Item 6C - West Pearl Street Monument SignsAgenda Item #6C Page 1
M E M O R A N D U M
June 6, 2018
TO: Landmarks Board
FROM: Lesli Ellis, Comprehensive Planning Manager
Debra Kalish, Senior Counsel, City Attorney’s Office
James Hewat, Senior Historic Preservation Planner
Marcy Cameron, Historic Preservation Planner II
Tony Wiese, Historic Preservation Intern
SUBJECT: Public hearing and consideration of a Landmark Alteration Certificate to
determine if the two stone way-finding monument signs at the northeast
and southeast corners of 10th and Pearl Streets in the Downtown Historic
District meet the standards, pursuant to Section 9-11-18 of the Boulder
Revised Code 1981 (HIS2018-00033).
STATISTICS:
1. Site: Northeast and south east corners of 10th and
Pearl Streets, Downtown Historic District
2. Zoning: DT-2 (Downtown - 2) northside of Pearl Street
DT-5 (Downtown - 5) southside of Pearl Street
3. Applicant: Brian Wiltshire, Public Works
4. Owner: City of Boulder
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff considers the two stone way-finding monument signs at the northeast and
southeast corners of 10th and Pearl Streets in the Downtown Historic District meet the
standards of Section 9-11-18, B.R.C. 1981, Standards for Landmark Alteration Certificate
Application, and is consistent with Sections 3.1, Signs, and 3.6, Public Art, of the
Downtown Urban Design Guidelines and Section 8.4, Signs, of the General Design Guidelines
for Boulder’s Historic Districts and Individual Landmark.
Staff recommends that the Landmarks Board adopt the following motion:
I move that the Landmarks Board approve the way-finding monuments as detailed in Landmark
Alteration Certificate materials dated February 2, 2018, finding that they meet the standards for
issuance of a Landmark Alteration Certificate in Section 9-11-18, B.R.C. 1981, and is consistent
with Sections 3.1, Signs, and 3.6, Public Art, of the Downtown Urban Design Guidelines and
Section 8.4, Signs, of the General Design Guidelines for Boulder’s Historic Districts and
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Individual Landmarks, and adopt the staff memorandum dated June 6, 2018 as the findings of
the Board.
Figure 1. Map of the Totem Locations. The red dashed lines show the boundaries of the
Downtown and Mapleton Hill Historic Districts.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The City of Boulder’s Public Works Department is requesting approval of two stone
way-finding monument signs that have already been installed at the northeast and
southeast corners of 10th and Pearl streets, in the Downtown Historic District (see
Figure. 1).
The application submitted by the City of Boulder’s Public Works Department states:
The stone way-finding totems are a component of the West End streetscape
improvements funded through the Community Culture and Safety approved by voters in
2011 and constructed in 2014. The totems are located at the 8th, 9th, and 10th/Pearl
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intersections and provide a district identity and encourage pedestrians to continue off the
Pearl Street Mall and explore the West End District. The design inspiration for the
totems reference the stone elements on the Pearl Street Mall (1200 block climbing rocks,
1100 block stone fountain and split rock, and the mall-wide buff sandstone bases of the
pedestrian light and banner poles). Several art elements are incorporated into the totems:
the art glass “veins” that run vertically providing a soft illumination or glow, and haiku
poetry (result of a poetry contest responding to what locals love about urban life in
Boulder) etched into steel.
Only two of the six installed monument signs (at the northeast and southeast corners) of
10th and Pearl streets are located within the Downtown Historic District. It appears that
Public Works was not aware that these locations are within the Historic District during
the planning and installation of the six monument signs. See Attachment B: Applicant
Materials.
Figure 2. Design and Scale.
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Figure 3. Design and Materials
Figure 4. Design and Materials
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Figure 5. Design and Materials
Figure 6. Design and Lettering
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Figure 7. Pearl and 10th Perspective
Figure 8. Pearl and 10th Perspective
CRITERIA FOR THE BOARD’S DECISION
Subsections 9-11-18(b) and (c), B.R.C. 1981, set forth the standards the Landmarks Board
must apply when reviewing a request for a Landmark Alteration Certificate.
(b) Neither the Landmarks Board nor the City Council shall approve a Landmark
Alteration Certificate unless it meets the following conditions:
(1) The proposed work preserves, enhances, or restores and does not damage
or destroy the exterior architectural features of the landmark or the subject
property within an historic district;
(2) The proposed work does not adversely affect the special character or special
historic, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value of the landmark and its
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site or the district;
(3) The architectural style, arrangement, texture, color, arrangement of color,
and materials used on existing and proposed constructions are compatible
with the character of the existing landmark and its site or the historic
district;
(4) With respect to a proposal to demolish a building in an historic district,
the proposed new construction to replace the building meets the
requirements of paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) above.
(c) In determining whether to approve a landmark alteration certificate, the Landmarks
Board shall consider the economic feasibility of alternatives, incorporation of
energy-efficient design, and enhanced access for the disabled.
ANALYSIS
1. Does the proposed application preserve, enhance, or restore, and not damage or destroy
the exterior architectural features of the landmark or the subject property within a
historic district?
Staff considers that the sandstone monument signs are consistent with stone
elements used on historic commercial buildings in the district, but clearly of their
time and not damaging to this section of the Downtown Historic District.
2. Does the proposed application adversely affect the special character or special historic,
architectural, or aesthetic interest or value of the district?
Staff considers that the two sandstone monument signs do not adversely affect
the historic architectural or aesthetic value of the district.
3. Is the architectural style, arrangement, texture, color, arrangement of color, and
materials used on existing and proposed structures compatible with the character of the
historic district?
Staff considers the sandstone monument signs to be consistent with stone
elements used in the historic district but are clearly of their own time and
generally compatible with the character of the Downtown Historic District.
4. Does the application incorporate energy-efficient design and enhanced access for the
disabled?
The stone monuments were designed to enhance universal wayfinding
accessibility along Pearl Street consistent with Americans with Disabilities Act
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guidelines.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
The Historic Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 9-11 of the Boulder Revised Code 1981)
sets forth the standards the Landmarks Board must apply when reviewing a request for
a Landmark Alteration Certificate and the board has adopted the Downtown Historic
District Guidelines and the General Design Guidelines to help interpret the ordinance. The
following is an analysis of the submitted proposal with respect to relevant guidelines. It
is important to emphasize that design guidelines are intended to be used as an aid to
appropriate design, and not as a checklist of items for compliance.
Downtown Urban Design Guidelines
3.1 Signs
Guideline Analysis Conforms?
A. Commercial signs should function
to identify and locate businesses,
promote commercial activity,
attract customers, provide
direction and information, and in
some cases create visual delight
and architectural interest.
While not a commercial sign, the
monument signs make use of a
common building buff sandstone
material in the historic district and
yet is clearly of its time. It appears
that the monuments are
successful in providing direction
and information to residents and
visitors alike.
Yes
C
D. Use simple signs to clearly convey their messages
1. Sign materials should be durable
and easy to maintain. Appropriate
sign materials include painted or
carved wood, carved wooden
letters, epoxy letters, galvanized
sheet metal, stone, specialty or
decorative glass, clear and
colored acrylic, or neon.
The buff sand stone monuments
with cut out steel lettering is
durable, easy to read and
consistent with this guideline. Yes
2. Lighting external to the sign
surface with illumination directed
towards the sign is preferred.
External lighting may also
highlight architectural features.
Internally lit signs are generally
discouraged. The light level
should not overpower the façade
Lettering on the monuments is
internally lit with subtle LED
lighting. This guideline applies
primarily to that on buildings. Maybe
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or other signs on the street. The
light source should be shielded
from pedestrian view. The lighting
of symbol signs is encouraged.
Internal lighting may be
appropriate where only letters are
illuminated or neon is used. Neon
is acceptable, though restricted in
size; if it does not obscure
architectural detail or overly
illuminate display windows.
3. Signs should be designed in
simple, straight-forward shapes
that convey their message clearly.
Symbols are easily read and
enhance the pedestrian quality of
the Downtown District.
Monument signs are simply and
straightforwardly designed with
easy to read lettering. Yes
4. Lettering styles should be
proportioned, simple, and easy to
read. In most instances, a simple
typeface is preferred over a
faddish or overly ornate type style.
The number of type styles should
be limited to two per sign. As a
general rule, the letter forms
should occupy not more than 75%
of the total sign panel.
Monument signs are simply and
straightforwardly designed with
easy to read lettering. Two
typefaces are employed on the
monument. Yes
3.6 Public Art
A. Enrich the downtown with public
art and carefully site art within
appropriate areas of the public
realm. Consider the context,
materials, purpose of the artwork
at the proposed site.
Monuments are sited on a
prominent corner in the Downtown
Historic district. It is subtly
designed and as well as providing
a wayfinding function, is a
contextual art piece in the public
realm.
Yes
B. Freestanding artwork should not
obscure building elements.
Thoughtfully integrated artwork
may be incorporated into the
surface or façade design.
Monuments are thoughtfully and
sensitively designed to suit the
location on a prominent downtown
corner.
Yes
C. Artwork may be utilized as
gateway features within discrete
areas of Downtown.
The monuments function as both
a wayfinding and gateway feature
at the west end of the Downtown
Historic District.
Yes
D. Public art should be
complementary and subordinate
to associated historic properties
While quite large, the monuments
are subordinate to adjacent
historic buildings. The buff
Yes
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and complement the period of
significance of the building or
district.
sandstone monuments are
materially in context with the
identified c.1859-1946 period of
significance for the Downtown
Historic District.
General Design Guidelines
8.4 Signs
A sign typically serves two functions: to attract attention and to convey information. Signs
designed for a historic building should not detract from important design features of the
building. All new signs should be developed with the overall context of the building and
district in mind.
Guideline Analysis Conforms?
8.4.2 New signs should be compatible
in material, size, color, scale, and
character with the building.
While quite large, the monuments
are subordinate to adjacent
historic buildings. The buff
sandstone monuments are
materially in context with the
identified c.1859-1946 period of
significance for the Downtown
Historic District.
Yes
8.4.3 Signs should be subordinate to
the overall building composition
and in scale with the façade.
See above.
Yes
8.4.5 Simple letter styles and graphic
designs are most appropriate.
Monument signs are simply and
straightforwardly designed with
easy to read lettering.
Yes
Staff considers that the monument signs located at 10th and Pearl Streets are consistent
with the applicable Downtown and General design guidelines. It is unfortunate that they
were not reviewed through the Landmark Alteration Certificate process prior to their
construction. In the future, historic preservation and Public Works staff will make sure
that any such proposed improvements in historic districts will follow the process for
Landmark Alteration Certificate approval, pursuant to Section 9-11-12, Landmark
Alteration Certificate Required, of the Boulder Revised Code.
FINDINGS
Staff recommends that the Landmarks Board approve the application and adopt the
following findings:
The two wayfinding monuments at 10th Street & Pearl Street meets the standards of
Section 9-11-18, B.R.C. 1981, Standards for Landmark Alteration Certificate Application and is
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consistent with the purposes and standards of the Historic Preservation Ordinance
(Chapter 9-11, B.R.C. 1981) in that:
1. The monuments do not adversely affect the special character or special historic,
architectural, or aesthetic interest or value of the historic district. Sec. 9-11-
18(b)(2), B.R.C. 1981.
2. The monuments generally comply with Sections 3.1, Signs, and 3.6, Public Art, of
the Downtown Urban Design Guidelines and Section 8.4, Signs, of the General
Design Guidelines for Boulder’s Historic Districts and Individual Landmarks.
ATTACHMENTS:
A: Current Photographs
B: Applicant Materials
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A: Current Photographs
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Attachment B: Applicant Materials
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