Exhibit 7 - Appellant letter, dated September 15, 2025 Planning Commission
Town of Los Gatos
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Re: Appeal to Remove 24 Pleasant St, Los Gatos (APN [if known]) from the
Historic Inventory
Dear Commissioners:
To the best of our knowledge—and after a good-faith review of available resources, including
the Los Gatos Library’s Local History collections, documents posted on the Town’s website,
and publicly accessible online archives—the residence at 24 Pleasant St does not appear to
be associated with events of Town-wide significance or with individuals recognized for
significant contributions to Los Gatos.
1) Not associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the
Town
To the best of our knowledge—and based on a review of available Town records, local
histories, and neighborhood background—the residence has served as a typical private
home without documented ties to events of broad civic, cultural, or economic importance in
Los Gatos. No evidence indicates the property’s direct association with a significant Town
event.
2) No significant persons are associated with the site
Ownership and occupancy research (city directories, assessor records) have not identified
residents who meet the threshold of lasting significance to the Town’s development or
cultural life. The home’s past owners and tenants appear representative of ordinary
residential history rather than persons of recognized significance. (See Exhibit A:
occupant/owner chronology.)
3) Lacks distinctive characteristics of a type/period or work of a master
While the house has been described as Mediterranean Revival , it is very basic and does
not exhibit key hallmarks of the style in a manner that rises to significance. Moreover,
subsequent alterations have further diminished any stylistic expression:
● Windows: Original front and side windows were replaced , removing period
materials and profiles that would have communicated style and workmanship.
● Rear addition: A substantial rear addition (new bedroom and expanded living
area) changed the building’s massing and plan.
● Roofline/exterior: The current roofline and exterior appearance no longer
reflect the original architectural character .
We are not aware of attribution to a recognized “master” architect or builder, and the
construction methods are typical for the period. (See Exhibit B: current photos; prior
survey note if any; permit history.)
EXHIBIT 7
4) Does not yield (or have the potential to yield) information important to Town
history
Given its common residential construction and the extent of alterations to original fabric, the
structure is unlikely to yield new information important to understanding Los Gatos history
beyond what is already documented for the neighborhood and period. There is no indication
of rare technology, method, or intact fabric that would support research value. (See Exhibit
B: construction overview and alteration chronology.)
5) Integrity has been compromised such that the structure can no longer convey
significance
Applying standard integrity aspects (design, materials, workmanship, setting, feeling,
association):
● Design/Materials/Workmanship: The window replacements , roofline
changes , and rear addition have materially altered original design, materials, and
workmanship.
● Feeling/Association: These cumulative changes substantially diminish the
building’s ability to read as a representative Mediterranean Revival residence. Any
remaining elements are fragmentary and insufficient to convey significance.
In short, even if the house once displayed modest Mediterranean Revival features, those
features have been compromised to the point where the property no longer has the
potential to convey significance consistent with Town criteria. (See Exhibit B:
before/after comparison and integrity matrix.)
Procedural/Context Notes (for completeness)
● At the prior Historic Preservation Committee hearing, the decision to retain the house
on the inventory was not unanimous . We appreciate the Committee’s efforts, but
believe the record does not support the required findings given the extent of
alterations and the limited stylistic expression.
● If the Committee or Commission relied on earlier survey information, we ask that the
current condition (as documented in the attached photographs and permit history)
be given controlling weight.
Request:
For the reasons above, the property at 24 Pleasant St does not satisfy the Town’s
significance findings, and its integrity is insufficient to convey potential significance. We
respectfully request that the Planning Commission grant the appeal and remove the
property from the Historic Inventory .
We remain committed to maintaining the home in a manner compatible with the
neighborhood and will continue to comply with all applicable planning and building
requirements.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Rashmi & Swapnil Raut
Exhibit A — Prior Owners & Finding #2 (No Significant Persons)
Property: 24 Pleasant St, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Purpose: Document known prior owners/occupants and note that, based on available
sources, no owner is associated with events or contributions of recognized significance to
the Town of Los Gatos.
A1. Narrative Summary
Early owners and occupants identified for 24 Pleasant St — Alexander E. P. , W. H. Moron ,
Bert Homes , J. R. Gibson , Douglas Gravelle , Mrs. Dorothy McKevitt , and Michael
Black are not documented in local histories, directories, or available public records as
figures associated with Town-significant events, institutions, or civic contributions.
A2. Ownership/Occupancy Roster (Directory Years)
Note: Years shown are city directory listings indicating presence/occupancy
in those editions; they may not represent full ownership spans. Deed records
can refine exact transfer dates.
# Owner / Occupant (as listed)
Years Listed
(Directories) Source / Reference
1 Alexander E. P. 1930, 1934, 1937 City directories
2 W. H. Moron 1941 City directories
3 Bert Homes 1947 City directories
4 J. R. Gibson 1952, 1954, 1956 City directories
5 Douglas Gravelle 1962 City directories
6 Mrs. Dorothy McKevitt 1968, 1972 City directories
7 Michael Black 1990, 2000 City directories
A3. Method & Sources (Brief)
● Searched Los Gatos Library Local History city directories for the address and
names.
● Compiled a roster of listed owners/occupants and corresponding directory years.
● Reviewed local-history references for mentions of these individuals in connection with
Town-significant events; no qualifying associations found as of the date of this
exhibit.
Exhibit B - Lacks distinctive characteristics of Mediterranean Revival
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