Landmarks Board approves demolition of accessory building at 1039 Mapleton Avenue; extends 600 Spruce LAC

The Boulder Landmarks Board on June 3 unanimously approved a landmark alteration certificate allowing demolition of an accessory building at 1039 Mapleton Avenue and granted a one‑year extension to the landmark alteration certificate for 600 Spruce Street.

The board opened a quasi‑judicial hearing on the Mapleton Avenue application after staff described the building and told the board it had determined the garage was a non‑contributing resource. Claire Brandt, Historic Preservation Planner, said the accessory building was built around 1946, the end of the district’s period of significance, and that its asphalt‑pattern cladding is at the end of its useful life and cannot be replaced in kind because the material is no longer manufactured. "We found that demolition of the existing accessory building would not adversely affect the special character and special historical, architectural, and aesthetic interest and value of the historic property and the Mapleton Hill Historic District," Brandt said.

Applicant George Watt, an architect working with owners Charles and Sylvia Dauber, presented photographs showing rot and earth berming against the structure and said the owners plan to create a garden on the site if demolition is approved. "Once the building is removed, the owners anticipate creating a garden in the rear of the yard," Watt said.

During public comment, Lynn Siegel urged broader preservation of bungalows in the neighborhood and strongly criticized development trends; she told the board that demolitions and related policies have eroded neighborhood character and called current practices "a crime." Her remarks included political statements unrelated to the application and did not present documentary evidence that contradicted staff's assessment.

Board members said the structure is environmentally degraded beyond reasonable repair and discussed salvage and documentation options for the distinctive cladding, which staff said cannot be required as part of a landmark alteration certificate approval. Alex Weinheimer moved to adopt the staff memorandum as the findings of the board and approve the LAC for demolition (HIS202600036); Michael Ray seconded and the motion passed on a unanimous roll call vote (3–0).

Separately, the board voted unanimously to extend the approval period for landmark alteration certificate HIS2024‑00283 for 600 Spruce Street for one additional year, expiring June 3, 2027, after staff explained contractor delays and other good‑cause factors.

Because the Mapleton decision was made under the code’s quasi‑judicial procedures, City Council has a 16‑day window to call up the Landmarks Board decision for review; Brandt said the LAC will be issued if Council does not act within that period. The board recorded that it had no ex parte contacts on the Mapleton matter and that a full hearing record and video will be available through the city archive.

Votes at a glance • HIS2024‑00283 (600 Spruce Street) — Motion to extend LAC for one year; mover: John Decker; second: Michael Ray; vote: unanimous (3‑0); expires June 3, 2027. • HIS202600036 (1039 Mapleton Avenue) — Motion to approve demolition of accessory building; mover: Alex Weinheimer; second: Michael Ray; vote: unanimous (3‑0); subject to 16‑day City Council call‑up.

The Landmarks Board’s written findings and the official hearing record will be posted to the city’s archive; if Council does not call up the Mapleton decision the LAC will be issued and demolition may proceed subject to any building‑permit requirements.