Item 8 - Staff Report with Attachments 1 and 2.50 Hernandez Avenue
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: 8
DATE: October 18, 2024
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval for Modification (Siding Replacement) of a Previously
Approved Project on an Existing Pre-1941 Single-Family Residence on
Property Zoned R-1:8. Located at 50 Hernandez Avenue. APN 510-20-003.
Request for Review Application PHST-24-021. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Property Owner: Richard
Archuleta and Chrissy Klander. Applicant: Jay Plett, Architect. Project Planner:
Sean Mullin.
RECOMMENDATION:
Requesting approval for modification (siding replacement) of a previously approved project on
an existing pre-1941 single-family residence on property zoned R-1:8, located at 50 Hernandez
Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1903 (effective year built 1920) per County Assessor’s
Database
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: Unknown
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
BACKGROUND:
On May 19, 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 and provided recommendations to the applicant
for project revisions.
PAGE 2 OF 4
SUBJECT: 50 Hernandez Avenue/PHST-24-021
DATE: October 18, 2024
N:\DEV\HISTORIC PRESERVATION\HPC Reports and Attachments\2024\10-23-24\Item 8 - 50 Hernandez Avenue\Staff Report.50 Hernandez
Avenue.docx
BACKGROUND (continued):
A Minor Residential Development application for the project was submitted to the Town on
February 23, 2022. The development plans provided with the application were consistent with
those presented during the preliminary review and the applicant responded to all
recommendations of the Committee. On March 23, 2022, the Committee recommended
approval of the Minor Residential Development application, which was subsequently approved
by the Community Development Director on June 27, 2022. Building Permits for the project
were issued on October 31, 2023, and the project is currently under construction.
On October 25, 2023, the Committee reviewed and approved a request for modification to the
approved project for changes to the front porch and trellis, as well as window materials.
On March 13, 2024, the Committee reviewed and approved a request to enlarge a window on
the front elevation.
DISCUSSION:
The applicant has returned to the Committee requesting approval for replacement of the
existing siding. The applicant provided a Letter of Justification noting that the existing siding
consists of three different profiles and that prior remodels resulted in a patchwork of siding
that is not cohesive (Attachment 1). The applicant also indicates that areas of siding have been
damaged by water and prior repair work was carried out in an unsightly manner. The applicant
provided a letter from the builder indicating that the existing siding lacks proper waterproofing
and the walls have no insulation (Attachment 2). The builder notes that if insulation is installed
behind the existing siding without a vapor barrier, any water intrusion into the new insulation
would be difficult to dry out and detrimental to the building’s health due to the lack of
waterproofing underlayment. The builder recommends removing the non-matching siding,
installing plywood shear with a vapor barrier and installing new cedar siding. The new three-
inch lap siding would match what was approved for the addition to the residence.
Town Code Section 29.10.020 clarifies that demolition of a historic structure means removal of
more than twenty-five percent of the wall(s) facing a public street or fifty percent of all exterior
walls. When approved by the deciding body, the following is exempt from the demolition
definition:
a. Replacement. The exterior wall covering may be removed if the covering is not
original to the structure.
b. Repair. The removal and replacement of in kind non-repairable exterior wall covering
(siding) resulting in no change to its exterior appearance or historic character if approved by
the deciding body.
PAGE 3 OF 4
SUBJECT: 50 Hernandez Avenue/PHST-24-021
DATE: October 18, 2024
N:\DEV\HISTORIC PRESERVATION\HPC Reports and Attachments\2024\10-23-24\Item 8 - 50 Hernandez Avenue\Staff Report.50 Hernandez
Avenue.docx
DISCUSSION (continued):
c. Removal. The removal of an addition(s) that is not part of the original structure and which
has no historic significance, as determined by the Historic Preservation Committee.
Demolition shall be determined by subsections (1) and (2) above for the original structure,
where walls enclosed by additions shall be considered as exterior walls.
Based on the applicant’s description of the existing condition of the residence, it is likely that
each exemption is applicable to portions of the siding.
The applicant is seeking a determination from the Committee that the removal and
replacement of the siding is appropriate and therefore exempt from the demolition definition .
Should the Committee find merit in the request, a recommendation would be forwarded to the
Community Development Director. Once approved, Building Permit revisions could be
approved by the Town and the project would not return to the Committee.
CONCLUSION:
Should the Committee find merit in the request, the Committee should forward a
recommendation of approval for the request to the Community Development Director.
FINDINGS AND CONSIDERATIONS:
A. Findings
Sec. 29.10.020. Demolition (historic structures)
All remaining exterior walls must be contiguous and must retain the existing exterior wall
covering. No new exterior wall covering shall be permitted over the existing exterior wall
covering. The following are exempt from this definition:
X a. Replacement. The exterior wall covering may be removed if the covering is not
original to the structure.
X b. Repair. The removal and replacement of in kind non-repairable exterior wall
covering (siding) resulting in no change to its exterior appearance or historic
character if approved by the deciding body.
X c. Removal. The removal of an addition(s) that is not part of the original structure
and which has no historic significance, as determined by the Historic Preservation
Committee. Demolition shall be determined by subsections (1) and (2) above for
the original structure, where walls enclosed by additions shall be considered as
exterior walls.
PAGE 4 OF 4
SUBJECT: 50 Hernandez Avenue/PHST-24-021
DATE: October 18, 2024
N:\DEV\HISTORIC PRESERVATION\HPC Reports and Attachments\2024\10-23-24\Item 8 - 50 Hernandez Avenue\Staff Report.50 Hernandez
Avenue.docx
FINDINGS AND CONSIDERATIONS (continued):
B. 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:
X 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.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Request from Applicant
2. Letter from Mehus Construction
JA/FLEET
PROJECT SIDING REQUEST
TO: LOS GATOS HPC
RE: REQUEST TO REMOVE AND REPLACE SIDING
THE HOME'S EXISTING SIDING CONSISTS OF THREE
DIFFERING PROFILES. REFER TO PHOTOS 1, 2, 3.
DURING PRIOR REMODELS, THE FRONT OF THE HOME
HAS BEEN PATCHED WITH NON-MATCHING SIDING
APPLIED WITHOUT CARE TO BLEND IT IN WITH
EXISING SIDING – REFER TO PHOTOS 4, 5, 6, 7.
IT APPEARS DUE TO NEGLECT, THE ROOF'S GUTTER
SYSTEM AND DOWNSPOUTS UNDERWENT A PERIOD OF
YEARS LEAKING ONTO THE SIDING AND COMPLETELY
ROTTING IT OUT. THE SIDING WAS BONDO-ED AND
PUTTY-ED OVER IN A VERY UNSIGHTLY WAY TO TRY
AND STOP THE ROT, WHICH WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE -
THE SIDING IS IRREPAIRABLE. REFER TO PHOTOS 8.
THE ADDITION TO REAR OF THE HOME WILL BE SIDED
WITH THE PROPER HISTORIC 3 LAP SIDING.
WE WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING SIDING OF
THE HOME WITH NEW SIDING TO MATCH THE PROFILE
OF THE NEW SIDING TO BE APPLIED TO THE ADDITION.
THIS WILL RESULT IN AN ATTRACTIVE COHESIVE
RESTORATION OF THE ORIGINAL HOUSE THAT WILL
LAST FOR MANY MORE YEARS GOING FORWARD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
50 HERNANDEZ AVE.
ARCHULETA/KLANDER
ATTACHMENT 1
1
2
3
4
5
6 6
6
6
7
8
8
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank
ATTACHMENT 2
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank