The Colorado Springs Historic Preservation Board on July 7 approved a report of acceptability for work at 1614 North Tejon Street that will rebuild a structurally unsound rooftop deck and laundry-room roof and expand both a ground-level deck and an upper-level deck.

Board members voted to approve the application after a staff presentation describing the scope and a single public comment raising privacy concerns. The vote followed city-code review and staff recommendation that the proposal meets the applicable historic-preservation review criteria.

Staff presenter Ethan Schafer described the project as a demolition and reconstruction of a structurally unsound rooftop deck and laundry-room roof, plus an associated ground-level deck and exterior basement access door on the rear of the home. The proposed work will expand the ground-level deck by 62.5 square feet and increase the rooftop/deck cover area by 255 square feet. Schafer told the board the application was submitted May 29, completed one review cycle, and had been publicly noticed with a 150-foot postcard mailing radius; staff said 24 postcards were sent and no written public comment had been received before the hearing.

A resident who identified herself as Jennifer Sweet of 18 East Carameo spoke during public comment saying the deck "looks into my house, into my dining room" and that the addition would "destroy my privacy." Board members and staff told Sweet that privacy and neighbor-to-neighbor disputes are outside the board's historic-character review criteria and advised her of other avenues, including neighborhood mediation and the option to appeal the board's action to City Council. Staff advised that building permits would follow the board action and that the public-notice postcard included the planner's contact information.

Board discussion focused on the board's jurisdiction. Schafer and members noted an existing upper deck at approximately 11–12 feet above ground and an existing lower deck about 18 inches above ground; the proposal would enlarge but keep the rooftop deck at the existing level. Schafer said the northern property line already has a deficient setback and the applicant will seek an administrative adjustment for that existing condition (the deficiency was not caused by the proposed expansion).

A motion to approve the report of acceptability, finding that the application meets the review criteria set forth in City Code section 7.5 0.528, was moved and seconded; the board then conducted a roll-call vote and the motion passed. Board members recorded affirmative votes during roll call.

The board clerk read appeal instructions after the decision. In accordance with section 7 5 4 1 5 of the City Unified Development Code, an affected party may file a notice of appeal and a $176 fee with the city clerk within 10 days of the board action (the staff notice named Thursday, 07/17/2025, as the last day to file). The appeal letter must identify specific City Code requirements the appellant contends were not adequately addressed by the Historic Preservation Board; City Council may limit the appeal hearing to the matters specified in that letter.

The board noted that approval by the Historic Preservation Board does not substitute for any required building permits; if the applicant proceeds, the next step after the board action would be permit submittal and plan stamping.