Ord 2165 - Amending Ordinance No. 1919 relating to Zone Change No. 86 (Almond Grove Historic District)ORDINANCE 2165
ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1919 RELATING TO
ZONE CHANGE NO. 86 (ALMOND GROVE HISTORIC DISTRICT)
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos does hereby ordain:
SECTION I
The district delineated on the attached map is hereby designated historically and culturally
significant as the Ahnond Grove Historic District HD -80-1 A.
SECTION II
The district is designated to be historically, architecturally, or aesthetically significant for
the reasons listed below:
A. Property: Almond Grove District. Boundaries: Bean to the south, Glen Ridge
Avenue to the west, to but not including the lots facing Saratoga Avenue to the
north, and to but not including the lots facing North Santa Cruz Avenue to the east
(see map Exhibit A)
B. Historic designation no.: HD -80-1A
C. Description of designation: District
D. Description of characteristics which justify the designation:
Historical: The Almond Grove addition was the first and largest subdivision after
the incorporation of the Town of Los Gatos. Of approximately 40 acres, the historic
tract was the last land, formerly an almond orchard as its name suggests, of 162'/
acres bought in 1865 by John Mason from Edward Auzerais, an important
landowner in Santa Clara County after whom Auzerais Street in San Jose and
Auzerais Court in Los Gatos are named.
The purchasers and developers of Almond Grove were four very important figures
to Los Gatos history and honored by street names still used in the area. They were
Alphonse Eli Wilder, banker; Augustine Nicholson, capitalist; Magnus Tait, fanner
and miner; and John 'Bean, orchardist.
Many important contributors to the development of the Town lived in the Almond
Grove area.L. E. Hamilton, secretary of the Odd Fellows and director of the 1889
Los Gatos Cemetery Association, built his own house at 139 Wilder (which is still
owned and occupied by his daughter). In addition, he also did extensive carpentry
work for Mrs. Winchester of the famous Winchester House in San Jose. The house
at 115 Wilder was owned by Clarence Lyndon, nephew of town pioneer John
Lyndon. E. N. Davis, head trustee (mayor) on the board of trustees, 1898-1902,
lived at 131 Tait. The Magnus Tait home is 231 Tait. 129 Tait was the home of E.
E. Place and birthplace of George Place, owner of Place Mortuary housed in the
Coggeshall Mansion (a Town historic landmark now the site of the Chart House).
328 Bachman is the "Massol" house. Fenilen Massol. was Los Gatos mayor, 1894-
97. 354 Bachman was the home of George McMurty, who as a youth helped haul
stones to build Forbes Mill Annex and later became the first treasurer of
incorporated Los Gatos, a post he held for over 40 years. 216 Glen Ridge was the
home of W. H. B. Trantham, who in 1885 became the first owner of the Los Gatos
News after its founder temporarily retired. Trantharn owned the News (later the
Mail -News) until 1976. The Mail -News remained in existence until 1953. 200 Glen
Ridge was at one time the home of Raymond J. Fisher, educator, after who Fisher
School is named. John Bean started a business right in Almond Grove that evolved
into a local family dynasty's multi -national corporation, Food Machinery
Corporation. Plagued by San Jose scale on his orchard trees, he developed an
improved chemical spray pump, a significant development in an era of tremendous
fruit growing in Santa Clara Valley. Bean gave his son-in-law, David C. Crumrney,
a share in the business. Historical evidence indicates that Crumrney lived in the
house on the corner of Bean and Santa Cruz Avenues, 212 Bean Avenue, until the
business prospered and he built the elaborate mansion at 33 Glen Ridge Avenue.
D. C.'s son, John Crummey, further improved the pump and expanded the
Almond Grove headquartered business. (In Horatio Algier tradition, he
enterprisingly rode. a bicycle up and down the Sacramento Valley and lined up
enough orders to keep the company in business for years). Under Crurmney, the
Bean Spray Pump Company became F.M.C. (Still retaining a division entitled Bean
Spray Pump Company). Under John Cruimney's son-in-law, Paul Davies, F.M.C.
became an international corporation, and a member of his family still serves on the
board of directors.
22-8 Almen& 11919s
238 A3me>$ra 1910s
233 Almeii 1910s'
23-2 Almendra 18888
238 Ahneft 1920s
242 Almeida 19308
245 Almendra 31998
233 A3mendra 19208
239 Ahmench, 119205
302 Mffieftdr 319888
333 A3mendra 319399
3416 Alffiendra 319398
32-2Alinendra 31910s
244 Bad 38688
223 Baehiii 119399
M Badira 19898
2-26 Betehm 1920s1
22-9 Baeh±iian 1920s
243 13eehtii 1910S
244 BaEkns 19499
2758 Bachman 119298
233 Bachm 119368
2-56 Badira 18888
388 Baebfn:an 1930 40s
301 Baehiiia-n 1920 39s
393 Baohiia 4939s
398 Beehiii ode spee'��
329 Baallxlsa 49398
3-27 Baelifn 49408
24-2 Beaii 48908
2-3-6 Bean 49008
2,W Glen Rid l9l os
2-W Glen Ridg 493os
240 Glea Ridme 1920s
3$3 masse} 48808
3-06 Masse! 187es
444 passel 1890 903
419 Massa! 48798
479 Mansel 19388
424 Mansel 1930s
4-25 Massel 1868s
439 Massel 4860s
434 Massel 1920s
43-6 Massel ' 9th
444 Mansel 19288
45-5 Mansel 49108
456 Massel l940s
240 Massel 1920s
238 mel 1868$
2220 Massel i9th eenc
2--3+ Mansel 3-9308
33.9 Massel 49408
246 lLiehelse 19108
22-2 Niehelso22 3920s
255 Meholse 192205
384 Nie-holse2l 1940s
319 Nicholse 1860s 1940s
335 Nieholse22 392208
400 Tait 1890S
403 T-ai3 19008
396 Tail 38908
343 Tai3 48908
IM Tait 1860s
436 T -&A 1920s
448 Tait 18988
333
Tait 3&908
4z25
TRR l n9`r�urC,Eirc
338
Tait 18909
333
Tai3 1860s
336
TaR 18709
343
Tail 19109
343
Tait l9l-03
346
Tait 1920s-
350
TftA 19203
22
4'-6t 19303
103
Tait ' 9hn
107
Tad 19003
221-3
T' A 1 9th eviii
224-5
%A 19th een
24-9
TaA 38889
22225
TRA l91o3
2230
TftA 18905
334
Tait 1860s
314
Tait 19205
334
Tait 19205
300
WildEa 18908
303
Wild 1-8998
307
Wilder 19008
333
mer 39088
334
Wild 19388
335
Wildea 39188
333
Wild ea 18888
333
Wild 2a 39309
314
Wild ea 19003
337
Wold 19393
33-8
Wild ea 39309
333
W4lder 19383
334
Wilder 18-793
338
Wilde 19393
339
Wild 1860 700
34-7
Wilder 18983
358
Wilder 19153
4754
Wild= 3870S
354--,
Wilder 19003
305
Wilde f 18889
208 Wilder 19005
244 Wilder19208
24-2 mer 1860 70s
249 Wild 1860 79s
22+ txrd 19208
224 Wilder 1860 70s
225 Wilder 19198
Architectural: The predominance of Victorian architecture, including informal
wood frame cottages and impressive homes, intermixed with bungalow style
cottages Colonial Revival and Mission Revival homes built somewhat later reflect
the history and development of the district. Individual architectural distinction is
not the important factor in an historic district but the neighborhood entity created.
The Almond Grove area is unique in that of the 78 pre -1895 houses built here, 64
or about 82% still grace the streets. In addition, 22 houses built between 1895 and
1908, 31 houses built between 1908 and 1916 and another 30 houses built between
1917 and 1930 still exist. The 1989 earthquake significantly damaged two houses
built prior to the 1.900's and one house built in the 1920's which were demolished.
A total of 180 structures now line the streets within the boundaries of the district,
147 or 82% of those structures were built by 1930. The streetscapes remain
basically unchanged, lending the district a special old-time feeling' that for many
symbolize old Los Gatos and represents an important part of our Town's heritage.
Sources: Robert E. Lee, supported by Sanborn maps; Town of Los Gatos and Santa
Clara County tax records; and History of Los Gatos by George Bruntz.
E. Listed below are Town features recommended for preservation. Review by the
Historic Preservation Committee is required for any changes to these features.
1. Roads are concrete and should be repaired to maintain appearance as of the
year 1976.
2. Date stamp in concrete sidewalks.
F. Nogiing in this 0Fdieaiq:ee is intended to be ineensistent with The Seeretafy ef the laterier's
otg.,.dafds fer Rehabilitation.
SECTION III
The .nte.t aR. yam
::se of this
sectionis t^ yr.se,.e and pryteet the Tew-R
of r Gates'
histefie heritage, neighborhoods,
A. SDTemalitlefts:
stteet„eapee
„d distrietJ " g.
___________
Demolition
upen de�efffiiiiafion
o f ^ nt,-:h,.ti,
__ _�� ___________ing
by
structure is vrb:ddeu absent eataelysmi
the deeidiRg bedy that demelitien (as defined
.icor
by Town Code)
is necessary
g...lt e f
n VJµnl v
structure
OR th4 Site.
D. Remodels
D
l otaedafds
follows:
fei: the pfeper
tltJ
..M..ae....mic
istno nninndi
A
or dd:tioiis•
for review
restoration of the stliiettffe. In the event
e« .. the stfuetre shall be ftst,-.,
atelt' prior to the ,t.. l ys t
as reqaifed by Section 29.90,290 e fthe
of demelifien as
,.ted to match th..
-
Town Code as
a)
Architectural
design e
eentfibming
and design
eentributor-s
.ehateetu
only, pop
n
Review: Modification of the ^ isti«..
f a nt ibuti, str....tiife i« the district
stn ettff-e fnE, , he remodeled :,.te the
of ^ eons ib,&ting stnnaeidfe in the distr'et
in Seetie}r 11 and Se !,
al features aay be uuueu to the Yioteetl¢
^ d,.,.. enst,- ion h., the ^.«l:t «
� rrg.a r
st„le or overall
prohibited. A
iiefl-
afehiteet..r..1 .gaggle
/See list of
G. he -rein`. New
^. t,,ier f egU.GdiG
o � d
the existing
w+v v�amn
deciding
proven
rehJt...t..,-,.l st.4e and design
nab vunwv�un un
body. Any proposed iew—ar&iteetural
to demenstrate afehiteetafal—exeellenee
detetffi:«ed by the
features be
as well as—ne
SUNNI
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.d.wmy ieffia
yw
...
in4 .d..l. the
nt:
....
cut
of 1......1
iii
s:.7:«g ift angle,
..1,.,.e t..,.,.
y.4dth
.....,1 depth
..f eut
if
aay. viu
Old
d tern... 4...1 ..tkaglon
uuwiivauwu oai
be
„..1..,....1
,
haw :e:, iiew
shingles mist
: ateh
e. E:s
ng shinglnn
in size, shape
-,7:,...,.n. ien
and pattern.
C:7:
-Hg ,„,.4,..-:..1
must ufif.,,ffi
41. fi�datieft
te
h
rooC tui1
ess1
e36sfiiag pattem
..nt�a
of hease varies,
in
--------------
Ini
advantage
ef
FtqWfet.
Only iii
1976 Tax
eases
Ref
here
«....
the—ov,,RG1
Art theev"fief
,
desifeTCOZCSICG
fflustretain
tage
rF the
eeler-s,}aster,
wallpaper, ete.,
whefeverpeslible
Repaid restofe
vvibi
replisated.,te..als
,rl
materials
..befe.,xef
FaAhe
possible
.94.aieia
eplaee
regarding
.ntl. :Ar t:rr1
,
.onsisteey 4"ctlu'
} Entirely New
st..le and design
o:a,,,. r
with r traditional,
Sti�aeafe�
Geit �ctioR
st.-„rt...
ctriet
rl..:trrt..«rl
of
a new
in 1
adhefenee
st..ie
siiaRure must
.1' E*aet
to aebie.,;
and design
be built in -ah
d 1'
g r ;rte«r..
of .. «t.-:1...,t:..,3-
_ed
of contributing
r eneeiffaged.
reeognized
., �......,....... ...
.....
...st. a..t
.s required.
New
V ieteria
r.v�vaauaa,
Mission Revs. rl/
avuaoivu iwvara-ir
Nled.t...p...eaR,
Colonial
Revival
and
Craftsman
stfi 4e
sffue4ffes :mss}
aecurfftely
«t,-8.,,t ng
repheae
straettifes
the
traditional
1« the dist,:rt
st.4e
A14
design
doubts
and integrity
ar iftsii ffir;r«r:es
of N.rrr
fe gaTdi n
an ««l; r..«tir
wrr...,a's
__ __ _____.
are to be fess
_
,ed
r,.1
preposal
ubu.
against
r«.l;«,.
egarda..b
the a l:rµuvai
Yp.a�
tl.r
he
,ensisten,y
„y �
by the
;rto.. r.. ..F
o
deeid"”" body.
u,s o
rr,l
proposed n
ur
Will
moo. reef ..............:ti,...
,...,.t,.fia4.. ..
aeeept„h10 i .lark ,.,.1,..-s
and with .. h........ profile,
weed.Mission ... TJ eyiy..1
especially
/T,Ted t.«.-.....,.ee
these ..h:,.h ,.....hl,.
style street ffes ..1...11
have file «oe f of .. ,.,.1..,.
liks traditional ti4c5.
prohibited.
> t >
o..t..«e shape,
Plastie arn'1-r-IiivElem
.....1 "el........, to 1....L
e
st"tic—ttiles afe
1 01111111
U-1
1
@11".
1
-111
—11
morfrpr-r
nev"t"..9%
.
..........
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This Ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los
Gatos on October 6, 2008, and adopted by the following vote as an ordinance of the Town of Los
Gatos at a meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos on October 20, 2008. This
ordinance takes effect 30 days after it is adopted.
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Steve Glickman, Diane McNutt, Joe Pirzynski, Mike Wasserman, and Mayor
Barbara Spector
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
�
SIGNED:
Ct --� V ``� P��
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GMZS, CALIFORNIA
EA -11
I TOWN OF LOS GATOS
�I
Almond Grove Historic District Boundaries "
As Established by Ordinance 1463 on April 7, 1980
EXEIBIT A