HomeMy WebLinkAbout5A - Consideration of whether to initiate designation of 830 Dewey St (HIS2008-00047) MEMORANDUM
September 3, 2008
TO: Landmarks Board
FROM: Susan Richstone, Long Range Planning Manager
Chris Meschuk, Preservation Planner
Allison Hawes, Historic Preservation Intern
James Hewat, Preservation Manner
SUBJECT: Public hearing and consideration of whether to initiate the
designation of 830 Dewey :street as a locally designated
Historic Landmark, per Section 9-11-3, I3.R.C. 1981.
(l.1IS2008-00047)
STAT[S'I'ICS:
1. Site: 830 Dewey Street
2. "Coning: RL-1 (Residential l.ow - 1)
3. Owner: Michael J. O'I~alloran
~1. Applicant: Landmarks Board
STAFF RECOMMEN[)ATION:
Staff recommends the I,anclmarks [3oard not initiate landmark designation of
the property at 830 Dewey Street.
SUM MARY:
• The purpose of this hearing is for the board. to determine whether it is
appropriate to initiate local landmark designation for the properly at 830
} )ewcy Street.
• On May 7, 2008 the Landmarks Board disagreed with staff's recommendation
to issue a demolition permit for ille house at 830 Dewey Street and voted to
irnposc astay-of-demolition for a period of up to 180 days, finding that there
was "probable cause" to consider the property may be eligible for designation
~~s an individual landmark (See /ltlachinerrt B, memo to Landmarks Board).
• .1t the August 20, 2008 Landmarks board meeting, the owner's
rc}~resentatives reci~iesled that thc~ stay bc~ lifle~i stating that (hc~ butidin~ h<~s
1'I .Ai! ~L~.Ia i~•~ _~i:::~i_~{ 11~ I 1 ,ul~l~irl~ i h~t ~~;r1 iiv !ii n~~.~ui,, ~lr,
A;;enda ltcm #SA Pa~c #1l
little, ii at~v 1Zi.ti(nrir ~~r ~~rcl~itectural 5i;;rtiii~•anrc, ~~n~i tli~~l lan~inl.~ri:
designation would make selling the house difficult.
• On August 20, 2008, the Landmarks Board voted to schedule an initiation
hearing for 830 Dewey Street.
Staff recommends the Landmarks Board not initiate landmark designation of
the property at 830 Dewey Street.
CRITERIA TOR TIIE BOAItI)'S DECISION:
1'he Historic Preservation ordinance calls for the Landmarks Board to hold a
public hearing to consider initiating landmark designation of a property (9-11-3,
BRC, 1981). Initiation hearings are legislative, not quasi-judicial. While not
required, in reviewing whether to initiate the board may consider whether:
(1) There is probable cause to believe that the building or district may
be eligible for designation as an individual landmark or historic
district consistent with the purposes and standards in Sections 9-11-
1, "Legislative Intent," and 9-11-2, "City Council May [)esignate
Landmarks and Historic Districts," B.R.C. 1981;
(2) There are currently resources available that would allow the city
manager to complete all of the community ot.+treach and historic
an<~ly.5i~ nec~~~5ary for the application;
(3) There iti <<~~r~niuilily and ncighboriioi~d ~ttl~l~url lur tl~~~ pr%~pustd
designation;
(~lj l he buildings or features may need the protections provided
[Ilrough designation;
(5) The potential boundaries for the proposed district are appropriate;
(6) In balance, the proposed designation is consistent with the goals
and policies of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan; or
(7) ~!'he ~~r~~E~+~~ed desis,nafion would generally h~~ in the E~ul>lic interest.
~1:1I.1'SIS:
1 ~ I'{~tere rs probable ratisr~ to believe that th~~ bt~i(~lin or rlish•ici nay be
Ci!;'lf~'IC j~~l' ;iii' .'liilfli~il :i~ ~i12 ?i1i~l~'L~ili11 ~1i~i~~ilill!1< ~ll~~li~l";~ uri`~!it!
ti:'PL:'~i~1~c~ata,1,'ti_~r:,n„~,EIICI ~I ,ui~liii,nl:~`,I ~~~~~~,c_~'_~~ •i} i,u ~lti.iJ~ n~en~~~.~1~,._
;~;;cnda Item #SA Pale #2
corr~islc~rrt zuitlr lhr purposes acrd slanctnrcLS ire Scctiorrs J 11 "1,
"Legislative Intent," and 9-11-2, "City Cor.rncil Mai Designate
Landmarks and Historic Districts," B.R.C. 1981;
9-11-1(a). "The purpose of this chapter is to promote t11e pr.rblic health,
safety, and welfare b~ protecting, enhancing, and perpetr.ratin~ buildings,
sites, and areas of the city reminiscent of past eras, events, and persons in
local, state, or national histon~ or providins significant examples of
architectural stales of the past. It is also the prrrpose of Ibis chapter to
develop acrd nrairrlain al~prvpriate seltirrhls rrrrcl envir~rurrerrls fvr such
brrildin~gs riles, and areas tv enhance property values, stabilize
nei~hborlTUOds, prornole tourist trade and interest, arrd foster knozctledge of
the city's living heritage".
According to Boulder County T'ax Assessor records, the house was built in 1899.
Its wood-frame vernacular construction is characteristic of buildings constructed
at the turn of the cenhiry in Boulder. The building has a pyramidal hipped roof
and a projecting front gable with a simple front porch that is supported by
slender posts. The front entry, with its multi-light door, is perpendicular to the
}xrrch. The wood casement windows were installed srnnetime after 1949,
}>rabably sometime during the 195U's. The original lap-board siding, which may
qtr may not be intact, has been covered with vinyl siding. The porch roof has also
been altered, decorative brackets and railings have been removed, and two
simple posts have been added. A bay addition on the west elevation shown in
the 1949 assessor card photo has since been removed and replaced with casement
windows. A portion of a rear shed addition has either been removed or
remodeled to match the existing roof slope and exterior sheathing. A brick
~~himney evident in the 1949 photo has been removed as well. No building
}permits were available for the property, but staff speculates khat the existing rear
~~ddition was completed in the 1950's, judging by the type of finish evident on
t lu' replaced doors and windows. With the exception a( the rear addition, the
~~v~~r,tll ft_~rnt cif ht_rildirt;~; r~'tn~tin~~ ittt~~ct.
~~~llt' ~h;' C)~~'ll~'1'~ i__~J" Until}~~lil~~ tit ~ti,5O I_>t'lV'i'\ :~~t_'IIU~' J}`}t~'~iC il? ~~r' SI~~Illfl~~lil~
!e> local, state, or national histrn•y. The 1910 U.5. Census indicated that this ~n~as
t Ile home of Lafayette, a street laborer, and Louise Bennett. In 19-13, Eugene, a
c ;~rpentcr, and Pearl Van I_~yke lived here. The address is first listed in t11e city
tiircctoric~s in 1921, with Matilda and flnnie Anderson as tenants. Matilda
i~ndersan, widow of Gus /1ndc~rsori and employed as a clerk, resided in the
' I'I _\i~:'~Lii:~'Jon~~~~nt~\H1ST1I.artdtttsirl<s\[)ewcy.430109.03.08 ntcnu~ doe
,~~~~cnda Item #SA Pale #3
lunrse rind] 1~) I~r~,nl 7~J;~3 ,until 1955, the he,nsc~ was inh~il.~ilecl Icy short-lerrz~,
working-class residents, including a driver, lab technician, electrician, accountant
and a student. 1n 1956 the property was bought by John Sword, a process
operator at the I~ow Chemical Plant and his wife Helen. "I'he Swords moved to
Loveland in 1972, selling the property to Gladys Jennings, who lived here until
1989, when the property was sold to its current owners, the Patrick O'>-lalloran's.
Lhu-ing the May 7, 2008 stay-of-demolition hearing, a neighbor and longtime
resident of the area represented that thE~ house once operated as a brothel. Staff
has found no documentary evidence to suggest this is the case.
While 830 Dewey Street has not been remodeled beyond recognition, a number
of significant alterations to the house have occured including remodeling of the
front porch, the replacement of double hung sash windows, the application of
vinyl siding, the removal of a bay addition on the west elevation. In addition a
portion of a rear shed addition has either been removed or remodeled to match
the existing roof slope and exterior sheathing. A brick chimney evident in the
1949 photo has been removed as well. In total, the alterations to the house
represent a significant loss of character defining fcahires and a resulting
degradation of the historic architectural integrity of the building. For this reason,
,staff considers that there is riot "probable cause" to believe the building is
ulirit?lc frrr local larulm~rrh clr~sis;n~i~iun.
~1'hc~rc ~ir~~ ~irrr~~ttth~ rr~s~ri~r~~~_s ~i~~rulr.r(~la that ~ru~ulcl all~~~n thr~ slip rtraruz~,er
to corrrpfete all of the connnrrnit~ outreach and historic analysis necessarr~
?ur the application;
I he historic preservation program has limited resources due to current
workload, but can complete the necessary work for this application.
(3) There is eommurritr/ crud neighborhood support for the proposed
designation;
`~l~~if has rc~cc~ivc~d no neigl~borllood comment regarding the designation.
(l) 7'he hrrildings or features may need the protections provided through
:!esignation;
I h~~ hr~ildin~ i5 proposed for demolition. However, staff considers that the
historic and ardzitectural integrity of the building has been so compromised that
it ~1~,~~:~ nt~~t ciualil~~ i<_,r c1c~i~n~~ii~_~n ;u ,+r~ indivichi~r( l~in~lm,~rl~.
I'I . ,.`J J.tt<<`,l~iu~-i~~'i ~~~I II`~ I ~,I .~ii;lni,ul ~`,I n'•O`.i~~~ ii? i;lt: ~n~'i~i~r ~I~,~.
~~~cn~l;r Ilcur ;J~;~~ f'a~c ti4
'l7ic ~n~lerrti~al L~~~~iri~-~nrir~~~~~r ll~te proE~o~,~_~~l ~li:sh~irt rir~~ api~ro~_~i~i~~l~';
Not applicable.
(6) In bnlnnce, the proposed desisnation is consistent zoith the goals and
policies of the Boaelder Valley Coniprellensive Plnn; or
Policy 2.33 of the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan States that," Buildings,
districts, and sites of historic, architectural, archaeological, or cultural
significance will be identified and protected.l'he city and county will encourage
preservation of such resources through incentive programs, designation of
Iandmark buildings ...design review, public improvements, and other tools."
`This policy encourages landmark designation when appropriate. 'There is no
evidence to suggest that the property is of historic, architectural, archaeological,
or cultural significance to the city, state, or nation. Purd~ermore, staff considers
the architectural integrity of the house so compromised that it does not rlualify
for designation ati an individual landmark.
(7) The proposed designation would genernll~ be in the public interest.
Because of its lack of documented historic, architectural, archaeological, or
cultural significance and because the historic architectural integrity of the house
has been compromised, initiation of the process to designate ibis property as a
laricln-lark ~w~,~il~1 ~lc~tbc in the I,nl~lic interest.
DLGSION O1~ ~l~l ll~. BOARD:
[l the board chooses to initiate the designation process, rt must do so by
resolution. A draft resolution is included in Attnchnrenl IJ. if initiated, the
application shall be heard by the Landmarks Board within 60 to ]2U days in
order to determine whether the proposed designation conforms with the
purposes and standards in Sections 9-11-1, "Legislative Intent," and 9-'ll-2, "City
Council May Designate Landmarks and Historic llistricts," B.R.C. 1981. The
owner must obtain a landmark alteration certificate prior to the submission of
building permit applications for the property if they choose to proceed while the
,application is pending, or they may choose to wait until thc~ application process
IS C'o1111_)iCtl'.
:1I1 :~1CH:t'1i'~N I
Architectural lnve~ntoiy Dorm and research cm ~:~0 I)e~-vey Strei>l
1>: May 7, 2008 memo to Landmarks Board
Photol;rapl~
L): 1_)ratt rc~~oltitio~~ 1~_~ initiate ~l~~tii~;nalion
`,l'1_.+~N`~'.,i1, I~~~~.,~ i~~:~~~ I1~ f ~1_,trid~n.nl;,. ~ , ;;O`fj' l;~`, i~i::~u~~. ~I;~~,:
~~~„CI1Ctil ~tC1Tl &'~r1 E~il'~,l' ~1
_ .1
_ COLORADO NI~TOr<1CAL trJCIETT Attachment A
,OYlloe Qf prCl?asology and Ntstorlc Preservetioa~ NAT I
1300 Rroactvey, Drnvar, Colorado 80203 EliQlble _ NomiruteC
_ Dot. Mot Eligible _ Certified Rehab.
NIJ;TORIC 4111LDING INVENTORY RECORD Date
PROJECT NAME: Boulder Survey of Historic COUNTY: CITY: STATE ID NO.: 58L4717 f
Places, 199~i Boulder Boulder
TEMPORARY MO.: 1161-25-1-28-005
CURRENT BUILDING NAME: OfdNER: OHALLORAN PATRICK E
- 830 DEYEY AV '
BOULDER CD 80304
ADDRESS: 830 DE41EY AV
BOULDER, CO 80302
TONNSHIP 1N RANGE 71Y SECTION 25 NE 1/4 SE 1/4
HISTORIC NAME: U.S.G.S. OIIAD NAME: Boulder, Colo.
TEAR: 1966 (PR1979) X 7.5' 15'
BLOCK: 5 LOT{S): 7
DISTRICT NAME: ADDITION: Neikirk-Stewart YR. OF ADDITION: 1898
F1LM ROLL NO.: 94-19 NEGATIVE NO.: LOCATION OF NEGATJVES: DATE OF CONSTRUCTION:
BT: T.H. Simmons 7 Boulder City Ping. ESTIMATE: ~ ACTUAL: 1899
SOURCE:
Boulder County Assessor
. _ USE:
PRESENT:
~ Residential
HISTORIC:
,y1 ~ ~ i ~ Residential
3 _ - _ _ - - CONDITION:
_ EXCELLENT G000
p y X FAIR DETERIORATIN..
_ y z ~ _ ExTENT OF ALTERATIONS:
~ MINOR X MODERATE KAJOR
~I~- NeuCsidEn window alterations rch
~r alterations.
CONTINUED TES X NO
'~'`"z"2"`" ORIGINAL SITE X MOVED
DATE(S) OF MOVE:
MATERIALS: Hood, Stone Sa. FOOTAGE: NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBILITY
750
INDIVIDUAL: YES X NO
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION:
One-story frame dwelling with pyramidal hipped roof end projecting front gable. CONTRIBUTING TO D1STRiCT:
Horizontal lap siding; stone foundation. Off-center paneled end glozed door TES NO
perpendicular to porch. Casement windows. Shed roofed porch with slender post LOCAL LANDMARK DESIGNATION: Mo
supports arrJ concrete floor. Metal chimney pipe.
NAME:
DATE:
ASSOCIATED B1IILDINGS7 X YES NO
TYPE:
Carport
IF INVENTORIED, LIST 1D NOS.:
CONTINUED? YES X NO
ADDITIONAL PAGES: YES X NO
_ c ARCHITECT: STATE ID NO.: SBLi717
Unkrwwn
ORIGINAL OWNER:
j'
i ; Unknown
SOURCE:
SOURCE:
BUILDER/CONTRACTOR:
Unkrmwn -
THEME(S):
~ SOURCE: Urban Residential Neighborhoods,
1858-present
CONSTRUCTION HISTORY (DESCRIPTION, NAHES, DATES, ETC., RELATING TO MAJOR ALTERATIONS TO ORIGINAL STRUCTURE):
CON'~INUED YES X NO
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND (DISCUSS IMPORTANT PERSONS AND EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS STRUCTURE):
~ The 1910 U.S. Census indicates that this was the home of LeFayette end Louise Bemett. Bemett was listed as a street
laborer. In 1913, Eugene C. and Pearl Van Dyke lived here. Van Dyke was a carpenter.
CONTINUED YES X NO
SIGNIFICANCE (CHECK APPROPRIATE CATEGORIES AND BRIEFLY JUSTIFY BELOW):
.ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICaurF: HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE•
REPRESENTS THE 4K)EtK OF A MASTER ASSOCIATED 411TH SIGNIFICANT PERSONS
POSSESSES HIGH ARTISTIC VALUES ASSOCIATED 411TH SIGNIFICANT EVENTS .OR PATTERNS
X REPRESENTS A TYPE, PERIOD, OR METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION ~ CONTRIBUTES TO AN HISTORIC DISTRICT
TIER EVALUATION: '
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE:
This house, although somewhat altered, is representative of the vernacular frame dwellings erected in Boulder at the turn
of the century, as reflected in the simple design and lack of architectural c~tails which would indicate a particular style.
CONTINUED YES X NO
REFERENCES (BE SPECIFIC):
Boulder County Assessor, real estate information; Boulder Dait~ Camera biographical files; Boulder Carnegie Library,
Boulder Canty Assessor collection; Boulder City Directories; Boulder Genealogical Society, Census Indexes, 1900 end 1910
CONTINUED YES X NO
~RVEYED BY- R.L. Simmons/J.E. Brceker AFFILIATi0k: Front Range Research Associates, Inc. DATE: August 1994 I
Attachment I3
MEMORANDUM
May 7~`, 2008
TO: Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board
FROM: Susan Richstone, Acting Director of Long Range Planning
Chris Meschuk, Historic Preservation Planner
James Hewat, Historic Preservation Plaru~er
Marcy Cameron, Historic Preservation Intern
SUBJECT: Public hearing and consideration of a demolition permit for the
building located at 830 Dewey Avenue, per Section 9-11-23 of the
Boulder Revised Code (HIS2008-00047) for non-landmarked
buildings over fifty years old.
STATISTICS:
1. Site: 830 Dewey Avenue
2. Date of Construction: 1899
3. Zoning: RL-1 (Residential -Low 1)
4. Owner: Michael O'Halloran
5. Applicant: Jon Jennings
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Landmarks Board adopt the following motion:
"The Landmarks Board issue the demolition permit for the building located at 830 Dewey
Avenue, adopting the following as findings of the board:
1. Issuance of a demolition permit for the house at 830 Dewey Avenue is
appropriate based on the criteria set forth in Section 9-1'1-23(f) B.R.C, in that the
identified building:
a. fs not eligible for individual landmark designation based upon its loss of
historic and architectural integrity, and lack of and environmental
significance;
b. Because of its loss of architectural integrity, it does not contribute to the
character of the neighborhood as an intact representative of the area's past.
<6
ALCnda Item #Lj~~P:~tze
Memo to Landmarks Preservation Advisory E3oard 05/07/200£3
Re: 830 Dewey Avenue- Demolition Permit
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On March 7, 2008, the Planning Department received a demolition permit application for
the house at 830 Dewey Avenue. The building is not in a designated historic district or
locally landmarked, but is over fifty years old and meets the criteria for demolition
defined under Section 9-11-23 of the Historic Preservation Ordinance. On March 12,
2008, the Landmarks Design Review Committee referred the application to the
Landmarks Board for a public hearing, finding there was probable cause to believe that
the building may be eligible for designation as an individual landmark.
The house has been moderately altered in the last fifty years. This includes the addition
of vinyl siding, removal of a chimney, porch alterations, and the removal of a bay
window quid rear shed addition. Sometime after 1949, the original 1/1 double-hung
windows were replaced with six light, wood, sliding casement windows. Staff finds that
separately, these modifications may not have been detrimental to the historic character
of the house, but in total, the non-historic alterations of the house has resulted in a loss of
historic integrity to the extent that the house does not meet the criteria set forth in
Section 9-11-23, B.R.C., 1981, or the Individual Landmark Significance Criteria. Staff
recommends the Landmarks Board issue a demolition permit for the house at 830 Dewey
Avenue.
DESCRIPTION:
Located in the Neikirk-Stewart addition to Boulder, on the south side of Dewey Avenue
between 8~ and 9~ Streets, the approximately 2,466 square foot lot contains the 750 sq. ft.
one story woad frame house.
f~ U
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- DEWEY
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Fi~urc~ 7: Lnrrairon Mnp, <g3O D~•ux~~/ /1r~r~rrue
Arcordii~~; to Poc-elder Ccn~nty 'l'ax Assessor records, tl.~e lu~ccse was built in 1899. ILs
wood-frame vernacular construction is characteristic of buildings constructed at the turn
of the rc~ntury in Boulder. "1~11e huildin~; has a pyramidal hipped roof and a projecting
f'I i1V,~el,, I~m,~r,~:.~~'ll1~l Deine~~'De:~ej 'i~~r~ I i'AL' mc:... 7~
Memo to Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board 05/07/2008
Re: 830 Dewey Avenue- Demolition Permit
front gable with a simple front porch that is supported by slender posts. The front entry,
with its multi-light door, is perpendicular to the porch. The wood casement windows
were installed sometime after 1949, probably sometime during the 1950's. The original
lap-board siding, which may or may not be intact, has been covered with vinyl siding.
The porch roof has also been altered, decorative brackets and railings have been
removed, and two simple posts have been added. A bay addition on the west elevation
shown in the 1949 assessor card photo has since been removed and replaced with
casement windows. A portion of a rear shed addition has been either been removed or
remodeled to match the existing roof slope and exterior sheathing. A brick chimney
evident in the 1949 photo has been removed as well. No building permits were available
for the property, but staff speculates that the existing rear addition was completed it the
1950's, judging by the type of fli~ish evident on the replaced doors and windows. With
the exception of the rear addition, the overall form of building remains intact.
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Memo to Landmarks Preservation /\dvisory Board 05/0//2008
Re: 830 Dewey Avenue- Demolition Permit
The building is located in an area identified as potentially eligible for historic district
designation. Historically, the Neikirk-Stewart Additon was a residental area, and U.S.
Census and city directory research indicates that the area was a working class
neighborhood. The majority of houses in this area were built in a period between 1894
and 1910, in a vernacular style, like that of the house at 830 Dewey Avenue. The house
appears to have been a rental from about 1910 until 1956 by a variety of working class
residents, including a clerk, a driver, a street laborer, and a carpenter. Staff finds that the
houses in the area range in integrity, some which have been remodeled beyond
recognition to intact examples of residential wood-frame vernacular housing. The house
at 830 Dewey has not been remodeled beyond recognition, but the level of alteration has
resulted in a loss of historic integrity.
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Figure ~1: 8~~~1, b',iU, rr~t~i ~5' 12 Dc~z~~~c~ ~ lvr°~1~~~~, +~l f,r~rl 2UOS
CRITERIA FOR TIIE BOARD'S DECISION:
'l'he Historic Preservation ordinance states that the Landmarks Board shall consider and
base its ~Iccision upon any of the follc~~~ing criteria [9-~ 1-2;i(f)]:
(7) ~ IZe eligibility of the buil~lin~; for designation as an individual landmark
consistent with the purposes and standards in Sections 9-17-1 and 9-11-2, B.R.C.
19H 1.;
(2) '1"he relationship of the building to the character of th~~ neighborhood as an
established and definable area;
(3) The reasonable condition of the building; and
S\P1,AN'~~d:ua\lonktaa~;11llS7~1Dcnw;li)cw~:y.~i iD15 (17 7(~OS LI'i1R mcmo.doc
Memo to Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board 05/07/2008
Re: 830 Dewey Avenue- Demolition Permit
(4) The reasonable projected cost of restoration or repair.
In considering the condition of the building and the projected cost of restoration
or repair as set forth in paragraphs (3) and (4) above, the board may not consider
deterioration caused by unreasonable neglect.
As detailed below, staff considers this property not eligible for designation as an
individual landmark and that demolition would not have an adverse impact on the
character of. the area.
Information regarding the condition of the building or the cost of restoration or repair
(criteria 3 and 4) has not been received at this time. For this reason, staff has
concentrated on criteria 1 and 2 in assessing the building's eligibility for landmark
designation and its relationship to the character of the neighborhood.
CRITERION 1: INDIVIDUAL LANDMARK ELIBILITY
The following is a result of staff's research on the property relative to the significance
criteria for individual landmarks adopted by the Landmarks Board on September 17,
1975. See Attachment l-:Individual Landmark S~ni~icance Criteria
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE:
Summary: The house located at 830 Dewey Avenue has historic significance under criterion
1.
1. Date of Construction: 1899
Elaboration: According to Boulder County Assessor records, the building was constructed
i n 1899.
2. Association with Persons or Events: None observed.
Elaboration: None of the owners or occupants of 830 Dewey Avenue appear to be
significant to local, state, or national history. The 1910 U.S. Census indicated that
this was the home of Lafayette, a street laborer, and Louise Bennett. In 191.3, Eugene,
a carpenter, and Pearl Van Dyke lived here. The address is first listed in the city
directories in 1921, with Matilda and Annie Anderson as tenants. Matilda Anderson,
widow of Cus Anderson and employed as a clerk, resided in the house until 1932.
From 1935 unti11955, the house was inhabited by short-term, working-class
residents, including a driver, lab technician, electrician, accountant and a student. In
1956 the property was bought by John Sword, a process operator at the Dow
Chemical Plant and his wife Helen. The Swords moved to f ,oveland in 1972, selling
S:~J'L~1 ',da'a~.l~;cr~n~Jlltil~l_)~:m ::'~I~~~.vc} ~:;u~~n7.'i~~~~~1J' U.:~.cc:~~~1~,~
Memo to t andrnarks Preservalion Advisory Board 05/07/2008
Re: 830 Dewey Avenue- Demolition Permit
the property to Gladys Jennings, who lived here until 1989, when the property was
sold to its current owners, the O'Hallorans. See Attachment B: Directort~ and Deed
Research.
3. Development of the Community: None observed
Elaboration:
4. Recognition by Authorities: None observed
Elaboration: The building was surveyed in 1995 by Front Range Research Associates,
and found that not to be eligible for listing on the National Register. The survey form
states that "this house, although somewhat altered, is representative of the vernacular
frame dwellings erected in Boulder at the turn of the century, as reflected in the simple
design and lack of architectural details which would indicate a particular style." See
Attachment A: Historic Building InventorU Record.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Summary: The house at 830 Dewey Avenue has architectural significance under
criterion 1.
1. Recognized Period or Style: Vernacular wood frame
Elaboration: The house was constructed in a vernacular wood frame maruzer, with a
projecting front gable and pyramidal hipped roof. The simple design and lack of
architechiral detail is characteristic of the vemacular frame dwellings erected in Boulder
at the turn of the twentieth century. Many of the architech~ral elements have been
modified, including the addition of vinyl siding, replacement of double-hung windows,
the removal of a chimney, porch alterations, and removal of a rear addition. Though the
building appears to be restorable, consideration as a potential landmark must be based
on the current condition, which staff finds to be lacking th.e historic integrity necessary to
be considei•c~d fc>r landmark designation.
2. Architect or Builder of Prominence: None known
Elaboration:
3. Artistic Merit: None observed
Elaboration:
4. Example of the Uncommon: None observed
Elaboration:
5. Indigenous Qualities: None observed
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Memo to Landmarks Preservation Advisory (3oard 05/07/2008
Re: 830 Dewey Avenue- Demolition Permit
Elaboration:
ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Summary: The house at 830 Dewey Avenue has no environmental significance.
1. Site Characteristics: None observed
2. Compatibility with Site: None observed
3. Geographic Importance: None observed
4. Environmental Appropriateness: None observed
5. Area Integrity: None observed
CRITERION 2: RELATIONSHIP TO THE CHARACTER OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD:
' The house at 830 Dewey Street is located in the Neikirk-Stewart Addition, platted in 1898
by John F. Stewart and );mily Neikirk. The subdivision extends from First Avenue on the
north to the southern sides of Dewey and. Portland on the south and from east of 9~'
Street to about 6~'' Street, "comprising one hundred and sixty-five lots situated to the
north and west of the main business portion of the city." The area was surveyed in the
1994 Boulder Survey of Historic Places report by Front Range Research Associates,
which found no buildings in the Dewey Avenue-Portland Place survey area to be
eligible for individual listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally,
the area was found to have no distinct historic identity, due to its location between
Mapleton Hill and 'The Avenues'. However, as part of the 2000 update to the Boulder
Valley Comprehensive Plan, a map of areas considered to have significant
concentrations of historic resources to be potentially eligible for designation as a local
historic district were identified and shown on a map. The area surrounding the house at
830 Dewey was included as an area potentially eligible for historic district designation.
See Attachment F for a map of potential districts
Construction dates for the Dewey Avenue-Portland Place area indicate that most
resources were built during the 1890 to 1910 period. A few houses on the western end of
Dewey Avenue were erected in the 1920s. The surveyed area historically developed
principally as a residential neighborhood. An examunation of manuscript U.S. Census
returns for 1900 and 1910 and early city directories suggest that the area was a mostly
working class neighborhood, with a sprinkling of middle class residents. "I'he early
occupation mix included laborers, an auto mechanic, a driller, miners, building
contractors and others involved in the construction trades, and shopkeepers.
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Memo to Landrnarks Preservatian Advisory E3oard 05/07/2008
Re: 830 Dewey Avenue- Demolition Permit
Sixty-eight percent of the resources documented in the Dewey Avenue/Portland Place
area were of vernacular construction. 'The vernacular buildings ranged from one to two
stories, with predominantly hipped and gabled roofs. A common design for dwellings in
the area is a one-story hipped roof frame dwelling. See Attachrnent E: 1994 Boulder Surveu
Historic Places. The house at 830 Dewey Avenue, although built shortly after the
platting of the subdivision, has been altered to the extent that it does not contribute to
the character of the neighborhood as an intact representative of the area's past.
CRITERION 3: CONDITION OF THE BUILDING AND CRITERION 4:
PROJECTED COST OF RESTORATION OR REPAIR:
Because no claim has been made by the applicant about the condition of the buildings or
cost of restoration or repair, staff concentrated on criteria 1 and 2, the buildings
eligibility for landmark designation and their relationship to the character of the
neighborhood in making a recommendation on the appropriateness of demolition. Staff
has visited the site atld did not observe any structural issues.
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMENT:
Staff has received no comments regarding the proposed demolition.
THE BOARD'S DECISION:
If the Landmarks Board finds that the house proposed to be demolished does not have
1listoric significance under the criteria set forth in Section 9-11-23(f) B.R.C., the city
manager shall issue a demolition permit.
IE the Landmarks Board finds that the house proposed for demolition may have
significance under the criteria set forth above, the application shall be suspended for a
period not to exceed 180 days from the date the permit application was accepted by the
city manager as complete, in order to provide the time necessary to consider alternatives
to the building. [Section 9-11-23(h)]. A 180-day stay period would expire on September
15, 2008.
rINDINGS:
Staff recommeiid~ thal the I.ancimark~ I~~~ard adopt the fr~llc~4vinl; findin;;~:
Itititrance of a dem~~liti~m permit for the hr?use at 830 I7ew~~y Avenue is appr~~F~riate based
on the criteria set forth in Section ~)-1 1-23(f) B.R.C, in that the identified building:
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Memo to Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board 05/07/2008
Re: 830 Dewey Avenue- Demolition Permit
a. Is not eligible for individual landmark designation based upon its loss of
historic and ardlitecttiral integrity, and Iack of and environmental
significance;
' b. Because of its loss of architectural integrity, it does not contribute to the
character of the neighborhood as an intact representative of the area's past.
ATTACHMENTS:
A: Historic Building Inventory Record
B: Directory and Deed Research
C: Assessor Card
D: Current Photographs
E: 1994 Boulder Survey of Historic Places Excerpt: Dewey Avenue-Portland Piace
F: Significance Criteria for an Individual Landmark
G: Map of Designated and Potential Historic Districts
S:~PLA~]~dataUongrangUflS"f~l7emos~Dcwey.83U~5.07.2008 LPAl3 memo.doc ~"~-~J J-J• F 1
Attachment C.
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Attachment ll
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE LANDMARKS BOARD (NITIATiNG
THE DF,SIGNATION OF 830 DEWEY STREET AS AN
1Nll1VIDUAL LANDMARK.
WHEREAS, on May 7, 2008 the Landmarks Board imposed astay-of-demolition on the
property at 830 Dewey Strcet for a period of up to 180 days,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LANDMARKS BOARD OF THE CITY
OF BOULDER, COLORADO:
Section 1. The City of Boulder Landmarks Board initiates the designation of 830 Dewey
Street, and will schedule a designation hearing in accordance with the historic preservation
ordinance no fewer than sixty days and no greater than one hundred-twenty days from the date of
this resolution.
ADOPTED this 3rd day of September, 2008.
Chair, Landmarks Board
ATTEST:
Secretary to the Board