Staff Report.323 Pennsylvania 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: 03/13/2024
ITEM NO: 3
DATE: March 8, 2024
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval for Construction of an Addition to an Existing Single-
Family Residence, an Accessory Structure with Reduced Side Yard Setbacks,
Demolition of an Existing Accessory Dwelling Unit, Removal of a Large
Protected Tree, and Site Improvements Requiring a Grading Permit on
Property Zoned R-1:8. Located at 323 Pennsylvania Avenue. APN 510-43-
044. Architecture and Site Application S-23-018. Categorically Exempt
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Property
Owner: Megan Jellinek. Applicant: Gary Kohlsaat, Kohlsaat & Associates, Inc.
Project Planner: Sean Mullin.
RECOMMENDATION:
Requesting approval for construction of an addition to an existing single -family residence, an
accessory structure with reduced side yard setbacks, demolition of an existing accessory
dwelling unit (ADU), removal of a large protected tree, and site improvements requiring a
grading permit on property zoned R-1:8, located at 323 Pennsylvania 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 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? No
7. Considerations required? Yes
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SUBJECT: 323 Pennsylvania Avenue/S-23-018
DATE: March 8, 2024
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BACKGROUND:
On May 23, 2023, the Committee conducted a preliminary review of a proposal to demolish
portions of the residence behind the front façade and construct additions to the residence,
including a new second story and a basement , a new detached garage with reduced setbacks,
and a swimming pool. The Committee discussed the preliminary plans and provided
recommendations to the applicant for project revisions.
An Architecture and Site application for the project was submitted to the Town on July 24,
2023. The development plans provided with the application were consistent with those
presented during the preliminary review and the applicant responded to all reco mmendations
of the Committee. On October 25, 2023, the Committee recommended approval of the
Architecture and Site application. The application was deemed complete in November 2023,
and scheduled for the January 2, 2024, Development Review Committee (DRC) meeting. Prior
to the DRC hearing, the applicant contacted staff requesting that the application be continued
to a date uncertain to allow time for project revisions.
A revised project was submitted to the Town on February 15, 2024.
DISCUSSION:
The revised project includes demolition of portions of the residence behind the front façade
and construction of single-story additions to the residence, including a new basement
(Attachment 3). The previously proposed second-story addition has been removed from the
project. The other components of the revised proposal remain consistent to the previous
iteration and include demolition of an existing carport, demolition of a permitted ADU,
construction of a detached garage with reduce side yard setbacks, r emoval of a large protected
tree, and site work requiring a Grading Permit.
The revised development plans show that the front façade of the residence would remain,
along with portions of the right-side elevation (Attachment 3). Along with the interior walls,
the rear and left-side exterior walls behind the front porch would be demolished. Additions to
the ground floor would expand the existing footprint of the residence along the left and rear
elevations. A loggia is proposed at the rear of the residence, covered by a flat roof. A new
partial basement is proposed with lightwells located on the left and right-side elevations.
The proposed residence would continue to maintain and reinforce the existing Mediterranean
Revival architectural style with exterior materials including smooth stucco siding, two-piece clay
barrel tile roof, copper roofing on a bay window projection, divided lite wood windows, stucco
moulding, copper gutters, and wrought iron guardrails at the lightwells. The existing
rectangular windows on the front elevation include arched reliefs and wood sills. The project
plans show that the smaller window would be replicated and repeated on both sides of the
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SUBJECT: 323 Pennsylvania Avenue/S-23-018
DATE: March 8, 2024
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DISCUSSION (continued):
front window, which would be replaced with an arched-top window to match the form of the
existing arched relief. The two circular reliefs above the porch entry would remain and new
gable-end vents with iron grills would be located on the front, rear, and left side elevations.
Consistent with the previous iteration of the project, the applicant also proposes construction
of a new detached two-car garage located in the southern corner of the property. The form
and materials of the garage would match those of the residence. Lastly, a new swimming pool
is proposed behind the residence.
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting a recommendation of approval for construction of additions to an
existing single-family residence, an accessory structure with reduced side yard setbacks,
demolition of an existing ADU, removal of a large protected tree, and site improvements
requiring a grading permit. 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 Architecture and Site process. 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
Section 3.9 of the Town’s Residential Design Guidelines offers recommendations for the
construction of additions to existing residences (Attachment 2).
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SUBJECT: 323 Pennsylvania Avenue/S-23-018
DATE: March 8, 2024
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ATTACHMENTS:
1. Letter of Justification
2. Section 3.9, Residential Design Guidelines
3. Development Plan