Item 4 - Exhibit 08 - Public Comments received by 1100 am, Friday, May 17, 2019From: Jennifer Kretschmer <jen@jkretschmer.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2019 6:24 PM
To: Jennifer Armer
Cc: Joel Paulson; Sally Zarnowitz
Subject: Demolition Policy changes
Hi Jennifer,
I'm writing to address my concerns and provide some feedback about the revisions to the
Demolition Policy and proposed amendments to Town Code 20.10.020. I'm not sure if I will be
able to make it to the meeting on the 22nd. I will certainly try, but I am in the midst of completing
my educational session for the AIA 2019 Conference where I will be speaking to over 300
architects. The deadline is May 24th to submit all my materials. Please include this letter with
public comments in the staff report.
In whole I am in support of the changes that refer to removing the contiguity portion of the
demolition policy. That helps to align the Town with neighboring community rules. It also gets rid
of the "front door/back door" issue where a home could be considered demolished if the scope
of work was just to change or add an opening on the front façade and one on the back façade.
However the section regarding the repair exception for non-historic homes seems to be a
complete copy of the language for historical homes. It also doesn't address what to do if the
interior wall was chosen as the approved remaining wall covering. It would be better if rewritten
to state:
"Repair. The removal and replacement of in kind non-repairable
exterior orinterior wall covering resulting in no change to its exterior
appearance orapproved design character if approved by the deciding
body."
However, who's referenced as the deciding body? Will that be the Planning Department? In
these situations it seems the choice to remove and replace sections of wall usually occur when
a health or life safety issues arises. In which case the best "deciding body" should be the
Building Inspector or Building Official.
Perhaps my choice of "approved design character" in the repair section above needs further
clarification. In nearly all the non-historic homes that's I've worked on in Los Gatos, the clients
hired me to improve the curb appeal and front façade of the original home as part of the scope
of work. I utilize the resources of Town Planning Staff to ensure that the changes I make fit
within the neighborhood and improve the design character of the home. This can result in a
complete change in style from the original house. So "approved design character" means in the
context of the repair section, it coincides with the design style and appearance that was
approved by the Planning Department.
There is also a need for a clear definition of "exterior wall." It may seem simple enough. But the
way the current rules have been applied, a window is not considered part of the wall and those
areas are openings and are not counted in the 50% wall area. (Reference:
https://www.losgatosca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15523/Demolition_Illustration) That's fine.
EXHIBIT 8
But what about a fireplace or chimney? I would argue that a masonry firebox and chimney
should be considered the same as an opening. A firebox and chimney are not located on the
wall surface plane, are separate structures from the wall, and the materials used are generally
not the same material(s) as the rest of the exterior wall material(s). Besides, unreinforced
masonry, wood-burning fireplaces are dangerous in earthquakes and bad for Bay Area air
quality. We should support homeowner efforts to remove them.
I would also like to see that some written policy is included in the example of cantilevered bay
windows. In a recent project, there was much discussion about the change of this type of
window and it was decided to keep the lower 12 inches of wall material instead of the upper 12
inches. That was acceptable outcome and perhaps was unique to this particular project.
However it would help with consistency if there could be a clear and written example in the
Demolition Affidavit.
Thank you for allowing me the chance to provide this feedback.
Regards,
Jennifer Kretschmer, AIA
Principal Architect and Los Gatos Resident
101 Old Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032
408.221.0771
www.jkretschmer.com