10-22-25 Minutes - HPC DRAFT (PDF)
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6874
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
MEETING DATE: 11/19/2025 ITEM: 1
DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING
OCTOBER 22, 2025
The Historic Preservation Committee of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a regular meeting on
October 22, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:00 PM
ROLL CALL Present: Chair Lee Quintana, Vice Chair Martha Queiroz, Planning Commissioner Emily Thomas
and Committee Member Alan Feinberg.
Absent: Planning Commissioner Susan Burnett.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Jacob Korvel with Frank Delgado
The project that did not make the agenda deadline. They requested a demolition permit
for 313 University Avenue. They are requesting Planning and Building permits for full
restoration. They will work with staff to complete their submission.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – September 24, 2025
MOTION: Motion by Vice Chair Queiroz to approve the Consent Calendar.
Seconded by Committee Member Feinberg.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously, (4-0)
PAGE 2 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2025
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 155 Hernandez Avenue
Consider a Request for Approval to Construct Exterior Modifications (Siding
Replacement) on an Existing Pre-1941 Single-Family Residence on Property Zoned R1:8.
APN 510-40-152. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Section 15301: Existing Facilities. Request
for Review Application PHST-25-020. Property Owner: Catherine Nadeau. Applicant:
Marcie Macdonough. Project Planner: Ryan Safty.
Ryan Safty, Project Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Committee members asked questions of staff.
Applicant presented the project.
Marcie Macdonough, Architect and Lea (?), Designer
They need to remove the old siding boards to add water vapor barrier material. The new
proposed Hardie board material is noncombustible. The prior addition to the house already has
Hardie board. The profile will be identical.
Committee members asked questions of the applicant.
Committee members discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Chair Queiroz to recommend approval to the Community
Development Director to Construct Exterior Modifications (Siding
Replacement) on an Existing Pre-1941 Single-Family Residence on
Property Zoned R-1:8. APN 510-40-152. Based on the Following Findings
and Conditions:
• Findings:
o The existing wood siding, although not substantially
deteriorated and could be replaced in kind, an exception is
being made because Preservation standards allow well-
matched substitute materials when there are Public Safety
and Wildfire Concerns that make the substitute material
clearly preferable. The proposed substitute material
balances the Town’s Historic Preservation goals with life
PAGE 3 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2025
safety and wildfire resilience objectives applicable in this
designated high fire hazard severity zone.
• Conditions:
o The approved fibrous cement siding shall match the
existing wood siding in width, exposure, reveal, lap profile,
and corner treatment.
o The installation shall follow the manufacturer
specifications and California Building Code, Chapter 7 AU,
WUI Requirements.
o Corner boards, corner returns, trim, and joint spacing shall
replicate the Historic detailing.
o Prior to final inspection, staff shall verify that the
installation conforms with these conditions.
o Recommendation to comply with local fire authority’s
defensible space recommendations.
Seconded by Commissioner Quintana.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously, (4-0)
3. 69 Hernandez Avenue
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.
APN 510-41-015. Request for Review Application PHST-25-019. Categorically Exempt
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061 (b)(3). Property Owner: Phil Rolla.
Applicant: Mike Tinsley. Project Planner: Suray Nathan.
Suray Nathan, Project Planner, presented the staff report.
Committee members asked questions of Staff.
Opened Public Comment.
Applicant presented the project.
Mike Tinsley, Architect
Owners purchased the property in April 2025 and loves the character of the house. The
goal is to keep the siding and roof as is. Modifications have been made over the years. A
photograph showed the porch unenclosed in the 1970’s. The second story addition was added
later. After the 1989 earthquake, a new chimney was installed. There are ten original windows.
The rest of the windows were installed during the 1970’s and later in 1989. The homeowner
proposes to use aluminum clad wood windows to get the style of the wood frame but with the
PAGE 4 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2025
durability of aluminum. They want to keep the windows as located but the existing floor plan
inside was odd. They want to make all the windows look like they belong and use WUI
materials. They are not sure if the three bay windows are original and proposereplacing the
center bay with three windows.
Committee members asked questions of the applicant.
Mike Tinsley, Architect
The 1981 windows are all casement. The owner’s preference is for vertical casement
windows. They can add a horizontal bar to make it look like a double hung window. The owner
is open to installing a transom window.
Closed Public Comment.
Committee members discussed the matter.
Aluminum cladding is too modern. Marvin integrity is the fiberglass cladding that looks more
like wood. Okay with removing the bay window and adding a transom. Use double hung on the
East and West on the first floor.
Open Public Hearing
Committee members asked questions of the applicant.
Mike Tinsley, Architect
Okay with installing glass above the back door. Marvin fiberglass double hung windows
style looks great. One question: When a house has been modified but is not a historic structure,
what is the process? For bedroom egress, they can use a horizontal line to make it look double
hung.
Closed Public Hearing
Committee members discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Thomas to recommend approval to the
Director to replace existing windows 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 on the north (front)
elevation, to approve removal of window 1, and to add a transom.
Eliminate the three transom windows above the windows and keep them
as casements. On the east elevation, all the window replacements are
approved. Replace window 10 with a double-hung, and make 14, 15, 18,
and 19 simulated double-hung. Windows 6, 7, 8, and 9 are okay as
proposed. The south (rear) elevation windows are okay but make them
PAGE 5 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2025
all double hung. On the west elevation, the three windows will be double
hung and the door should have wood on the bottom and glass on top of
the door. Make the side window of the bay double hung. Seconded by
Vice Chair Queiroz.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS (Up to three minutes may be allotted to each speaker on any of the following
items.)
4. Consider Providing Staff with Direction on Window Materials. Project Location: Town
Wide. Project Planner: Sean Mullin
Sean Mullen, Project Planner, presented the staff report.
Committee members discussed the matter.
Fiberglass clad windows weren’t contemplated when the guidelines were written. It is paintable
and can have the look of wood but also offers weather protection.
If the Committee is supportive of the use of fiberglass cladding, the Design Guidelines do not
have to be amended at this time.
Staff heard the direction that the Committee is supportive of staff not bringing the fiberglass
clad windows back to the Historic Preservation Committee as long as it is in line with the
current evaluation guidelines.
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Reminder that there is a Special Meeting next week.
COMMITTEE MATTERS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
October 22, 2025 meeting as approved by the
Historic Preservation Committee.
PAGE 6 OF 6 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF OCTOBER 22, 2025
Sean Mullin, AICP, Planning Manager