Board keeps Acequia Madre house designated 'significant' after heated public comment

The Historic Districts Review Board voted to maintain the historic status of the Acequia Madre property after lengthy public comment and staff recommendations.

Staff recommended that the main residence remain designated as 'significant' with all facades primary and that the guest house be designated significant with primary facades; the applicant sought a downgrade to 'contributing' to gain more flexibility for alterations on less visible facades. Neighbors, preservation organizations and former board members strongly opposed any downgrade, citing the property’s architectural significance and associations with local artists and cultural figures. Several speakers criticized the owners for removing a shed without authorization and urged the board to enforce the red‑tagged work.

The board adopted staff recommendations to retain significant status for the main residence and guest house (excluding facades already removed). The motion directed staff to investigate the unauthorized demolition, report back on enforcement options, and to evaluate whether the site should be treated as a historic compound (three‑building compound status) for future reviews. The board emphasized that significant status does not preclude future alterations when exception criteria are met, but it does require a higher level of scrutiny for primary facades.