Speaker 3: 12 Hours.
Speaker 0: 12 Eyes Council Bill 21 Dash 1437 has passed. Thank you for the members of the community for joining us this evening. We're going to move on to our next hearing. Councilmember Sandoval. Will you please put Council Bill 21, dash 1526 on the floor for final passage.
Speaker 2: And move that council bill 21 1526 be placed upon final consideration and do pass.
Speaker 0: Thank you. It has been moved and seconded the required public hearing for Council Bill 21, Dash 1526 is open and we're going to have the staff report here. And I believe we have Kara on joining us. Or it might be Jenny and Borg. I'll let you introduce yourselves.
Speaker 2: I can you hear me and see the screen?
Speaker 0: Yes.
Speaker 2: Okay, good. My name is Karen. I work with Landmark Preservation in Community Planning and Development, and I am petitioning for my colleague Jenny, who was unable to make it tonight due to an emergency. So we are here for the designation application of 555 East Eighth Avenue. The application is running concurrently with a rezoning application that you will hear after this presentation, and the designation is considered a community benefit to the rezoning application. As you know, the designation process for landmark designation is a community driven. Home and applications can be submitted by a variety of persons. For this property owner submitted the designation application. The owner and applicant is Kara Christiansen. Karen Christiansen The property is in the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Council District three, a ten, I think, Councilman Hines district. It is zoned as a PWD 34, which also includes the Porter Coors Mansion, which is across eighth Avenue and is a Denver landmark and an empty parking lot to the Southeast. This current pod allows for office space in the buildings and new construction on the empty parking lot. Proposed rezoning is for 555 East Eighth Avenue, going from PD 34 to GM three with the use overlay. Three. The rezoning will allow for more varied uses on the site, including multi residential buildings, commercial uses, art studios, bed and breakfast, things that are allowed under use overlay three when a property is designated, but Brandon can give you more. So more details on the rezoning proposal. As you know, in order for a property to be designated, it must meet the following criteria be more than 30 years of age or of exceptional importance. As the structure was built in 1898, it is 123 years old. It meets that criteria. It needs to meet at least three out of ten significance criteria, maintain integrity and be considered by the Landmark Preservation Commission for its relation to a historic context. This application meets all of the designation criteria and it also meets three significant significance criteria that you see highlighted on the screen criteria B, C and F, which will go over now. So the property has direct and substantial association with two prominent families. First, with multiple generations of the heart family. And second, in the court family, both of whom are recognized persons who had influence on Denver and Colorado society. These earliest residents lived in the house from its construction in 1898 until 1915. The Hart family built the home and three generations resided there from 1898 to 1909. Charles and Elizabeth Hart and their son Richard, along with his family, Elizabeth and their children, John and Stefan. Together, they influenced society through professional fields of medicine and law, as well as philanthropic contributions. The most well-known Hart family member was Steven Hart, who was born while the family lived at the house. Steven would go on to co-found one of Colorado's largest and most influential law firms, Holland and Hart, and he served in the state legislature . He also became Colorado's first state historic preservation office and his dedication to historic preservation. He was honored by the naming of the Steven H. Hart Research Center at History, Colorado, and the Steven H. Hart Awards, which are typically actually given tonight but were postponed due to Comic-Con and which are given to honor historic preservation accomplishments throughout the state. I'm on the court. Purchased the property from the Harts in 1909 and lived there with this with her husband, Peter McCourt, until her death in 1920 1912. Peter continued to live there until 1915 when the property was sold and then the court was known as an excellent businesswoman and well-respected socialite who aided many impoverished individuals and families. She is also acknowledged for her leadership and entrepreneurial spirit that drove her interest and significant involvement in the management of Denver's Broadway and Tabor Grand Opera House theaters, which her second husband, Peter McCourt, was also involved in. He was the brother of the infamous Baby Doe, Taylor Tabor, and the second who was the second wife of Silver King Horace Tabor. Peter McCourt was best known as the prominent theater manager of the world famous Tabor Grand Opera House and the Broadway Theater in Denver. He became one of the most successful theater managers in the country and grew the performing arts in Denver at the turn of the 20th century. He devised the well-known and long lasting silver circuit that booked performing acts across the city cities in Denver, in Colorado, as well as the West and the Northwest. And during the time when the McCourts reside and owned in the property, Peter was expanding the circuit. Due to its association with multiple recognized persons who had influence on society. The property meets criterion be. Both the primary and the accessory structures embody the distinctive visible characteristics of the classical revival or neoclassical architectural style, which was popular in the US from 1895 through the 1950s. The primary structure was constructed in 1898, designed by Denver architects Varian and Sterner. The classical revival style is distinguished from other contemporary revival styles of the time by its use of symmetrical facades, with central entries for height porches supported by classical columns and the use of classical details such as broken pediment, dental cornices and balustrades. The primary structure exemplifies the classical revival style with its dramatic front porch, which dominates the front facade. These are supported by a period iconic columns, along with a decorative balustrade on the second level. The overhanging eaves feature dental courses and frieze bend underneath the cornice. A site edition carries many of these character defining features, including the balance, strike corners and dental courses. The 1911 Carriage House was designed by Denver firm Stirner and Williamson, Stringer's subsequent architectural firm, and also exemplifies the classical revival style and its design elements. And finally, the property is also significant as an established and familiar feature of the Capitol Hill neighborhood due to its prominent location and physical characteristics. It represents over 120 years of Capitol Hill, Capitol Hill history and evolution. Additionally, its prominent location facing onto and elevated above East Eighth Avenue, coupled with its sizable massing scale and architectural features , makes it a familiar and orienting feature of the neighborhood. It is the oldest surviving structure on the block between eighth and ninth Avenues and Pearl on Pennsylvania streets. Over time, most single unit structures and properties were replaced by tall multi-unit structures, which primarily now surround 55 East Eighth Avenue. The exception is the property directly to the north and south on East Avenue and across from the Hartford courthouse, which are also known for landmarks. In addition to meeting the three criteria, the property retains integrity. It remains in its original location. There have been some exterior alterations, but they are sensitive to the original design materials and workmanship as well as the feeling and association of the property. The west and north are rear additions in the porch and closure to the primary structure, which was made in 1929, are compatible with the building's character and do not negatively impact the building's integrity. The addition of the retaining wall and parking lot to impact the setting and feeling, but do not detract from the essential features of the primary structure and carriage house. Overall, the property retains good integrity. The period of significance for this is 1898, the year of construction to 1950. It is it involves the construction of the house, the addition of the carriage house and the years of the heart and the court families resided at the address. The property relates to the context of Denver's recovery and expansion. Following the panic of 1893. Due to the silver crash, Denver experienced an immediate economic downturn that lasted several years and never negatively impacted the city. While many of Capitol Hill's wealthy families were left penniless after the silver panic, this was not the case for the Hart family, whose financial and social status survived due to their careers in medicine and law. And and Peter McCourt, who owned the property next after the city had recovered from the economic downturn. Their six years of ownership fell during a time of continued growth through Denver's economic diversification. And so it is relates to the economic growth of Denver in the early 1900s. And the ABC found that it related to a historic context. In summary, the property meets all the criteria for designation. It's more than 30 years old, meets three designation criteria b, c, an F maintains its integrity and the LPC found that it related to historic context. Two individuals submitted emails in support of the designation and none in opposition. And so the Preservation Commission unanimously recommended approval of the designation application on December seven. Therefore, staff recommends approval for the designation of five, five, five East Eighth Avenue as a structure for preservation. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.
Speaker 0: All right. Thank you very much, Kara. And council this evening has not received any written testimony on Council Bill 21 1526. We have four individuals signed up to speak this evening, and our first speaker is M Karen Christiansen. You might have to unmute yourself. And Mr. Christiansen, you can go ahead, please. I thought you had unmuted. Go ahead. I'm going to ask you to Amu. There you go.
Speaker 3: Okay. My name is Karen Christianson. I'm a native of Denver. And I that I live at one, three, three Evergreen Road in Gilpin County. I'm the owner of 555 East Eighth Avenue. I'm also 76 years old, and I love this building. It's a beautiful building of I hope to care for for many years, and it.
Speaker 2: Certainly deserves.
Speaker 3: A landmark designation. I request the Council vote for approval bill. 20 1-1526 for landmark designation for 555 East Eighth Avenue. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Our next speaker this evening is Bruce O'Donnell.
Speaker 1: Hello, Madam President, and members of the council. This is Bruce O'Donnell at 386 Emmerson Street in Denver. And Karen Christianson, who just spoke, who's the owner of Phi Phi Phi, the State Avenue. And I started on this project a couple of years ago, and I'm involved primarily in the rezoning of the property, which is, as Cara from Landmark's put it, is kind of a companion piece of legislation. And it's necessary that the rezoning and the landmark designation be considered in unison. And so I'm requesting that City Council vote to approve the landmark designation for Phi Phi Phi V State Avenue this evening. And I'm available to answer questions. Should you have any? Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Bruce. Our next speaker is Annie Levinsky.
Speaker 2: Good evening, members of City Council. I'm Annie Levinsky. I'm the executive director of Historic Denver, located at 1420 Ogden Street in Denver. And we're here to offer our support for this designation. And I particularly want to start with our expression of gratitude to Mr. Christiansen for taking this on. We met with her first a couple of years ago when she was just thinking about this and wanting to make sure that the house had or that the structure had expanded uses continue to serve the community. And she's gone on to work with Mr. O'Donnell and others to prepare the application. So we really appreciate those efforts. Obviously, the home has significant ties to people in Colorado history and great architecture. And Karen went through all of those details. So I'll just add the other comment around how this is a great example of how our structures can be adapted to meet contemporary current community needs. So we see this home now positioned to be a multifamily dwelling complex and have the flexibility to change again over time. So we just are really pleased to see that happening and appreciate your support for this designation as well as the rezoning. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Annie. And I have to say, I think you're the first speaker that we've had tilted in our Zoom platform, so congratulations. You're the first one that way. Our final speaker on this hearing is Jesse Paris this evening. Go ahead, please, Jesse.
Speaker 1: Counsel. May I be heard?
Speaker 0: Yes, go ahead.
Speaker 1: The pairs represent for Blackstone Maximo for self-defense as the Mexican man for social change, as well as the Unity Party of Colorado and for a long black nose along with the East Denver Residence Council. And I'll be the next mayor of Denver in 2023. I'm in favor of this preservation tonight. For all the reasons that have already been discussed, it meets all the criteria. It's a historical site. It needs to be preserved. And I support preservation of many of Denver Oracle sites. So I support this one as well. I'm very thrilled and happy to hear that this might be a more time family dwelling. Let's hope that it's an affordable reasonably. We do have a housing crisis. So I'm in full support of this. My thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. That concludes our speakers questions from members of Council on Council Bill 21, Dash 1526. The public hearing is closed. Comments by members of Council on Council Bill 21, Dash 1526 Council Member Hines Thank you.
Speaker 1: Council President I am really excited to see this be up for consideration as a historic for historic designation. I've been I've gone by this, this home lots of times in my trips down to Trader Joe's and and some of the restaurants, the banana restaurants that have also been considered for historic work. Some people have suggested they should be considered for historic preservation. This this is a this is a gem. It's a really it's it's such a beautiful place. And I just want to mention one other thing. So I would encourage my colleagues support of the historic designation. And we'll talk about the rezoning here in a second. But but there are letters of support from neighboring neighboring establishments. There are letters of support from registered neighborhood organizations. And in fact, the neighborhood organizations were strongly encouraging this historic designation just because it's such a gem. So I want to thank the applicant for being willing to to consider historic designation and and for also specifically for moving these two public hearings together, because I think that really helped the surrounding community feel at ease that that it would be designated as well as as have the rezoning. So I encourage support from my colleagues, support from my colleagues. And I will certainly be voting. Yes. Thank you. Council President.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilmember Hines, and I am happy to support this tonight. I think Kara and team did a great job. No opposition to something of this matter. And so I appreciate the work and happy to support it. Madam Secretary, roll call on Council Bill 21 1526.
Speaker 3: Hynes.
Speaker 2: I Cashman.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 2: Can each.
Speaker 3: I. Ortega a. Sandoval. I swear.
Speaker 2: I. Torres. I. Black.
Speaker 3: I see tobacco. I.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 3: Herndon.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 3: Madam President.
Speaker 0: I. Madam Secretary, closed the voting and announced the results.
A bill for an ordinance designating 555 East 8th Avenue as a structure for preservation.
Approves an individual Denver landmark designation for property located at 555 East 8th Avenue in Council District 10. The Committee approved filing this item at its meeting on 12-21-21.