Landmark hearing set for historic district redevelopment plan

A public hearing was held on August 7 regarding a landmark alteration certificate application for the property located at 520 Pearl Street in Boulder’s West Pearl Historic District. The proposal involves demolishing the existing non-contributing building and constructing a new 2,800 square foot house along with a 1,000 square foot accessory building.

The meeting began with board members disclosing any ex parte contacts, with all members reporting none. The staff outlined the criteria for review under the Boulder Revised Code, emphasizing the need for the proposed work to preserve, enhance, or restore the property’s exterior architectural features without damaging its historic value. The board must also consider economic feasibility, energy efficiency, and accessibility in their decision-making process.

The application process began in March, with an initial hearing held on April 3, 2024. Feedback from that meeting led the applicant to withdraw the proposal and submit revised designs in June. The current proposal retains the same scope as the previous one but features a revised design.

The board has the option to approve the application, which would be subject to a 16-day city council call-up period, or deny it, which would trigger a 30-day call-up period. If the board leans towards denial, they typically allow the applicant the opportunity to withdraw the application. The discussion highlighted the collaborative effort between the owners and the landmarks board, acknowledging the lengthy process involved in such applications.