7A - Update and potential action on stay-of-demolition at 607 Forest Ave (HIS2008-00234) MEMORANDUM
February 4, 2009
TO: Landmarks Board
FROM: Susan Richstone, Long Range Planning Manager
Chris Meschuk, Historic Preservation Planner
James Hewat, Historic Preservation Planner
Allison Hawes, Historic Preservation Intern
SUBJECT: Update and potential action on stay-of-demolition at 607 Forest
Avenue (HI52008-00234) imposed December 3ra, 2008, expires April
15t'~, 2009.
STATISTICS:
1. Site: 607 Forest Ave
2. Date of Construction: 1937
3. Zoning: RL-1 (Residential -Low 1)
4. Owner/Applicant: John Goodson
5. Stay expires: April 15, 2009
SUMMARY:
• On October 8, 2008, the Planning Department received a demolition permit
application for the house at 607 Forest 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 October 15, 2008, the Landmarks Design Review Committee referred the
application to the Landmarks Board for a public 1learing, finding there was "probable
cause" to consider that the building may be eligible for designation as an individual
landmark.
• The Landmarks Board imposed astay-of-demolition on the property at its December
3, 2008 meeting finding the building may be eligible for landmark designation per 9-
11-23 (f)(1) of the Boulder Revised Code.
• Staff has discussed alternatives to the demolition of the building, including
landmarking, with the owner per 9-11-23 of the Boulder Revised Code.
• Tl1e owner considers that the existing building cannot meet his family's needs and
wishes to proceed with the demolition. He has indicated that he will recycle materials
from the existing building.
Agenda Item # 7A Page # 1
• At the December 30, 2008 and January 7, 2009 Landmarks Board meetings the
applicant requested the board lift the stay-of-demolition on the property.
• At the January 7, 2009 meeting the board requested that a public hearing be
scheduled in order to consider lifting the stay.
• The City Attorney Office's opinion is that the consideration of lifting a stay-of-
demolition is legislative, not quasiyudicial. As such the public hearing of this item is
legislative in nature.
DESCRIPTION:
Located in the Newland neighborhood in north Boulder, on the north side of Forest
Avenue between 6t" and 7r" Streets, the 9,400 square foot corner lot contains the one-story
1937, 1100 sq. ft. wood frame Minimal Traditional house and free-standing 1.947
Modernist inspired garage.
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Figure 1: Location Map, 607 Forest Avenue
According to Boulder County Tax Assessor records, the house was built in 1937. The
Minimal Traditional design is characteristic of buildings constructed in Boulder during
the pre-WW II period with its diminutive size, lack of architectural detail, closed eaves,
and front facing gabled section. The entry portico features squared column supports,
wrought iron balustrade and railings and a concrete base. The paneled and glazed front
door is off-centered with double-hung, one-over-one light windows with wide wooden
surrounds. There is a bay window on the east side while the west wall bay was merged
with the rear ell. The original clapboard siding has been clad with vinyl siding.
The adjacent free-standing two-car garage at the east side of the building was
constructed in 1947 and features a sloping shed roof, two-bays, and an attached carport.
Stylistically, the garage relates more to the Modernistic inspired architecture that began
Agenda Item # 7A Page # 2
to appear during the post-WW II years i.n Boulder, than it does to the adjacent Minimal
Traditional house. The garage doors face Forest Avenue and the alley. Building permits
from 1947,1949, and 1985 indicate re-roofuzg, the addition of the garage/carport and
window replacement, respectively. With the exception of vinyl siding and window
replacement about 1985, the overall form of the historic building remains intact.
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Figure 3: b07 Forest Avenue, Soutli elevation, 2008
Agenda Item # 7A Pale # 3
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Figure 4: Fast elevation shozving c.7947 garage addition
The building is not located in a potential historic district, is simple in design, and can be
considered as Minima]. Traditional in form. The late 1930's date of construction
corresponds with an increase in house building in Boulder (and the east section of
Newland in particular), at the end of the great depression.
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Agenda Item # 7A Page # 4