Historic preservation board concurs with National Register nomination for Wanaka Farm

Boulder County staff told the Historic Preservation Advisory Board on Aug. 7 that the Wanaka Farm nomination meets National Register criteria A (agriculture) and C (architecture), and the board signaled its concurrence.

Denise, a county historic-preservation staff member, presented the nomination and told the board that “the state has forwarded to us the National Register nomination for the Wanaka Farm at 12076 East Baseline Road.” She said the nomination documents the property’s use as a grain, dairy and livestock operation run by five generations of the Wanaka family from 1883 through 2019 and notes roughly 20 remaining farm resources.

Board members asked questions about ownership and mapping. The presiding member highlighted wording in the draft that said the property was “surrounded by the city of Lafayette,” and suggested striking or correcting that phrase; Denise responded that the structures appear to sit on a smaller parcel owned by the city while surrounding agricultural acreage is in jointly owned county–city open space. Elizabeth supplied an email she said indicates “Boulder County Parks and Open Space does not own this,” reinforcing the city/county parcel distinction.

Members also reviewed the nomination text for tone and historic detail. One member suggested removing a 1924 newspaper anecdote describing an injury to an elder Wanaka and a characterization that he became “practically a helpless invalid.” Several members defended keeping such passages as historic context or color; the board did not direct removal but agreed staff would send clarifying comments to the state.

Denise said she would sign the concurrence form on behalf of HPAB and gather the county commissioners’ comments and signature before the state hearing in September. The board recorded assent when asked whether they concurred with the nomination criteria.

The nomination packet includes photographic and aerial documentation and, according to staff, the National Register form lists the property location as 12076 Baseline Road. Denise said she would follow up with the state about why that address did not appear on the state agenda listing.

Actions and next steps: staff will send written clarifications noted by board members to the State Historic Preservation Office, secure county-commissioner input and signatures, and submit the HPAB concurrence before the scheduled state hearing. The board did not take a formal roll-call vote beyond recording assent in the meeting.