Staff Report.155 Hernandez AvenuePREPARED BY: Ryan Safty
Associate Planner
TOWN OF LOS GATOSHISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE REPORT
MEETING DATE: 01/22/2025 ITEM NO: 3
DATE: January 17, 2025
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Consider a Request for Approval to Construct Exterior Alterations to a Pre-
1941 Single-Family Residence on Property Zoned R-1:8. Located at 155
Hernandez Avenue. APN 510-40-152. Request for Review Application PHST-
24-024. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301: Existing
Facilities. Property Owner: Catherine Nadeau. Applicant: Marcie
Macdonough. Project Planner: Ryan Safty.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request for approval to construct exterior alterations to a pre-1941 single-family
residence on property zoned R-1:8 located at 155 Hernandez Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1.Date primary structure was built: 1917 (effective year built 1950) 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? No
4.Is structure in a historic district? N/A
5.If yes, is it a contributor? N/A
6.Findings required? No
7.Considerations required? Yes
BACKGROUND:
The County Assessor indicates that the residence located at 155 Hernandez Avenue was
constructed in 1917, with an effective year built of 1950, which usually reflects significant
alterations or additions occurred after the original construction date. The 1991 Bloomfield
Survey describes the residence as being built in the Colonial Revival style with an estimated
construction date of the 1910s (Attachment 1). The Bloomfield Survey rates the residence as
historic and intact or worthy of special note. The Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps show that the
footprint of the residence remained consistent between 1928 and 1956 (Attachment 2).
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: 155 Hernandez Avenue/PHST-24-024 DATE: January 17, 2025
Town records in Attachment 3 show that the property was annexed into the Town in around
the 1970’s, and then was subdivided from one larger lot into the two lots seen today (155 and
151 Hernandez Avenue). Building Permit records include a fireplace replacement permit in
1990, a re-roof permit from 1992, basement reconstruction permit from 1997, and a carport
permit from 1998.
In addition to the proposed interior remodel, the applicant proposes exterior alterations for a
roof remodel and window changes throughout the residence.
DISCUSSION:
The applicant provided a Project Overview (Attachment 4) discussing the request to modify the
existing roof and replace the existing windows. Photos of the existing residence are provided in
Attachment 5.
The existing roof framing would be removed and replaced on wall plates that would be one-
foot higher than existing. The existing 5.5:12 pitch would be changed to 6:12, the roof ridge
would end up roughly two feet higher, and the front eave above the porch would be roughly 10
inches higher than existing. The dormer roof plate would also be raised one foot and would
maintain the existing 2:12 pitch. The roof materials would remain the same, which appear to be
composition shingle, but the plans in Attachment 8 don’t specify.
The applicant is also proposing to replace the existing original wood windows and non-original
aluminum windows throughout the house with new dual pane fiberglass windows that match
the style and pane patterns of the original windows (Attachment 6). The front elevation
windows would be replaced within their existing locations, while there would be modified
window locations on the other elevations. Any replacement siding needed would match the
existing siding.
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.
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: 155 Hernandez Avenue/PHST-24-024 DATE: January 17, 2025
B. Residential Design Guidelines
Section 4.8.4 of the Town’s Residential Design Guidelines offers recommendations for
window replacements on historic resources. Section 4.8.8 of the Town’s Residential Design
Guidelines offers recommendations for roof modifications on historic resources
(Attachment 7).
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting approval to construct exterior alterations (roof and window
modifications) to a pre-1941 single-family residence on property zoned R-1:8 located at 155
Hernandez Avenue. Should the Committee find merit in the request, a recommendation of
approval would be forwarded to the Community Development Director. The proposed work
would be completed with a Building Permit and would not return to the Committee for further
review. At the building permit stage, the applicant would need to confirm that the proposed
work would not trigger a technical demolition of the existing historic residence, and that the
height and floor area modifications would be compliant with Town Code.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey
2. Sanborn Map Exhibit
3. Town Records
4. Project Overview
5. Property Pictures
6. Window Details
7. Sections 4.8.4 and 4.8.8, Residential Design Guidelines
8. Project Plans
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