5A - Public Hearing Handouts - Public hearing and consideration of recommendation to City Council reJames Hewat and the Landmarks Board,
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on [he application for designation of 1802
Canyon Boulevazd as a City of Boulder Landmark property. As we have discussed, I'm
very concerned that this process is not taking into consideration the condition of the
house nor the prospects for its safe relocation to a new foundation. As you and several
board members are awaze, the professionals I've hired to oversee the project recommend I
abandon plans for the move because they believe the damage, particularly to the Western
portion of the house, leaves a great question as to its structural integrity.
Shortly after my meeting with the Landmarks Boazd in November, 2004 I met with house-
movers who made me aware of the pitfalls of moving a brick structure, particularly one of
this age. Then in April, 2006 I witnessed the frailty of the building when the kitchen
wing was demolished. In these last few months I've also witnessed many of the
challenges faced by the house-mover as evident most significantly by the Western portion
of the house pulling away from the Eastern wing.
At your request, I asked Bill Davis, the con[ractor on the projec[ on High Stree[, to give
his assessment of the move and he confirmed the reports I was receiving from my
professionals, although he did recommend changing house-movers. However, James you
may recall, when I asked what this cost would be he said, "you don't want to know." In
addition to the cost issue I have also been advised to avoid changing house-movers mid
way unless absolutely necessary.
In January, 2004 I began this project with the intent to build small, green-built housing in
central Boulder for the firs[ time homebuyer market. Committed to finding solutions to
the energy crises and urban sprawl through small infill projects close to an urban center,
we came up with a design tha[ exceeds green-points by 200% and runs close to net zero
energy. This project was to be a beginning of many more developments like it. I
convinced investors to back me and in retum I offered a prospectus outlining the overall
costs, projected sales and a timeline.
After my first review by the planning department in the summer of 2004, I met with the
Goss Grove Neighborhood Association who awoke me to their needs, namely to bring
more families and homeowners to Goss Grove. They committed an unprecedented
amount of time helping me develop a site plan to meet all of our needs, and in fact one of
their members actually had the idea for the current plan. We went back and forth many
times and in the end understood each other's position.
In November, 2004, I presented the plan to the Landmarks Board and asked for a permit
to demolish the existing house. The GGNA and I were in agreement with the demolition
and only one person spoke on behalf of keeping the house. At that meeting the
Landmazks Board convinced me, iirespective of the six month stay, to try to preserve the
origina] house and make it part of the site plan. I saw the advantages of keeping the
house, but I had not considered moving it and I was apprehensive about adding one more
unknown to the project. I was also completely unaware of potential additional costs,
safety risks and structural issues involved in a move. Each of these lessons I've learned
as we've tried to move it.
I raised Ihe money for this development based on a timeline complete with projected
costs and sales prices. Each month that passes we face schedule changes, cost changes
and a changing market, and I'm forced to go back to investors to put more money into the
project. At this point they are not willing to take on more risk and the action this board is
considering tonight adds to that risk by not accounting for the condition of the house once
its on the new foundation.
Anyone driving down Canyon has witnessed the deterioration of this house. James, you
are aware of the problems I've had with the contractor. For my part I've paid him exactly
what was owed. I've offered him financial incentives. I've gotten the project through the
approval process to the point that our building permits are waiting. I've listened to the
advice of the professionals and I've tried to be as transparent as possible in my
communications with Landmarks.
As we've confirmed with Planning many times, the only thing standing in the way of this
project is the Landmarks requirement. I have been assured by Brent Bean and Bob Cole
as long as I build a replica of this house on its designated site I will not go through the
Planning process again.
I understand and respect this Landmazk Board's desire to preserve this house. I also
respect the pressures this board faces in its goals. I live in an 1890's house and I've
personally preserved two 19'~ Century houses yet despite my personal desires and the
desire of the boazd, the request of preserving the house at all costs is not a request that can
be met. I have not stopped nor will I stop the effort to move the house but I need this
boazd to understand the position I'm in and to lift this requirement by recommending this
property not be designated as a City of Boulder Landmark.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Norman Murphy
ra~c i vi i
James Hewat - 1802 Canyon landmark
From: "M G Bishop" <mbishop@indra.com>
To: <lerucker@comcast.net>, <kornblumn@qwest.net>,
<lomay@nilenet.com>, <twplass@aol.cotrv,
<lelandr@newsgator.com>, <kwatson@frii.com>
Date: 9/6/2006 1:05 PM
Subject: 1802 Canyon landmark
CC: <hewatj @bouldercolorado.gov>
Dear Board Members,
I wanted to be at the meeting tonight to support the act of making 1802 Canyon
landmark. It turns out I won't be able to attend but I want to be heard.
I live about 3 blocks from 1802 Canyon and have for more than 30 years. It is one of the
most prominent historic homes in the area. Just across Canyon to the north is the
Chamberlain Historic District.
I applaud your intentions to make this home a landmark and support the preservation of
this great example of architecture and the home of early residents of Boulder.
Please work to preserve this home and continue your attention to the importance of the
chazacter of historic areas of Boulder.
Thank you for your consideration.
Michele Bishop
1705 Arapahoe Avenue
Boulder, CO 80302