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Landmarks Board recommends landmarking 844–850 12th Street as Heilman Bedell Stepanek property
Summary
On July 1 the Boulder Landmarks Board recommended that city council designate 844–850 12th Street — a two‑house property in University Hill — as a local historic landmark, citing the front house's Southwest Mediterranean design (attributed to architect David Hall Holmes) and the property's historical associations. The board also agreed on a multi‑name property designation.
The Boulder Landmarks Board voted July 1 to recommend that city council designate 844–850 12th Street as a local historic landmark and to adopt staff findings that both houses on the parcel meet the board's significance and integrity criteria.
Claire Brandt, historic preservation planner, told the board the primary house at 850 12th Street was designed by architect David Hall Holmes and constructed in 1920; the rear accessory house at 844 12th Street dates to 1927–28 and retains character‑defining shingle cladding and multilite windows. Brandt said staff used the Landmarks Board's 1975 significance criteria and National Park Service integrity aspects and recommended the property be named to recognize original and long‑term residents.
Applicant Joe Stepanek, who spoke under oath, described the owners' motivation to protect the houses and emphasized the property's ties to local history. Tim Plass of Historic Boulder and other residents testified in support, citing the architecture and the houses' roles in University Hill's early 20th‑century development.
Board members discussed naming conventions at length, raising whether to include the architect's name, the Heilman family (original owner), the Bedell sisters (long‑term residents), and the current nominators. After deliberation the board moved to recommend the designation with the official name "Heilman Bedell Stepanek property" to reflect multiple historic associations. Member Michael Ray made the motion and Alex Weinheimer seconded; the motion passed unanimously on roll call (Michael Ray — aye; John Decker — aye; Chelsea Castellano — aye; Alex Weinheimer — aye; Renee Globick — aye).
Brandt said staff will forward the recommendation to city council for a public hearing within 100 days; if council approves the designation it becomes the final local designation and staff will work with the owners on plaque text and administrative follow‑up.
The staff presentation noted the property's associations with volunteer and civic activity (Elizabeth Heilman was active in Boulder's Red Cross during World War I) and the houses' value as visual landmarks in the neighborhood. The board's motion adopted the staff memorandum dated 07/01/2026 as the board's findings.
