Historic Preservation Committee
Regular MeetingLos Gatos, CA · May 27, 2026
Minutes
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING
MAY 27, 2026
The Historic Preservation Committee of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a regular meeting in
person.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Emily Thomas, Planning Commissioner Susan Burnett, Committee Member Alan
Feinberg, and Committee Member Lee Quintana.
Absent: Vice Chair Martha Queiroz.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Draft Minutes of the April 22, 2026, Historic Preservation Committee Meeting
(Audio time: 00:01:25)
MOTION: Motion by Committee Member Burnett to Approve Adoption of the
Consent Calendar. Seconded by Committee Member Quintana.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 9 Peralta Avenue
Request for Review PHST-26-012
APN 510-24-040
Property Owner: John and Donna Fox
Project Planner: Maria Chavarin
Consider a Request for Approval to Construct Exterior Alterations (Window
Modifications) to an Existing Pre-1941 Single-Family Residence on Property Zoned R-8.
Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301: Existing Facilities.
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6874
www.losgatosca.gov
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MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF MAY 27, 2026
Committee Member Quintana was recused due to owning property within 500 feet of the
subject site.
Maria Chavarin, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report.
Chair Thomas opened Public Comment.
The following individual spoke on this item:
1. Gary Kohsaat, Applicant
2. John and Donna Fox, Owners
Committee members asked questions of the applicant and owners.
Chair Thomas closed Public Comment.
(Audio time: 00:13:12)
MOTION: Motion by Committee Member Burnett to recommend approval.
Seconded by Committee Member Feinberg.
Committee members discussed the matter.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously (3-0) Committee Member Quintana
recused.
3. 226 Caldwell Avenue
Request for Review Application PHST-26-014
APN 529-20-031
Property Owner: Jignesh Mehta
Applicant: Amir Afifi
Project Planner: Suray Nathan
Consider a Request for Approval to Remove a Pre-1941 Property from the Historic
Resources Inventory for Property Zoned R-1:D. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines
Section 15061 (b)(3).
Suray Nathan, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report.
Chair Thomas opened Public Comment.
The following individual spoke on this item:
1. Amir Afifi, Applicant
2. Jignesh Mehta, Owner
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MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF MAY 27, 2026
Committee members asked questions of the applicant.
Chair Thomas closed Public Comment.
(Audio time: 00:27:37)
MOTION: Motion by Committee Member Quintana to Recommend Denial to the
Community Development Director to Remove a Pre-1941 Property from
the Historic Resources Inventory for Property Zoned R-1:D. Based on the
Finding that the Integrity of the House has Been Maintained. Exempt
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3). Seconded by
Committee Member Burnett.
Committee members discussed the matter.
Chair Thomas opened Public Comment.
The following individual spoke on this item:
1. Member of the Public
Chair Thomas closed Public Comment.
Committee members discussed the matter.
The maker of the motion amended the motion to include the finding that the house has
distinctive style characteristics.
The seconder of the motion accepted the amendment to the motion.
(Audio time: 00:40:14)
MOTION: Motion by Committee Member Quintana to Recommend Denial to the
Community Development Director to Remove a Pre-1941 Property from
the Historic Resources Inventory for Property Zoned R-1:D. This is Based
on the Findings that the Integrity of the House has Been Maintained and
that the House has Distinctive Style Characteristics. Exempt Pursuant to
CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3). Seconded by Committee Member
Burnett.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously (4-0).
4. 142 Wheeler Avenue
Request for Review Application PHST-26-011
APN 532-37-034
Property Owner/Applicant: Rod and Wendy Rowalt
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MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF MAY 27, 2026
Project Planner: Erin Walters
Consider a Request for Approval to Remove a Pre-1941 Property from the Historic
Resources Inventory for Property Zoned R-1:10. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines,
Section 15061 (b)(3).
Erin Walters, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
Chair Thomas opened Public Comment.
The following individuals spoke on this item:
1. Bess Wiersema, Applicant
2. Rod and Wendy Rowalt, Owner
Committee members asked questions of the applicant.
Chair Thomas closed Public Comment.
Committee members asked questions of staff.
(Audio time: 01:01:04)
MOTION: Motion by Committee Member Feinberg to Recommend Approval to the
Community Development Director to Remove a Pre-1941 Property from
the Historic Resources Inventory for Property Zoned R-1:10. Exempt
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061 (b)(3). Seconded by Chair
Thomas.
Committee members discussed the matter.
VOTE: Motion failed (2-2). Quintana and Burnett opposed.
OTHER BUSINESS
5. 25 Hernandez Avenue
Request for Review Application PHST-26-007
APN: 510-42-071
Applicant: Davide Giannella
Property Owner: Chiara Zuniga and Karl Petre
Project Planner: Erin Walters.
Consider a Request for Preliminary Review to Construct an Addition and Exterior
Alterations to an Existing Pre-1941 Single-family Residence on Property Zoned R-1:8.
Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301: Existing Facilities.
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MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF MAY 27, 2026
Committee Member Quintana was recused due to owning property within 500 feet of the
subject site.
Erin Walters, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
Chair Thomas opened Public Comment.
The following individual spoke on this item:
1. Lee Quintana, Neighbor
2. Davide Giannella, Applicant
Committee members asked questions of the neighbor.
Committee members asked questions of the applicant.
Committee members asked questions of staff.
Chair Thomas closed Public Comment.
Committee members discussed the matter and provided feedback.
In favor of the proposed changes to the windows and wrapping the frieze around the home.
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Sean Mullin, Planning Manager, presented the report:
1. The HPC discussion item has been rescheduled for June 10, 2026.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 5:34 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
May 27, 2026 meeting as approved by the
Historic Preservation Committee.
/s/ Sean Mullin, AICP, Planning Manager
Agenda
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
MAY 27, 2026
110 EAST MAIN STREET
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
4:00 PM
Emily Thomas, Chair
Martha Queiroz, Vice Chair
Susan Burnett, Planning Commissioner
Alan Feinberg, Committee Member
Lee Quintana, Committee Member
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This meeting will be held in person at the location listed above. Members of the public may
provide written or oral comments on agenda items by following the instructions listed at the
end of the agenda.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
CONSENT ITEMS (Items appearing on the Consent Items are considered routine Town business
and may be approved by one motion. Any member of the Committee may request to have an item
removed from the Consent Items for comment and action. Members of the public may provide
input on any or multiple Consent Item(s) when the Chair asks for public comments on the Consent
Items. Each speaker is limited to three minutes or such time as authorized by the Chair. If an item
is removed, the Chair has the sole discretion to determine when the item will be heard.)
1. Draft Minutes of the April 22, 2026, Historic Preservation Committee Meeting
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS (Members of the public are welcome to address the Historic
Preservation Committee on any matter that is not listed on the agenda and is within the subject
matter jurisdiction of the Committee. During special meetings, members of the public are welcome
to address the Committee only on items listed on the agenda. Town resources may not be used to
facilitate audio or visual presentations. To ensure all agenda items are heard, this portion of the
agenda is limited to 30 minutes. In the event additional speakers were not able to be heard during
the initial Verbal Communications portion of the agenda, an additional Verbal Communications will
be opened prior to adjournment. Each speaker is limited to three minutes or such time as authorized
by the Chair.)
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PUBLIC HEARINGS (Presentations during the Public Hearings portion of the agenda by appellants
and applicants, including any expert or consultant assisting with the presentation, shall be limited
to a total of no more than five (5) minutes for all speakers. Appellants and applicants shall be
provided no more than three (3) minutes to rebut at the end of the public hearing. Visual
presentations that require the use of staff resources shall be limited to appellants and applicants.
Members of the public testifying at public hearings shall be limited to no more than three (3)
minutes, or such time as authorized by the Chair. Items requested/recommended for continuance
are subject to the Committee's consent at the meeting.)
2. Consider a Request for Approval to Construct Exterior Alterations (Window Modifications)
to an Existing Pre-1941 Single-Family Residence on Property Zoned R-1:8. Located at 9
Peralta Avenue. APN 510-42-040. Request for Review Application PHST-26-012.
Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301: Existing Facilities.
Property Owner: John and Donna Fox. Project Planner: Maria Chavarin.
3. Consider a Request to Remove a Pre-1941 Property from the Historic Resources Inventory
for Property Zoned R-1D. Located at 226 Caldwell Avenue. APN 529-20-031. Request for
Review PHST-26-014. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061 (b)(3). Property
Owner: Jignesh Mehta. Applicant: Amir Afifi. Project Planner: Suray Nathan.
4. Consider a Request for Approval to Remove a Pre-1941 Property from the Historic
Resources Inventory for Property Zoned R-1:10. Located at 142 Wheeler Avenue. APN
532-37-034. Request for Review PHST-26-011. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines,
Section 15061 (b)(3). Property Owner/Applicant: Rodd and Wendy Rowalt. Project
Planner: Erin Walters.
OTHER BUSINESS (Each speaker is limited to three minutes or such time as authorized by the Chair.)
5. Consider a Request for Preliminary Review to Construct an Addition and Exterior
Alterations to an Existing Pre-1941 Single-Family Residence on Property Zoned R-1:8.
Located at 25 Hernandez Avenue. APN: 510-42-071. Exempt Pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines, Section 15301: Existing Facilities.
Request for Review Application PHST-26-007. Property Owner: Chiara Zuniga and Karl
Petre. Applicant: Davide Giannella. Project Planner: Erin Walters.
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE MATTERS
ADJOURNMENT
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ADA NOTICE - In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you require special
assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Clerk’s Office at (408) 354-6834.
Please notify the Clerk’s Office at least two (2) business days prior to the meeting so that
reasonable arrangements can be made to ensure accessibility in compliance with 28 CFR §35.102-
35.104 and related provisions.
NOTICE REGARDING SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS - Materials related to an item on this agenda
submitted to the Committee after initial distribution of the agenda packets are available for
public inspection in the Clerk’s Office at Town Hall, 110 E. Main Street, Los Gatos, and on the
Town’s website at www.losgatosca.gov. Town Committee agendas and related materials can be
viewed online at https://losgatos-ca.municodemeetings.com/.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
The Town of Los Gatos strongly encourages your active participation in the public process. If
you are interested in providing oral comments during the meeting, you must attend in-
person, complete a speaker’s card, and return it to the staff. If you wish to speak to an item
on the agenda, please list the item number on the speaker card. The time allocated to
speakers may change to better facilitate the meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting
in-person, you are welcome to submit written comments via email to
planning@losgatosca.gov.
Public Comment During the Meeting:
When called to speak, please limit your comments to three (3) minutes, or such other time as
the Chair may decide, consistent with the time limit for speakers at a Town meeting.
Speakers at public meetings may be asked to provide their name and to state whether they
are a resident of the Town of Los Gatos. Providing this information is not required.
Deadlines to Submit Written Comments:
If you are unable to participate in person, you may email planning@losgatosca.gov with the
subject line “Public Comment Item #_” (insert the item number relevant to your comment).
Persons wishing to submit written comments to be included in the materials provided to the
Commission must provide the comments as follows:
For inclusion in an addendum: by 3:00 a.m. on the day before the Committee meeting.
For inclusion in a desk item: by 11:00 a.m. the day of the Committee meeting.
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