Exhibit 7 - Consulting Architect ReportOctober 13, 2023
Ms. Erin Walters
Community Development Department
Town of Los Gatos
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95031
RE: 15411 National Avenue
Dear Erin:
I reviewed the drawings and evaluated the neighborhood context. My comments and recommendations on
the design are as follows:
NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT
The site is located in an mixed use neighborhood with mostly one story traditional homes on the west side of
National Avenue and taller office structures and parking lots on the east side. Photos of the site and its sur-
rounding neighborhood are shown on the following page.
EXHIBIT 7
15411 National Avenue
Design Review Comments
October 13, 2023 Page 2
Office building across National AvenueTHE SITE
House immediately to the left House immediately to the right
Nearby houseNearby two story house
15411 National Avenue
Design Review Comments
October 13, 2023 Page 3
PROPOSED PROJECT
Proposed Front Elevation
Proposed Rear Elevation
Proposed Right Side Elevation
Proposed Left Side Elevation
15411 National Avenue
Design Review Comments
October 13, 2023 Page 4
ISSUES AND CONCERNS
The immediate neighborhood contains a predominance of one story homes designed in traditional styles.
These homes are modest in scale and mass and have simple roof forms. The proposed house appears to emu-
late a traditional Mediterranean home style but is designed in a much more generic design style with a lack of
consistency in its design treatment. This would appear to not be consistent with the Town’s Residential Design
Guidelines 3.2.1 and 3.2.2.
3.2.1 Select an architectural style with sensitivity to the surrounding neighborhood
3.2.2 Design for architectural integrity
• Building massing, roof pitches, materials, window types and proportions, design features (e.g., roof
dormers), and other architectural features should be consistent with the traditions of the selected
style
Some specific issues include the following:
1. The tall home entry is not the norm of the immediate neighborhood and would not be consistent with
Residential Design Guideline 3.6.3.
3.6.3 Design entries with sensitivity to the surrounding neighborhood
• Avoid large and formal entries unless that is the norm for nearby houses. It is often best to start
the design consideration with an entry type (e.g., projecting or under eave porch) that is similar to
nearby homes.
2. The proposed metal roofing would not be consistent with the proposed architectural style and Residential
Design Guideline 3.6.3.
3. The faux balcony detail on the front facade is weak for a home of this style and mass.
15411 National Avenue
Design Review Comments
October 13, 2023 Page 5
3. The forms and wood siding on the second story bay windows on the side elevations would not be consis-
tent with the architectural style
3.5.4 Design dormers with attention to the architectural style and the neighborhood
4. The two story wall on the left side facade lacks articulation and would not be consistent with Residential
Design Guidelines 3.3.3.
3.3.3 Provide visual relief for two story walls
Some techniques include:
• Belly bands (see photo below left)
• Pop outs and bay windows
• Material and color changes
• Chimneys
• Wide overhangs with projecting brackets
• Juliet balconies
• Window boxes and pot shelves
• Landscaped trellises and lattices
5. The failure to carry the building base around on all four facades would not be consistent with Residential
Design Guidelines 3.2.2.
3.2.2 Design for architectural integrity
• Carry wall materials, window types and architectural details around all sides of the house.
Avoid side and rear elevations that are markedly different from the front elevation.
15411 National Avenue
Design Review Comments
October 13, 2023 Page 6
6. The stair entry to the second floor on the right side elevation is very much out of character with the pro-
posed architectural style and size, and it is poorly integrated into the overall design.
7. The large second floor deck probably does not
pose a privacy intrusion impact on nearby
properties at present, but could in the future if
the large adjacent property were to be devel-
oped in a similar manner with a home at the
rear of the property.
15411 National Avenue
Design Review Comments
October 13, 2023 Page 7
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations are intended to simplify the design and bring it into a greater compliance
with the Town’s Residential Design Guidelines.
1. Provide an under-the-eave entry in lieu of the proposed stone tower.
2. Match the lower first floor roofing to the shingles on the main roof.
3. Add a projecting balcony at the second floor on the front elevation.
4. Extend the main roof form over the bay windows on the side elevations and use stucco in lieu of the
proposed wood siding.
5. Provide projecting trim at the second floor line around all sides of the home.
6. Provide a projecting stucco base around on all facades.
7. Integrate the stair on the right side elevation into the main building form.
15411 National Avenue
Design Review Comments
October 13, 2023 Page 8
8. Provide a visual screen on the deck side nearest the adjacent property line - some photo examples are
shown below.
Erin, please let me know if you have any questions or if there are any issues that I did not address.
Sincerely,
CANNON DESIGN GROUP
Larry L. Cannon