Staff Report.202 University 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: 12/13/2024
ITEM NO: 3
DATE: December 13, 2024
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval for Modification (Siding Replacement) of a Previously
Approved Project on a Contributing Single-Family Residence Located in the
University-Edelen Historic District on Property Zoned R-1D:LHP. Located at
202 University Avenue. APN 529-04-001. Minor Development in a Historic
District Application HS-24-062. Property Owner: Tyler and Kristine Shewey.
Applicant: Jay Plett, Architect. Project Planner: Sean Mullin.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request for approval for modification (siding replacement) of a previously approved
project on a contributing single-family residence located in the University-Edelen Historic
District on property zoned R-1D:LHP located at 202 University Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1898 (effective year built 1930) per County Assessor’s
Database; 1870s per Bloomfield Survey
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: +, historic and intact, worthy of special note
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? Yes
4. Is structure in a historic district? Yes, University-Edelen
5. If yes, is it a contributor? Yes
6. Findings required? Yes
7. Considerations required? Yes
BACKGROUND:
On April 28, 2021, the Committee conducted a preliminary review of a request for construction
of a second-story addition to the residence to exceed floor area ratio standards and provided
recommendations to the applicant for project revisions.
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SUBJECT: 202 University Avenue/HS-24-062
DATE: December 13, 2024
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An Architecture and Site application for the project was submitted to the Town on June 30,
2021. 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. The Committee recommended approval of the Architecture and Site
application, which was subsequently approved by the Planning Commission on January 26,
2022. Building Permits for the project were issued on June 12, 2023, and the project is currently
under construction.
On February 28, 2024, the Committee considered a request for revisions to the approved
exterior materials. The applicant’s request included changing the new windows at the
basement level from all wood windows to wood windows with an exterior fiberglass cladding
and brick siding at the basement level as an alternative option to the approved horizontal wood
siding. The Committee recommended approval of the request, which was approved by the
Community Development Director on February 29, 2024.
DISCUSSION:
The applicant has returned to the Committee requesting approval for replacement of the
existing siding. The applicant provided a letter from their builder indicating that the existing
siding lacks proper waterproofing and the walls have no insulation (Attachment 1). 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 requests approval to remove
the existing siding, install an underlayment per code requirements, install plywood
shear/sheathing, and install new redwood or cedar siding. The new siding would be custom
milled to match the dimension, face exposure, and profile of the existing siding, as was
approved with the original project for sections of new siding on the addition .
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.
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SUBJECT: 202 University Avenue/HS-24-062
DATE: December 13, 2024
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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
exemption b. may be applicable.
CONCLUSION:
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 revision s could be
approved by the Town and the project would not return to the Committee.
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:
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.
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.
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SUBJECT: 202 University Avenue/HS-24-062
DATE: December 13, 2024
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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 In historic districts, the proposed work will neither adversely affect the exterior
architectural characteristics or other features of the property which is the subject of
the application, nor adversely affect its relationship, in terms of harmony and
appropriateness, with its surroundings, including neighboring structures, nor
adversely affect the character, or the historical, architectural or aesthetic interest or
value of the district.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Request from Parden Construction