The Boulder City Council on Thursday declined to pursue landmarking of a 1920s bungalow, officially closing the door on what would have been a significant obstacle to constructing a 60-unit permanently affordable housing development for older adults on Arapahoe Avenue.
Presbyterian Manor is planning to relocate or demolish four nearly 100-year-old Craftsman bungalows to make way for a new three-story building adjacent to the nonprofit’s existing 11-story tower at 1050 Arapahoe Ave. All rental units would be restricted to residents 62 and older earning at or below 60% of the area median income.
Earlier this year, the city’s Landmarks Board voted to begin the process of designating one of the homes, 990 Arapahoe Ave., a historic landmark. Project team representatives said the development would not be feasible if the home were preserved and offered to donate the homes to help with relocation.
A majority on the Landmarks Board later recommended against landmarking the building, as did city staff. The Boulder City Council has the final say in landmarking decisions. By not calling up the project for a public hearing, the council effectively opted against it. Councilmembers have also declined to call up a concept plan, an indication they have no major concerns with the project moving forward.