Iterm 9 - Staff Report and Attachments 1 to 9.328 Bachman Avenue
PREPARED BY: Sean Mullin, AICP
Planning Manager
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 NO: 9
DATE: November 14, 2025
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Consider a Request for Approval to Modify a Previously Approved Project to
Construct a Second-Story Addition Exceeding 100 Square Feet and Exterior
Alterations to an Existing Contributing Single-Family Residence in the Almond
Grove Historic District on Property Zoned R-1D:LHP. Located at 328 Bachman
Avenue. APN 510-14-037. Request for Review Application PHST-25-025.
Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301: Existing Facilities.
Property Owner: Snighdha Uday Dharmavaram. Applicant: Bess Wiersema.
Project Planner: Sean Mullin.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request for approval to modify a previously approved project to construct a second-
story addition exceeding 100 square feet and exterior alterations to an existing contributing
single-family residence in the Almond Grove Historic District on property zoned R-1D:LHP
located at 328 Bachman Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1900 per County Assessor’s Database; 1885
per researched records
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: N, probably built since 1950
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? Yes
4. Is structure in a historic district? Yes, Almond Grove Historic District
5. If yes, is it a contributor? No
6. Findings required? No
7. Considerations required? Yes
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: 328 Bachman Avenue/PHST-25-025 DATE: November 14, 2025
BACKGROUND:
On January 22, 2025, the Committee considered a Minor Residential Development application
for a request to construct a second-story addition exceeding 100 square feet and exterior
alterations to the existing contributing single-family residence. The project included a second-
story addition of 132 square feet on the rear elevation and demolition of a portion of the first
floor at the rear elevation, which the applicant indicated was not historic given the
contemporary materials of the siding (T1-11 panels) and windows (aluminum). The project also
included an addition on the first floor within the footprint of the area to be demolished and a
new wood deck on the rear elevation.
The approved exterior materials include a composition roof, wood scalloped siding, horizontal
wood ship-lap siding, wood trim, a wood deck and railing, and a wrought iron railing at the new
lightwell. Exterior alterations included five new wood windows on the first floor, two sets of
French doors opening up to the deck on the rear elevation, and two new vinyl windows on the
second floor on the rear elevation to match two existing vinyl windows on the front elevation.
The Committee recommended approval of the Minor Residential Development application,
which was approved by the Town on March 31, 2025.
On October 29, 2025, the applicant contacted staff and provided a detail of modifications to the
approved project. While these modifications are in substantial compliance with the Minor
Residential Development approval as it relates to size and mass, they do deviate from the
approved exterior appearance of the residence and are being forwarded to the Committee for
consideration.
DISCUSSION:
The applicant provided a project description (Attachment 1), details of the project revisions
(Attachment 2) and revised development plans (Attachment 3). The applicant now proposes a
reduced project scope. The reconstruction of the below-grade area has been removed from the
project. As a result, the necessary light wells were eliminated. The second-story addition was
also reconfigured and reduced in size, eliminating the gable-end addition. A new dormer is now
proposed on the rear elevation to match the existing dormer. The existing hipped-roof on the
first floor of the rear elevation would be carried across the rear façade. All other exterior
alterations approved with the Minor Residential Development application would remain.
CONSIDERATIONS:
A. Considerations
Sec. 29.80.290. Standards for review.
In evaluating applications, the deciding body shall consider the architectural style, design,
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: 328 Bachman Avenue/PHST-25-025 DATE: November 14, 2025
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.
B. Residential Design Guidelines
Section 3.9 and 4.8.4 of the Residential Design Guidelines offers recommendations for
construction of additions to an existing residences and window materials (Attachment 5).
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is requesting a recommendation of approval to modify a previously approved
project to construct a second-story addition exceeding 100 square feet and exterior alterations
to an existing contributing single-family residence in the Almond Grove Historic District on
property zoned R-1D:LHP located at 328 Bachman Avenue. Should the Committee find merit in
the request, a recommendation of approval would be forwarded to the Community
Development Director and the proposed project would continue through the Building Permit
process and would not return to the Committee.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Project Description
2. Details of Project Revisions
3. Development Plans
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