HARC approves Telluride Elementary retaining‑wall repairs; district had permit to remove spruce

The Historic Architecture Review Commission on May 20 approved a minor‑scale alteration for Telluride Elementary School (447 West Columbia) to repair retaining walls, restore historic stonework, realign a fence and perform associated interior work.

Mike Owens, the town’s senior historic preservation planner, told commissioners that staff finds the proposed work appropriate and necessary for the longevity of the stone wall and retaining‑wall systems and noted prior preliminary work had been undertaken under drawings submitted months earlier. Owens said the proposed fence realignment would keep the historic fence proportions intact and that weather‑resistant sleeves and mortar repairs would improve durability.

Ken Olsen, director of operations for the Telluride School District, told the commission the district obtained a permit before removing the spruce tree that had to be excised to access the wall: ‘‘We did have a permit for that piece before we removed it,’’ he said. The project team said they will replant an in‑kind tree of about 3‑inch caliper at an offset (reported by the applicant as roughly 16–18 feet from the wall) to reduce future root impacts.

With no public comment, the chair moved to approve the project as recommended in the staff memo dated 05/20/2026; the approval was entered on the record and the meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.

Next steps: the applicant will proceed with the restoration and coordinate required permits and the replacement planting per the arborist recommendations.