Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 1:30 p.m. (Denver time), City & County Building, Room 391
The Community Planning and Housing Committee heard three items. First, Community Planning and Development (CPD) staff presented a landmark designation application for 740 North Washington Street (the Stone House) in Capitol Hill, brought by the property owners; after questions and owner testimony, the item was moved forward. Second, staff presented a rezoning application for three parcels in the Highland neighborhood (Council District 1) from a split of U-MX-5/U-TU-2 to a single U-RX-3 district, which was also moved forward with community support noted. Third, the Department of Housing Stability (HOST) gave an informational briefing on a planned emergency family shelter at 4080 Columbine Street (Council District 9, up to 20 families) and the upcoming cold weather shelter season, including capacity planning, site selection, contracts, and community engagement; no vote was taken on this item. Public comment at this meeting itself was not taken; the transcript notes prior comment received on the earlier items.
0:05 sweet corn. Welcome back to
0:06 this weekly meeting of the
0:07 community Planning and Housing
0:08 Committee with Denver City
0:10 Council.
0:14 If your community Planning and
0:16 Housing Committee starts now.
0:23 Thank you for joining
0:27 Community planning has profit
0:28 Councilman Mende said chair.
0:31 The committee representative
0:34 for district. Before we get
0:35 into the agenda that's go
0:35 around the and introductions
0:40 and the start of break. Was
0:44 Denver district. That's what
0:45 district and the 3rd district
0:49 Chantal is district 8. Diana
0:50 Rivera, Campbell, Southeast
0:50 number district court do want
0:53 some fun district time. Thank
0:55 thank We have a really packed
0:58 agenda today. So with that,
0:59 hand it over. Landmark in the
1:00 field just introduced just off
1:02 the floor. Is yours. You're
1:03 good morning or good afternoon
1:04 council. Thank you so much. My
1:05 name is back and your shyness
1:11 in your city council. A plant
1:13 with community planning and
1:14 development. Here to talk
1:16 today about the designation of
1:17 some 40 north Washington
1:18 Street. Also known as the
1:22 Stone House. Property is
1:24 located in council district 7
1:26 the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
1:28 It's a block party on
1:31 Washington Street is currently
1:33 zoned Gfp 3 and that's already
1:34 a contributing structure in
1:36 the East 7th Avenue, historic
1:40 District. This isn't
1:40 supporting just nation. The
1:47 owners Eric Hood. Massaquoi
1:48 Jones here with us today that
1:49 he to blunt about. But always
1:54 fun have the utmost artists
1:55 here's the proposed boundary
1:57 for the It is quite take the
2:04 as it now Capitol Hill, cast.
2:07 Landmark structure much to
2:08 meet the following criteria
2:09 must maintain its historic
2:12 integrity must be at least 30
2:14 years of or the exceptional
2:16 importance. It must be at
2:19 least 3 of significance
2:19 criteria of the landmark
2:20 Preservation Commission must
2:21 consider. It's historic
2:23 context. So I go through each
2:24 of these in turn as we
2:28 discussed the property. First,
2:31 we'll talk about the historic
2:33 designation criteria.
2:34 Application argues that the
2:35 current the Stone House meets
2:38 3 out of 10 start tight area,
2:42 including associated with this
2:43 historic development patterns
2:44 meant kinds of the city being
2:46 a visible, maintaining the
2:47 visible characteristics of
2:48 architectural style or type
2:50 and being a significant
2:50 example of recognized
2:54 architect or master builder.
2:55 So to start with the historic
2:57 development patterns of the
3:02 city the home was constructed
3:04 18. 91 for thanking magnate
3:04 Robert during the person
3:05 ownership. The start has
3:07 served as a backstop for many
3:07 says Heidi Affairs as
3:08 illustrated the society pages
3:12 appear in papers. Details of
3:13 many interceptions evening
3:16 events, parties as far place
3:17 the home as a backdrop for
3:18 social networking Tempers
3:22 wants It makes you know, one
3:23 of home served as the fighting
3:27 into wedding of I was much
3:30 money to have was a of
3:34 generals hc. Mary was a civil
3:35 wedding was portrayed as a
3:35 union support on all the
3:37 surprisingly simple affair
3:39 outsize pomp and circumstance
3:41 have been expected. It kept
3:44 couple described as long into
3:45 the most exclusive set in
3:46 city. The simplicity was
3:47 lauded as an asset to the
3:49 couple's wise and thoughtful
3:51 credit. And the White House
3:52 was once again played an
3:54 important role as the backdrop
3:56 to these moralistic decisions
3:58 by the 1920's, the character
4:00 Capitol Hill is changing from
4:03 the pretensions of the Gilded
4:04 but it was still an class
4:05 neighborhood. House reflects
4:10 this in 1923, the Stone House
4:12 was home to giant who is a
4:12 marvel who is waiting for own
4:16 mansion to be built care was
4:20 originally from county Dairy
4:20 Ireland into the United States
4:22 when he was 20 years old
4:23 quickly established themselves
4:25 and the stone and marble
4:27 business, had many successful
4:27 marveled at the center says
4:31 across the west from,
4:34 including in Colorado,
4:36 Wyoming, Arizona, his course
4:37 provided Marvel for many
4:38 Denver landmarks, including
4:39 the state capital and the Dnf
4:42 Tower. Can never live to see
4:44 his own mansion completed and
4:47 he died in 1925. Either at the
4:50 House for when he had been
4:52 residence of the The property
4:55 was later purchased every in
4:56 1930. Husband, Charles and Ray
4:59 was an investment banker.
5:00 We're also very active in
5:04 Denver, social circles. The
5:06 that newspaper reports of
5:08 their fares, civic club
5:08 memberships about postings.
5:10 But as we go through the pier
5:13 is we can see sort of that the
5:15 costs of sort calmed down a
5:16 little bit decade by decade as
5:19 we go the period of this
5:21 house, that split their time
5:22 between cars. Trains were
5:23 Charles was born from 7.45
5:25 Sinton Street. They have 5
5:27 children. That we're at active
5:30 in time society? After that,
5:31 every so the house in the
5:36 1940's, some 40 watching since
5:36 enters the last documented,
5:39 but still historically
5:41 consequential period in the
5:42 post-World War. 2 era
5:43 throughout Capitol Hill,
5:45 larger residential such as the
5:46 storm residences, such as the
5:47 Stone House were divided into
5:52 apartments. Open to borders
5:53 because conversion require
5:56 fewer materials new
5:56 construction to we are facing,
5:59 you know, population this
6:01 restriction of materials and
6:04 time money to build the real
6:06 estate listings for 7.40,
6:08 time illustrate that changing
6:08 Washington Street during this
6:11 development patterns of
6:12 Capitol Hill in 1953,
6:13 furnished room was available
6:16 for rent with a shared
6:17 bathroom kitchen facilities.
6:20 Available indicating the home
6:21 was still used by a single
6:22 family. But with lodgers
6:27 living with 5 96 54. The house
6:29 was listed for sale posting
6:31 expansive grounds for a
6:32 family. I'm the home was
6:35 purchased by a family. Just 8
6:39 that deck. But during the
6:45 1960's and suburban migration
6:48 to many households away from
6:50 central Denver and humorous
6:51 single-family residences were
6:52 left behind demolished or
6:55 converted into offices or
6:55 multifamily houses. This
6:57 happened to the Stone House to
6:59 which was first converted into
7:02 separate units and then into
7:06 office space. But to all
7:07 things, there is a season of
7:07 houses now come full circle.
7:09 And 2005, the homeless
7:10 converted back into single
7:11 family residence, which it
7:16 continues to be to this day.
7:19 structure also embodies the
7:19 distinctive visible
7:20 characteristics of an
7:21 architectural style or type.
7:25 It's a good example of the
7:25 style has a very complex roof.
7:29 With steeply roof a slate
7:30 roof, which is very unusual
7:34 for a temper, has a staff to
7:36 bay, which you can see it on
7:38 the right side of this picture
7:39 has multiple Darren types,
7:43 which you'll see in the next
7:43 slide with Nichols and
7:45 cresting heart attack or
7:46 brackets. So here's a picture
7:51 of very complex roof. It also
7:52 has Richard Simeon Romanesque
7:53 shingle style access. This is
7:55 pretty common for Denver.
7:57 Unlike what you see on the
7:59 East Coast where their fair
7:59 share styles and embers much
8:00 more common for architects to
8:04 sort pick and choose what they
8:05 like and put it together. And
8:06 unique Denver expression of
8:08 something interesting. So here
8:10 we see press to keep its
8:11 stonework. We also see Kurt
8:14 conference ceiling or detail
8:14 Shingle halls on that armor, a
8:18 about this stat. This is all
8:19 comes together to make it a
8:20 very unique expression of
8:26 architecture. Under criterion,
8:28 the the residences of
8:28 significant example of the
8:30 works of art experience
8:32 Turner. We're one of Denver's
8:33 most common of late 19
8:36 th-century architectural
8:39 partnerships. List where Ian
8:41 was born New Jersey. It came
8:42 time ketk one of variants
8:44 earliest emphasizes for the
8:45 Cavalry Baptist Church, which
8:47 is now known as the Zion
8:49 Baptist Church that want act
8:52 in Frederick Sterner was born
8:52 England, but me to do part to
8:54 the United States as a
8:56 teenager. And by 18 82, he was
8:57 working as a draftsman for
9:01 faking Frank Office in 18. 85
9:03 variance, Turner, one of their
9:05 architectural partnership,
9:06 primarily designing high.
9:09 Residents the Colorado but
9:10 also designing other buildings
9:11 such as the Denver Athletic
9:13 Club, the Highland School of
9:14 the prior this manner and
9:17 Manitou Springs. The Stone
9:18 House demonstrates the
9:19 partners ship's ability to
9:20 merge European design
9:24 sensibilities with Colorado's
9:26 emerging Stone Craft to the
9:27 CHAIRMAN's, particularly
9:29 through this expert of rustic
9:30 which is something we
9:31 surprisingly don't see a lot
9:32 of fun time for. Very brick
9:37 forward city. As you can see
9:40 above the friends, excellent
9:41 example of Houston for us to
9:41 keep its tone. Is this and ask
9:46 for a viable style. Whether
9:49 club, which is still extant
9:49 13, 25 place and it's so
9:53 important for The partnership
9:53 of arrogance Turner lasted
9:57 until 19. 0, 1, The
9:58 partnership to change what
10:00 they were through. The 18
10:03 90's. They shifted from
10:04 designing in the Anne style
10:06 into the park near classical
10:08 So the Stone is an example of
10:10 this. The first earlier rarer
10:15 Queen work. But France Turner
10:16 would go on to have
10:17 successful. So look like
10:19 careers after there's first a
10:20 solution. Varian would consent
10:24 continue just like residents
10:28 says around Denver. But west
10:31 are astern. It first to
10:32 Pueblo, Colorado Springs he
10:33 moved to New York City where
10:36 he made a name for himself in
10:37 a beating from stuff. So he
10:38 became early preservation
10:43 proponent. Another important
10:46 aspect becoming a landmark is
10:48 if the property historic
10:51 integrity. So usually we ask
10:52 would pry residents recognized
10:53 the Poppy to walk by on the
10:56 street? So the Stone House
10:58 maintain its historic
11:00 integrity. It has had several
11:00 changes. But most of the
11:04 MARCH, the bat to the rear of
11:05 the property. And here we see
11:07 a picture of the staff, how
11:08 Circa And that's the Stone
11:13 House are good. 2006 22. 26.
11:15 You can see most of the form
11:17 of the building remains the
11:19 same. There is a not historic
11:21 funding. If you he's not
11:22 historic rear additions. But
11:23 for the most part, the
11:23 integrity of the building is
11:29 intact. The historic context
11:32 of the property is related
11:33 changing character of the
11:35 Capitol Hill neighborhood. And
11:36 so this is why the period of
11:40 significance quite for time
11:42 for a landmark. It goes from 8
11:47 to 91 to the this is bit
11:48 longer than we normally do.
11:49 That is to reflect the
11:50 ownership period of just you.
11:54 I who was that fast bowler?
11:57 Transforms house from Original
12:00 single family ownership in 2.
12:04 First, the apartments and
12:05 office We've got about little
12:08 earlier, but really the whole
12:08 story about that
12:09 transformation seemed very
12:10 significant push and we don't
12:14 have a lot of Denver landmarks
12:14 tell the complete story of and
12:17 Capitol Hill. So I thought was
12:18 important for the period
12:20 significance to capture that
12:21 story about significant. So
12:26 that's why the period of so
12:27 For public comment as of
12:28 SEPTEMBER 24th, we've had
12:31 letter of support from
12:32 historic Denver and we've had
12:35 2 people speak in favor of the
12:42 designation a pc. So as
12:43 property is over 30 years of
12:44 age and the application shows
12:49 that the the property next to
12:53 criteria for Acmd. It means
12:54 that maintains its historic
12:55 integrity. Landmark Commission
12:57 has considered it's historic
12:58 context. Staff is recommending
12:58 that this application be
12:59 forwarded to full City
13:05 Council. And some thank you
13:06 things so much that in the
13:07 queue have come home me that
13:10 this great. A much committee
13:12 chair thank you for all the
13:14 great information. Then jury
13:15 reading about the property and
13:16 did have a couple questions
13:20 for the They don't mind. I'm
13:21 just curious are around what
13:24 the current use building is
13:25 made you decide to come
13:27 forward for the designations.
13:29 The current uses. My family
13:33 reduce your son. My name is
13:34 Joe the own along with my wife
13:39 of 7.40, north Washington, the
13:41 we moved to Denver, baby. I've
13:46 got 6 years ago and and it's a
13:49 home that my family and I have
13:52 enjoyed. We picked Capitol
13:53 Hill because it reminded us
13:57 the most of that when my wife
13:59 and I New York we live for a
14:03 number of years. So it was so
14:03 interesting surprise to find
14:05 out the full circle along the
14:08 brownstones that we admired
14:12 back in New York were actually
14:13 designed by the same architect
14:16 designed our home. What you to
14:17 your question, why did we
14:22 bring it forth for landmark
14:24 designation? To candid. We did
14:25 it reluctantly. You know,
14:28 friends counseled us about
14:31 difficulties and restrictions
14:33 landmark designation could
14:36 impose the one things that we
14:37 felt was important to us after
14:39 doing a multi-year renovation
14:40 of the house when he bought it
14:42 had a hole in the roof. By the
14:47 way, one of the things that we
14:48 felt was important was to
14:52 codify part of that story. And
14:54 and and, you know, just to be
14:58 the of a small storm in yet. A
15:01 colonel or general merry men
15:04 who was reference to the Civil
15:05 War general was actually one
15:10 of the first union. Generals
15:12 to lead an all
15:13 African-American battalion
15:16 during the Civil war. And, you
15:20 know, it's it does. When you
15:22 look at things through the
15:24 lens of history, it does
15:27 humble. You and you realize
15:29 that that, you know, just are
15:31 probably one for Mills pack
15:36 and longer marched towards the
15:37 future. And for me as as as
15:40 the owner today, recognizing
15:42 that ice, I live in a home
15:44 that certainly someone like me
15:46 could not have at the time. It