN 532-28-017. Request for Review
Application PHST-24-010. Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines
Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Property Owner: Nishita Biddala.
Applicant: Abhay Reddy. Project Planner: Suray Nathan.
RECOMMENDATION:
Preliminary review of a proposal for exterior alterations and construction of an addition to an
existing pre-1941 single-family residence located at 311 Johnson Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1900 per County Assessor’s Database; 1920s per Anne
Bloomfield Survey
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: ✓, historic and 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? N/A
7. Considerations required? Yes
BACKGROUND:
The County Assessor indicates that the residence located at 311 Johnson Avenue was
constructed in 1900, and the 1991 Bloomfield Survey estimates the construction date to be the
PAGE 2 OF 3
SUBJECT: 311 Johnson Avenue/PHST-24-010
DATE: July 19, 2024
BACKGROUND (continued):
1920s (Attachment 1). The residence appears on the Sanborn Fire Insurance Map in 1891, and
the detached accessory structure first appears in 1928. The residence's footprint remained
consistent between 1928 and 1956 (Attachment 2).
The 1991 Anne Bloomfield Survey rates the residence as historic, with some alterations but still
contributing to the district if there is one (Attachment 1). This rating suggests that, at the time
of the survey in 1991, the minor alteration did not dimmish the historic fabric of the house.
Town permit records are limited, including a 1954 plumbing permit to relocate the kitchen to
the rear and a 2000 reroof permit with composite shingles. The Sanborn Map shows the rear
addition was expanded or rebuilt sometime between 1908 and 1928 . The applicant provided
research on the property's limited history (Attachment 3) and proposes to demolish the rear
portions of the residence and construct additions to the residence (Attachments 6).
DISCUSSION:
The applicant is requesting a preliminary review by the Committee for exterior alterations and
an addition to the residence. The property is located on the west side of Johnson Avenue,
between Los Gatos Boulevard and Cypress Way. The existing house is a Folk Victorian-style
cottage with a front and rear porch, wood lap siding, and wood framed windows without any
divided lite. There are no records of the rear addition in the Town’s files; however, the Sanborn
Map shows the rear addition was expanded or rebuilt sometime between 1908 and 1928. The
existing approximately 240-square foot rear portion looks distinct from the rest of the house.
The rear portion has a shed roof and smaller windows; however, the horizontal wood lap siding
matches the house in material and the size of the lap siding. The applicant proposes
demolishing the addition in the rear and expanding towards the back by an additional 239
square feet.
The development plans show the demolition of the rear portion of the residence, including
removal of walls on the rear, left, and right elevations and the existing rear porch (Attachment
6). The addition can be partially seen from Johnson Avenue; however, it is not prominent as
the lot is 40 feet wide with a nonconforming four feet side yard setback at the west and 10 feet,
nine inches on the east side. The proposed addition’s siding will match the material and style of
the horizontal lap siding. The new roof on the proposed addition would extend the hip roof of
the remaining portion of the residence and finished to match. The applicant proposes a tri-fold
door and two single-hung windows at the rear elevation and one casement window at the left
and right elevations. The proposed windows and door will match the existing style. No
alteration or changes are proposed for the rest of the existing house.
PAGE 3 OF 3
SUBJECT: 311 Johnson Avenue/PHST-24-010
DATE: July 19, 2024
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:
For pre-1941 structures, the proposed work will neither adversely affect the exterior
architectural characteristics or other features of the property which is the subject of
the application.
B. Residential Design Guidelines
Sections 3.9 of the Town’s Residential Design Guidelines offers recommendations for
construction of additions to existing residences (Attachment 5).
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting a preliminary review by the Committee for exterior alterations and
construction of an addition to an existing pre-1941 residence located at 311 Johnson 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.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 1991 Anne Bloomfield Survey
2. Sanborn Map
3. Letter of Justification
4. Photos
5. Section 3.9, Residential Design Guidelines
6. Development Plans
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