Staff Report.15385 National Avenue
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: 04/24/2024
ITEM NO: 5
DATE: April 19, 2024
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval for Construction of Exterior Alterations (Window
Replacement) on a Presumptive Historic Residence (Pre-1941) on Property
Zoned R-1:8. Located at 15385 National Avenue. APN 510-20-067. Request
for Review PHST-24-008. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Section 15061 (b)(3)
Existing Facilities. Property Owners: Hossein Shenasa and Mojgan
Moghaddam. Applicant: Hossein Shenasa. Project Planner: Sean Mullin.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request for approval for construction of exterior alterations (window and door
replacement) to a presumptive historic residence (pre-1941) on property zoned R-1:8 located at
15385 National Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1923 per County Assessor’s Database
2. Town of Los Gatos Preliminary Historic Status Code: N/A
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? No
4. Is structure in a historic district? N/A
5. If yes, is it a contributor? N/A
6. Findings required? No
7. Considerations required? Yes
BACKGROUND:
The existing property is the result of a 1989 subdivision of a larger parcel into five parcels. The
County Assessor indicates that the residence at 15385 National Avenue was constructed in
1923. The subject property was not included in the 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey and is outside
the coverage area of the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps. Town records include Building Permits
for chimney repair in 1990 and reroof in 1994.
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SUBJECT: 15385 National Avenue/PHST-24-008
DATE: April 19, 2024
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Avenue.docx
DISCUSSION:
The applicant is requesting approval to replace the existing windows and sliding doors on the
residence as part of an interior remodel under Building Permit review. The existing windows
and doors include a mix of metal and vinyl materials. The existing windows include a mix of
sliding and single-hung with grids located within the two panes of glass (Attachment 1). The
existing windows do not reflect the construction date of the house and are likely not original.
The applicant’s Letter of Justification indicates that the original windows were replaced with
the existing metal and vinyl windows (Attachment 2). The existing windows and sliding doors
would be replaced with a mix of sliding and single-hung vinyl windows without grids
(Attachment 3). The new windows would be installed within existing openings, without
increasing the size or modifying the shape of the existing windows (Attachment 4).
The Residential Design Guidelines provides the following recommendations related to window
materials:
3.7.3 Match window materials to the architectural style and to the surrounding
neighborhood
• Wood windows are common in Los Gatos. Wood is still the desired choice for styles
that traditionally used wood. However, today there are some window materials, such
as vinyl clad wood windows that are not noticeably different from wood at a short
distance.
4.8.2 Building Materials
• Composite, synthetic, metal, vinyl, plastic or fabricated/imitation wood products,
painted brick or imitation used brick will generally not be approved. However, some ex-
ceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis when the decision-making body
determines that the replacement is consistent with the appearance of the original
material, and that a lay person would be unlikely to discern the difference. The burden
of proof will reside with the applicant. Material samples, photographs, and specific
locations where the material may be seen in use will all assist in the evaluation of
alternative materials.
4.8.4 Windows and Glass in doors
• Windows should be constructed of real glass, and window frames should be constructed
of real wood - not vinyl, metal, or plastic. Wood sashes may be vinyl or metal clad if the
window frame and dressing is designed consistent with the historic context of t he
building.
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SUBJECT: 15385 National Avenue/PHST-24-008
DATE: April 19, 2024
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Avenue.docx
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting approval for construction of exterior alterations (window and sliding
door replacement) to a presumptive historic residence (pre-1941). 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:
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 3.7.3, 4.8.2, and 4.8.4 of the Town’s Residential Design Guidelines offer
recommendations for windows on historic resources.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Photos of Existing Windows
2. Letter of Justification
3. Window Specifications
4. Floor Plan
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