Golden Historic Preservation Board Study Session & Regular Meeting — May 13, 2026

The City of Golden Historic Preservation Board met at City Hall (911 10th Street, Golden, CO) on May 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. The evening opened with a 45-minute study session on the first draft of the Historic Preservation Design Guidelines ("Past Forward" initiative), followed by a regular meeting that included a Certificate of Appropriateness decision for a new house at 916 9th Street, an update on the 612 10th Street demolition stay, and election of new officers.

Study Session — Historic Preservation Design Guidelines (1st Review)

• New HPB members were introduced, and staff noted the meeting was the first use of updated Ordinance 1858.
• Consultants Heather and Justin of Terracon presented the first public draft of the guidelines, which include district context statements and design guidelines for treatment of historic materials and building components.
• The board participated in a survey/rating exercise and indicated it was "very important" for the HPB to regulate roof shapes and the design of accessory structures so they fit with the design of historic primary structures.
• The board discussed whether the HPB should have authority to grant limited adjustments for historic and existing structures (e.g., for lot coverage and setbacks), and whether a Certificate of Appropriateness approval should satisfy zoning code requirements instead of requiring separate zoning compliance. One participant summarized the issue as whether "the historic board [should] have full authority to regulate and enforce design and zoning rules."
• At least one board member took exception to a draft guideline element regarding homes that originally had flat roofs within the 8th and 9th Street Historic District.
• Staff said the discussion would continue at the June HPB meeting, with a City Council study session targeted for August and additional public engagement opportunities to be announced.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes of April 8, 2026, were approved. (Note: the minutes document header in the agenda packet references "January 14, 2026," which conflicts with the agenda and the transcript's "April 8th" — a discrepancy in the source materials.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• No speakers came forward during the non-agenda public comment period.
• Staff noted that a neighbor submitted a public comment late in the day; it was read into the record, and the comment periods were closed.

Discussion Items

HPB 26-02 — Certificate of Appropriateness: New House with Accessory Garage, 916 9th Street

• Staff presented the application for a proposed new primary structure and accessory garage at 916 9th Street, a noncontributing property in the 8th and 9th Street Historic District. Staff noted the district's structures are generally more modest and less ornate (vernacular Edwardian styles) than other districts.
• One board member stated they did not believe stone veneer is prevalent in the neighborhood or consistent with the district, commenting: "I just don't think it fits with the historic district, and that's what we're supposed to be evaluating."
• An applicant representative responded that the project will not use stream stone but rather a "stack stone" (also called "mountain stone") commonly seen in Colorado.
• The applicant's narrative stated the garage was designed to avoid a "competing gable effect" so the garage would not distract from the primary structure.

HPB 26-01 (Update) — Demolition COA: 612 10th Street, the Schall Residence and Structures

• The ad hoc committee (board members Rooney and Cook) provided a letter to City Council regarding the property. The board discussed the existing 126-day stay of demolition and discussed extending the stay to allow the applicant more time to explore alternatives.

Other Matters — Past Forward Update

• Staff announced additional public engagement opportunities for the Past Forward guidelines update and said the board would receive follow-up information the following month.

Elections

• The board elected a new chair and vice chair. Board member Eric concluded his two-year term as chair, and the new chair was noted to have been "thrown into the chair position" for the next term.

Staff Updates

• New board members were reminded of training requirements, with an in-person session available and an online/virtual option for those who could not attend in person.
• The June meeting packet will include two cases plus a study session, and the design guidelines discussion will continue.

Key Outcomes

• Motion by Kalbfell, seconded by Cummings, to approve HPB 26-02: the board adopted Resolution HPB 26-02, granting a Certificate of Appropriateness for the new house and accessory garage at 916 9th Street, with the applicant required to return to the board for additional review before performing certain work.
• Directed staff and consultants to continue refining the draft Historic Preservation Design Guidelines and return for further discussion at the June meeting.
• Continued the 612 10th Street stay-of-demolition discussion; the ad hoc committee's letter was provided to City Council.
• Elected a new chair and vice chair, concluding Eric's two-year term as chair.