Staff Report and Attachments 1 to 7.95 Fairview Plaza
PREPARED BY: MARIA CHAVARIN
Assistant 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: 06/25/25
ITEM NO: 2
DATE: June 20, 2025
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Consider a Request for Approval to Construct Exterior Alterations (Window
Repair/Replacement) to a Contributing Multi-Family Residence in the
Fairview Plaza Historic District on Property Zoned R-1:8:LHP. Located at 95
Fairview Plaza. APN 510-43-018. Minor Development in an Historic District
Application HS-25-027. Categorically Exempt Pursuant to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Section 15301: Existing
Facilities. Property Owner/Applicant: Matthew Reynolds. Project Planner:
Maria Chavarin.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request for approval to construct exterior alterations (window repair/replacement)
to a contributing multi-family residence in the Fairview Historic District on property zoned
R-1:8:LHP, located at 95 Fairview Plaza.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1899 per County Assessor’s Database; 1890s per
Bloomfield Survey
2. Bloomfield Preliminary Rating: +, historic and intact, worthy of special note
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? Yes
4. Is structure in a historic district? Yes, Fairview Plaza
5. If yes, is it a contributor? Yes
6. Findings required? No
7. Considerations required? Yes
BACKGROUND:
The Santa Clara County Assessor’s Database indicates that the residence located at 95 Fairview
Plaza was constructed in 1899. The 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey provides an estimated
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SUBJECT: 95 Fairview Plaza / HS-25-027
DATE: June 21, 2025
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construction date of 1890’s and provides a rating of historic and intact or worthy special note
(Attachment 1). The Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps include the property beginning in 1928 and
show the residence as having consistent footprint through 1956 (Attachment 2). The list of
permits found in the Town records reflect permits issued since the 1950’s.
The following alterations are reflected in the Town’s permit records included as Attachment 3:
• 1950 – Building Permit;
• 1954 – Building Permit for remodel;
• 1954 – Electrical Permit;
• 1962 – Plumbing Permit;
• 1986 – Electrical Permit;
• 1986 – Building Permit for Foundation repair;
• 1986 – Plumbing Permit;
• 1991 – Building Permit for repairs of earthquake damage;
• 1991 - Plumbing Permit;
• 1991 – Electrical Permit;
• 1991 – Mechanical Permit; and
• 2019 – Building Permit for demolition of a carport.
The applicant provided a summary of the property research (Attachment 4), photographs of the
property (Attachment 6), and development plans (Attachment 7). The residence is noted for its
Queen Anne Victorian style. In 1987, the records show that the single-family residence was
divided to create a four-plex (Attachment 4).
DISCUSSION:
On May 28, 2025, planning staff received an application for Minor Development in a Historic
District. The applicant proposes to repair and/or replace existing windows in the residence with
the intent to maintain the historic character of the property (Attachment 5). The applicant
provided a floor plan showing the location of the windows in need of repair and/or
replacement. The residence includes a variety of window types, including single and double-
hung wood windows, casement wood windows, and true divided lite windows. The proposed
material for the sashes and trim is wood to match the existing material. The applicant provided
a project description letter explaining that the deteriorated wood material will be replaced with
a custom handmade material of African mahogany by Kinney Woodworks, a specialist in
window restoration. The hand-crafted wood material is proposed to match the characteristic of
the architectural style while improving the functionality and durability of the windows. The
window types are not proposed to change (Attachments 4, and 6).
The Residential Design Guidelines provides the following recommendations related to window
types and materials:
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SUBJECT: 95 Fairview Plaza / HS-25-027
DATE: June 21, 2025
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3.7.3 Match window materials to the architectural style and to the surrounding neighborhood
• Wood windows are common in Los Gatos. Wood is still the desired choice for styles that
traditionally used wood. However, today there are some window materials, such as vinyl
clad wood windows that are not noticeably different from wood at a short distance.
4.8.1 General Guidelines
• All exterior elements including, but not limited to, roof lines, porches, doorways, windows,
trim and siding should be consistent with and continue the architectural style and design of
the original structure.
4.8.2 Building Materials
• Composite, synthetic, metal, vinyl, plastic or fabricated/ imitation wood products, painted
brick or imitation used brick will generally not be approved. However, some exceptions may
be made on a case-by-case basis when the decision-making body determines that the
replacement is consistent with the appearance of the original material, and that a lay
person would be unlikely to discern the difference. The burden of proof will reside with the
applicant. Material samples, photographs and specific locations where the material may be
seen in use will all assist in the evaluation of alternative materials.
4.8.4 Windows and Glass in doors
• Windows should be constructed of real glass, and window frames should be constructed of
real wood - not vinyl, metal or plastic. Wood sashes may be vinyl or metal clad if the
window frame and dressing is designed consistent with the historic context of the building.
• All lites (panes of glass) should be true divided lite, not artificial or snap-in grids. Simulated
Divided Lite windows are permitted when the details of the window provide projecting
muntin elements on the exterior and interior of the window along with a spacer muntin
between the panes of glass.
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting approval to construct exterior alterations (window repair
/replacement) to a contributing multi-family residence in the Fairview Historic District on
property zoned R-1:8:LHP. Should the Committee find merit in the request, a recommendation
of approval would be forwarded to the Community Development Director. The application
would continue through the Building Permit process and would not return to the Committee.
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SUBJECT: 95 Fairview Plaza / HS-25-027
DATE: June 21, 2025
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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:
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. 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey
2. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
3. Town Building Permit Records
4. Applicant’s Research
5. Project Description
6. Photos
7. Development Plans
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1928-1944
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ATTACHMENT 3
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Overview:
My name is Matthew Reynolds and I am the owner of the subject property (95 Fairview
Plaza). I purchased the property in June of 2024 with my family to be our new home here in Los
Gatos. The property has windows that are in need of repair or replacement. The goal of this
project will be to repair where possible and replace where necessary many of the windows
around the house while maintaining the historical character of the property.
Description of Work:
Frames and Jambs:
●No window frames will be altered or changed. This means no changes will be made to
the size, placement, orientation, or operation of any window on the property.
●Where needed, window jambs will be repaired or replaced with wood of the same size
and shape as what is currently in the window.
Sashes, Casement Windows, and Glass
●Single and double hung windows
○Sashes in poor condition (showing signs of wood rot) will be replaced in kind.
New sashes will be hand constructed entirely of African Mahogany by Kinney
Woodworks, a specialist in window restoration. New sashes will be single-pane
and hand glazed to match the original windows.
○Sashes in good condition will be tuned up, reglazed, repainted, re-weighted, and
provided with new hardware, ropes, and weatherstripping. Original weights and
pulleys will be utilized. Original glass will be utilized (unless broken)
○All double hung windows that are currently nailed shut in such a way as to make
them operate as single hung windows will be restored to their full functionality.
●Casement and divided light windows
○Casement windows with wood in good condition will be reglazed using the
original glass.
○Casement windows showing signs of wood rot will be replaced with new windows
hand constructed entirely of African Mahogany by Kinney Woodworks. New
casement windows will be single-pane and hand glazed to match the original
windows.
■New windows replacing windows with true divided lights will also be
constructed with true divided lights. Again, these will be hand constructed
entirely of African Mahogany by Kinney Woodworks. These divided lights
will be single-pane and hand glazed to match the original windows.
●General Notes
○For all windows located in bathrooms, sashes will be reglazed with tempered
glass for safety.
Diagram of example work provided by Kinney Woodworks
(https://www.kinneywoodworks.com/):
(Please note, only new sashes will be installed. This diagram shows frames, jambs, rails, and
other items that will remain original and will be out of the scope of this project.)
ATTACHMENT 5
Pictures of a similar sash replacement for a double hung window from Kinney
Woodworks:
Summary of Historical Research:
The subject property, 95 Fairview Plaza, is a fourplex located on the northwest corner of
Fairview Plaza Park. It was constructed around 1890 and exhibits elements of the Queen Anne
Victorian building style. The property has two main stories, a full basement and an attic that has
been partially converted into a bedroom. In the course of our research on this property we
visited several libraries, looked through thousands of old photographs published to the Los
Gatos Library online photo archive, and read through many century old newspaper articles to
get a peek into the history of our home.
According to our research, the house was originally built and lived in by Wesley Peck,
the methodist minister for the town, and his wife. They had three children (maybe 4?) - two
daughters and one son according to one newspaper and one grandson. The two of them
passed away in 1914 and 1921 respectively. Information about their residence at 95 Fairview
Plaza is a bit unclear, as one newspaper article places the Pecks’ primary residence on
Broadway.
The house was then owned by John Harrison Green and his wife Margaret possibly in
the 1920s. At the time, the property line extended all the way back to Pennsylvania Avenue and
included a barn. In the 1920s, the barn was converted into a second residence for their mother
and mother-in-law.
At some point after 1920, the Bricmont family purchased the house and sometime
between the 1920s and 1954, the house was converted into three apartments. Between 1954
and 1964, a fourth studio apartment was created by converting the northeast portion of the
wrap-around porch into another unit. Around this time, a porch on the second floor was
converted into a sunroom. During this time period, the “barn” residence was subdivided into a
separate property (now 93 Fairview Plaza) and at some point sold off separately. After his son
PFC Francis Bricmont Jr. died in Vietnam - a member of “Bunny” platoon, Private Bricmont
passed away in combat - owning the property became very painful for Bricmont Sr. so,
according to our neighbors, he sold it. A plaque from 1991 commemorating Bricmont Sr. is still
located on the property to this day.
Although this has not been verified, according to several of our neighbors, at some point
Jim Henson lived at the house in the 70s. Through my own research, I could find nothing to
corroborate this, but I did find evidence that the performer Dave Goelz (best known as The
Great Gonzo from The Muppets) lived in a “Victorian apartment” in Los Gatos at the time and
invited Jim Henson to visit in 1972 (https://www.henson.com/jimsredbook/2013/02/221973/).
According to our neighbors, Jim Henson would put on Muppet shows at the house for children
living in the neighborhood.
In 1991, the property was purchased by Community Housing Developers (CHD), using a
low interest loan provided by the town, to be utilized to house below median income residents.
CHD took the help of the local chapter of the Lions club and the community as a whole to
renovate and repair the house. The house would then be purchased most recently by our family,
the Reynolds, in June of 2024.
Matthew Reynolds | June 2025
95 Fairview Plaza Window Sash
Repair & Replacement
ATTACHMENT 6
Window Placement & Label Reference
Common Area Windows (0)
Common Area Windows (0)
Window 0-1
Common Area Windows (0)
Window 0-2
Unit 1 Windows (1)
Unit 1 Windows (1)
Window 1-1 and 1-2
Unit 1 Windows (1)
Window 1-3
Unit 1 Windows (1)
Window 1-4
Unit 1 Windows (1)
Window 1-5
Unit 1 Windows (1)
Window 1-6
Unit 1 Windows (1)
Window 1-7
Unit 1 Windows (1)
Window 1-8 & 1-9
Unit 1 Windows (1)
Window 1-10
Unit 1 Windows (1)
Window 1-11 & 1-12
Unit 1 Windows (1)
Window 1-13
Unit 1 Windows (1)
Window 1-14
Unit A Windows (2)
Unit A Windows (2)
Window 2-1
Unit A Windows (2)
Window 2-2
Unit A Windows (2)
Window 2-3
Unit A Windows (2)
Window 2-4
Unit A Windows (2)
Window 2-5
Unit B Windows (3)
Unit B Windows (3)
Window 3-1
Unit B Windows (3)
Window 3-2
Unit B Windows (3)
Window 3-3
Unit B Windows (3)
Window 3-4
Unit B Windows (3)
Window 3-5
Unit B Windows (3)
Window 3-7 through 3-13
Unit B Windows (3)
Window 3-14
Unit B Windows (3)
Window 3-15
Unit C Windows (4)
Unit C Windows (4)
Window 4-1
Unit C Windows (4)
Window 4-2
Unit C Windows (4)
Window 4-3
Unit C Windows (4)
Window 4-4
Unit C Windows (4)
Window 4-5
Unit C Windows (4)
Window 4-1
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