Staff Report.66 Ellenwood Ave
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: 6
DATE: April 19, 2024
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval for Construction of Exterior Alterations (Window and
Door Replacement) on a Presumptive Historic Residence (Pre-1941) on
Property Zoned R-1:12. Located at 66 Ellenwood Avenue. APN 510-20-067.
Request for Review PHST-24-007. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Section 15061
(b)(3) Existing Facilities. Property Owners: John and Susan Pinkel. Applicant:
Steven W. Plyler, DeMattei Construction. Project Planner: Sean Mullin.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request for approval for construction of exterior alterations (window and door
replacement) on a presumptive historic residence (pre-1941) on property zoned R-1:12 located
at 66 Ellenwood Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1928 per County Assessor’s Database; 1930s per Anne
Bloomfield Survey
2. Town of Los Gatos Preliminary Historic Status Code: “+” or historic and intact or worthy
of special note
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 subject property is located on the north side of Ellenwood Avenue approximately 335 feet
from the intersection with Hernandez Avenue. The property is developed with a two-story
single-family residence. The County Assessor lists that the residence was constructed in 1928
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SUBJECT: 66 Ellenwood Avenue/PHST-24-007
DATE: April 19, 2024
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BACKGROUND (continued):
and the 1990 Anne Bloomfield survey indicates a construction date of the 1930s with a
preliminary rating of “+” or historic and intact or worthy of special note (Attachment 1). The
building footprint shown on the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps is consistent between 1928 and
1956 (Attachment 2).
Town records indicate that a ground-floor and second-story addition was approved through the
Minor Residential Development process in 2001 (Attachment 3). The approval included a
condition that all windows and doors be wood (vinyl or aluminum clad windows are not
permitted); no snap in grids or grids inside the glass are permitted; and simulated wood grids
are acceptable. The approved plans show that the addition was located to the rear of the
residence, preserving the front façade. Additionally, the plans show that most of the windows
in the portion of the residence to remain were not replaced. New wood windows and doors
were installed in the addition, matching those to remain in materials and design (Attachment
4).
DISCUSSION:
The applicant is requesting approval to replace the wood windows and doors with aluminum
clad wood windows and doors (Attachment 5). The applicant indicates in their Letter of
Justification that the existing wood windows and doors are rotting and failing. The proposed
windows and doors would match the divided lite pattern of the existing windows, utilizing
simulated divided lites with a stone white exterior paint finish (Attachments 6 and 7). The new
windows and doors would be installed within existing openings, without increasing the size or
modifying the shape of the existing windows or doors.
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.
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SUBJECT: 66 Ellenwood Avenue/PHST-24-007
DATE: April 19, 2024
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DISCUSSION (continued):
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 the
building.
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting approval for construction of exterior alterations (window and 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.
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SUBJECT: 66 Ellenwood Avenue/PHST-24-007
DATE: April 19, 2024
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CONSIDERATIONS (continued):
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. 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey
2. Sanborn Exhibit
3. 2000 Plans
4. Exterior Photos
5. Letter of Justification
6. Proposed Window Photo
7. Window Specifications