Staff Report.142 Massol Ave
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: 6
DATE: July 19, 2024
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval for Construction of an Addition to an Existing Accessory
Structure Located in the Almond Grove Historic District on Property Zoned R-
1D: LHP. Located at 142 Massol Avenue. APN 510-18-048. Minor
Development in a Historic District Application HS-24-038. Categorically
Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301: Existing Facilities.
Property Owner/Applicant: David Zicovich. Project Planner: Suray Nathan.
RECOMMENDATION:
Requesting approval for construction of an addition to an existing accessory structure located in
the Almond Grove Historic District on Property Zoned R-1D: LHP located at 142 Massol Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1910 per County Assessor’s Database; 19th century per
Bloomfield Survey
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code (residence): R or ✓, Historic but grossly altered, 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, Almond Grove Historic District
5. If yes, is it a contributor? No
6. Findings required? N/A
7. Considerations required? Yes
PAGE 2 OF 3
SUBJECT: 142 Massol Avenue/HS-24-038
DATE: July 19, 2024
BACKGROUND:
The subject property is located on the east side of Massol Avenue, approximately 185 feet
south of Nicholson Avenue. The County Assessor indicates that the residence at 142 Massol
Avenue was constructed in 1910, and the 1991 Bloomfield Survey estimates the construction
date as 19th Century (Attachment 1). The residence does not appear on the Sanborn Fire
Insurance Maps until 1891 (Attachment 2).
The 1895, 1904, and 1908 Sanborn maps show two detached accessory structures at the rear of
the lot; however, the 1928 and 1956 maps show only one detached accessory structure. In
1991, the Town approved the demolition of the rear detached accessory struc ture and the
construction of the current accessory structure, which includes a garage and a study.
DISCUSSION:
The applicant is proposing to make exterior modifications to the existing, non -historic accessory
structure at the rear of the property. Included in the scope of the project is expansion and
exterior modifications to the garage portion of the structure, and interior and exterior
modifications to the study portion to legalize it as an accessory dwelling unit. The modifications
involved with legalizing the ADU must be processed through a ministerial action pursuant to
State law and are not the purview of the Committee.
The applicant is proposing to make exterior modifications to the existing, non -historic accessory
structure, including construction of an 80-square-foot addition on the front elevation,
expanding the garage portion of the structure (Attachment 5). New sliding doors would be
installed in the addition. The hip roof above the garage on the left elevation would be replaced
with a double gable-end roof. The applicant also indicates that termite damaged siding would
be replaced with redwood siding to match existing (Attachment 3). All new siding, trim, and
aluminum-clad wood windows would match existing (Attachment 5). These proposed changes
would not be visible from Massol Avenue.
All other exterior modifications are located on the ADU and are not part of this review.
The primary residence at the front of the lot is to remain untouched. As the property is a
contributor to the historic district, all structures on the property are deemed historic, and
changes to any of the structures require review by the Historic Preservation Committee.
PAGE 3 OF 3
SUBJECT: 142 Massol Avenue/HS-24-038
DATE: July 19, 2024
CONSIDERATIONS:
A. Considerations – related to the request for approval of detached accessory structure in an
Historic District.
X 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:
2. 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.
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting a review of a proposal for construction of an addition to an existing
accessory structure located in the Almond Grove Historic District. 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. 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey
2. Sanborn Map
3. Letter of Justification
4. Photos
5. Development Plans
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