Attachment 2- Consulting Architect's ReportOctober 14, 2024
Ms. Erin WaltersCommunity Development DepartmentTown of Los Gatos110 E. Main StreetLos Gatos, CA 95031
RE: 145 Tait Avenue
Dear Erin:
I reviewed the drawings, and evaluated the site context. My comments and recommendations are as fol-
lows:
NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT
The site is located in a traditional neighborhood of one story and partial second story homes. Photographs
of the site and its surrounding context are shown on the following page.
ATTACHMENT 2
145 Tait Avenue
Design Review Comments
October 14, 2024 Page 2
CANNON DESIGN GROUP 6729 FAIRFIELD DRIVE
The Site: Street Frontage
House to the immediate left
The Site: Alley Frontage
House to the immediate right
Nearby house to the left Nearby house Across Tait Avenue
Nearby house Across Tait Avenue
145 Tait Avenue
Design Review Comments
October 14, 2024 Page 3
CANNON DESIGN GROUP 6729 FAIRFIELD DRIVE
PROPOSED PROJECT
PROPOSED FRONT ELEVATION
VIEW FROM TAIT AVENUE
PROPOSED REAR ELEVATION
PROPOSED LEFT SIDE ELEVATION
PROPOSED RIGHT SIDE ELEVATION
145 Tait Avenue
Design Review Comments
October 14, 2024 Page 4
CANNON DESIGN GROUP 6729 FAIRFIELD DRIVE
PROPOSED CHANGES
145 Tait Avenue
Design Review Comments
October 14, 2024 Page 5
CANNON DESIGN GROUP 6729 FAIRFIELD DRIVE
ISSUES AND CONCERNS
The existing house was built with a simple Craftsman Style. In 1996 a small second floor addition was com-
pleted. The addition has both positive and negative features. It successfully treated the second floor addition
as a design element subordinate to the original house - see photo below.
However the dormer’s flattened roof slope compared to the original home’s traditional steeper slopes would
today be in conflict with the town’s Residential Design Guidelines 3.5.1 and 4.8.8.
3.5.1 Unify roof pitches
• Utilize the same slope for all primary roofs
4.8.8 Roofs, Gables, Eaves and Overhangs
• Roofs should maintain their original size, shape and pitch.
• Any changes in roof area, roof line, roof coverings, eave depth or materials should be consistent with the existing structure.
The proposed additions to the house are modest in size but have a number of elements that are counter to
the goal of carefully crafting changes to reinforce and be respectful of the original form and details of the
structure as outlined in Chapter 4 of the Residential Design Guidelines. Specific concerns include the following:
1.The proposed increase in the roof ridge height of
the second story dormer element and its exten-
sion across the main roof ridge would be counter
to blending the addition into the original struc-
ture as a subordinate mass, and it would also
change the wall and roof forms on the left side
elevation to one very much out of character with the
architectural style and small scale of the home.
145 Tait Avenue
Design Review Comments
October 14, 2024 Page 6
CANNON DESIGN GROUP 6729 FAIRFIELD DRIVE
2.A few windows are proposed to increase in size over those currently on the house facades which would
not be consistent with Residential Design Guideline 4.8.4.
4.8.4 windows and Glass in doors
• All elements of new windows should be identical in size, shape, proportion, and dimensions as the original windows
of the building, or consistent with traditional sizes, proportions and dimensions of buildings of the same architectural style,
design and era.
3.The head height of the door on the garage addition is higher than the existing garage which seems at
odds with the simplicity of the existing structure.
145 Tait Avenue
Design Review Comments
October 14, 2024 Page 7
CANNON DESIGN GROUP 6729 FAIRFIELD DRIVE
4.A question has been raised about the appropriateness of the proposed windows.
5.The Family Room wall has been pushed outward to provide more floor area in that room. However,
this would result in a visual reduction of the bay window projection which would not be consistent with
preserving the integrity of the original design.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1.Maintain the subordinate character of the second floor additions by maintaining the existing dormer
roof ridge height and eliminate its extension to the opposite side of the structure.
While the roof slope of the current second floor dormer is not consistent with the current town Residen-
tial Design Guidelines, it was previously approved and is modest in appearance. I would not recommend
any changes to the existing roof slopes.
145 Tait Avenue
Design Review Comments
October 14, 2024 Page 8
CANNON DESIGN GROUP 6729 FAIRFIELD DRIVE
2.Replace the large new windows which are inconsistent with the existing windows on the house with ones
that match the size and proportions of existing windows.
3.Match the garage addition’s door height to that of the existing garage.
4.Per Residential Design Guideline 4.8.4- 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 if the window frame and dressing is designed consistent with the historic context of the building.
The proposed Marvin Ultimate wood clad windows are appropriate for the proposed project.
5.Per Residential Design Guideline 4.8.5 Bay Windows. Provide a minimum one-foot setback of the Fam-
ily Room wall adjacent to the existing bay window.
Erin, please let me know if you have questions or if I missed any important issues.
CANNON DESIGN GROUP
Larry L. Cannon