Historic Landmark Commission forwards Sampson and Altadena apartments to city council for local designation

The Salt Lake City Historic Landmark Commission voted unanimously to forward a recommendation that the city council designate the Sampson and Altadena apartment buildings at approximately 276 East 300 South and 310 South 300 East as a local landmark site (case no. PLNHLC2025-0057).

Staff planner Noah Elmore told commissioners that “staff is recommending the historic landmark commission forward a recommendation of approval to the city council.” The commission’s action sends the nomination to council for final designation.

The nomination centers on two early 20th-century, three- to three-and-a-half-story walk-up apartment blocks—identified in the staff report as the Sampson Apartments and the Altadena Apartments—with a stated period of significance from 1906 to 1945. Elmore said the buildings represent high-style examples of neoclassical architecture and noted features such as deep porches, Tuscan columns, and brick-and-stone masonry. The staff report evaluates the site against the commission’s standards for historic significance, integrity and National Register eligibility.

Applicants and condominium owners described years of repair work and financial investment to stabilize and restore the structures. Lauren Fontanella, vice president of the Sampson Altadena Condominium homeowners association, said the association has invested heavily in repairs and preservation and that “we're in it to stay long term and we wanna get the protection of being on the local registry and the acknowledgment from the city because we're really proud of our buildings.” HOA president Annie Ruth Isaacson detailed specific repairs and alterations over decades and told commissioners the association had “put in over half a million dollars into taking out the the brown stain, fixing the cracks. We put in new limestone on the sills,” and other masonry and structural work performed with state collaboration.

Commissioners pressed the applicants on financing and owner assessments. Commissioner Adrianne observed that assessments appeared to total about $750,000 over roughly eight years; an HOA representative confirmed large collective assessments and earlier, smaller contingency costs and described emergency and scheduled work including masonry repairs, separation of electrical panels and boiler work.

Several members of the public spoke in support. Cindy Cromer recounted a long personal history with the buildings and urged commissioners to “create the third leg of the stool, the city register designation, which will secure the future of these buildings.” Ben Engel, a nearby resident, said the local landmark designation offers protections that the National Register does not under recent zoning changes and urged approval. Justin Connie, identified as the chair of CCMC but speaking as a private resident, described the nomination as an act of stewardship and said the application showed “how much they care about the property.”

Planning director Amy (last name not provided in the record) told the commission that on July 8, 2025, the Salt Lake City Council approved a consolidation of commercial and mixed-use zoning into six new commercial mixed-use districts. Amy said those zoning changes will go into effect Oct. 8, 2025, and noted the council had also asked staff to consider impacts of larger buildings adjacent to smaller contributing structures; the commission discussed how local landmark designation could provide additional site-specific protections under the city’s updated zoning approach.

After discussion, Commissioner Adrianne moved to forward a recommendation of approval to city council; Commissioner Emily Kearns seconded. Roll call votes recorded Babs Delay (aye), Commissioner Adrianne (aye), Emily Kearns (aye), Allen Barnett (aye) and Chair John Yuanowski (aye). The motion passed unanimously.

The commission chair said staff received four emails in support of the nomination, including one from the Central City Neighborhood Council. The nomination now proceeds to the Salt Lake City Council for final action; the commission record lists case number PLNHLC2025-0057.

Votes at a glance

• PLNHLC2025-0057 — Motion to forward a recommendation to the Salt Lake City Council to designate the Sampson and Altadena apartments as a local landmark site. Motion by Commissioner Adrianne; seconded by Commissioner Emily Kearns. Vote: 5–0; recommendation forwarded.