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Home My WebLink AboutSaratoga Los Gatos Road 20360HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #66) IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: None 2. Historic name: David C. Bell House, "Bellgrove" 3. Street or rural address: 20360 Saratoga -Los Gatos Road City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara 4. Parcel number: 397 -21 -029, 030 5. Present Owner: Betty Lou Rowe City: Saratoga Ownership is: Public: Address: 20360 Saratoga -Los Gatos Rd. Zip: 95070 Private: X 6. Present Use: Residence Original Use: Residence DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: Spanish Colonial 7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: This off - white, stucco Spanish Colonial style home is hidden from the road. It is a two -story structure with simple sash windows. A covered entryway, protecting a large wooden front door, forms a balcony for the second floor at the front. Hip roofs are covered with red spanish tile. The walkways and the porch are made of large slates of stone. The large yard consists mainly of lawn and oak trees. 8. Construction date: Estimated: Factual: 1904 9. Architect: possibly William Weeks 10. Builder: Unknown 11. Approx. prop. size Frontage: 252' Depth: 2091 approx. acreage: 1.2 12. Date(s) of enclosed photograph(s): 1988 13. Condition: Excellent: X Good: Fair: Deteriorated: No longer in existence: 14. Alterations: Red tile roof replaces original tin roof. 15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary) Open land: Scattered buildings: Densely built -up: X Residential: X Industrial: Commercial: Other: State Highway 9 16. Threats to site: None known: X Private development: Zoning: Vandalism: Public Works project: Other: 17. Is the structure: On its original site? X Moved? Unknown? 18. Related features: SIGNIFICANCE 19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site). This large home is an excellent representation of the Spanish Colonial style of architecture. It is located on Saratoga -Los Gatos Road near the Saratoga Village, yet the home is shielded with shrubbery and trees from the heavy flow of traffic. The home was built in 1904 by one of Saratoga's prominent leaders, David C. Bell. It was at Mr. Bell's suggestion in 1903 that Saratoga participate in the traveling libraries project that had been inaugurated by the State Librarian. Both Mr. & Mrs. Bell were active in civic development. Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Wood donated the lot for the Saratoga Foothill Clubhouse. In Saratoga's First Hundred Years there is a photo of the Bell's on their 62nd wedding anniversary. Their son Charles was a prominent realtor and also a community leader in Saratoga. 20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is checked, number in order of importance.) Architecture: X Arts /Leisure: Economic /Industrial: Exploration /Settlement: Government: Military: Religion: Social /Ed.: 21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews and their dates). Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory, 1975, 1979; Melita Oden, Historian, 1986. 22. Date form prepared: 4/88 By (name): SHPC Organization: City of Saratoga Address: 13777 Fruitvale Ave. City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Phone: 867 -3438 Locational sketch map (draw and label site and surrounding streets, roads, and prominent landmarks): NORTH CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING DEPARTMENT IDENTIFICATION CULTURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY INVENTORY # 41 PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN (date) Street Address APN 3� Historic Name n. (,'. Present Owner M0.0. .5 14 Address o 'I_Oa ELO-+ w, � �.rc�-�oacL CIR G S Y7 0 u Present Use _c�l(?lk,�(1('IL. Original.Us�j�,�Qjy1.��,, Other Past Uses DESCRIPTION Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site.or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: This w%L6, home, +) well hidden- %rove. the '.road" Columns Su_tDPor -t 0- br L� over hate Qn d 0. �m c� lL bcdCon `� , -rhe w ea.kw e�...� ctn c. h s�mp1 -e. p � d�, a-re Y- ,a dam. o LCD r e.. �1c�� s o ' Ste'^ ee , he s� �,s�, -�1�, nd cor��s� +� a na� SS Approximate property size: Lot size (in feet) Frontage Z,'O. Depth Z0 u, or approximate acreage Condition (check one): F�ellent () Good ( ) Fair (' ) i .eriorated ( )• No longer in existence ( ) Is the feature: Altered? , (() Unaltered? -(* ) Location sketch map (draw and label site and surrounding streets, roads, and pro- Threats to site: None known (74) Private Development ( ) Zoning ( ) Public.Works Project ( ) Vandalism ( ) Other ( ) Primary exterior building material: Stone ( ) Brick,( ) Stucco (M Adobe ( ) Wood ( ) Other ( ) Is the structure: On its original site? ( ) Moved? ( ) Unknown ( ) Year of initial construction ��. This date is:- Factual (.r') Estimated*( ) Architect (if known) Builder ( if known) Related features: Barn ( ) Carriage House ( ) Outhouse ( ) Shed(s) ( ) Formal garden(s) '( ) Windmill Watertower /Tankhouse ( ) Other ( ) �N one y SIGNIFICANCE Briefly state historical and/'or architectural- importance (incl,ude dates, events, and persons associated with the site when known•): Thtg h�ua� wds bu.L tk b,6 lov id C, ze11. l a> pwciw, ► henk- lec� c1erP i v, the, e46LbU'shrhC4 0-' 1903 6,_►ncL a Sax�,;l° a Trn prcNl eme Source (books, documents, surveys, personal interviews, and their dates): Form—prepared by: an & moo,\ t , �_50uti'��.��-�r�, Date: I�`�� ct ., HISTORIC with separate buildable lot *Walk to Village *Saratoga Schools *Mature Landscaping •d I rnrnc rJaks •Formal Dining Room *Historic Residence •5 Bedroom -,4'/2 Bath *Room for Pool $1,250,000 Cliff Maas Realty 395 -3122 principles only ' (Sr. No a (Argona Custom - at Unbelie FOREST P Beautiful Ca • Only 2 hrs. from' - • Three times more over custom -built Santa Clara Count • Wonderful recrea� facilities • Fabulous golf coin designed by ROBERT TRENT J Contact Renee (209) 728 -3 e _ I.t 14 miles east of A on Hwy. 4, Murph, died Alameda born in ators who after the 1. trace his had fought South, said [land Jr. of .,land graduated �ersity of Califor- iey in 1940 with a r and a library cer- Wr working in li- Bay Area, he went P and worked for ent of the Army, es- English libraries g to California in ,rked as librarian at Library until 1959, uecame librarian for •a Costa County Li- -etired from that post retired to Incline Vil- After 2 years of living 'ra, he moved to Sara- d1holland traveled in and abroad. :- besides his son, iare a daughter, Kar- •f Perryville, Ark; a Cotten of Pollack grandchildren and randchildren. His tery, uienburg; iCXas; IICa_ his wife. Donations to the American Cancer Society, Santa Clara County Unit, P.O. Box 26007, San Jose, CA, 95159, are preferred. Louise L. Chalfant, IOOF Home Louise L. Chalfant, 96, a former cafeteria worker and resident of IOOF Home, Sara- toga, died Oct. 6 at the in- firmary. She was born May 4, 1892, in Minnesota. A widow, she is survived by brothers and sisters, Richard Ludtke and Edwin Ludtke of Minn., and Elsie Marquardt of Minn. and Olga May of N. D. Inurnment was in IOOF Cemetery by Brunner's West Valley Chapel. Hope Edna Norrell, former seamstress Hope Edna Norrell, 90, a seamstress for various clothing stores in Marysville and Yuba City, died Oct. 5 at IOOF Home, Saratoga, where. she lived since 1976. She was born, Jan. 17, 1898, in Clear Springs, Mo. Survivors are two sons and a daughter, William Paterson of Wyo. and Frank Paterson of Yuba City, and Annabell Stark road. Mrs..Norell was a memtn Rebekah Lodge 142 of Marys- ville. Inurnment services were in IOOF Cemetery under direction of Brunner's West Valley Chapel. Business Briefs Pier 1 Imports — The na- tion's largest retailer of im- ported decorative items, has opened a new store in the Saratoga area. "The new store ", says store manager Marek Markuszewski, "is well suited for the Saratoga area. It appeals to shoppers looking for unique, decorative home furnishings and fashions at reasonable prices and great value. We will offer the people in Saratoga a great new shopping alternative with over 5,000 items to choose from. "We will continue to be re- sponsive to the values and life- styles of our shoppers. Not only do we want to keep them as cus- tomers when they are older, but we also to plan to attract a broad base of new shoppers from their children and, grandchildren" says Marvin Girouard, senior vice president of merchandising for Pier 1 Imports. The new store is located at 1807 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga. XL F1 A OTTE Qq 95&M& BOO C�� July 13, 1988 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE. . SARATOGA. CALIFORNIA 95070 (408) 867 -3438 Mrs. Betty Lou Rowe 20360 Saratoga -Los Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Mrs. Rowe: Gatos Road COUNCIL MEMBERS: Karen Anderson Martha Clevenger Joyce Hlava David Moyles Donald Peterson The Saratoga Heritage Preservation Commission has recently completed. a comprehensive Inventory of historic resources in our community. We are pleased to notify you that your residence at 20360 Saratoga -Los Gatos Road meets. the criteria for being included on this list. The purpose of the Heritage Resource Inventory is to establish a list of documented historic properties in Saratoga. The Heritage Preservation Commission was assigned the responsibility for preparing the Inventory by the City Council in 1982. Each property on the list has been identified as reflecting and being a part of the unique history of Saratoga. The Inventory has been prepared in accordance with guidelines established by the State Office of Historic Preservation, with data gathered from a variety of sources, including historic documents and books, interviews with local citizens, and existing county and state inventories that contain information on Saratoga properties. Being listed on the Inventory does not carry any form-of special requirements or restrictions affecting the use, improvement, alteration or even the demolition of your property. As an Inventory property, however, you will be able to make use of the State Historic Building Code, an alternative set of building regulations that are intended to facilitate the rehabilitation and preservation of historic buildings. In addition, your property may qualify for designation as a Saratoga Heritage Landmark, a special category of outstanding and exemplary historic properties that are identified in the community by a handsome bronze plaque. �`° We have enclosed the entire Inventory list and the individual Inventory form for your property, which gives information about the building, the property and its history. We would appreciate your review of this form to let us know if there are any changes or additions to the form.you wish to include. We also anticipate that there are additional historic resources in the community that we may have overlooked or have not fully documented yet; if you know of any that are not on the list, please let us know. If you have any questions, please direct them to the Commission through Valerie Young, our staff person at City Hall (867- 3438). One of the Commissioners will be happy to meet with you to discuss the Inventory and answer any questions you may have. Sincerely, Members of the Heritage Preservation Commission Elizabeth Ansnes Roy Cameron Norm Koepernik Shar n andsness Bar arA VoesteiY e rren Heid, Chairman . HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #66) IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: None 2. Historic name: David C. Bell House, "Bellgrove" 3. Street or rural address: 20360 Saratoga -Los Gatos Road City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara 4. Parcel number: 397 -21 -029, 030 5. Present Owner: Betty Lou Rowe City: Saratoga Ownership is: Public: Address: 20360 Saratoga -Los Gatos Rd. Zip: 95070 Private: X 6. Present Use: Residence Original Use:' Residence DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: Spanish Colonial 7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: This off - white, stucco Spanish Colonial style home is hidden from the road. It is a two -story structure with simple sash windows. A covered entryway, protecting a large wooden front door, forms a balcony for the second floor at the front. Hip roofs are covered with red spanish tile. The walkways and the porch are made of large slates of stone. The large yard consists mainly of lawn and oak trees. (photograph here) 8. Construction date: Estimated: Factual: 1904 9. Architect: possibly William Weeks 10. Builder: Unknown 11. Approx. prop. size - Frontage: 252' Depth: 209' approx. acreage: 1.2 12. Date(s) of enclosed photograph(s): 1988 13. Condition: Excellent: X Good: Fair: Deteriorated: No longer in existence: 14. Alterations: Red tile roof replaces original tin roof. 15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary) Open land: Scattered buildings: Densely built -up: X Residential: X Industrial: Commercial: Other: State Highway 9 16. Threats to site: None known: X Private development: Zoning: Vandalism: Public Works project: Other: 17. Is the structure: On its original site? X Moved? Unknown? 18. Related features: SIGNIFICANCE 19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site), This large home is an excellent representation•of the Spanish Colonial style of architecture. It is located on Saratoga -Los Gatos Road near the Saratoga Village, yet the home is shielded with shrubbery and trees from the heavy flow of traffic. The home was built in 1904 by one of Saratoga's prominent leaders, David C. Bell. It was at Mr. Bell's suggestion in 1903 that Saratoga participate in the traveling libraries project that had been inaugurated by the State Librarian. Both Mr. & Mrs. Bell were active in civic development. Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Wood donated the lot for the Saratoga Foothill Clubhouse. In Saratoga's First Hundred Years there is a photo of the Bell's on their 62nd wedding anniversary. Their son Charles was a prominent realtor and also a community leader in Saratoga. 20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is checked, number in order of importance.) Architecture: X Arts /Leisure: Economic /Industrial: Exploration /Settlement: Government: Military: Religion: Social /Ed.: 21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews and their dates). Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory, 1975, 1979; Melita Oden, Historian, 1986. 22. Date form prepared: 4/88 By (name) : SHPC Organization: City of Saratoga Address: 13777 Fruitvale Ave. City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Phone: 867 -3438 Locational sketch map (draw and label site and surrounding streets, roads, and prominent landmarks): ANORTH 21�7 PAUL B. SMITH ERIC L. FARASYN LEONARD J. SIEGAL HAROLD S. TOPPEL ROBERT K. BOOTH, JR. STEVEN G. BAIRD .ATKINSON • FARASYN ATTORNEYS AT LAW 660 WEST DANA STREET P.O. BOX 279 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA 94042 (415) 967 -6941 June 18, 1987 The Saratoga Heritage Commission c/o Valerie Young City of Saratoga Planning Department 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, California 95070 Re: Correspondence from Betty Lou Rowe Dear Commissioners: . M. ATKINSON, (1892 -1982) L. M. FARASYN, (1915 -1979) / 1 1/ / W (P vll� ol 10 I have reviewed" the correspondence from Mrs. Betty Lou Rowe objecting to the inclusion of her residence in the inventory of heritage resources compiled by the Heritage Commission. This property has not been officially designated by the City as an historic landmark, pursuant to Chapter 13 of the City Code, and it is my understanding that no historical designation has been conferred by any other governmental agency or non - governmental organization. The Commission has requested my advice as to whether it is compelled to remove this property from the Heritage Inventory, in response to a specific request from the owner to do so. It is my opinion that a property can be listed in the Heritage Inventory notwithstanding an objection by the owner. The preparation of this inventory constitutes the exercise of .a specific responsibility imposed upon the Heritage Commission under Section 13- 10.050(a) of the City Code, which requires the Commission to: "conduct, or cause to be conducted, a comprehensive survey of properties within the boundaries of the City for the purpose of etablishing an official inventory of heritage resources." This language closely resembles the statewide responsibility imposed upon the California Historical Resources Commission under Section 5020.4 of the Public Resources Code, which requires that Commission to conduct a statewide inventory and maintain comprehensive records of historical resources. The listing of a property on the City inventory does not, in itself, result in the official designation of such property as a heritage resource. Such designation can only be accomplished through the adoption of an ordinance by the City Council, after the conduct of all proceedings as required under Article 13 -15 of the City Code. These proceedings can only be initiated by the property owner and there is no provision in the City Code for involuntary designation of any property as an historic landmark. Moreover, in the absence of a designation officially conferred by The Saratoga Heritage Commission June 18, 1987 Page 2 ordinance, there are no special requirements or restrictions controlling the use, improvement, alteration or even the demolition of any structure listed in the inventory. At most, the inventory represents certain properties which the Commission feels may qualify for designation as a heritage resource, if and when the owner voluntarily requests such designation. Based upon the foregoing, I must disagree with the statement by Mrs. Rowe that the listing of her property in the inventory constitutes a "limitation" or "government intervention." The listing of her property does not create any new obligations or restrictions with respect to its use or development. In addition, Mrs. Rowe has made no claim that the listing will operate to impair the value of her property. In this regard, I assume the Heritage Commission can bring forth evidence to demonstrate that the identification of a property as a heritage resource may actually serve to increase its value. In any event, the property was not listed for the purpose of conferring any "advantage" upon Mrs. Rowe. Conversely, the listing of her property should not impose any disadvantages. garold uly yo ur , S. Toppel Saratoga City Attorney HST:dz i M VYI cvt-at - 0 C, -� Lay VVL.0 - &41 1 w �`'- ,. ti Math 2 � MONTH, VISTA HIGH SCHOOL Page 11 Mathematics Department Analytic Geometry Objective 3, Date L- -A Name Nur:b c r Ending Time (15) Prove,, using coordinate geometry, that if 2L medians; of a l&ABC are congruent, then the tri -nglc is is:os.colcs. �b dl coordi.natos B =( , ) C =( , ) ,o V 091AVG.., -` L rca /aHH st 29740 .�iM& Div rn, .rP�,ad �� KW Stso o 04L-vrn- V 11,M, 4 E. V c-u Id 11-i A" ,4 h, ,tJ ?OJ60 ✓trulo,�Ia Ylv �alw C d Leta, L d recd. - A-t 1- 4,IanLl-�'/ N �v UJAUS A 92 July 14, 1987 13777 F'RUITVALE AVENUE: • SARATOGA. CALIFORNIA 95070 (4108) 867 - :3.1:313 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Mrs. Betty Lou Rowe 20360 Saratoga -Los Gatos Road Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Mrs. Rowe: Karen Anderson Martha Clevenger Joyce Hlava David Moyles Donald Peterson On behalf of the Heritage Preservation Commission of the City of Saratoga, I would like to acknowledge the letters you sent to Com- missioners Heid, Tyrrell and Voester a few months ago regarding the listing of your house in the inventory of Saratoga heritage resources. Our acknowledgement has been delayed because we sought advice from the City Attorney on how best to respond to your concerns. The Heritage Commission is responsible for preparing a comprehensive inventory of heritage resources in Saratoga. As you know, your house on Saratoga -�os Gatos Road is an excellent example of such a resource. Our plan to include your property on the inventory does not create any special restrictions or limitations on the use, improvement, alteration or even demolition of such property. Listing on the inventory also does not result in the designation of such property as an official heritage resource. Designation can only occur if and when the owner voluntarily requests such designation. The Heritage Commission hopes to complete the inventory later this year. We welcome your continued interest in preservation activities in Saratoga and are available to answer any questions you may have regarding the inventory. Sincerely, Eli beth Ansnes; Vice Chair Heritage Preservation Commission 12378 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Rd. #8 Saratoga, CA 95070 Wednesday, March 4,19$7 gg 41 BULKRATE .� U.S. Postage Paid I,,IIIZT VOE 3TER Donnelly Newspapers I-I251 ]31JF21� S �'1 Al' SARA,110GA, c,,. 95070 —•ate _ ._ .—.r __ _ b , .� � 0. �q, . , 35 Restoring the city's past N d r Z U) ews Plan goes back to City Council Commission nixes lower 2nd unit fees By Rod Vardon The Saratoga Planning Com- mission last week unanimously turned thumbs down on a City Council- endorsed plan to reduce permit application fees and zoning standards for owners of some existing second units. "To relax standards for peo- ple who have been illegally providing housing in structures that are unsafe is unfair," Commissioner Karen Tucker said. The plan, initiated in Janu- ary by the Saratoga Planning Department, would reduce fees for use permit applications by half the normal amount for owners of some second units built before Aug. 18, 1984, when the city's latest ordinance regarding second units took effect. The proposal would also relax physical development standards — such as requir- ments for setbacks, unit size, driveway access, etc. — in favor of increased emphasis on health and safety regulations such as `I don't see how reducing fees is going to encourage more people to legalize their units.' David Pines fire and building requirements and sewer standards. Current regulations requir- ing that no more than two people occupy a second unit and that at least one resident of either the second unit or main unit be 60 years old or older or physically handicapped would be retained. The loosened standards would apply only to those units built before August 1984 that complied with zoning standards in effect at the time they were built. Planning Director Yuchuek Hsia and members of the City Council believe the reduced fees Inside the News and zoning standards will en- courage owners of old units to apply for new use permits to legalize the units under current law. The ordinance would be amended to reflect the proposed changes. "The (revised) process would enable the city to make a determination as to whether the existing second unit is fit for human occupancy," said City Attorney Hal Toppel, who drafted the proposed ordinance amendments. "In place of the numerous restrictions and standards now contained in the city code, the basic considera- tion would be whether the unit provides safe and sanitary housing in terms of compliance with the building, health and fire codes." "It may be true that we would only be relaxing zoning standards, but that includes reducing traffic, noise and parking requirements, and there's no provision for ensuring compatibility with the surround- ing neighborhood. I think that's very relaxed," said Planning Flag Day low Bed and Breakfast inns in Poster contest the city. Both homeowners say Students throughout Sara - Students at Blue Hills School that to allow B&Bs would help in Sara- in Saratoga made Flag Day an nreservine old homes. ____...._ ........toga took part in the. CA,,SA.L, .. Commission Chairwoman Ann Marie Burger. Under the proposal, the Plan- ning Commission would be taken out of the approval process for new second unit use permits, with Hsia taking over that responsibility. Hsia's de- cisions could be appealed direct- ly to the City Council. Although the plan would reduce permit application fees by 300 percent for owners of legally constructed units, Com- Please turn to page 6 et s lihts stre 9 t g aken off "policy ag,A Ada �w When then Saratoga City, sign's that reflect headlights, a Council` meets Friday and' pThe Saratoga ° Mainfe Saturday to" decide ' policy 9 nance Department made the priorities for the . coming proposal, - saying thezdarknerss : fis6l year,,the idea of °install -in,, r=esidential " neighborhoods " ing more street lights will not. that do not `have street lights be on the agenda, makes it very, difficult to find AE the re q uest� of; °council'= « °" streets at night. man David lbloyles, the coup= Saratoga has streetlights cil voted 4- 0`Feb. 18 (Mayors in the Village area and at Joyce HIaua was absent) :to� malor>intersections:�Insfallu4 �astrike fthe idea °"froma °list of tion "costs are paid by the city n policy, proposals submitted by and reimbursed through as- city�officialsaald the public m. Ttie,statiis fine sessments,on . properCy. owners: �.° , �•�, , quo is just with me," Moyles said. A similar assessment ds- Moyles and �othert council , trict- is in; effect in;, the Sara. , erWers: said there -has, riots °'hills" jarea =, the - only `been `,enough`public support '_ ,Drive' residential "neighborhood in for more street hghtsjo war- ; the city withIstreet lights..... errant the effoM�and expense,of. -,The. results of -the . City' •= installing them. In a,a city„ Council's "policy- develop- survey, conducted in �Decem- ` meftt" conference Slated for ber, and January, three resi- ,.,this weekenit ,w ll fbrm tile: dents ":asked for more`lig fits ..@ = °m', basis, for the 1987=88 ciEy In ;deciding not to discuss °, budget and, will � prioritize additional street lights,, the�� w.ock 9iteinsto . bey iiutated, ,council,also'voted not to eon _ during the`year by the council sider "replacing `existing" non a. and by city staff and commis= reflective street, signs . with signs: �#aratnga Nrw Published every Wednesday at 12378 Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road, Suite 8, Saratoga CA 95070. Declared a legal newspaper of general circulation by the Superior Court of Santa Clara County; Decree No. 328148, June 2, 1975. Publisher /Editor News Iver Davidson (408) 252 -6661 Assistant Editor Advertising Rob Vardon (408) 255 -7500 (408) 252 -6661 Reporters and contributors Nicole D'Amore, Cindy Cooper Bulletin Board Ads James Oberhauser, Terri Brown- Davidson (408) 252 -6661 Photographer Circulation Jenna Calk (408) 255 -9570 Display advertising Claire Kaelin, retail sales manager; Jan Hellmann Yearly subscription rates by mail, payable in advance: Bulletin Board advertising In county: $15 Lois Hower Out of county: $24 Out of state: $48 L U co W A love of old homes has many Saratogans returning venerable structures to their former glory, increasing the houses' aesthetic and financial value in the process. Local residents make big investments in history By Cindy Cooper Several Saratoga residents have been preserving Sar- atoga's heritage by restoring old homes. Betty Rowe has spent 20 years restoring her home on Saratoga -Los Gatos Road to its original 1904 condition. "The house is obviously Spanish or Mediterranean," Rowe said, "but some of the architecture was confused." For example, she said, the upstairs porch had an enclosed wall, which Rowe replaced with a iron fence. When she bought the house, it had a tin roof. To make the Oak Street resident Holly Davies is adding a library and garden room to her 1950s -era home. house more authentic, she re- placed the tin with Spanish tile. A love of the old home and a desire to make it more liveable were the main reasons Rowe kept up the hard work, she said. "The only answer to the ques- tion (of what to do with the house) was to keep fixing it up." About eight years ago, Rowe's nephew and fiancee ap- proached her about having their wedding at her home. Rowe realized there was much work to be done including repairing the front pillars. $100,000 in repairs Over the years, she has had to take out loans to pay for the approximately $100,000 worth of repairs made to both the exter- ior and interior, but Rowe thinks all the money and time she spent was worth the end result. "I thought, `I've got a good house and if I fix it up, it would be worth even more,' "she said. "There are very few business deals where you can enjoy living in (a house) as you take care of it. I don't have to get two or three times my money back, which I could do if I went com- mercial." Rowe could have chosen to nominate her home for designa- Please turn to page 11 Historic homes get facelifts Continued from page 4 tion as a historical landmark. But she decided the house would not sell as easily with landmark recognition as it would without historic designation. "The only advantage to mak- ing it a historical monument would be if I wanted to go com- mercial. The historical monu- ment status enhances the value of a commercial venture," she said. Proposal would allow B &Bs At present, Rowe's neighbor- hood is not zoned for commer- cial use. A proposal before the City Council could extend the boundaries of the Saratoga Vil- lage 500 feet, which would allow limited commercial uses — namely bed and breakfast inns — within residential neighbor- hoods. But Rowe and some of her neighbors are against the pro- posal. "I have been fighting 20 years to keep the area from be- coming commercial," she said. When Greg Grodhaus bought his property on Saratoga -Los Gatos Road about five years ago, it contained an old barn dat- ing back to the early 1900s. In- stead of tearing it down, he de- cided to restore it by replacing the walls with redwood siding and converting the 600 -foot ground floor into a gym and the top floor into living quarters. "It cost about $25,000 for us to do the restoration, but our real - tor told us we could get 2 to 3 times what we put into it when we go to sell the property," he said. Holly Davies, an Oak Street resident, has taken her 1950s -era home and remodeled it to get "in harmony with the rest of the neighborhood. " "We took out the old double garage and double -car driveway in front of the house and moved the garage to the back," she said. The second floor of the gar- age is used for storage. In addition, Davies took out the home's picture windows and sliding glass doors and replaced them with multi -light windows. Currently, she is adding a li- brary and garden room. "I consider myself part of the residential area of the Village because parts of the neighbor- hood are about 100 years old," Davies said. But we are not in the commercial part of the Vil- lage. I think bed, and hr -L-f -- inns are okay, but not in this ' neighborhood." `Ambience and history' People who move to Saratoga can expect to pay 30 percent to 40 percent more than they would for a home in San Jose or Alma- den Valley, Grodhaus said. "They buy old homes for the ambience and the history," he added. Ltaxot ov-� m" bAi, ViQ Sa/) 4�- , 41- G� t6o--, 4T �� Imo_ r,1� R� Ia�w,� -- - -- — - __ _.. _ _ �I, _ ___.. ___. ill_ _ _. ___ -_ i� i ____ if - - - ry - - __ II�. -- - 1V� - - - ;� /6� Lztv