5D - Handout - Consideration of demolitio permit application for 2804 4th St (HIS2007-00306) - demolition of the primary structureP;,b~,~ R~~~ ~~~86
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TO: Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board and siatF
FROM: Jonatfian & Elizabeth Hondorf
2720 4„ S7eet
RE: Demolition of 2804 4"' Street
AGENDA ITEM: 5D aF January 9. 2008 Board Meeting
DATE: January 9, 2008
Board Members„
We are writing to request denial of the oomplete denalitbn permit requested for 2804 4th Street
We live just souAh from this home and con~emplated purdiasirg the properhr when 1he prior awner.
Helen Wamer, past away. We did not purchase the property due to its high asking price but did do
research into iLs condition and potential for remodel. We Tound ihe home to have marry qualities that
made it an ideal candidabe for remodel and a madest addition that wou~d keep it witliin the neighborhood
context Unfortunately, listing Realtws push the asking price too high on properties such as these that all
but ensure they 6ecome c~ndidates Tor demolition and construc~ion of a new, large, out of proportion
home in fhe ebsting neighborhood.
We have owned a desigNbuild company for over 28 years in the Boulder ar~ and have lived at
our current address since 1976. We take great pains bo preserve residences Urat we renwdel, eitlier for
speculation or for GieMs on a contract basis. My wife and ~ wou~d ~ike bo sce this home preserved with
the existing structure inoorporated into an eupanded remodel 'rf that is the need of the new buyer's
speculative venture. However, it should be one that dces not over shadow or fiotally absorb ihe original
structure and design as we have witriessed all to often in our area. The second most important issue
wiifi regard to redeveloping this particular site imroNes the street and ladc of sidewalk on Balsam
Avenue. The neighborhood has had a long battle on this issue of the incorreCly consVucted street and
missing sidewalks on Balsam Avenue ftom 4°i Street to 5'" street While we know this is not the scope of
LPAB'sp~rview. we feel it importarrt to have it noted on rewrd that this sibe stwuld be redeveloped to
conform to the surrounding neighborhood standards.
This particular home has many redeeming qualities, the least of which is the original strudure to
the north and west along with the stone fireplace thffi is relatively intact This part of the structure is not
in that bad a condifion and is an integral part of the neighborhood design. In many conversations we had
with Helen Wamer, she indicated that this fireplaoe was construc[ed by the iwo sisters of the local
prominent Cu~ningham iamily. Addfionally, the apple trees on the site are trom the original apple
orchard that this area was prior to being developed irrto tlie Newlands Neighborhood. We had several of
the original orchard apple Uees on our two properties as well up urrtil the died a couple of years ago. The
fireplace is a promineM feature on the front of 1he home that helps to establish the cottage appearance
in the neighborhood and is worth protecting.
Please consider denying tlie demdition request and Turther stipulating that the original sWcture
be p2served in any redevelopmer~t of this site.
Regards,
Jonathan & Elizabeth Hondorf
2720 4th Street, Boulder
(303)589-8514
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