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Historic Preservation Advisory Board discusses landmarking Iris Field and poor farm; agrees to draft letter to commissioners
Summary
Board members discussed potential landmark eligibility for the Iris Field/Little League Fields and an associated poor‑farm building, noted jurisdictional limits because the land is county‑owned but inside Boulder city limits, and agreed to draft a letter urging the county commissioners to consider landmarking prior to any sale.
During other business, board members raised concerns about the future of a county‑owned site at Iris and Broadway in North Boulder that includes Little League fields and an older poor‑farm building. Board member David Hawes suggested the ball fields "could essentially be a historic landmark" and urged the board to consider action.
Members discussed ownership and jurisdictional complications: although the county owns the land, it lies inside the City of Boulder limits. Staff and board members noted that the site was declared surplus and put up for sale, making a potential landmarking effort time‑sensitive. "It's county land that's in the city limits... it's not within our jurisdiction because it's within the Boulder City limits," a staff member said, describing the limits on what the advisory board can directly require.
The board debated whether a group letter to county commissioners urging landmark review would be appropriate. Several members said a strongly worded letter could be drafted and circulated for approval. One member volunteered to draft the letter and circulate it to the board for review; no formal vote was taken.
Board members also noted zoning and practical constraints: a speaker observed part of the property is zoned "government," which may limit allowable uses and could affect potential buyers. The discussion closed with agreement to draft and share a letter for board approval before any coordinated public submission to the commissioners.
