Council approves 136‑sq‑ft addition to Tudor‑style home at 415 Bush Street after finding project complies with Secretary of the Interior standards

The Mountain View City Council unanimously approved a historic preservation permit to allow a 136‑square‑foot ground‑floor addition to an existing two‑story historic single‑family residence at 415 Bush Street. Staff told the council the property had been evaluated by consultant Page & Turnbull and found eligible for the state and national registers under Criterion C as a local example of Tudor Revival architecture.

Principal planner Diana Pancholi presented the application and a Secretary of the Interior Standards (SOIS) compliance analysis prepared for the project. Staff said the addition would be located on the Velarde Street side to expand the kitchen, would use complementary materials (stucco, horizontal wood siding at the gable, window frame detailing) and would be differentiated by a standing seam metal roof so the addition remains visually distinct. Staff concluded the design would retain defining Tudor Revival features and the project qualifies for a categorical CEQA exemption under Guidelines §15331 (historic resource restoration/rehabilitation).

Property owner Brad Bettman told the council he and his wife had lived in Mountain View 45 years and had lived in the house 35 years; the addition would allow them to consolidate laundry and storage on the main floor and reduce trips to the basement. Several council members praised the project as an example of preservation that can support housing goals — Councilmember Hicks noted the addition is all‑electric, which furthers city decarbonization aims.

Councilmember Schwalter moved approval, Councilmember Hicks seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The city will record the standard conditions of approval attached to staff’s report and proceed with required ministerial permits.