Staff Report.16760 Magneson Loop
PREPARED BY: Maria Chavarin
Assistant Planner
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
MEETING DATE: 08/27/2025 ITEM NO: 3
DATE: August 22, 2025
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Consider a Request for Approval to Construct Exterior Alterations (Window
Replacement) to an Existing Pre-1941 Single-Family Residence on Property
Zoned R-1:8. Located at 16760 Magneson Loop. APN 523-06-015. Request for
Review Application PHST-25-014. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines,
Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Property Owner/Applicant: Mickael
Forsman. Project Planner: Maria Chavarin.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request for approval to construct exterior alterations (window replacement) to an
existing pre-1941 single-family residence on property zoned R-1:8, located at 16760 Magneson
Loop.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1932 per County Assessor; 1930’s per Bloomfield Survey
2. Bloomfield Preliminary Rating: “+” 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 subject property is located on the south side of Magneson Loop, just east of Los Gatos Blvd.
The County Assessor indicates a construction date of 1932. The Bloomfield Survey estimates
the construction date as the 1930s, providing a preliminary rating of Historic and intact or
worthy of special note (Attachment 1).
PAGE 2 OF 4 SUBJECT: 16760 Magneson Loop/PHST-25-014 DATE: August 22, 2025
DISCUSSION:
The applicant submitted a Letter of Justification (Attachment 2) requesting approval to replace
14 existing windows. The photos and plans (Attachments 3 and 5) provided by the applicant
indicate that 14 windows will be replaced. The majority of the existing wood windows would be
replaced with Fibrex-wood composite windows with the exception of windows numbered 114
through 116, which would be aluminum-clad wood windows. Some of the window types are
proposed to change. Below is a summary of the changes to the window types (Attachment 4)
and materials.
Window
Number
Existing Window
Type
Proposed Window
Type
Existing
Material
Proposed Material
103 Picture w/
divided lites
Picture w/out divided
lites
Wood Fibrex-wood
composite
104 Picture
w/divided lites
Picture w/out divided
lites
Wood Fibrex-wood
composite
105 Picture w/
divided lites
Picture w/out divided
lites
Wood Fibrex-wood
composite
106 Picture/ w
divided lites
Picture w/out divided
lites
Wood Fibrex-wood
composite
107 Picture
w/divided lites
Picture w/out divided
lites
Wood Fibrex-wood
composite
108 Picture
w/divided lites
Picture w/out divided
lites
Wood Fibrex-wood
composite
109 Single Casement
w/divided lites
Single Casement
w/out divided lites
Wood Fibrex-wood
composite
110 Single Casement
w/divided lites
Single Casement
w/out divided lites
Wood Fibrex-wood
composite
111 Single Casement
w/divided lites
Single Casement
w/out divided lites
Wood Fibrex-wood
composite
113 Single Casement
w/divided lites
Single Casement
w/out divided lites
Wood Fibrex-wood
composite
112 Picture
w/divided lites
Picture w/out divided
lites
Wood Fibrex-wood
composite
114 Double Hung
w/divided lites
Single Casement
w/divided lites
Wood Aluminum-clad
wood
115 Double Hung
w/divided lites
Single Casement
w/divided lites
Wood Aluminum-clad
wood
116 Double Hung
w/divided lites
Single Casement
w/divided lites
Wood Aluminum-clad
wood
PAGE 3 OF 4 SUBJECT: 16760 Magneson Loop/PHST-25-014 DATE: August 22, 2025
The Residential Design Guidelines provides the following recommendations related to window
materials:
3.7.2 Match window types and proportions to the architectural style and to the
surrounding neighborhood
• Select window types to complement the style of the house. Each architectural style
generally has one or two window types that are traditional to the style. Double hung
windows, for example, are common features of Victorian and Craftsman Styles while
casement windows are seen frequently in Mission and Spanish Eclectic styles
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.
3.7.4 Design the windows with attention to matching the traditional details of the
architectural style
• Divided lights (i.e., larger window panes broken up into smaller pieces) are common in
many home styles found in Los Gatos. Use either vertical or square proportions for the
smaller window elements. Be consistent in the proportions (i.e., the ratio of the
horizontal to the vertical dimension) of the smaller panes. Do not use snap in flat grids
to simulate divided lights. Use either true divided lights or one of the newer window
systems that have dimensional muntins on both the exterior and interior of the glass
along with a spacer muntin between the panes of glass. Use consistently for windows on
all sides of the house.
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 ex-
ceptions 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.
PAGE 4 OF 4 SUBJECT: 16760 Magneson Loop/PHST-25-014 DATE: August 22, 2025
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.
The proposed Fibrex-wood composite material was not available when the Guidelines were
written, and it is silent on its use. The Guidelines emphasize the use of wood windows but allow
exceptions for alternative materials when they are not noticeably different from wood at a
short distance, found to be consistent with the historic context, and consistent with the
appearance of the original material where it would be unlikely to discern the difference.
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__ 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.
CONCLUSION:
The applicant requests approval to replace 14 existing wood windows in varying styles, 11 of
which would be with Fibrex-wood composite windows and three would be aluminum-clad
wood windows (Attachments 2 and 5). Should the Committee find merit in the request, a
recommendation of approval would be forwarded to the Community Development Director,
and the project would be completed with a Building Permit. The project would not return to the
Committee.
PAGE 5 OF 4 SUBJECT: 16760 Magneson Loop/PHST-25-014 DATE: August 22, 2025
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 1990 Anne Bloomfield Survey
2. Letter of Justification
3. Existing Photos
4. Proposed Window Specifications
5. Proposed Floor Plan
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