Item 7 - Staff Report with Attachments 1 through 4.55 Ellenwood
PREPARED BY: Sean Mullin, AICP
Planning Manager
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6874
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
MEETING DATE: 10/23/2024 ITEM NO: 7
DATE: October 18, 2024
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Consider a Request to Remove a Pre-1941 Property from the Historic
Resources Inventory for Property Zoned R-1:8. Located at 55 Ellenwood
Avenue. APN 510-19-010. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Section 15061(b)(3).
Request for Review PHST-24-020. Property Owner: Pooja Goel. Applicant:
Melina Padilla. Project Planner: Sean Mullin.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request to remove a pre-1941 property from the Historic Resources Inventory for
property zoned R-1:8 located at 55 Ellenwood Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1918 per County Assessor
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: N – New (probably built since 1950)
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? Yes
7. Considerations required? No
DISCUSSION:
The applicant is requesting approval to remove the pre-1941 residence from the Historic
Resources Inventory. The Santa Clara County Assessor’s Database lists a construction date of
1918. The 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey does not provide a construction date estimate, but
provides a preliminary rating of “new, probably built since 1950” (Attachment 1). The Sanborn
Fire Insurance Maps include the property beginning in 1928 and show the residence as having a
consistent footprint through 1956 (Attachment 2).
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: 55 Ellenwood Avenue/PHST-24-020 DATE: October 18, 2024
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Ellenwood Avenue.docx
DISCUSSION (continued):
A review of Town records provides the following:
• 1958 – Building Permit – scope unknown;
• 1973 – Building Permit to enclose part of an existing deck;
• 1994 – Building Permit for construction of a 1,400-square foot addition to the existing
1,589-square foot home for a new primary bedroom suite; and
• 1998 – Approval of a Minor Residential Development application for a new second-story
addition and subsequent Building Permit for the addition, which included a new attached
garage.
Based on the development plans contained in Town records, staff prepared an exhibit showing
the approximate footprint of the residence prior to 1994 and the demolition impacts incurred
to the residence resulting from the 1994 and 1998 additions to the residence (Attachment 3).
Staff also notes that the Bloomfield Survey conducted in 1990 rating the residence as “new”
occurred prior to completion of the 1994 and 1998 additions.
The applicant provided an informational packet with their application, which includes a
summary of the history of the residence, a Letter of Justification, and pictures of the residence
(Attachment 4). Based on the research provided, the applicant believes that the required
findings for removal from the Historic Resources Inventory can be made for this property as the
residence is not in its original condition and there is nothing noted about the property that is
significant to the Town’s history.
CONCLUSION:
Should the Committee find that the structure no longer has historic significance or architectural
merit due to the loss of integrity, a recommendation of approval of the request to remove the
property from the Historic Resources Inventory would be forwarded to the Community
Development Director. Once approved by the Director, any proposed alterations would not
return to the Committee.
FINDINGS:
A. Findings - related to a request for a determination that a pre-1941 primary structure has no
historic significance or architectural merit.
In evaluating a request for a determination of historic significance or architectural merit,
the Historic Preservation Committee shall consider the following:
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: 55 Ellenwood Avenue/PHST-24-020 DATE: October 18, 2024
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FINDINGS (continued):
1. The structure is not associated with events that have made a significant contribution
to the Town;
2. No Significant persons are associated with the site;
3. There are no distinctive characteristics of type, period or method of construction or
representation of work of a master;
4. The structure does not yield information to Town history; or
5. The integrity has been compromised such that the structure no longer has the
potential to convey significance.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey
2. Sanborn Map Exhibit
3. Impact of Additions Exhibit
4. Applicant’s Submittal Packet
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ARCHITECTURAL/CULTURAL SURVEY
LOS GATOS RESEARCH
File address ? I/, 11 w~ed --~----~~~~~~~---------
PARCEL MAP INFORMATION
ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY
t41 Sl 922-1063
2229 WEBSTER STREET
SAN FRANCISCO. CA 941 I 5
Parcel #----~--~~~~--~------------Lot size: ______ front ft. x ______ ft. deep
Lot shape: Rectangle __ L Rectangle with small rear jog ___ Other __________________ _
Location: N S E w side of St Ave Other __________ __ ----------------------
distance to cross st: _____ ft. N_ s_ E_ w_ from. ______________ _
at NE NW SE sw corner of ______________________ __
HISTORIC INFORMATION ON PARCEL MAP
Old tract or subdivision name. _________________ Old Block # ________ Old lot # ____________ __
FIELD SURVEY INFORMATION (handwritten in red)
Preliminary rating !vi Estimated age ______ __ Style ________________________ # storiea__
Alterations. ____________________________________________________________________________ ___
Other _______________________________________________________________________________ _
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OWNERSHIP SHOWN ON MAPS
Source Source Source Location of property, or
Name Date Page Old ·tract/block/lot ----
~ Blk Book 1908 r
Survey 1944
MISCELLANEOUS
National Register listed date __________________ __
County Inventory 1979 ______________ ~------------
Town of Los Gatos: Des!gnation ___ Recognition __
District Name ~--~~~~---------------------
Previous Survey y
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PHOTOS: Roll/frame # , ---------Date -----
ATTACHMENT 1
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1928
55 Ellenwood
ATTACHMENT 2
1944
55 Ellenwood
1956
55 Ellenwood
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1956 Sanborn Map
Approximate outline of
residence as reflected in
1994 Building Permit
ATTACHMENT 3
Approximate outline of
residence as reflected in
1994 Building Permit
Portion (dashed) of original house
demolished in 1994 addition
1994 Primary Suite addition
1994 Permit for Primary Suite Addition
Portion (dashed) of original house
demolished in 1994 addition Portion (dashed) of original house
demolished in 1998 addition
1994 Primary Suite addition 1998 Addition
1998 Permit for Addition
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To whom it may concern,
I am writing to request removing the property at 55 Ellenwood Avenue, Los Gatos from the historic listing. As I investigate, this property has
the following information:
1. After conducting extensive research at Los Gatos Public Library, we were unable to find any mention of this property in historical
newspapers, any articles, any important real estate listings, or public records. If the building had significant historical importance, we believe it
would have been documented somewhere. Please see Exhibit 3 for reference.
2. During our research at the library, we reviewed several documents, including Project Bellringer II, which lists homes built before 1900, and
a paper on the Los Gatos Historic Homes Tours. Additionally, we searched the Historic Property Research Collection. None of these sources,
however, made any mention of 55 Ellenwood Avenue, suggesting that this property may not be recognized as historically significant in these
contexts. Please see Exhibit 1 and 2 for reference.
3. Upon researching in Bookcase# 11 in 1941 tax assessment survey, no information regarding 55 Ellenwood Avenue was found, indicating
that the property may not have been recorded during that period. Please see Exhibit 4 for reference.
4. In Anne Bloomfield’s 1989 survey, she indicated that 55 Ellenwood Avenue was likely constructed around 1950. Additionally, she assigned
a preliminary rating of “N”. This indicates that the property underwent major changes between the time it was originally constructed and 1989
(when survey was conducted) which led the surveyor to indicate the year of construction as 1950. None of the construction related changes
are recorded in city archives from the time it was built until 1994. Please see Exhibit 5 for reference.
5. We have reviewed the Sanborn maps from 1928 and 1944, which indicate that the house’s construction remained largely unchanged
during that time. However, between 1944 and 1998, this property underwent several major remodels, revisions, and additions that led to
technical demolitions, including massive changes to the front elevation of the property during the major revisions, remodels and extensions
done during 1994 and 1998. As a result, much of the building’s original historical character has been lost. Please see Exhibit 6, 7, 8 and 9 for
reference.
6. According to our research from Polk's Directories and County records, these are the list of people who resided in this house.
1. 1934-1945 Stanley A R and Flowers C H
2. Aug 13,1968- Dec 24,1986: First Syndey and Roberts Dunton owned the property, in middle property defaulted to bank (First National
Bank and Palo Alto Financial Corporation) before owned by Leigh & Merry Belden)
3. Dec 24, 1986: Leigh & Merry Belden sold it to Andris Holms
4. March 24,1992: Andris Holms transferred the property to Andris and Leslie as Community Property
5. Dec 20, 2002: Property was transferred from Community Property to Andris and Leslie's Trust
6. April 26, 2012: Property was transferred from Trust to Leslie Holms (Survivor)+ Trust
7. June 18, 2019: Property was transferred from Leslie Ann Holms and Trust to "The Family Revocable Trust with
as Trustees
--> Upon Looking all records, we were not able to find evidence of any significant architectural entity or individual associates with this
property.
7. We are encountering several ongoing challenges with this property. The doors frequently stick, making them difficult to open, and the
inadequate drainage system results in constant maintenance costs every few months. Neighbors have also expressed concerns about the
building’s appearance and overall condition reducing the appeal of the neighborhood and has been brought up in every meetup. Additionally,
the outdated roof design not only prevents us from installing solar panels but also causes frequent issues with the shingles, which break
periodically and require repairs every few months. This has led to water leakage, causing further damage to various parts of the house. The
skylights are very old, with seals that no longer function properly, leading to water leaks during rainy weather. Please see pictures attached.
8. The exterior shingles of the house are also severely aged, contributing to water seepage around the window trims. This has caused
significant window damage, making them difficult to open and reducing ventilation. Despite multiple cleanings, the growth of algae and
discoloration on the exterior persists.
9. Furthermore, the doors leading to both the front and backyard do not open smoothly, and when they do, they make noise and do not close
properly, especially during rainy weather. The wooden frames around these doors are also visibly rotted. We have attached pictures for
reference.
10. In addition, plumbing issues are frequent, with clogged pipes occurring about every few weeks due to the old plumbing system. As a
result, we are limited to using only one of the three bathrooms regularly.
11. The house has also severe ant infestation causing unhygienic conditions in the kitchen area.
We as the current owners of 55 Ellenwood Ave, Los Gatos, CA for the last 6 years humbly request to please review the facts and help
consider removing the property from historic resources inventory as major changes in 1994 and 1998 have consumed the historical integrity
of the property.
Exhibit 1 (Source Los Gatos Library)
Exhibit 2 (Source Los Gatos Library)
Exhibit 3 (Source Los Gatos Library)
No records found in the 1941 tax assessment
Exhibit 4 (Source Los Gatos Library)
Exhibit 5 (Source Los Gatos Library)
1928 Sanborn Map
Exhibit 6 (Source Los Gatos Library)
1944 Sanborn Map
Exhibit 7 (Source Los Gatos Library)
Exhibit 8 (Source Los Gatos Library)
Exhibit 9 (Source Los Gatos Library)
House Images
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PREPARED BY: Sean Mullin, AICP
Planning Manager
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6874
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
MEETING DATE: 10/23/2024 ITEM NO: 7 DESK ITEM
DATE: October 23, 2024
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Consider a Request to Remove a Pre-1941 Property from the Historic
Resources Inventory for Property Zoned R-1:8. Located at 55 Ellenwood
Avenue. APN 510-19-010. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Section 15061(b)(3).
Request for Review PHST-24-020. Property Owner: Pooja Goel. Applicant:
Melina Padilla. Project Planner: Sean Mullin.
DISCUSSION:
Attachment 5 includes additional photos of the exterior of the residence located at 55
Ellenwood Avenue.
ATTACHMENTS:
Previously received with the October 23, 2024 Staff Report:
1. 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey
2. Sanborn Map Exhibit
3. Impact of Additions Exhibit
4. Applicant’s Submittal Packet
Received with this Desk Item Report:
5. Photos
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ATTACHMENT 5
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