Staff Report.16488 Bonnie Lane
PREPARED BY: Maria Chavarin
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: 4/24/2024
ITEM NO: 4
DATE: April 19, 2024
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval for Construction of a Second-Story Addition Exceeding
100 Square Feet and Exterior Alterations to an Existing Pre-1941 Single-
Family Residence on Property Zoned R-1:8. Located at 16488 Bonnie Lane.
APN 532-02-014. Minor Residential Development Application MR-24-007.
Categorically Exempt Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) Guidelines, Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Property Owner: Mai of
Tran 2020 Trust. Applicant: Vu-Ngan Tran. Project Planner: Maria Chavarin.
RECOMMENDATION:
Requesting approval for construction of a second-story addition exceeding 100 square feet and
exterior alterations to an existing pre-1941 single-family residence on property zone R-1:8
located at 16488 Bonnie Lane.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1938 per County Assessor’s Database
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: +, historic and intact or worthy of special note.
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
BACKGROUND:
The County Assessor indicates that the residence located at 16488 Bonnie Lane was
constructed in 1938, and the 1991 Bloomfield Survey estimates the construction date as the
1930s and providing a rating of “historic and intact or worthy of special note” (Attachment 1).
The property is not included in the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.
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SUBJECT: 16488 Bonnie Lane/MR-24-007
DATE: April 19, 2024
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BACKGROUND (continued):
Town records indicate that a request for a 644 square-foot second-story addition, a 356 square-
foot first-floor addition, and new patios was approved by the Town’s Planning Department in
August 1989 (Attachment 2). The applicant provided a summary of the records researched
(Attachment 3), as well as property pictures (Attachment 4).
On October 25, 2023, the Committee considered a request to remove the pre -1941 single-
family residence from the Historic Resources Inventory. After considering the application and
materials, the Committee discussed the matter and voted unanimously to deny the removal of
the pre-1941 single-family residence from the Historic Resources Inventory.
DISCUSSION:
Minor Residential Development Application MR-24-007 was submitted on April 8, 2024,
proposing construction of a second-story addition exceeding 100 square feet and exterior
alterations to an existing pre-1941 single-family residence. The project includes a second-story
addition of 346 square feet; infill of an existing door on the west elevation; removal of an
existing chimney on the south elevation to be replaced with an interior and exterior fireplace
unit; construction of a new balcony on the south and east elevations; and interior remodel
(Attachment 5).
The proposed materials consist of: stucco siding, new exterior paint, vinyl windows, new wood
square columns on the front porch to match craftsman style, and new wood railings. The
proposed height of the new second story addition will match the existing roof ridge
(approximately 21 feet).
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting approval for construction of a second-story addition exceeding 100
square feet and exterior alterations to an existing pre-1941 single-family residence on property
zoned R-1:8. Should the Committee find merit in the request, the recommendation would be
forwarded to the Community Development Director and the application would continue
through the Minor Residential Development process. The project would not return to the
Committee.
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SUBJECT: 16488 Bonnie Lane/MR-24-007
DATE: April 19, 2024
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FINDINGS:
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 6).
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Anne Bloomfield Survey
2. Town Records
3. Applicant’s Submittal Packet
4. Property Pictures
5. Development Plans
6. Section 3.9, Residential Design Guidelines
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