Item 4 - Exhibit 06 - PetitionPREPARED BY: JENNIFER ARMER, AICP
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: 04/24/2019 ITEM NO: 10
DATE: APRIL 12, 2019 TO: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE FROM: JOEL PAULSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SUBJECT: PROVIDE A RECOMMENDATION ON POTENTIAL DEMOLITION REGULATION MODIFICATIONS.
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide a recommendation on potential demolition regulation modifications.
BACKGROUND:
On February 26, 2019, the Policy Committee reviewed an outline of possible streamlining
opportunities that relate to the land use process and costs for businesses and residences.
Following a brief discussion, the Policy Committee provided direction to bring back demolition
regulations for further discussion. Potential demolition regulation modifications was one of the
topics identified by staff as an opportunity to streamline the land use process and costs for
residences.
On April 9, 2019, the Policy Committee reviewed potential demolition regulation modifications
and recommended approval with review by the Historic Preservation Committee for
modifications relating to historic structures.
DISCUSSION:
Design professionals and property owners often find it difficult to comply with the Town’s
demolition regulations, and more specifically the contiguity requirement. This can lead to
increased costs for plan revisions and design modifications that don’t meet the needs of the
property owner. Alternatively, the property owner can decide to go through the Architecture
and Site application process for a technical demolition (new house) which leads to increased
processing time and costs when compared to a non-discretionary Building Permit process.
EXHIBIT 6
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: DEMOLITION REGULATION MODIFICATIONS APRIL 12, 2018
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DISCUSSION (continued):
Based on the concerns raised above staff prepared potential Town Code amendments
(Attachment 1) for the Policy Committee’s consideration. The potential amendments, shown in
strike through and underline font, would include removing the contiguity requirement from the
demolition definitions for both historic and non-historic houses.
This meeting will allow for a conversation between staff and the Historic Preservation
Committee. Staff will be prepared to walk through this matter and answer questions.
Staff will forward the Historic Preservation Committee’s discussion and direction on the
potential demolition regulation modifications regarding historic structures to the Planning
Commission and Town Council.
Attachments:
1. Potential Town Code amendments
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ATTACHMENT 1
Excerpts from Los Gatos Town Code
Chapter 29
Section 29.10.020
Demolition (historic structures) means:
(1) Removal of more than twenty-five (25) percent of the wall(s) facing a public street(s) (or a
street facing elevation if the parcel is a corridor lot or is landlocked) or fifty (50) percent of
all exterior walls; or
(2) Enclosure or alteration (i.e.: new window and/or window relocation) of more than twenty-
five percent of the walls facing a public street (or a street facing elevation if the parcel is a
corridor lot or is landlocked) or fifty (50) percent of the exterior walls so that they no longer
function as exterior walls; or
All remaining exterior walls must be contiguous and must retain the existing exterior wall
covering. No new exterior wall covering shall be permitted over the existing exterior wall
covering. The following are exempt from this definition:
a. Replacement. The exterior wall covering may be removed if the covering is not original
to the structure.
b. Repair. The removal and replacement of in kind non-repairable exterior wall covering
resulting in no change to its exterior appearance or historic character if approved by the
deciding body.
c. Removal. The removal of an addition(s) that is not part of the original structure and
which has no historic significance, as determined by the Historic Preservation
Committee. Demolition shall be determined by subsections (1) and (2) above for the
original structure, where walls enclosed by additions shall be considered as exterior
walls.
Demolition (non historic structures) means removal of more than fifty (50) percent of the
exterior walls. The remaining exterior walls must be contiguous and must maintain retain either
the existing interior or existing exterior wall covering. The following is exempt from this
definition:
a. Repair. The removal and replacement of in kind non-repairable exterior wall covering
resulting in no change to its exterior appearance or historic character if approved by the
deciding body.
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