Staff Report.145 Tait and Attachments Combined - Copy
PREPARED BY: Erin Walters
Associate 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: 09/11/2024
ITEM NO: 1
DATE: August 23, 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 Contributing Single-
Family Residence Located in the Almond Grove Historic District on Property
Zoned R-1D:LHP. Located on 145 Tait Avenue. APN 510-18-029. Exempt
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Minor
Residential Development Application MR-24-010. Property Owner: Jennifer
McNellis. Applicant: Eric Beckstrom. Project Planner: Erin Walters.
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 located at 145 Tait Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1920 per County Assessor’s Database; 1910s 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? Yes
4. Is structure in a historic district? Yes, Almond Grove Historic District
5. If yes, is it a contributor? Yes
6. Findings required? N/A
7. Considerations required? Yes
BACKGROUND:
The subject property at 145 Tait Avenue is located northwest side of Tait Avenue, between
Nicholson Avenue and Bean Avenue. The Santa Clara County’s Accessors Database lists a
construction date of 1920 for the residence. The 1991 Bloomfield Survey indicates that the
Craftsman style residential building was constructed in the 1910’s (Attachment 1). The
Bloomfield Survey rates the residence as “historic and intact or worthy of special note” or
PAGE 2 OF 4
SUBJECT: 145 Tait Avenue/MR-24-010
DATE: August 23, 2024
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BACKGROUND (continued):
“historic and some altered but still contributor to district if there is one” (Attachment 1). The
property is located in the Almond Grove Historic District and is contributor to the district. The
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps show that the footprint of the residence remained consistent
between 1928 and 1956 (Attachment 2).
Town records indicate the Historic Preservation Committee recommended approval of a one-
and two-story addition located to the rear of original structure in 1995 (HS-95-6) and a building
permit was issued in 1996 for the addition (B96-000632). The applicant provided a summary of
the property research (Attachment 3), as well as photographs of the property (Attachment 4).
DISCUSSION:
Minor Residential Development application MR-24-10 was submitted on July 29, 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 the following:
• Construction of a one-story addition of 35-square feet to the living room at the northern
elevation;
• Construction of an attached one-car garage addition of 230-square feet at the rear
elevation with carriage style door;
• Replacement of the existing two-car garage door with carriage style door to match;
• Construction of a two-story addition of 145-square feet over the existing rear garage;
• Removal of the existing 1996 brick chimney;
• Replacement of front door with wood door with glazing; and
• Replacement of the existing 1996 wood windows on all four elevations with new
aluminum-clad wood windows with muntins.
The proposed materials consist of horizontal wood siding, wood trim, wood decorative
brackets, aluminum-clad wood windows, and composition roofing to match the existing
materials.
The applicant provided a Project Description (Attachment 5) and Development Plans
(Attachment 6).
The Committee should consider Section 3.9 of the Town’s Residential Design Guidelines , which
provides recommendations for construction of additions to existing residences (Attachment 7).
Including but not limited to the following recommendations:
PAGE 3 OF 4
SUBJECT: 145 Tait Avenue/MR-24-010
DATE: August 23, 2024
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DISCUSSION (continued):
• The existing built forms, components and materials should be reinforced . Heights and
proportions of additions and alterations should be consistent with and continue the original
architectural style and design.
• Additions should be subordinate, and compatible in scale and proportion to the historically
significant portions of the existing structure.
• When an addition or remodel requires the use of newly constructed exterior elements, they
should be identical in size, dimension, shape, and location as the original, and should utilize
the same materials as the existing protected exterior elements.
As part of this review the applicant has not provided a full demolition plan but has indicated
that the proposed project will fall below Town’s demolition thresholds for historic residences.
A demolition plan will be provided by the applicant prior to going to public hearing.
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 located at
145 Tait Avenue. 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.
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 3.9 of the Town’s Residential Design Guidelines offers recommendations for
construction of additions to existing residences (Attachment 7).
PAGE 4 OF 4
SUBJECT: 145 Tait Avenue/MR-24-010
DATE: August 23, 2024
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ATTACHMENTS:
1. Bloomfield
2. Sanborn Maps
3. Applicant’s Research
4. Photographs
5. Project Description
6. Development Plans
7. Section 3.9, Residential Design Guidelines
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Minor Development in Historic District Description 145 Tait Avenue Page 1
Beckstrom Architecture+ Interiors
PO Box 1317, Los Gatos, CA 94030
650 847-8351
Eric@BeckstromArchitecture.com
July 14, 2024
145 Tait Avenue
Minor Development in Historic District
Long Range Historical Context (20,000 years ago until 1848)
Flora Context: Prior to European immigration, Los Gatos and the surrounding Silicon Valley was covered in enormous,
dense, old-growth Redwoods. The micro-climate would have been vastly different in the shade and soil conditions
created by the towering redwoods. By the late 19th century all the trees had been cut down in Los Gatos and
surrounding hills. All the trees we see today are very young, second growth trees and have little to no connection to the
previous forest which covered the hills and valley floor. The quality of the forests in Los Gatos today are completely
different. Previously, Los Gatos would have felt like walking in Muir Woods or Big Basin Redwoods.
Approximately 13,000-20,000 years ago the first human immigrants came from the East over the Bering Strait land
bridge. These native Americans lived among the dense forests and creeks in Los Gatos. It does not appear that they
used slash and burn practices as the Native Americans did on the East Coast. The slash and burn practices actually
paved the way for the survival of the first European immigrants to the East Coast. The slash and burn practices opened
up the forest for the cultivation of crops and fauna for food (deer, boars, etc.). Our ancestors relied on the native
Americans prior work in order to survive after first arriving on the North American continent in 1620.
On the West Coast, Spanish explorers came to the Los Gatos area and subjugated the Native Americans, took their
land and quickly divided the it into very large ranches. Mexico gained independence in 1821 from the Spanish. El
Rancho Rinconada de Los Gatos Ranch was created in 1839. The population was very sparse at this time.
USA Transition (1848 until the present)
The Gold Rush of 1848-1855 brought a wave(tsunami) of immigrants from the East Coast and Midwest. California
became a state in 1850 due to this overwhelming westward immigration and the economic/political changes here.
Drastic landscape transformation ensued from complete deforestation in Los Gatos and the surrounding area. Clear
cutting of the ancient and valuable redwood forests began with these immigrants. It must have been a truly shocking
transformation. In approximately 20-30 years all the Redwoods were gone and replaced with grassy hills . The map of
forest resources below shows that Los Gatos Redwood forests were gone by 1881.
The sad irony of the is that the older houses and structures of Los Gatos and throughout the Bay Area were built with
this incredibly valuable, old growth, tight grain Redwood from the giant trees as seen below. Old growth Redwood is rot
resistant, stable and can ensure that a structure will stay together for a very long time. Modern framing and siding
material made of Pine/Spruce/Fir is in no way comparable to the many incredible qualities of 1000 - 2000 year old
Redwood lumber.
The Los Gatos forest environment and trees would have been similar size to these felled trees above. It must have been incredible.
There was an immense amount of money made by this deforestation which took approximately 20 years or less.
The map below also shows the wide spread distribution of old growth Redwoods in the Los Gatos Coastal range, prior to European
immigration
ATTACHMENT 3
Minor Development in Historic District Description 145 Tait Avenue Page 2
1881 Forest Resource map
Los Gatos Urban Development
The USA was settled by the construction of dense villages, towns and cities. They were accessed by water in ports and
rivers. American towns and cities were dense due to transportation limitation.They were walkable or would not survive.
In 1864 railroads connected San Francisco to San Jose. In 1868, 100 acres of the rancho was selected as a town site.
In 1876 rail lines were extended from San Jose to Santa Cruz for logging operations which allowed the complete clear
cut the coastal range around Los Gato s. The Los Gatos railroad station fostered fast and dense population growth of
the town center. Many San Francisco took the railroad and built summer homes in Los Gatos due to the pleasant
weather at the 344’ elevation which creates a wonderful environment. Dense population increase around railroad stops
was typical across the USA. The Town was incorporated in 1887, and by 1890 the Town's population had grown to
1,652. Population growth spread along Santa Cruz Avenue and over to Los Gatos Boulevard neighborhood of Loma
Alta/Johnson Ave. Soon after the street car, ‘InterUrban’, network was established which greatly facilitated dense
population growth. This was also typical in all USA cities and towns. In 1903 the Streetcar/Interurban line was started
which went to Saratoga where Highway 9 is now located. Saratoga was already connected to San Jose.
Minor Development in Historic District Description 145 Tait Avenue Page 3
Below are various pictures of the Urban development of Los Gatos.
1890, First Los Gatos Hotel 1895, Los Gatos Hotel expanded around the corner.
1895, Los Gatos Train station 1900, Los Gatos Train station
1891, President Harrison at Los Gatos Train Station Hotel Lyndon, 1930(site of Los Gatos Hotel which burned down in 1898)
1902, East Main street looking East with treetcar/InterUrban 1900, train; Los Gatos to Santa Cruz
Minor Development in Historic District Description 145 Tait Avenue Page 4
1890's Main St. Bridge 1900, Main Street Bridge
1900’s 1940’s 1970’s
Agricultural History
In 1887 marked the beginning of a new chapter in Los Gatos after the complete removal of the ancient Redwood
Forest. Los Gatos and the entire surrounding area was transformed into one of the largest fruit orchard areas in the
world. Santa Clara County was once the prune capital of the world. Orchards provided an abundance of fruit in the
mountains and in the valley of Los Gatos. Prunes, peaches and apricots.
1900, panorama over Los Gatos 1910, view looking East over Los Gatos
Minor Development in Historic District Description 145 Tait Avenue Page 5
A View of Foothills Orchards, Los Gatos in the distance.
1900, rural road to Los Gatos
1900, Large Prune Drying Yard. Los Gatos
Minor Development in Historic District Description 145 Tait Avenue Page 6
Los Gatos streets were platted in the 1870 & 1880’s.
1895 Sanborn Los Gatos Reference ‘Fire’ Map, 145 Tait Avenue is located in Map #8 above (yellow) and below.
The Architect lives in the map #2 area (blue).
Minor Development in Historic District Description 145 Tait Avenue Page 7
Map #8 below. As of 1895, 145 Tait Ave. was part of a larger empty lot and was not subdivided yet. Later Sanborn
maps show the same empty lot. It could be assumed that the property was not subdivided until the house was built in
1920. This pattern of development was typical throughout the South Bay. Owners would purchase large parcels and
gradually subdivide and/or develop ‘spec’ houses for sale to the public as a way to make money. This could have been
the situation for 145 Tait Avenue. 145 Tait Avenue could have been a ‘spec’ house which might expl ain it simple, yet
handsome design. Many owners would pick styles from books and have a builder construct from these pattern books
which offered different styles. The 145 Tait structure would benefit from its construction from the old -growth Redwood
lumber.
1895 Sanborn Fire Map #8
1908 Sanborn Fire Map #8 enlarged, showing no structures on 145 Tait Avenue
145 Tait Avenue – Overall Background
Minor Development in Historic District Description 145 Tait Avenue Page 8
This lovely neighborhood has a plethora of styles and a very mixed typology. There are many dense multi-unit
apartments, ADU’s, woven between single family homes. This complex neighborhood typology is bound together by a
wonderful sidewalk network and which is not encumbered by driveways as there are alleys between the primary streets.
The Alleys are actually just as interesting to walk on as the main streets with the multitude of Outbuildings, Garages and
ADU’s which creates a diverse and very nice, intimate quality due to the closeness and ‘jumble’ of different structures.
When I lived in this area I walked on the alleys as much as I did the street sidewalks due to this ‘alive’ neighborhood
quality.
The primary draw of historic neighborhoods is not the actual individual designs or structures but more the walkable
street quality and dense and extremely varied built environment. It is the ‘whole’ of it that really matters. The higher
density of dwellings which makes it feel safer than a typical suburban neighborhood. These qualities are obviously what
draws so many children and families to this neighborhood for Halloween. It is truly remarkable to see all the families
mixing and enjoying themselves on that civic night with some many different cultures coming together in peace.
145 Tait Avenue – 1920’s Front Section
The existing, original front part of the house was constructed in 1920 in a ‘craftsman’ style. Prior to this period, most of
the houses were built in the more vertical and steep roof Victorian style, although there were many variations from the
pattern books at the time. Most domestic USA Architecture was not designed by individual Architects but from pattern
books which were used by builders. Later there was a plethora of styles used in the early teens and 1920’s.
145 Tait Avenue is basically a simple rectangle plan, single-story house with a ‘Gable’ front and a few brackets and
another small cross gable at the Kitchen. The 7:12 pitch roof is shallower than the typical Victorian roofs which would
save money on materials and the budget. It is evident that the house was remodeled and altered throughout its life. All
the windows have been changed to 1990’s Anderson, modern windows are not consistency in details. Some windows
have many lites and others have none, all are SDL style. It is not clear what the original window design/layout may have
been which is typical in a house’s life.
Proposal – Front Section
Fill in 35 sf behind the Kitchen Bay as this room could use the extra 2’ to make it work better. This would also remove a
later HVAC closet addition which is fairly mediocre to poor looking on this elevation facing this lovely large side yard.
The new design would enliven this area with appropriate looking French doors and double hung windows. A new
ground level wood deck coming out nearly 12’ in front of the existing Kitchen Bay would also anchor the house to the
large side yard better.
145 Tait Avenue – 1996 Back Section
In 1996 a 1 and 2-story addition was built in the back facing the Alley. The back section is a 1-story, 2 car garage
addition and a 2-story section with a Bedrooms and Laundry. The aesthetic integration seems to be medium to poor
quality, although it is barely by the public from the Tait Avenue sidewalk.
Proposal-Back Section
First Floor: construct a 1-story, shed roof, garage addition for a third garage bay for storage. This will also help frame
the side yard area.
Second floor: redo the interior layout of the Primary Bedroom Suite with a new Bathroom and Closet while also bringing
the existing gable roof through to the other side for both more hea d room and aesthetically to bring better composure
and balance to this rear section. A new 146 sf, Primary Bedroom to be constructed over the existing Garage Attic
Storage area with mountain view windows. The design of the back of the house will be nicer t o look at from the Alley
than the existing house and garage roof.
Please call or email with any follow up questions. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Eric A. Beckstrom, Architect
Minor Development In Historic District 145 Tait Avenue Page 9 of 9
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Minor Development Pics 145 Tait Avenue Page 1
Beckstrom Architecture+ Interiors
PO Box 1317, Los Gatos, CA 94030
650 847-8351
Eric@BeckstromArchitecture.com
July 24, 2024
145 Tait Avenue
Site Pictures
Please call or email with any follow up questions. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Eric A. Beckstrom, Architect
ATTACHMENT 4
Minor Development Pics 145 Tait Avenue Page 2 of 2
Minor Development in Historic District Description 145 Tait Avenue Page 1
Beckstrom Architecture+ Interiors
PO Box 1317, Los Gatos, CA 94030
650 847-8351
Eric@BeckstromArchitecture.com
July 14, 2024
145 Tait Avenue
Project Description
The recent owners of 145 Tait Avenue want to breathe life into this house which was partly remodeled in
1996. This simple yet charming, 1920 house was used as a storage locker since 1996 as the previous
owners did not live in it all those years. They added the back addition: partially 2-story and 1-story garage
facing the alley.
This house lot is less built up than the majority of the lots. Most houses have additions of all varieties and a
plethora of ADUs and garage facing the alley.
Tait, Massol and Wilder Avenues have back alleys with a high density and wide variety of secondary dwelling
sizes and apartments. This neighborhood has evolved much since 1888 which is right after they totally clear
cut enormous redwood forest with trees up to 2000 years old! Just like the railroad almost extinguished the
buffalo, the railroad allowed wholesale clearing of every tree in the region in 10-20 years. When this house
was built all the hills were covered with grass instead of 200-300’ tall Redwoods. Some people became
extremely wealthy tapping into this 2000-year old reserve of the best lumber in the world.
Los Gatos literally sits on the long gone, decaying stumps of gigantic redwoods that were here just 10-15
years before these streets were laid out in 1880. Context is always helpful when looking at Urban Design and
a city’s evolution.
The Project
145 Tait was originally a simple 28’ x 53’ single story rectangle with a covered front porch and Kitchen gable
on one side. The front porch is approximately 18.5’ from the sidewalk and front property line. Some of the
other houses nearby have similar forms and a few brackets, yet most have morphed very much since first
built. The house is situated to the left side of the large lot which creates a large side yard for the future
owners to enjoy. They will build a front picket fence in similar character to the other neighbors to keep in
their dogs and provide separation.
They will fill in 2’ of the Family Rm area behind the Kitchen Bay as the rooms are fairly narrow. This will
connect to the side yard and breathe life and light into the house which it desperately needs.
The 1996 second floor will be adjusted to have the gable go through from right to left. As can be seen from
the photos the back/left side looks like someone forgot to finish designing/building the addition as it looks
wonky (which is more typical than people realize…it just happens). A 12’ long Primary Bedroom addition will
be built in some of the existing Garage Attic storage space. The new roof designs hopefully make the back
look better with a small gable facing the Alley. The garage will get a third bay with a low slope/shed roof type
addition. We have done scores of these Back East and here on barns, carriage barns, garages, etc.
Please call or email with any follow up questions. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Eric A. Beckstrom, Architect
ATTACHMENT 5
Minor Development In Historic District 145 Tait Avenue Page 2 of 2
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Residential Design Guidelines 33
Town of Los Gatos
BUILDING DESIGN3
3.8.3 Use traditional detailing
•Treat openings in walls as though they were constructed of
the traditional material for the style. For example, be sure to
provide substantial wall space above arches in stucco and
stone walls. Traditionally, wall space above the arch would
have been necessary to structurally span the opening, and
to make the space too small is inconsistent with the archi-
tectural style.
•Openings in walls faced with stone, real or synthetic, should
have defined lintels above the opening except in Mission or
Spanish Eclectic styles. Lintels may be stone, brick or wood
as suits the style of the house.
•Treat synthetic materials as though they were authentic.
For example, select synthetic stone patterns that place the
individual stones in a horizontal plane as they would have
been in a load bearing masonry wall.
•Select roof materials that are consistent with the traditional
architectural style (e.g., avoid concrete roof tiles on a Crafts-
man Style house.)
3.8.4 Materials changes
•Make materials and color changes at inside corners rather
than outside corners to avoid a pasted on look.
3.9 ADDITIONS/ACCESSORY BUILDINGS/SECONDARY
UNITS
•Site additions in the least conspicuous place. In many cases
this is a rear or side elevation - only rarely is it a rooftop.
•The existing built forms, components and materials should
be reinforced. Heights and proportions of additions and
alterations should be consistent with and continue the
original architectural style and design.
•Additions should be subordinate, and compatible in scale
and proportion to the historically significant portions of
the existing structure.
•When an addition or remodel requires the use of newly
constructed exterior elements, they should be identical in
size, dimension, shape and location as the original, and
Use stone or wood lintels over
openings in stone walls
Additions, accessory buildings and secondary
units should match the form, architectural
style, and details of the original house
ATTACHMENT 7
Residential Design Guidelines34
Town of Los Gatos
BUILDING DESIGN3
should utilize the same materials as the existing protected
exterior elements.
• When an addition necessitates the removal of architectural
materials, such as siding, windows, doors, and decorative
elements, they should be carefully removed and reused in
the addition where possible.
• The introduction of window and door openings not char-
acteristic in proportion, scale, or style with the original
architecture is strongly discouraged (e.g., sliding windows or
doors in a structure characterized by double hung windows
and swinging doors).
• The character of any addition or alteration should be in
keeping with and subordinate to the integrity of the original
structure.
• The amount of foundation exposed on the addition should
match that of the original building.
• Do not add roof top additions where the roof is of historic
significance.
• Second floor additions are discouraged in neighborhoods
with largely one story homes. If horizontal expansion of
the house is not possible, consider incorporating a second
floor addition within the roof form as shown in the example
to the left.
• Second floor additions which are not embedded within the
roof form should be located to the rear of the structure.
• The height and proportion of an addition or a second story
should not dominate the original structure.
• Deck additions should be placed to the rear of the struc-
ture only, and should be subordinate in terms of scale and
detailing.
• New outbuildings, such as garages, should be clearly subor-
dinate to the main structure in massing, and should utilize
forms, materials and details which are similar to the main
structure.
• Garages should generally be located to the rear of the lot
behind the rear wall of the residence. One car wide access
driveways should be utilized.
Original structure
Addition incorporated into the roof
successfully adds space while respecting the
integrity of the existing house and the scale of
the neighborhood
Placing a two story addition to the rear can
minimize its impact on the historic resource
and the scale of the neighborhood