Item 5C -2061 Bluff StAGENDA ITEM #5C PAGE 1
M E M O R A N D U M
November 2, 2016
TO: Landmarks Board
FROM: Lesli Ellis, Comprehensive Planning Manager
Debra Kalish, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Marcy Cameron, Historic Preservation Planner
James Hewat, Senior Historic Preservation Planner
William Barnum, Historic Preservation Intern
SUBJECT: Public hearing and consideration of an application to designate the
the property at 2061 Bluff St. as a local historic landmark as per
Section 9-11-5, Boulder Revised Code 1981 (HIS2016-00145).
____________________________________________________________________________
STATISTICS
1. Site: 2061 Bluff St., Boulder, Colorado
2. Zoning: RMX-1 (Residential Mixed – 1)
3. Owner/Applicant: Jesse Markt and Lindy Hinman
4. Legal Description: PARCEL A COOPER
5. Date of Construction: 1901
______________________________________________________________________________
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Landmarks Board adopt the following motion:
I move that the Landmarks Board recommend that the City Council designate the property at
2061 Bluff St. as a local historic landmark, to be known as the Nelson Terrace, finding that it
meets the standards for individual landmark designation in Sections 9-11-1 and 9-11-2, B.R.C.
1981, and adopt the staff memorandum dated November 2, 2016, as the findings of the board.
FINDINGS
The Landmarks Board finds that, based upon the application and evidence presented
and subject to the conditions of approval, the proposed designation application will be
consistent with the purposes and standards of the Historic Preservation Ordinance,
Chapter 9-11, B.R.C. 1981, and:
AGENDA ITEM #5C PAGE 2
1. The proposed designation will protect, enhance, and perpetuate a property
reminiscent of past eras and persons important in local and state history and
provide a significant example of architecture from the past. Sec. 9-11-1(a), B.R.C.
1981.
2. The proposed designation will maintain an appropriate setting and environment
and will enhance property values, stabilize the neighborhood, promote tourist
trade and interest, and foster knowledge of the city’s living heritage. Sec. 9-11-
1(a), B.R.C. 1981.
3. The proposed designation draws a reasonable balance between private property
rights and the public interest in preserving the city’s cultural, historic, and
architectural heritage by ensuring that demolition of buildings important to that
heritage will be carefully weighed with other alternatives. Sec. 9-11-1(b), B.R.C.
1981.
4. The property proposed for designation has historical, architectural or aesthetic
interest or value. Sec. 9-11-2(a)(1), B.R.C. 1981.
BACKGROUND
On August 11, 2016, the City of Boulder received a demolition permit application to
demolish and rebuild the south, east, and west exterior walls of the building at 2061
Bluff St. On August 17, 2016 and September 7, 2016, the Landmarks Design Review
Committee (Ldrc) reviewed the application and determined the building to be
potentially eligible for landmark designation. On September 8, 2016, the city received an
application from the property owner, Jesse Markt and Lindy Hinman, for an individual
landmark designation of the property. In September 2016, the Ldrc reviewed and
approved a request for the deconstruction and reconstruction of a portion of the south,
east and west walls. Landmark designation of the property will allow the property
owners to take advantage of historic preservation tax credits and for the work to be
reviewed to ensure consistency with historic preservation practices.
PROPERTY DESCRIPTION
The 3,670 sq. ft. property, located on the north side of Bluff St., between 20th Street and
Mesa Drive, was subdivided in 1983 through a Planned Unit Development (PUD). At
that time, a rear addition was constructed on the house and, in 1986, a second unit was
constructed at the rear of the lot, which is accessed from Mesa Drive. The property is
located in the identified potential Whittier Historic District, which was found to be
eligible for listing at the local level and in the National Register of Historic Places. The
AGENDA ITEM #5C PAGE 3
building was recognized by the Landmarks Board (then Landmarks Preservation
Advisory Board), as a Structure of Merit in 1988 for its distinct Terrace design.
Figure 1. Location Map, 2061 Bluff St.
Figure 2. 2061 Bluff St., South Elevation (façade), 2016
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Originally constructed as a duplex, the one-story, flat-roof building features two
entrances, each with a central door flanked by wide, double-hung windows. Wooden
frame porches cover each of the entrances, and feature simple square supports, railing,
and a gable peak at the entrance. The building exhibits a high quality of craftsmanship
in the masonry detailing including a parapet that features decorative pressed brick. The
building rests on a stone foundation. The foundation on the west elevation has been
parged with concrete.
Figure 3. East elevation, 2016.
The east and west elevations are mirrored, with two window openings: a single
opening toward the south corner of the elevation, and a second opening with pairs of
double-hung windows farther north. All openings have sandstone sills and arched
AGENDA ITEM #5C PAGE 5
openings. The foundation on the west is parged. A single-story, brick addition is located
at the rear of the building. All of the windows and doors on the building have been
replaced.
Figure 4. West elevation, 2016.
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Figure 5. North (rear) elevation, West Elevation, 2016.
ALTERATIONS
Figure 6. Boulder County Assessor’s Photo, c.1949
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Figure 7. Boulder County Assessor’s Photo, date unknown.
Figure 8. Boulder County Assessor’s Photo, c.1980
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This building remains highly intact, with minor alterations. The house was converted
from a duplex into a single unit in 1980, which did not involve exterior changes. A
portion of the northwest wall of the building was replaced in 1985, at which time the
foundation was parged, a cedar picket fence was constructed around the front of the
property in 2000 (no longer extant), and the house was reroofed with a membrane
system in 2004.
Structure of Merit Recognition
The Landmarks Board recognizes buildings and sites that have architectural and/or
historic merit as Structures of Merit. Properties are either nominated by the property
owner or by the Landmarks Board. Structure of Merit recognition is honorary and does
not provide protection or regulation. See Attachment G: Structure of Merit Records.
Following the historic building inventory survey of the Whittier neighborhood in 1988,
the Landmarks Board recognized seventeen identified Terrace buildings in Boulder,
including the building at 2059-2061 Bluff St., as Structures of Merit. Two buildings,
2010-14 19th St. and 1911-15 Pearl St., have been individually landmarked. Two others,
2535-37 5th St. and 1815-21 17th St., are located within the boundaries of local historic
districts. The Terrace building at 1433-35 13th St. was demolished sometime after 1989.
The 1988 Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board Memo includes the following
description of 2059-2061 Bluff St.:1
The structures listed are all of masonry, one story, with flat roofs. They are important to
Boulder because they were early examples of multi-family housing. All but three were
already built and occupied at the time of the 1913 City Directory.
Unlike terraces in many other communities, Boulder terraces were scattered throughout
residential neighborhoods of the time, providing residential housing and some
professional and business usage of the address. Lots were generally small and on side
streets adjacent to main business streets, although the terraces on Bluff Street do not fit
this type of location nor does the one on 5th Street.
The families occupying the terraces were a mix of owners and renters. Occupations
varied from miner to business owners and professional men as well as clerks for
downtown businesses. Some single women resided in terraces, with a few operating a
business or profession from the address.
1 Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board Memorandum. City of Boulder. April 5, 1989.
AGENDA ITEM #5C PAGE 9
One terrace on Bluff has been converted to a single -family residence, in all the others
residential or mixed use continues today, with few, if any, changes to the exteriors.
Some additional examples of two story terraces may exist, but research is not yet
complete on these structures. Only one has been landmarked.
HISTORY
This property is located within Widner’s addition to the city, which was created in 1872,
and enlarged in 1874. It is named for Amos and Louise Widner, who created the
addition from their farmlands. Amos Widner had made some money in the 1849
California Gold Rush, before returning east to marry Louise shortly before 1860, when
the couple travelled to Colorado via covered wagon. For their first few years in
Colorado, they lived in Central City, where Amos established a successful gold ore mill.
Later, they moved to Boulder to establish a farm. Their log house (since demolished)
was noted for its richly crafted furnishings, and served as a center of social life in the
town.2
This property changed hands several times before the current house was constructed. In
1889, notable local banker Charles G. Buckingham sold the property to the Benedictine
Sisters of Chicago, but they held it for only a year before selling it to Mary V. Macon.
After passing through four other owners, the property was acquired by Nicholas and
Mary Glaze in 1898. They owned the property until 1905, and the current house was
likely built in about 1901 under their ownership. Nicholas was born in 1840 in Ohio, the
son of John and Sally Glaze3. By 1850, the family had relocated to Crawford, Illinois,
from where Nicholas joined Company D of the 38th Illinois Regiment as a 1st Lieutenant
during the Civil War4. Mary Amanda Glaze was born on March 9, 1834, in Newark,
Ohio5. She married Nicholas in 1872, and they had moved to Denver by 1880, where
Nicholas worked as a teamster6. They had a daughter, Eva, in 1885, and by 1900 were
living at 2442 Fourth Street.7 At that time, Nicolas was working as a coach driver.8
Evidently, the Glazes built the terrace at 2061 Bluff Street as a rental property, as the city
directory listings, which first list this address in 1901, never show them as the
2 Whitacre, Christine, and R. Laurie Simmons, “1986/1987 Boulder Survey of Historic Places: Whittier
Neighborhood.” City of Boulder, September, 1987.
3 Bureau of the Census, Seventh Census of the United States. United States of America, 1850. Ancestry.com.
4 Ibid; Office of the Illinois Secretary of State Website, Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls. Web.
http://www.ilsos.gov/isaveterans/civilMusterSearch.do?key=94807
5 Find-A-Grave Index, “Mary Amanda Glaze.” Ancestry.com.
6 Bureau of the Census, Thirteenth Census of the United States. United States of America, 1910. Ancestry.com.;
Bureau of the Census, Tenth Census of the United States. United States of America, 1850. Ancestry.com
7 Bureau of the Census, Twelfth Census of the United States. United States of America, 1900. Ancestry.com
8 Ibid.
AGENDA ITEM #5C PAGE 10
occupants. They sold the property to Benjamin Nelson in 1905, and had relocated to Los
Angeles, California by 1910.9 Mary died there on December 24, 1921, followed by
Nicholas on December 3 of the following year.10
Benjamin and Christina Nelson owned the house from 1905 to 1941, the longest owners
of the property. Benjamin was born in about 1848 in Sweden, and immigrated to the
United States in 1869.11 Christina was born on July 17, 1863 in Veigland, Sweden. Her
obituary in the Daily Camera recorded that she often told tales of her experience
working as a cook for the Swedish royal family as a young woman, including an
occasion where she was tipped the equivalent of U.S. $10 by Crown Prince Christian of
Denmark for serving an excellent meal.12 She immigrated with her mother to the United
States in 1906, settling in Idaho Springs to join other members of her family who had
immigrated before.13 It was there that she met Benjamin, whom she married in 1907,
and they moved to Boulder soon after.14 Benjamin became a carpenter, building
contractor, and wagon maker.15 The Nelsons appear to have moved in and out of the
then two unit terrace sporadically until taking up permanent residence in the western
unit, 2059 Bluff, in 1918. They rented out whichever units they were not dwelling in.
During its early years, residents of the house included a variety of working and middle
class tenants, including miners, shoemakers, widows, painters and carpenters. During
the Nelson’s ownership, they often rented the property to fellow Swedes, such as G.
Wald Leustedt, the pastor of the Swedish Mission, and carpenter Charles A. Gumeson
and his wife Bettie. Following Benjamin’s death in 1927, Christina continued to live at
2059 Bluff until around 1936, when her son Frank Oscar Nelson and his wife Viola were
the listed occupants. Frank was working as a driver for Graham Furniture Co. at that
time. By the time of his mother’s death on September 19, 1942, he was employed at
Blackmarr furniture store.16 Frank had sold the house at 2061 Bluff St. in May of 1942 to
Harold W. and Viola M. New.
Harold and Viola lived in the eastern unit, then addressed as 2061 Bluff St., and left the
western unit, 2059 Bluff St., vacant. Harold was a bus operator for the Public Service
Company. The News sold the property to Margaret Hitchcock in 1943, who in turn sold
it to Frank L. and Cora B. Creamer in 1945; they owned it for the next twelve years.
9 Bureau of the Census, 1910.
10 Find-A-Grave Index, “Mary Amanda Glaze.” Ancestry.com.; Find-A-Grave Index, “Nicholas Glaze.”
Ancestry.com.
11 Bureau of the Census, Fourteenth Census of the United States. United States of America, 1920. Ancestry.com
12 Daily Camera, “Obituaries: Christine Nelson” September 19, 1942. Boulder Carnegie Library.
13 Ibid.
14 Ibid.
15 Bureau of the Census, 1920; Bureau of the Census, 1910.
16 Daily Camera, September 19, 1942.
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Frank had a long career as a carpenter.17 They maintained it as a rental property, and
are never listed as dwelling there. From 1946 to 1967, 2059 Bluff was continuously
rented by John L. and Katie Love. John was an employee of the Crockett Bit and Spur
Co. The Creamers sold the property to Flossie Harvey, who likewise rented it out. She
sold it to George and Hazel J. Kreller in 1960, who in turn sold it to Charles H. and Ruth
M. Simpson in 1963. The Simpsons retained the property and rented out both units for
the next 22 years. Charles Simpson served in the army air corps during the second
world war, and worked as a salesman for the Boulder Tobacco and Candy Co. from his
arrival in Boulder from 1951 to his retirement in 1983.18 He retired in 1983, but remained
an active athlete, competing in the Senior Olympics and running the Bolder Boulder
three times before his death on July 27, 1990.19 They sold the property to Fred C. and
Susan Cooper in 1985, who retained it until 1999. City construction permit records show
the house was converted into a single unit in 1980. There were four additional owners
before the property was acquired by its present owners, Lindy M. Hinman and Jesse
Markt, who are the applicants for this Landmark designation.
CRITERIA FOR THE BOARD’S DECISION
Section 9-11-5(c), Public Hearing Before the Landmarks Board, B.R.C. 1981, specifies that in
its review of an application for local landmark designation, “the landmarks board shall
determine whether the proposed designation conforms with the purposes and
standards in Sections 9-11-1, ‘Legislative Intent,’ and 9-11-2, ‘City Council May Designate
Landmarks and Historic Districts’ B.R.C. 1981.” See Attachment F: Sections 9-11-1, Purpose
and Legislative Intent, & 9-11-2, City Council May Designate or Amend Landmarks and
Historic Districts, Boulder Revised Code 1981.
To assist in the interpretation of the historic preservation ordinance, the Landmarks
Board has adopted significance criteria to use when evaluating applications for
individual landmarks. See Attachment G: Significance Criteria for Individual Landmarks.
The board may approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove the application.
Findings must be adopted within 30 days of the hearing date. Should the board
disapprove the application, the board must notify City Council of that action within
fourteen days of the hearing date. Council may call up a decision disapproving a
designation. Should an application be disapproved, the same application may not be
submitted for a period of one year.
If the board finds that the proposed designation conforms to Sections 9-11-1 and 9-11-2,
B.R.C. 1981, it shall adopt specific findings and conclusions approving or modifying
17 Daily Camera, “Frank L. Creamer, Popular Carpenter, Dies Suddenly.” March 1, 1960.
18 Daily Camera, “Obituaries: Charlie Sampson.” July 29, 1990. Boulder Carnegie Library.
19 Ibid.
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and approving the application. If the board approves the proposed designation, the
application will be forwarded to City Council (within 100 days) for a public hearing.
ANALYSIS OF LANDMARK CRITERIA
A. Does the proposed application protect, enhance, and perpetuate buildings in the city
reminiscent of past eras, events, and persons important in local, state, or national history or
providing significant examples of architectural styles of the past and does the portion of the
property proposed for designation have historical, architectural or aesthetic interest or value?
Staff finds that the designation of the building at 2061 Bluff St. will protect, enhance,
and perpetuate a building reminiscent of a past era, past events, and persons important
in local history and preserve an important example of Boulder’s historic architecture.
Staff considers the application to meet the historic criteria for individual landmark
designation as outlined below:
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
Summary: The house located at 2061 Bluff St. has historic significance under criteria 1, 3,
and 4.
1. Date of Construction: c. 1901
Elaboration: The address first appears in the 1901 city directory.
2. Association with Persons or Events: Benjamin and Christina Nelson
Elaboration: Benjamin and Christina Nelson owned the house from 1905 to 1941, the
longest owners of the property. The couple immigrated from Sweden and Benjamin
worked as a carpenter. Christina appears to have managed the property for decades,
followed by her son and daughter-in-law. While interesting, the Nelsons are not
considered to be individually significant on a local, state or national level.
3. Development of the Community: Early multifamily rental complex
Elaboration: This duplex was built c. 1901, making it both an early development in
North Boulder and an unusually early example of the properties constructed
specifically for rentals, which often provided housing for widows, bachelors and the
working class.
4. Recognition by Authorities: Historic Building Inventory Record, Structure of Merit
Elaboration: The property was surveyed in 1986 and was found to be contributing to a
potential historic district for its significance as a representative of a type, period or
method and construction: “This simple structure, virtually unaltered, represents a typical,
multi-family residence for early, working class, Boulder families. In its neighborhood
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context, it could contribute to a historic district.” See Attachment B: Historic Building
Inventory Form.
Following the historic building inventory survey of the Whittier neighborhood in
1988, the Landmarks Board recognized seventeen identified terrace style buildings
in Boulder, including the building at 2059-2061 Bluff St., as Structures of Merit.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Summary: The house at 2061 Bluff St. has architectural significance under criteria 1, 3, 4,
and 5.
1. Recognized Period or Style: Terrace
Elaboration: Terrace brick houses are an uncommon typology, mostly unique to
Colorado. The building retains substantial historic integrity surviving as a
significant example of Terrace housing in Boulder.
2. Architect or Builder of Prominence: Unknown.
3. Artistic Merit: Decorative Masonry
Elaboration: The brickwork including decorative brickwork, corbels, finials,
parapet and running brick course reflect a high level of masonry craftsmanship.
4. Example of the Uncommon: Terrace Style
Elaboration: The Terrace House is relatively uncommon, though distinct variant
of architecture in Boulder, and characteristic of like houses constructed at the
beginning of the 20th century in Colorado.
5. Indigenous Qualities: Locally made brick, stone foundation
Elaboration: The brick was likely from a local brick manufacturing plant, while
the foundation is of local stone.
B. Does the proposed application develop and maintain appropriate settings and environments
for such buildings, sites, and areas to enhance property values, stabilize neighborhoods,
promote tourist trade and interest, and foster knowledge of the City’s living heritage?
Staff finds that the proposed application would maintain appropriate settings and
environments for such buildings, sites, and areas to enhance property values, stabilize
neighborhoods, promote tourist trade and interest, and foster knowledge of the city’s
living heritage. Staff believes that the application meets the environmental significance
criteria for individual landmarks as outlined below:
AGENDA ITEM #5C PAGE 14
ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE
Summary: The building at 2061 Bluff St. has environmental significance under criteria 1,
2, 3, 4 and 5.
1. Site Characteristics: Stone retaining walls
Elaboration: The building is located above Bluff Street, with stone retaining
walls that appear in historic photographs.
2. Compatibility with Site: Residential character
Elaboration: The scale, massing, and placement are compatible with the
residential character of the section of the Whittier neighborhood
3. Geographic Importance: Visual Landmark
Elaboration: Located at the terminus of 20th Street and located above Bluff Street,
the building is a visual landmark in the Whittier neighborhood.
4. Environmental Appropriateness: Complementary Surroundings
Elaboration: The surroundings are complementary to the building.
5. Area Integrity: Identified Potential Whittier Historic District
Elaboration: The property is located on the northern edge of the identified
potential Whitter Historic District (local and national levels).
Landmark Name:
Staff considers this landmark should be known as the Nelson Terrace, for its
association with. This is consistent with the Landmark Board’s Guidelines for Names of
Landmarked Structures and Sites (1988) and the National Register of Historic Places
Guidelines for Designation. See Attachment H: Guidelines for Names of Landmarked
Structures and Sites.
Boundary Analysis:
The proposed boundary encompasses the property boundaries and is consistent with
current and past practices and the National Register Guidelines for establishing
landmark boundaries.
AGENDA ITEM #5C PAGE 15
Figure 9. Proposed Landmark Boundary (dashed line).
ATTACHMENTS:
A: Designation Application
B: Current Photographs
C: Architectural Inventory Record Form
D: Assessor’s Card
E: Chapter 9-11-1 & 9-11-2 Purposes and Intent, Boulder Revised Code, 1981.
F: Significance Criteria for Individual Landmarks
G: Guidelines for Names of Landmarked Structures and Sites
H: Structure or Merit Nomination (Excerpt)
AGENDA ITEM #5C PAGE 16
Attachment A: Designation Application
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Attachment B: Current Photographs
2061 Bluff St., South Elevation (Façade), 2016
2061 Bluff St., South Elevation (Façade), Porch, 2016
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2061 Bluff St., East Elevation, 2016
2061 Bluff St., West Elevation, 2016
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2061 Bluff St., South Elevation, 2016
2061 Bluff St., Rear Addition, West Elevation (facing south), 2016
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2061 Bluff St., South Elevation, Brick Detailing, 2016
2061 Bluff St., Southeast Corner, Brick Detailing, 2016
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Attachment C: Historic Building Inventory Record
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2059-2061 Bluff St., Survey Photograph, 1986
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Attachment D: Assessor’s Card
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2059-61 Bluff St., Assessor’s Card Photograph, c. 1929
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2059-61 Bluff St., Assessor’s Card Photograph, December, 1980.
2059-61 Bluff St, Assessor’s Card Photograph, N.D
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Attachment E: Purposes and Intent
9-11-1 & 9-11-2 Purposes and Intent
Boulder Revised Code, 1981
9-11-1: Purpose and Legislative Intent states:
(a) The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety, and welfare by protecting,
enhancing, and perpetuating buildings, sites, and areas of the city reminiscent of past eras, events,
and persons important in local, state, or national history or providing significant examples of
architectural styles of the past. It is also the purpose of this chapter to develop and maintain
appropriate settings and environments for such buildings, sites, and areas to enhance property
values, stabilize neighborhoods, promote tourist trade and interest, and foster knowledge of the
city’s living heritage.
(b) The City Council does not intend by this chapter to preserve every old building in the city but
instead to draw a reasonable balance between private property rights and the public interest in
preserving the city’s cultural, historic, and architectural heritage by ensuring that demolition of
buildings and structures important to that heritage will be carefully weighed with other
alternatives and that alterations to such buildings and structures and new construction will respect
the character of each such setting, not by imitating surrounding structures, but by being
compatible with them.
(c) The City Council intends that in reviewing applications for alterations to and new construction on
landmarks or structures in a historic district, the Landmarks Board shall follow relevant city
policies, including, without limitation, energy-efficient design, access for the disabled and
creative approaches to renovation.
9-11-2: City Council may Designate or Amend Landmarks and Historic Districts states:
(a) Pursuant to the procedures in this chapter the City Council may by ordinance:
(1) Designate as a landmark an individual building or other feature or an integrated
group of structures or features on a single lot or site having a special character
and historical, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value and designate a
landmark site for each landmark;
(2) Designate as a historic district a contiguous area containing a number of sites,
buildings, structures or features having a special character and historical,
architectural, or aesthetic interest or value and constituting a distinct section of
the city;
(3) Designate as a discontiguous historic district a collection of sites, buildings,
structures, or features which are contained in two or more geographically
separate areas, having a special character and historical, architectural, or
aesthetic interest or value that are united together by historical, architectural, or
aesthetic characteristics; and
(4) Amend designations to add features or property to or from the site or district.
(b) Upon designation, the property included in any such designation is subject to all the requirements
of this code and other ordinances of the city.
AGENDA ITEM #5C PAGE 31
Attachment F: Significance Criteria for Individual Landmarks
SIGNIFICANCE CRITERIA
Individual Landmark
September 1975
On September 6, 1975, the City Council adopted Ordinance #4000 providing procedures for the
designation of Landmarks and Historic Districts in the City of Boulder. The purpose of the ordinance is
the preservation of the City’s permitted cultural, historic, and architectural heritage. The Landmarks
Board is permitted by the ordinance to adopt rules and regulations as it deems necessary for its own
organization and procedures. The following Significance Criteria have been adopted by the board to help
evaluate each potential designation in a consistent and equitable manner.
Historic Significance
The place (building, site, area) should show character, interest or value as part of the
development, heritage, or cultural characteristics of the community, state or nation; be the site of
a historic, or prehistoric event that had an effect upon society; or exemplify the cultural, political,
economic, or social heritage of the community.
Date of Construction: This area of consideration places particular importance on the age of the
structure.
Association with Historical Persons or Events: This association could be national, state, or local.
Distinction in the Development of the Community of Boulder: This is most applicable to an
institution (religious, educational, civic, etc) or business structure, though in some cases
residences might qualify. It stresses the importance of preserving those places which demonstrate
the growth during different time spans in the history of Boulder, in order to maintain an
awareness of our cultural, economic, social or political heritage.
Recognition by Authorities: If it is recognized by Historic Boulder, Inc. the Boulder Historical
Society, local historians (Barker, Crossen, Frink, Gladden, Paddock, Schooland, etc), State
Historical Society, The Improvement of Boulder, Colorado by F.L. Olmsted, or others in
published form as having historic interest and value.
Other, if applicable.
Architectural Significance
The place should embody those distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, a
good example of the common; be the work of an architect or master builder, known nationally,
state-wide, or locally, and perhaps whose work has influenced later development; contain
elements of architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship which represent a significant
innovation; or be a fine example of the uncommon.
Recognized Period/Style: It should exemplify specific elements of an architectural period/style,
i.e.: Victorian, Revival styles, such as described by Historic American Building Survey Criteria,
Gingerbread Age (Maass), 76 Boulder Homes (Barkar), The History of Architectural Style
(Marcus/Wiffin), Architecture in San Francisco (Gebhard et al), History of Architecture
(Fletcher), Architecture/Colorado, and any other published source of universal or local analysis of
AGENDA ITEM #5C PAGE 32
a style.
Architect or Builder of Prominence: A good example of the work of an architect or builder who is
recognized for expertise in his field nationally, state-wide, or locally.
Artistic Merit: A skillful integration of design, material, and color which is of excellent visual
quality and/or demonstrates superior craftsmanship.
Example of the Uncommon: Elements of architectural design, details, or craftsmanship that are
representative of a significant innovation.
Indigenous Qualities: A style or material that is particularly associated with the Boulder area.
Other, if applicable.
Environmental Significance
The place should enhance the variety, interest, and sense of identity of the community by the
protection of the unique natural and man-made environment.
Site Characteristics: It should be of high quality in terms of planned or natural vegetation.
Compatibility with Site: Consideration will be given to scale, massing placement, or other
qualities of design with respect to its site.
Geographic Importance: Due to its unique location or singular physical characteristics, it
represents an established and familiar visual feature of the community.
Environmental Appropriateness: The surroundings are complementary and/or it is situated in a
manner particularly suited to its function.
Area Integrity: Places which provide historical, architectural, or environmental importance and
continuity of an existing condition, although taken singularly or out of context might not qualify
under other criteria.
Attachment H: Guidelines for Names of Landmarked Structures and Sites
GUIDELINES FOR NAMES OF LANDMARKED STRUCTURES AND SITES
PURPOSE:
The City of Boulder Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board finds that adoption of guideline
for the official landmark names of structures and sites designated by the City Council as City of
Boulder Landmarks will provide consistency in meeting the historic preservation goals as set
forth in the Historic Preservation Code (9-11-1 and 9-11-3).
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF OFFICIAL LANDMARK NAMES:
1. The official landmark name of the site or structure should be based on one or more of
the following criteria:
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A. Original owners, architect, or builder;
B. Historically significant persons or prominent long-term residents;
C. A commonly accepted name;
D. Original or later event or use;
E. Unusual or architectural characteristic which clearly which clearly identifies the
landmark; and
F. The contributions of both men and women.
2. Owners requesting landmark designation for their buildings may be considered under
the above criteria. In the event that the official landmark name does not include the present
owners, a separate plaque containing the statement “Landmark designation applied for (date)
by owners (names of owners)” will be made available at the owners’ expense.
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Attachment G: Structure of Merit Nomination (Excerpt)
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