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02-26-25 Minutes - HPC TOWN OF LOS GATOS HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE REPORT MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 26, 2025 The Historic Preservation Committee of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a regular meeting on February 26, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:00 PM ROLL CALL Present: Chair Lee Quintana, Planning Commissioner Susan Burnett, and Committee Member Alan Feinberg. Absent: Planning Commissioner Emily Thomas and Vice Chair Martha Queiroz. VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS None. CONSENT ITEMS 1. Approval of Minutes – January 22,2025 MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Burnett to approve the consent calendar. Seconded by Committee Member Feinberg. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously, 3-0. Commissioner Thomas and Vice Chair Queiroz absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. 17121 Wild Way Request for Review PHST-24-022 Consider a Request to Construct Exterior Alterations (Window and Door Replacement) to a Pre-1941 Single-Family Residence on Property Zoned R-1:20. APN 424-30-080. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Property Owner: ALG Homes, LLC Applicant: Erik Zang Project Planner: Maria Chavarin The project planner presented the staff report. Opened Public Comment. Mark Hulbert, Preservation Architect, PAGE 2 OF 8 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26, 2025 Mark has decades of experience with historic resources which includes windows. Window manufacturers now offer more historic style windows. Of the array of window choices, he recommends for residential buildings, either the Marvin’s ultimate series or the Anderson’s E series. Both offer high quality and offer customization. The existing windows are steel. But at 100 years old, they are leaky and rusty on the interior. A new steel replacement is four times the cost if other options. Steel is also bulky and heavy. There is nothing wrong with fiberglass. There are solid and aluminum clad choices. They offer casing choices. The Marvin’s Ridgeland profile matches the windows on the house. The windows’ interior would be wood and painted. Committee members asked questions of the applicant. Mark Hulbert, Preservation Architect, The Marvin clad has simulated divided lites. The old windows have a 1-¼ inch sash of steel. The new windows have a 2-inch sash necessary to meet environmental needs. The dark sample is the Anderson profile. The Marvin example is a better profile match. The casing is a better match. There is a better profile on the muntin. It is a custom narrow muntin. The divided lites are simulated and not individual glass panes. The windows will be double-paned, environmental, and fire glass. All forty windows will be changed. Marvin can customize each one. The color of the window will be a dark charcoal. The metal edge will not show. It’ll be a full window. The frame, sash, casings are all one piece. The Fire Department asks that all the windows be changed for fire protection. The steel doors will remain. Closed Public Comment. Committee members discussed the matter. Surprised to find a Tudor style home of this quality and age is in this Town. It is truly unique. Thank you for taking the extra effort to preserve what is there. Thank you to the owners for doing what we asked and presenting it to us. MOTION: Motion by Committee Member Fienberg to Approve the Request to Construct Exterior Alterations (Window and Door Replacement) to a Pre- 1941 Single-Family Residence on Property Zoned R-1:20. APN 424-30- 080. Recommending the Marvin window described as a half metal clad and wood interior window. Seconded by Commissioner Burnett. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously, 3-0. Commissioner Thomas and Vice Chair Queiroz absent. 3. 354 Bachman Court Request for Review Application HS-25-008 Consider a Request for Approval to Construct Exterior Alterations (Window Replacement) to a Non-Contributing Single-Family Residence in the Almond Grove PAGE 3 OF 8 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26, 2025 Historic District on Property Zoned R-1D:LHP:PD. APN 510-58-004. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Property Owner: John Haas Applicant: Renewal by Andersen/Hilda Ramirez Project Planner: Sean Mullin The project planner presented the staff report. Opened Public Comment. Hilda Ramirez, Applicant Mr. Haas, the owner, attempted to purchase twelve retrofit Fibrex windows and one patio door. The original windows are vinyl. The owner’s main concern is about energy efficiency. Closed Public Comment. Committee members asked questions of Staff. Sean Mullin, Project Planner When the Design Guidelines were written, these materials were not available. “Fibrex” is the brand name for wood composite. The applicant is proposing like-for-like double-hung windows. Committee members discussed the matter. MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Burnett to Approve a Request for Approval to Construct Exterior Alterations (Window Replacement) to a Non- Contributing Single-Family Residence in the Almond Grove Historic District on Property Zoned R-1D:LHP:PD. APN 510-58-004. Seconded by Allen Feinberg. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously, 3-0. Commissioner Thomas and Vice Chair Queiroz absent. 4. 123 Wilder Avenue Architecture and Site Application S-23-039 Consider a Request to Construct Exterior Alterations (Siding Replacement) to an Existing Accessory Structure (Garage) Located in the Almond Grove Historic District on Property Zoned R-1D:LHP. APN 510-18-008. Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301: Existing Facilities. PAGE 4 OF 8 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26, 2025 Property Owner: Bogusla Marcinkowski and Brygida Sas-Marcinkowski Applicant: Jose De La O Project Planner: Sean Mullin The project planner presented the staff report. Applicant is not present. Opened and Closed Public Comment. Committee members discussed the matter. Concerned that the applicant has not shown up or sent a representative. Would like to hear from them before deciding. In support since the proposed siding would complement the house which has the same style siding. The owner wants to change the siding but that requires an entirely different application. The setbacks are not standard either. If the siding changes, it loses the setback variance. Could not support the application if it does not follow the rules. Committee members asked questions of Staff. Sean Mullin, Project Planner A potential remedy is to apply for a Variance to the shingle siding and a Variance for the non-conforming setback. If the exterior is so rotten, it can be demolished with in-kind replacement. If deemed reparable by the Building Official, they can replace in kind using the same footprint. Communication with the applicant is challenging. It is best to have them appear to a hearing to get their feedback. MOTION: Motion by Chair Quintana to Continue to a Date Uncertain the Request to Construct Exterior Alterations (Siding Replacement) to an Existing Accessory Structure (Garage), for Staff to Communicate with the Applicant as to Difficulties of a Non-in-Kind Replacement and for Next Steps. Seconded by Commissioner Burnett. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously, 3-0. Commissioner Thomas and Vice Chair Queiroz absent. 5. 31 University Avenue Architecture and Site Application S-25-004 and Conditional Use Permit U-25-001 Requesting Approval for Modification of the Planned Development Ordinance to Allow Modifications to Building E, an Architecture and Site Application for Exterior Modifications to an Existing Commercial Building in the University/Edelen Historic District, and a Conditional Permit for Formula Retail over 10,000 square feet and for a Restaurant with Alcohol Service on a Property Zoned C-2:LHP:PD. APN 529-02-044. PAGE 5 OF 8 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26, 2025 Planned Development Modification PD-25-001, Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Property Owner: SRI Old Town, LLC Applicant: Rick Nelson, MBH Architects Project Planner: Erin Walters The project planner presented the staff report. Opened Public Comment. Jordan Brown, Architect and Design Lead, and Stu Waggoner, Pre-development Lead RH is a retail and restaurant company founded in 1979 in Northern California. It is based in Corte Madera with several prominent locations around the Bay Area including a Gallery on Santa Cruz Avenue. Where they have been a tenant for the last 15 years. We are invested in the design of our brand and physical gallery experiences. We’re obsessed with great architecture. We either find to readapt existing buildings or build. With Los Gatos it a little bit of both. The proposal at 31 University Avenue is sensitive to and supportive of the larger historic district. The design will expand the aesthetic and details of the existing Meditteranian style while maintaining the existing footprint, setback, and overall massing. Upgraded building finish of hand-troweled colored venetian plaster, installation of new metal windows and doors whose size, rhythm and topology consistent with the existing building style and of the caliber of the old town shopping center across University Avenue. The current building is a non-contributing commercial building, built in 1999. Currently an assemblage of small store fronts of miscellaneous, unrelated materials. Previously housed two separate retail and restaurant tenants. The retail portion has been vacant for last two years. Proposal as a single tenant, they unified the unrelated units to create a visually harmonious and stately façade commensurate with the caliber of the surrounding Old Town commercial center. As shown in the elevation comparison, our proposal reorganizes the buildings for our needs by creating a central entry and restaurant space with surrounded retail that seamlessly blends interior and exterior home and hospitality. Created a formal central entry and adjusted the misaligned cornices and rooflines as well as the window sizing and spacing for a more cohesive façade. Committee members asked questions of the applicant. Jordan Brown, Architect and Design Lead We took our design cues from the existing architecture. The existing façade details are carried through to the new design. This proposal is one of the more unique Restoration Hardware buildings in the area. It was designed at a smaller scale to fit a smaller town. The footprint, cornice details, façade openings, and window details all match what is there. Most of the surrounding buildings are all the same material. The skylight would be barely visible from the human eye level, down the street and from across the street. The skylight is seven inches lower than the surrounding buildings. We have brought renderings of different perspectives, time of day, an interior view to show how it relates to the exterior, a photo of the corner now PAGE 6 OF 8 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26, 2025 and a drawing of the proposed for comparison. However, there is not a drawing of the rear view from the parking lot. Closed Public Comment. Committee members discussed the matter. The building seems out of character with the rest of Old Town. It does not follow Policy LU 6.5: consistent with the neighborhood, or Policy LU 1.4: designed in context of the neighborhood. The skylight can be seen from the back. The roofline does not have enough character. The proposed design modifies the original intent of that side of the street which is to appear as a collective of individual structures. The three structures should not be unified into one consistent and symmetrical mass. Prefer the optical illusion of different rooflines, finishes, windows, and awnings. Even though it has the Mediterranean style it is not as compatible with the rest of downtown. The design doesn’t relate well with the existing Old Town section of downtown. MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Burnett to Deny the Modification of the Planned Development Ordinance to Allow Modifications to Building E, an Architecture and Site Application for Exterior Modifications to an Existing Commercial Building in the University/Edelen Historic District, and a Conditional Permit for Formula Retail over 10,000 square feet and for a Restaurant with Alcohol Service on a Property Zoned C-2:LHP:PD. APN 529-02-044. They could come back. Seconded by Committee Member Fienberg. ALTERNATE MOTION: Motion by Chair Quintana to Continue the Item to a Date Uncertain. Ask the Applicant to Consider the Issues Raised about Being Broken up into Different Sections and More Compatible with the Surrounding Structures. Seconded by Commissioner Burnett VOTE: Motion passed unanimously, 3-0. Commissioner Thomas and Vice Chair Queiroz absent. OTHER BUSINESS 6. 14344 La Rinconada Drive Request for Review Application PHST-24-013 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. Property Owner/Applicant: William Maynard Project Planner: Erin Walters PAGE 7 OF 8 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26, 2025 The project planner presented the staff report. Opened Public Comment. Michelle Minor, Architect Designer The street is diverse in styles and sizes. The houses are predominately cottage style with a few Craftsmen, stucco ranch, and others. Their proposal has a garage on the street. There are eleven homes on that street. Three have no garages. Three have detached garages in the rear. One has a detached 3-car garage. One has a garage that takes up the whole front. One lot has two homes with a flag lot behind. This two-home lot has an attached garage that is 3 ½ feet in front of any other front elevation. The proposed design will be slightly back from the front and not as predominant. The garage roof pitch has been lowered from 12 by 12 to 10 by 12. The roof form has been reduced and the garage roof height has been reduced by over two feet. The structure now classified as an attic. On Wedgewood Avenue and Mulberry Drive, the garages are mainly located in front. As instructed, the design is set back, has reduced bulk, and all the materials, trim, windows, siding, and roofing will match what is there. The design is consistent with the street. It does not overwhelm the street. A fence and landscaping will be added in front. Committee members asked questions of the applicant Michelle Minor, Architect Designer If they make the roof double gabled it would be very prominent. Added a hip roof instead to reduce the prominence. Closed Public Comment. Committee members discussed the matter. The request to be removed from the inventory has to be made by the Applicant. On this street there were other small bungalows that have asked to be removed from the inventory. But once a house is removed it can be replaced by a much larger structure. This design is a big improvement over what was presented before. It is a major upgrade to the street and the house. The Committee is supportive of the design. This is a preliminary review and does not require a motion. Staff will work with applicant on next steps. REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR None. COMMITTEE MATTERS PAGE 8 OF 8 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26, 2025 • Agenda item suggestion to have an informal discussion with committee and staff, on what constitutes a pre-1941 building, not in a Historic District, vs. a Landmark designation. A Landmark must be consistent with the State or Los Gatos criteria. If it is exceptionally significant it is a Landmark. Historic Districts that don’t necessarily have Landmark building but can have Pre-1941 buildings that are contributors to the District. There are Pre-1941 Presumptive buildings that are not in a District. How do we decide what is not Presumptive but a Historic Resource? What is the criteria? Need clarity for consistency. It would be an educational discussion under Other Business. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned 5:28 p.m. This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the February 26, 2025 meeting as approved by the Historic Preservation Committee. Prepared by: ________________________________________ /s/Sean Mullin, AICP, Planning Manager