Pitkin County board approves addition to historic house at 285 Firehouse Road

The Pitkin County design review board voted to approve an application to add a separated addition to the historic house at 285 Firehouse Road, including the conditions listed in the staff memo and the material and window package presented at the meeting.

Board member Jason (surname not specified) moved to approve the application, stating, "I move to approve the application for the addition to the historic structure at 285 Firehouse Road, including the conditions identified in the staff memo, and that's conditions 1 through 3, as well as the representations of the material finishes and window package, in today's meeting." The motion was seconded by board member Justin and passed unanimously with recorded yes votes from Kathy, Samuel, Taylor, Justin and Jason.

Why it matters: the project modifies a small historic house by attaching a new mass through a linking element; the board found the proposed approach preserves the significant portions of the historic structure while allowing a compatible addition. The decision advances the project toward permit drawings and eventual construction.

What the board approved Staff and the applicants described the application as the fourth review of this project. Staff member Susanna summarized prior concerns and revisions and recommended approval with standard conditions tied to exterior lighting fixtures and other staff-specified items.

The applicants (represented by Tim and Matt) presented a linking element that reuses the footprint of an earlier small, non-contributing addition to limit disturbance to the historic fabric. They described material choices and proportions, proposing a vertical siding detail for the linking element (a baton-board detail) and a unified color palette that ties the caretaker dwelling (CDU) and the new addition together. Matt said the CDU color is a Benjamin Moore historic tone, "Saybrook Sage," and the applicants said they intend to use the same color with white trim on the new elements.

Windows and details The applicants said most proposed windows on the addition will be double-hung to match the proportions of the main house, with one upstairs unit shown as a casement (which could be fixed). They described keeping the historic portion of the house unpainted and using the new siding and trim to make the addition visually distinct. The applicants also discussed a small stone seat wall to control grade and drainage near a rear walkway and said the highest point of the seat wall is approximately 21–22 inches.

Board deliberation and findings Board members praised the applicants for addressing earlier concerns, noting the revised linking element, simplified porch roof detail and clarified materials. Several members said the design balances livability and preservation by clearly separating the new massing from the historic house and by using compatible cladding and trim. Susanna confirmed the staff recommendation and noted that conditions 1–3 in the memo will be incorporated into the permit conditions.

Formal action and vote Jason moved for approval and Justin seconded. The board recorded unanimous approval: Kathy yes; Samuel yes; Taylor yes; Justin yes; Jason yes. The chair declared the motion passed and congratulated the applicants on a positive outcome.

Ending The applicants and staff were instructed to carry forward the approved materials, window package and staff conditions into permit drawings. Susanna said the county has also received a separate earth-moving application related to a nonhistoric garage demolition; that application will be reviewed separately.