Landmarks Board approves rear accessory building at 600 Spruce Street with conditions

The Boulder Landmarks Board on Jan. 8 voted unanimously to approve a landmark alteration certificate for a new accessory building at 600 Spruce Street, a contributing property in the Mapleton Hill Historic District. The board approved the roughly 726‑square‑foot, one‑and‑a‑half‑story structure with a set of conditions addressing retaining‑wall materials, driveway surfacing and garage door design.

The board’s unanimous approval followed a staff presentation finding the proposal “meets the standards for issuance of a landmark alteration certificate” and is generally consistent with Mapleton Hill design guidance if several conditions are met, Claire Brandt, the city’s historic preservation planner, told the board.

Why it matters: The accessory building would be placed at the rear of the lot and is intended to be subordinate to the primary house, preserving the front yard character of the Mapleton Hill block. Board members and members of the public raised concerns that…