Staff Report.310 Tait Ave
PREPARED BY: Erin M. Walters
Senior 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: 12/17/2025
ITEM NO: 2
DATE: December 12, 2025
TO: Historic Preservation Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Consider a Request for Approval to Construct a New Second-Story Addition to
an Existing Non-Contributing Single-Family Residence Located in the Almond
Grove Historic District on Property Zoned R-1D:LHP. Located at 310 Tait
Avenue. APN 510-14-058. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section
15301: Existing Facilities. Minor Residential Development Application MR-25-
016. Property Owner/Applicant: Santiago Allende. Project Planner: Erin
Walters.
RECOMMENDATION:
Requesting approval to construct a new first- and second-story addition and exterior
alterations to an existing pre-1941 non-contributing single-family residence located in the
Almond Grove Historic District on property zoned R-1D:LHP located at 310 Tait Avenue.
PROPERTY DETAILS:
1. Date primary structure was built: 1918 per County Assessor’s Database
2. Town of Los Gatos Historic Status Code: N/A
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
BACKGROUND:
The Santa Clara County Assessor’s Database lists a construction date of 1918 for the residence.
The property is not included in the 1991 Anne Bloomfield Historic Survey and is identified as a
non-contributor within the Almond Grove Historic District. Town records indicate prior building
permits for the replacement of windows to match the existing aesthetics and originality of the
PAGE 2 OF 4
SUBJECT: 310 Tait Avenue/MR-25-016
DATE: December 12, 2025
home and for a reroof completed in 2007 (Attachment 1). The applicant provided a summary of
the property research and photographs (Attachment 1).
At the December 18, 2024, meeting, the Historic Preservation Committee conducted a
preliminary review of a proposal for a single-story addition and a new two-story addition,
including exterior alterations to the pre-1941 single-family residence. The Committee reviewed
the areas of interest outlined in the staff report dated September 19, 2025 (Attachment 1),
evaluated the proposal, and provided feedback for the applicant to incorporate into a revised
design.
At the May 28, 2025, meeting, the applicant returned with a revised design addressing the
Committee’s recommendations from the December 18, 2024, meeting (Attachment 1). The
Committee deliberated on the proposed revisions and provided additional feedback for
refinement of the design (Attachments 2 and 3).
DISCUSSION:
The applicant has returned to the Committee requesting a formal recommendation for the
project. The applicant’s project description and Letter of Justification (Attachment 4) outline
the existing site conditions; the proposed single-story and second-story additions; the project’s
historic and architectural compatibility; and the surrounding neighborhood context. The
applicant’s response letter addresses the Committee’s feedback from the May 28, 2024,
meeting (Attachment 5). The development plans are included in Attachment 6.
The development plans propose a single-story side addition to the existing 731-square-foot
residence, including a 368-square-foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that replaces 113 square
feet of the first floor. A 415-square-foot second-story addition is also proposed, resulting in a
total residence size of 1,401 square feet. The addition and remodel have been reduced in size
and massing to maintain the character of the original home and ensure compliance with FAR
requirements. The second story has been shifted back to provide a 15-foot setback from both
the front and rear property lines. The project complies with all applicable floor area, setback,
and building height standards and will be processed as a Minor Residential Development
application. The ADU is subject to ministerial review and is not within the Committee’s purview.
The exterior modifications include first- and second-story additions designed to preserve the
historic character of the home through the use of matching window and door trim, wood
siding, the existing front door, scalloped gable siding, the brick chimney, and compatible roof
forms. The existing wood windows will be replaced with brown aluminum-clad wood windows.
The new roof forms—a combination of gable and hip—will match the existing composite
shingle roofing. Proposed horizontal wood siding and a board-and-batten skirt will also match
existing materials. All new exterior materials are proposed to match the existing.
PAGE 3 OF 4
SUBJECT: 310 Tait Avenue/MR-25-016
DATE: December 12, 2025
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.
B. Residential Design Guidelines
Sections 3.9 of the Town’s Residential Design Guidelines offers recommendations for
construction of additions to existing residences (Attachment 7 of Attachment 1, December
18, 2024, Historic Preservation Committee Staff Report).
CONCLUSION:
The applicant is seeking a recommendation of approval from the Committee for the
construction of first- and second-story additions and exterior alterations to an existing non-
contributing single-family residence located in the Almond Grove Historic District on property
Zoned R-1D:LHP, located at 310 Tait Avenue.
The application is being processed through a Minor Residential Development Permit
application. Should the Committee find merit in the request, the recommendation would be
forwarded to the Community Development Director. If confirmed through Planning review to
be in substantial conformance with the Committee’s review and recommendations, the
application would not return to the Committee.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. May 28, 2025, Historic Preservation Committee Staff Report
2. May 28, 2025, Historic Preservation Committee Action Letter
3. May 28, 2025, Historic Preservation Committee Meeting Minutes
4. Letter of Justification
5. Response Letter
6. Revised Development Plans
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