Historic preservation commission recommends city council approve accessory dwelling unit at 202 West 8th Street

The Leadville Historic Preservation Commission on July 9 recommended that City Council approve a certificate of appropriateness for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 202 West 8th Street, forwarding the application with conditions including a recorded lot consolidation and an asphalt‑shingle roof at the proposed pitch or higher.

Alex Willis, the city project manager presenting the staff report, told the commission that the proposed two‑story addition would convert an existing non‑historic garage into living space and that the overall project complies with zoning limits: proposed height is 27 feet, below the 35‑foot maximum. Willis said staff’s review under the Secretary of the Interior standards found the addition subordinate to and compatible with the historic main house, and staff recommended approval pending commission input on roof pitch and final material specifications for windows and doors.

The commission discussed roof pitch and visibility at length. Commissioners and the applicant debated whether a steeper pitch would better match historic rooflines or whether a lower pitch would reduce snow‑shed and keep the addition less visible from the street. The applicant, who identified himself during the hearing as Mr buman, said he would accept switching to a Timberline‑style asphalt shingle roof if that addressed commissioners’ concerns about snow sliding off a metal roof. "I don't have any problem with switching it to a Timberline style" was the applicant's statement during the presentation, recorded in the hearing transcript.

Commissioners noted other conditions staff had proposed. Staff advised the applicant to submit and record a lot consolidation so the site meets setback requirements, and to specify final window and door materials on the building‑permit plans for staff review. The commission added a specific condition (condition 7) requiring an asphalt‑shingle roof at the approved pitch or higher; commissioners also discussed snow‑retention measures if a metal roof were used.

After deliberation, Commissioner Edwards moved that the commission recommend City Council approve PL‑2024‑019 (Beckelman resident accessory dwelling unit) at 202 West 8th Street with the attached findings and conditions and the added Condition 7 requiring an asphalt‑shingle roof; the motion was seconded (record shows the second as "R conel"). The motion passed; the hearing record shows affirmative votes by Commissioner Franco, Vice Chair Wton, Chair Filman, Commissioner Edwards and the alternate (recorded as "fler"); Commissioner Olympus was noted as not present. The commission’s recommendation will go before Leadville City Council at its July 16 meeting at 6:00 p.m.

Why it matters: Staff noted that forthcoming zoning code amendments are expected to make ADUs more permissive in the historic district, potentially increasing the number of similar applications. Commissioners framed this approval as an example of adding housing while preserving the character of the historic primary structure.

What happens next: The commission’s recommendation will be considered by City Council on July 16, when the council may adopt, modify or reject the certificate of appropriateness recommendation. If council acts in favor, the applicant will still need to satisfy the lot consolidation and building‑permit requirements and any conditions adopted by council.