Item 6 - Exhibit 07 - Consulting Architect's ReportApril 26, 2019
Mr. Sean Mullin
Community Development Department
Town of Los Gatos
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95031
RE: 15921 Linda Avenue
Dear Sean:
I reviewed the drawings and evaluated the site context. I have previously reviewed five other nearby homes on
Linda Avenue. My comments and recommendations are as follows:
Neighborhood Context
The site currently contains an existing small house. It is located in an established neighborhood containing both older and
newer homes with a mix of one and two-story homes of mixed traditional architectural styles. Photographs of the site
and its surrounding context are shown on the following page.
EXHIBIT 7
15921 Linda Avenue
Design Review Comments
April 26, 2019 Page 2
Site with approved new house to the immediate left The Site
Nearby House across Linda Avenue Nearby House across Linda Avenue
Nearby House across Linda AvenueNearby House across Linda Avenue
House to the immediate rightNearby House to the left
15921 Linda Avenue
Design Review Comments
April 26, 2019 Page 3
Concerns and Issues
The proposed house has a relatively large footprint compared to others in the neighborhood and the recently approved
new home on the adjacent parcel - see illustration below. However, the proposed house would be one-story in height
compared to the others which are largely two-stories tall.
There are, however, a few issues as follows:
1. The tall entry element is out of character with this neighborhood and is not consistent with Residential Design
Guideline 3.6.3.
. 3.6.3 Design entries with sensitivity to the surrounding neighborhood
• Avoid large and formal entries unless that is the norm for nearby houses. It is often best to start the design consideration with an
entry type (e.g., projecting or under eave porch) that is similar to nearby homes.
15921 Linda Avenue
Design Review Comments
April 26, 2019 Page 4
2. The use of stone on the front elevation without carrying the material around on other facades is not consistent
with Residential Design Guideline 3.2.2.
3.2.2 Design for architectural integrity
• Carry wall materials, window types and architectural details around all sides of the house. Avoid side and rear elevations that are
markedly different from the front elevation.
4. The garage projecting in front of the remainder of the house is not consistent with Residential Design Guideline
3.4.1.
3.4.1 Limit the prominence of garages
• Avoid designs that allow the garage to dominate the street facade.
• Set garages back from the front facade.
• Recess garage doors as much as possible from the garage facade.
• Integrate the garage into the house forms in a manner that de-emphasizes the garage doors.
Recommendations
1. Eliminate the stone on the front elevation or carry the stone consistently around all facades of the house.
2. Deep set the garage door.
3. Modify the entry to be more consistent with the norm of the neighborhood by integrating the entry with the
garage roof form and providing an under-eave entry similar to others in the neighborhood.
While this would not set the garage back, it would align it with the entry, and diminish the appearance of a projecting
garage.
Sean, please let me know if you have any questions, or if there are other issues that I did not address.
Sincerely,
CANNON DESIGN GROUP
Larry L. Cannon