Ord 1841 - Zone Change Application Z-91-1 From R-1:10,000 to R-1:10,000 LHP to Create an Historic Overlay Zone on this ParcelORDINANCE 1841
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
ON ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION Z -91 -1 FROM R- 1:10,000 TO
R- 1:10,000 -LHP (SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL, 10,000 SQUARE FOOT
LANDMARK /HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY) TO CREATE AN HISTORIC
OVERLAY ZONE ON THIS PARCEL OF LAND AND ALL IMPROVEMENTS THEREIN
THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS DOES HEREBY
SECTION I
The following structures are hereby designated historically and culturally significant:
HD -91 -2 The Florentine Village (Main House and Grounds)
42 Central Avenue
A detailed description of the property, the characteristics and history which
justify designation, and a map showing location of the property are part of this ordinance.
SECTION II
The property listed is designated to be of historic, architectural or aesthetic
significance for the reasons listed below:
(a) Property: The Florentine Village, 42 Central Avenue
(b) Historic Designation HD -91 -2
(c) Description of Designation: Primary residence, Grounds and
freestanding sign.
(d) Description of Characteristics which justify designation:
The Florentine Village began in 1887 when a two -story L -Plan
residence with Greek Revival style gable returns and six over
six double hung windows was constructed on a part of A.
Hildebrand's 47 acre property that extended from Central
Avenue all the way to East Main Street. In 1907 the parcel was
acquired by an Italian immigrant named Quintano Ceccanti who
has created a restaurant in San Francisco until the 1906
earthquake. Ceccanti established an Italian restaurant on
Central Avenue and gradually developed the property to
resemble country villa complexes in his native Tuscany. He
added a vineyard on the hillside, Italian cypress trees in front,
a stone fence, and various garden structures. He dabbled in
base relief structures of concrete and mosaic, that exist today
on the grounds. The porch that fills the former L of the house
plan looks as if it took that form in the 1920's or 1930's. Cabins
behind the house may have been constructed in the same period.
The restaurant continued after Quintano's death in 1936,
operated by tenants for a decade and then by his daughter and
son -in -law, Rena and Guilio A. Bocci. They named it the
"Florentine Village" and had the fine historic neon sign installed.
The gravel driveway and parking area accommodated the
customer's cars and now provides parking for tenants. The
restaurant closed in 1972. Ceccanti's granddaughter Janette
Bocci owned the property as late as 1983.
(e) Description of features that should be preserved in addition to those
covered under Section 4.86.120: None.
SECTION III
This ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the
Town of Los Gatos on March 18, 1991 and adopted by the following vote as an ordinance
of the Town of Los Gatos at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los
Gatos on April 1, 1991.
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Randy Attaway, Steven Blanton
Mayor Brent N. Ventura
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Joanne Benjamin, Eric D. Carlson
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
SIGNED:
v
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF OS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA