Staff Report.14344 La Riconada
PREPARED BY: Erin M. Walters
Senior Planner
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6874
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
REPORT
MEETING DATE: 02/26/2025
ITEM NO: 6
DATE: February 21, 2025
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Preliminary Review for Construction of an Addition and Exterior Alterations to
an Existing Pre-1941 Single-Family Residence on Property Zoned R-1:8.
Located at 14344 La Rinconada Drive. APN 409-19-019. Exempt Pursuant to
CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Request for Review
Application PHST-24-013. Property Owner/Applicant: William Maynard.
Project Planner: Erin Walters.
DISCUSSION:
On September 11, 2024, the Committee considered proposed exterior alterations and additions
to an existing pre-1941 single-family residence (Attachment 1). The Committee provided the
following feedback:
• Move the garage back from front of existing house;
• Reduce the bulk and mass of the garage;
• Reduce height of garage;
• Simply roof forms; and
• Modify the blank rear elevation garage wall.
The applicant submitted revised plans and a letter summarizing their response to the
Committee’s direction (Attachment 2). The revised plans include the following modifications:
• Reduced the size of the garage by setting the garage back from the front of the main
house;
• Added two single garage doors with a step in the front of the building;
• Modified the roof line to make the front of the garage feel less bulky by having a small
gable and a hip rather than one large gable;
• Lowered the roof pitch of the garage from 12:12 to 10:12 to reduce bulk and height;
• Reduced height of the garage from 22 feet to 20 feet, where a maximum heigh of 30
feet is allowed;
• Reduced attic height of the garage; and
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SUBJECT: 14344 La Rinconada Drive/PHST-24-013
DATE: February 21, 2025
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Riconada.docx
• Added a window to the garage’s rear elevation to eliminate the blank wall.
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.
B. Residential Design Guidelines
Sections 3.9 of the Town’s Residential Design Guidelines offers recommendations for
construction of additions to existing residences (Attachment 5 of Attachment 1, September
11, 2024, Historic Preservation Committee Staff Report).
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting preliminary feedback on the construction of an addition and
exterior alterations to an existing pre-1941 single-family residence (Exhibit 3). A new second-
story addition, if not triggering a technical demolition, is processed under a Minor Residential
Development application. This application would return to the Committee for a
recommendation to be forwarded to the Community Development Director and the application
would continue through the Minor Residential Development process.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. September 11, 2024, Historic Preservation Committee Staff Report
2. Response Letter
3. Revised Development Plans