6 - Revised General Design Guidelines for the proposed Highland Lawn Historic DistrictHIGHLAND LAWN HISTORIC DISTRICT
DESIGN GUIDELINES
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CITY OF BOULDER ~ LANDMARKS PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD ~ APRIL 2005
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The Town of Highland Lawn waz
platted in I BB4 by Hannah Barker. It
was annexed by the city of Boulder in
1891.
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HIGHLAND LAWN
HISTORIC DISTRIGT DESIGN GUIDELINES
These Highland Laum Historic District Design Guidelines (the
Highland Lawn Guidelines) aze intended to assist property
owners and designers as they plan changes to buildings in the
Highland Lawn Historic Dishict and to provide the Landmarks
Preservation Advisory Boazd with a hamework for making
consistent decisions in its review of projects. The guidelines
have been developed to recognize the unique character of the
Highland L,awn Historic District and are intended to
supplement the General Design Guidelines fmBoulder's Histonc
Districts and Individual Landmarks (the General Guidelines~ which
apply unless otherwise stated. Where the two guidelines
conflict, the Highland Lawn Guidelines shall prevail. The
Highland Lawn Guidelines acknowledge those aspects of the
Highland Lawn Historic District that require a different
approach than typically called for in the General Guidelines. The
design guidelines aze intended to be used as an aid to
appropriate design and not as a checklist of items for
compliance. In some cases, unusual circumstances may allow
for projects to deviate from them.
These guidelines were developed by city staff with assistance
hom the residents of the Highland Lawn Historic District.
District Description and History
The Highland Lawn Historic District contains a concentration of
well-preserved buildings reflecting the prevailing azchitectural
tastes at the turn of the twentieth cenhuy, including Queen
Anne, Qassic Cottage, and Edwardian Vemacular Styles.
Hannah Barker platted the middlerlass neighborhood in 1884
as the Town of Highland Lawn. The area is significant for its
association with historic persons and events and as an excellent
colleciion of buildings reflecting architectural styles of the
period. The defined period of significance for the district is
from 1884 (the yeaz of the platting of the suYrdivision) to 1925
(the last year of construction for a prunary building located on
the block). While not moved to the block unti11956, the
bungalow at 527 Marine St was constructed in 1925 and is
considered a contributing building.
The Town of Highland Lawn included 19 large lots (100 x 400)
bounded by Boulder Creek to the north, University Street at the
south, and 6w and 4~ Streets on the east and west respectively.
HIGHLAND LAWN
Originally located south of Boulder's city limits, the town
remained an independent community unti11891. Barker's plan
for the neighborhood showed foresight: each lot included water
rights in the adjacent Anderson ditch and buyers were
encouraged to plant trees (cottonwoods were specifically
excluded), and build fences azound their properties. The new
town was located on a genfle slope with Flagstaff Mountain as a
backdrop, and the popular sight seeing rail line from Boulder to
Fldora and Ward, known as the "Switzerland Trail of America'
was adjacent to the neighborhood on the north side of the
Boulder Creek.
None of the original owners built in the neighborhood,
choosing instead to subdivide the nearly one-acre pazceLs into
smaller lots. Most of the lots were bisected by alleys running
east - west through the district. Marine Street was origu~ally
Vine S~eet and was renamed Marine Street sometime in the
1890s after prominent eazly settler Marinus Smith.
Lots in the district are generally long and narrow with principal
buildings situated close together at the front of the lots and
accessory buildings oriented to the alleys. Because they contain
a relatively low number of buildings from the period of
significance with historic integriiy, and because the district
boundaries bisect the reaz alleys, the alleys (located at the north
and south edges of the district) are not a signiEicant historic
element of the district.
Today, the Highland L,awn neighborhood survives as a well-
preserved assemblage of late-nineteenth and early-twentieth
century middle-class homes with its tree lined streetscape and
modest single-family houses. The district derives its significance
as an early example of planned residential design, with
excellent examples of eazly Boulder azchitecture, and for its
association with individuals of local significance to the history
of city including Jonas Anderson, Hannah Bazker, Marinus
Smith, and J.J. Harris.
The defined period of significance for the district is from 1884
(the year of the platting of the sub-division) to 1925, the latest
year of constnzction for a contributing prunary buflding in the
district.
HIGHLAND LAWN 10 - 3
Hannah Connell Barker
Carnegie Branch Ubrary (or Lacal Hutory
Boulder Hisroncal Soaety Colleaion
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^ Landmark Building
Buildings officially designated az
city of Boulder Indmdual
Landmarks
Contributing Building
Buildmgs constructed between
1884 and 1925 that relace to the
historic signi5cance otthe district.
~ Non-contributing Building
Buildings constructed outside the
period o( significance, or buildings
that have been altered to the
pomt that they lack hrstonc
integrity.
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District Boundaries.
The Highland Lawn Historic District boundazies encompass
both sides of Marine Street between Sw and 6~ Streets and
extend to the center of the alleys at the rear of those properhies,
as shown in the map below. These boundaries correspond with
the National Register of Historic Places eligible district
identified as part of a 1989 historic resource survey of the area.
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District Specific Guidelines
The following guidelines are intended as a supplement to the
General Guidelines for the Highland Lawn Historic Dishict.
These guidelines control when they conflict with the General
Guidelines.
GUIDELINES
Alleys & Accessory Buildings
Alleys in the district were created when the origina1400 x 100
lots were bisected to create smaller building parcels. While alleys play
an important role in most of Boulder's historic districts, the alleys that
form the north and south boundaries of the Highland Lawn Historic
District are not charactrr-defining features because of their loss of
historic integrity.
There are a small number of historic accessory buildings daring from
the period of significance that are considered contributing features to
the disbict, as shoum on the map above. As such, their preseroation is
strongly encouraged. Tax credits and other incentives are available to
help offset the costs of the appropriate rehabilitation of these buildings.
HIGHLAND LAWN
I It is recommended, though not required, that contributing
accessory buildings be treated consistent with the
guidelines of Section 7.1 of the General Design Guidelines.
.2 Additions to noncontributing accessory structures should
be compatible with the mass and scale of the existing
building.
.3 The construction of new accessory buildings should occur
only at the reaz of the lot, taking access off the alley when
possible.
.4 In general, new accessory buildings constructed in the
district should be modest in scale and detailing and clearly
secondary to the primary building on the lot.
.5 Two-caz garages are appropriate, when scaled and located
consistenfly with other garages in the district.
.6 One and one-half story garages are appropriate, so long as
they are lower than the prunary building on the lot.
Fences
Origina11884 covenants for the neighborhood prozrided for property
owners to delineate lots through the construction of non-wire fences in
front yards.
7 Retain and preserve historic fences and retaining walls that
contribute to the character of the neighborhood, including
historic wire fences.
.8 New front yazd fences should be low, open, and
constructed of wood picket or wrought iron. Chain link,
wire, stockade fences, and concrete or concrete block walls
are inappropriate.
.9 Given the limited focus on reviewing alterations in the reaz
of lots, the crostruction of more solid fences up to 6' in
height is appropriate along side and rear yazds,
pazticulazly when replacing an existing fence of similar
design. Such fences should not extend forwazd beyond the
front wall plane of the house and should transition
gradually to lower and more open front yard fences.
HIGHLAND LAWN
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While not required, it is recommended
that historic accessory buildings dating
from the period o( significance be
retained when possible. Such buildings
are eligible for cax incentives to help
offset appropriate rehabilrcanon costs.
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This side yard fente appropriately
transitions from a taller and more
opaque fence to a lower and more
open one as it approaches the front
fxade of the home.
Trees
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Original coaenants for Highland Lawn specified that ozvners should
plant trees at the front of the property, provided they were not
cottonwood trees. Trees on the streetscape are nn important and
character-defining feature of the district and are included as
contribuHng features of the District.
I 0 Mature trees in front yards and the tree lawn should be
retained whenever possible.
I I If a mature tree must be removed from other portions of
the lot, two new trees should be planted to replace it.
Alterations
Alterarions wi116e retriewed using the guidelines in SecHon 3,
Alterarions of the General Design Guidelines. The primary focus in
reviewing alterarions will be on changes that are visible fram Marine
Street. More flexibility will be allowed far rear elwarions, non-
conhibuting buildings, and areas largely saeened from public vietu,
including accessory buildings on the alleys.
Additions to Historic Structures
The original houses in the Highland Lawn Historic District zuere
generqlly modest in size and detailing, reflecting middle-class housing
of the period. Many of the buildings have eooived over time through
compatible additions and alterations. Neru additioris to contributing
houses are apprapriate, so long as the scale of the addition does not
visually avenuhelm the existing structure and site when viezued from
Marine Street and is compatible with fhe general range of building
sizes found in the district.
.12 Raising the roof height on the historic portion of
contributing and landmark bufldings is generally not
appropriate.
. I 3 Additions should be located at the rear of the buffding.
.14 If consistent with the architecture of the building, dormers
may be an appropriate way to provide additional upper-
story space on contributing and landmazk buildings.
.1 S Raising the height of an addition above the height of the
historic house is permissible, provided that the visual
effect of this increase is m;n;m;~ed and the increased
height does not overwhelm the character of the historic
house &om the street view.
HIGHLAND LAWN
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Raising the roof of a historic building is
generally mappropnace. (upper image)
Instead, consider appropriately swled
dormers to increase usable space in an
existing upper scory (lower image).
16 In all other respects, additions to contributing or landmark
buildings should be consistent with Section 4, Additions to
Historic Structures of the General Design Guidelines
Additions to Non-Historic Structures
See Section 5, Additions to Non-Historic Structures of the General
Design Guidelines and V. Acressory Buildings
New Primary Buildings
See Section 6, New Primary Structures of the General Design
Guidelines and V. Accessary Buildings).
HIGHLAND WWN
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Building Descriptions
Photos below are from Boulder County Assessor Records taken in
1929 or 1949. More detailed information on the histary of each
primary building is available thraugh the Carnegie Library ar the
Planning Department.
504 Marine Street (Contributing)
Built:1900
Historic Name: John J. Harris House
Description: This one and a half story Edwardian vernacular
house has a front gabled roof with red brick exterior walls and a
decorative front porch ovith a flat roof.
Accessory Struchxres:
Garage built ca. 1920 converted to an accessory unit in 1981
(noncontributing)
SOS Marine Street (Contributing)
Bui1t:1902
Historic Name: Snyder-Beam House
Description: This one and a half story Edwardian vernacular
house has a front gabled roof, brick and wood exterior with a
decorative porch and bay projections on either side.
Accessory Structures:
Brick Gazage built ca. 1902 (contributing)
Wood frame accessory unit built in 1937 (non~ontributing)
(addressed as 1624 5~ Street)
51 1 Marine Street (Landmark)
Designated as an individual landmark (Lotus House) in 1994
Bui1t:1895
Historic Name: Henry Sahm House (Lotus House)
Description: "I1~is one and a half story Edwardian vernacular
house has a flared hipped roof with brick exterior. There is a
decorative porch and unique front gabled dormer.
Accessory Structures
Wood frame gazage built ca. 1900 (contributing)
Small wood frame shed (non-contributing)
Wood frame carport (nonconh-ibuting)
512 Marine Street (Contributing)
Built: 1899
Historic name: Samuel and Sarah Snyder House
Description: This one and a half story Queen Anne front gabled
house has a red brick exterior with a decorative porch and front
gable dom~er.
Accessory Structures:
Wood frame gazage built ca. 1920 (contributing)
HIGHLAND LAWN
517 Marine Street (Non-Contributing)
BuIlt: 1911
Historic Name: John C. Skinner House
Description: This one-and-a-half story bungalow has a side
gabled roof with beige brick exterior. SigniEicant changes to the
structure have been made, including the enclosure of the frdnt
porch, and addition of front dormers which alters the historic
character of the house. Nonetheless, the building is generally
consistent with the mass, scale and detailing of contributing
buIldings in the district.
Accessory Structures:
Brick accessory mmit built ca.1911 converted from a garage in
1979 (Non~ontributing)
520 Marine Street (Contributing)
Buflt:1S99
Historic Name: Jacob B. and Olive Teagarden House
Description: This one~nda-half story Dutch Colonial Revival
house has a gambrel roof and red brick exterior. There is a
distinctive two-story tower with an onion shaped roof and front
gambrel dormer opening onto a balcony and porch.
Accessory Structure:
Wood frame garage buIlt 1973 (non-contributing)
527 Marine Street (Contributing)
Built: 1925 (Moved from 935 Regent Drive in 1956)
Historic Name: Thomas and Margaret Ritter House
Description: This one story craftsman style bungalow has a
front gabled roof with exposed rafter ends, stucco walls and
front-gabled porch.
Accessory Structures:
Wood hame garage built 1978 (non-contributing)
Wood frame garage built ca.1925 (noted moved onto property,
likely at the same time as the house - contributing)
540 Marine Street (Contributing)
Built: 1898
Historic Name: Grace Caley House
Description: This one and a half story Queen Anne house has a
front gable roof with red brick exterior walls, a decorative
porch, and a recessed balcony on the gable end.
Accessory Structure:
Wood frame ~rage built 1948 (non-contributing)
NIGHLAND LAWN
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541 Marine Street (Contributing)
Built:1899
Historic Name: King House
Description: This one and a half story Queen Anne house has a
front multi-gable roof, decorative brackets, horizontal wood
siding and a small wood porch.
Accessory Structures:
Wood frame bam built post 1952 (non~ontributing)
542 Marine Street (Contributing)
Built: 1896
Historic Name: Uriah C Walsh House
Description: This one and a half story Queen Anne house has a
fzont-gabled roof, horizontal wood siding, side gable additions,
and a small decorative wood porch.
Accessory Structures:
Wood frame garage built in 1988 (non~ontributing) ,
543 Marine Street (Gontributing)
Built: 1896
Historic Name: Frank A. and Emma Marquardt House
Description: This one and a half story Queen Anne house has a
hont multi-gable roof, red brick exterior walls, and a decorative
wood porch.
Accessory Structures:
Wood frame garage built ca. 1950 (noncontributing)
544 Marine Street (Contributing)
Built: 1903
Historic name: Edgar T. and Bertie E. Pate House
Description: 'I'his one and a half story Classic Cottage has a
hipped roof with a dominant front gable dormer, red brick
exterior walls, and large wraparound wood porch.
Accessory Structures:
Wood frame garage built in 1940 (noncontributing)
550 Marine Street (Contributing)
Built: 1903
Historic Name: Minnie S. Hall House
Description: This one and a half story Classic Cottage has a
hipped roof with flazed ends, small gabled front and side
dormers, unique one story tower with a cone roof, red brick
exterior walls, and a small wood porch.
Accessory Siructures:
Wood frame garage built in 1945 (nontontributing)
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551 Marine Street (Non-Contributing)
Built: 1905
Historic Name: Saunders-Teets House
Description: This one story side gabled house has an
intersecting shed roofed bay, horizontal wood siding, and an
enclosed porch. This house has undergone significant changes
and does not contribute to the historic character of the
neighborhood.
Accessory Structures:
Wood frame garage built ca. 1905 (non~ontributing)
Wood frame accessory unit built ca.1905 (non~contributing)
558 Marine Street (Contributing)
Built: 1900
Historic Name: Henry and Eva Seineke House
Description: This one and a half story Queen Anne house has a
front multi-gabled roof, side gable dormer, red brick exterior
walls, and a partially enclosed front porch.
Accessory Structures:
Wood frame gazage built ca 1970 (2~d-story added in 1977-
noncontributing)
Siucm accessory unit built ca.1900 (converted from garage in
1972 - non~onhibuting)
559 Marine Street (Contributing)
Buflt: 1906
Historic Name: Arthur E. and Carolyn Saunders House
Description: This one and a half story Edwardian Vemacular
house has a front gabled roof with a large gabled roof bay, red
brick exterior walls, and a large wood porch.
Accessory Structures:
None
568 Marine Street (Contributing)
Built: 1898
Historic Name: Adolphus F. and Elmira J. Roberts House
Description: This one and a half story Qassic Cottage has a
hipped box roof with hont gabled dormers on the front and
side, red brick exterior walls, and a large decorative porch.
Accessory Structures:
Wood frame gazage built in 1935 (non~oniributing)
HIGHLAND LAWN
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576 Marine Street (Contributing)
Built:1899
Historic Name: Pleasant T. and Melissa Cobbs House
Description: This one and a half story Qassic Cottage has a
hipped box roof with small front gabled dormers on the front
and side and brick exterior walls. The decorative front porch
was constructed in 2004, based on historic photos.
Accessory Structures:
Wood frame garage built in 1939 (non~ontributing)
1607 6`h Street (Landmark)
Designated as an Individual landmark (Webb House)in 1998
Built: 1895
Historic Name: James M. and Sue Dumm (Webb House)
Description: This one and a half story Queen Anne house has
an irregular roof plan with dormers on the front and side, brick
exterior walls with a distinctive round arched window on the
front, and a small wood porch.
Accessory Structures:
None
~p _ ~y HIGHLAND LAWN
April6th, 2005
TO: Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board
FROM: James Hewat, Bohdy Hedgcock
SUBJECT: Update Memo
Historic Preservation/Energy Efficiency policy analysis update
See the attached preliminary analysis of city policies regarding historic preservation and
energy conservation. Roundtable discussion on issue with stakeholders planned for mid-
April followed by panel discussion in late May. Participants confirmed for roundtable
Include Chris Koziol, Larry Kinney, Mark Wernimont, and Len Siegel.
Code Change project update
Revisions based on comments made at the February mid-month study session have been
made and are included in the packet for the Board's review.
University Hill Charrette
A charrette for the redevelopment of three sites in the University Hill commercial district
will be held on April 22"a and 23`d. A fourth site (the block of 13`~ Street between College
and University) has also been selected with view to additions to existing historic
buildings. Three architectural firms have been selected to form a team consisting of
students, merchants, neighbors, faculty, and a member of the University Hill General
District Committee.
Preservation Week
The preservation month calendar of events will be complete by mid-April. Donovan
Rypkema is confirmed to speak on May 25`h at 6:30 in the Community Room at the
Chautauqua. This event will be followed by a reception. Desig~ for the poster is
underway. Posters should be printed by the end of April. Staff is also working on a photo
exhibition of now and then views from around Boulder County.
Hannah Barker House
A meeting has been scheduled later in April to meet with the property owner and his
architectto discuss plans forthe building.
1802 Cauyon
The owner of the house will submit an application for the Landmarking of the property
prior to the Stay of demolition expiring Apri121 s~, 2005.
Recent Past in Mapleton Hill
Following the discussion with consultants Bath and Ramsey on March 13`h regarding the
defined period of significance for the Mapleton hill Historic District, staff has prepared a
list of the 27 buildings in the district constructed between 1931 and 1947.
Valmont Butte
The pubic hearing portion or the process for reviewing the Valmont Butte CEAP
(Community and Environmental Assessment Process) and review by the citizens review
group was held in March. The Landmarks Board will have three opportunities to hear
from the public and provide input. A three-day long consultation with representatives of
the United Tribes of Colorado (representing 14 American Indian Tribes with historic
roots in the Front Range) will take place April 17 -19. A tour of the site is scheduled
between lOAM-12PM on April 17, for the tribes and staff.
Tuesday, May 31 - Open House (4-9 p.m. in Muni Lobby) and Study Session (6-8 p.m.
Council Chambers) re: Valmont Butte CEAP--Board presence is outional. This location
may change, and I will keep you posted.
Tuesday, June 14 - Boulder Public Library Auditorium, (Time to be determined but
most likely early evening) - Joint public hearing for the Boards (Environmental Advisory
Board, Water Resources Advisory Board, Open Space & Mountain Parks Trustees,
Planning Board and Landmarks Board). Board members are strongly encouraged to
attend. This joint public hearing will allow citizens to attend one event to voice their
concerns, rather than having to visit the five separate boards individually.
Wednesday, July 6- LPAB monthly meeting. The Planning Board and WRAB will be
asked to make a formal recommendation on the CEAP re: the proposed Fire Training
Center (Planning) and Biosolids Recycling Center (WRAB). EAB, OSPM Trustees and
the Landmarks Board will be asked to make recommendations focused on issues
particular to their areas of expertise.
The CEAP will be forwarded to City Council for a final decision following the five
Board hearings.
ARTICLES AND INFORMATION:
National Trust Conference Registration Form
Common Ground article on the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs
Historic Preservation Fund Appropriations
Colorado Preservation Plan 2005 questionnaire