Call-Up Agenda Memo

City of Boulder City Council Call-Up Agenda Item Meeting Date: May 7, 2026 Agenda Title Consideration of a Landmark Alteration Certificate application to relocate a building (Chestnut House) at 2106 Arapahoe Ave. (HIS2026-00045), a pending individual landmark, pursuant to Section 9-11-18 of the Boulder Revised Code 1981 and under the procedures prescribed by chapter 1-3, “Quasi-Judicial Hearings,” B.R.C. 1981.

Staff Contact • •

Marcy Gerwing, Principal Planner, Planning & Development Services Brad Mueller, Director, Planning & Development Services

Executive Summary The purpose of this item is for City Council to review the Landmarks Board’s decision to conditionally approve a Landmark Alteration Certificate application. At its April 8, 2026 meeting, the Landmarks Board conditionally approved a Landmark Alteration Certificate application to relocate a building (Chestnut House) at 2106 Arapahoe Ave. (HIS2026-00045), a pending individual landmark. The board’s conditional approval is subject to a 16-day call-up period by City Council, no later than April 24, 2026. However, the 16-day call-up period cannot be met because the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is on May 7, 2026. The City Manager’s approval of an extension is included as Attachment A.

Council Action Options Option

Outcome

Call up the application

To call up the application, council has to pass a motion. Suggested motion language: Motion to call up Landmark Alteration Certificate application #HIS2026-00045. Called-up item will be scheduled for a public hearing at a future council meeting within 45 days.

Do not call up the application No council action is needed. Decision of the Landmarks Board stands.

Landmarks Board History 

On July 15, 2025, Planning Board reviewed an application (LUR2025-00033) for Concept Plan Review for the proposed redevelopment of the Naropa Campus site. The proposal included incorporating into the redevelopment the Lincoln School (an individual landmark designated in 1989 through Ordinance 5235) and one of two buildings identified by staff as eligible for landmark designation.  Based on staff and Planning Board feedback, the applicant revised the proposal to preserve both eligible buildings and nominate them for landmark designation.  On December 2, 2025, the Planning & Development Services (P&DS) accepted individual landmark designation applications for the designation for the “Arapahoe House” (HIS2025-00382) and the “Chestnut House” (HIS202500384). The applications are on hold in agreement between the owner and the city until the Site Review process is complete.  On February 13, 2026, P&DS accepted Landmark Alteration Certificate applications for the relocation of the two houses. As the application includes relocation of a building, review by the full Landmarks Board in a quasi-judicial hearing is required pursuant to Section 9-11-14(b), B.R.C. 1981.  On April 8, 2026, the Landmarks Board voted (5-0) to to adopt the staff memorandum dated April 8, 2026, as the findings of the board and conditionally approve the application for a Landmark Alteration Certificate to relocate a pending landmark (Chestnut House) at 2106 Arapahoe Ave., pursuant to Section 9-11-18 of the Boulder Revised Code 1981, finding that the proposal meets the Standards for Issuance of a Landmark Alteration Certificate in Chapter 9-11-18, B.R.C. 1981 and is generally consistent with the General Design Guidelines for Boulder’s Historic Districts and Individual Landmarks, provided the stated conditions are met. 1. The applicant shall be responsible for completing the work in compliance with the approved plans, except as modified by these conditions of approval.

2. Prior to submitting a building permit application and final issuance of the Landmark Alteration Certificate, the applicant shall submit the following, which shall be subject to final review and approval by staff to ensure that the final design of the addition is consistent with the General Design Guidelines and the intent of this approval: A) Revise design of entry stair to have a traditional notched stringer. B) Review of portion of shared walk that is within the proposed landmark boundary to ensure the traditional house entry presents itself on a street-like condition as represented.

Public Input Process The following members of the public spoke at the April 8, 2026 Landmarks Board hearing: 1. Michele Bishop 2. Tim Plass 3. Lynn Segal

Analysis – Alignment with Relevant Portions of Boulder Revised Code The decision was based upon the board’s consideration that the proposal generally meets the Standards for Issuance of a Landmark Alteration Certificate in Chapter 9-1118, B.R.C. 1981.

Fiscal Note Review of this project is part of the P&DS team’s standard workplan and its impacts are incorporated into the annual revenue forecasting as part of the Budget office’s annual budget development. Therefore, review of the project will not have a meaningful fiscal impact past what has already been included in the approved budget. Current Year Estimated Fiscal Impact Fund(s): 2120FD Department(s): Planning & Development Services Program(s): All P&DS programs

Item Beginning Fund Balance Total Forecasted Revenue Total Estimated Expenses Ending Fund Balance(s) After Reserves FTE

FY 2026 Budget

FY 2026 Estimated Impact

FY 2026 Net Change

$18,200,885

$0

$18,200,885

$15,179,491

$0

$15,179,491

$17,735,173

$0

$17,735,173

$12,646,701

$0

$12,646,701

122.65

0

122.65

Three-Year Estimated Fiscal Impact

Item

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

Total Forecasted Revenue Total Estimated Expenses Net Estimated Impact

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Next Steps for City Council The City Council may call up the application. If the application is called up, the City Council will be the decision-maker on the application. Called-up item will be scheduled for a public hearing within 45 days after the date of a decision by the Landmarks Board. If the application is not called up, the Landmarks Board’s approval is final.

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Attachments Attachment A - Call-Up Extension Approval Attachment B - April 8, 2026 Landmarks Board Memo for 2106 Arapahoe Ave. (Chestnut House) (link)