West Highland residents seek new historic district – The Denver Post

Walk or drive along West 32nd Avenue in Denvers West Highland neighborhood and its likely youll notice the Ford House. Its west of Lowell Boulevard, between Osceloa and Newton streets.

The house was once the home of a well-known physician, Mary Ford, and her business partner, Helene Byington whose daughter, Spring Byington, was a Hollywood actress from 1930 to 1960.

Homes to the north of notable architecture Queen Annes, bungalows, cottages also have interesting histories. Previous residents include former Denver mayors Benjamin Stapleton and William Fitz Randolph Mills.

In an effort to preserve area homes, some West Highland residents are applying to create what theyre calling the Packards Hill Historic District.

What is so unique about it is that it is relatively intact. Thats actually a very rare thing, said Marie Benedix, a West Highland resident who lives in the area and is helping the effort to create the historic district.

The proposed district would cover roughly between Lowell Boulevard and the alley between Osceola and Perry streets, from West 32nd Avenue to West 35th Avenue. There are 173 homes within the proposed boundaries and about 80 percent are noted as contributing to the areas historic atmosphere. Buildings constructed for commercial use are not part of the district.

It is really unique to have such a high amount of contributing structures in the area. Everyone can appreciate the character. Character draws people to area, Benedix said.

Neighbors leading the process have worked on the application for more than a year and funded a historical study by Front Range Research Associates that looked at each home and the entire area for architectural and historical significance. The name is that of a local subdivision from before Highland was annexed by Denver in 1893.

Most of the area was platted in the 1880s and 1890s and homes were built between the mid-1880s and the 1940s.

The proposed area borders the A.M. Ghost and Wolff Place historic districts and would be the citys 53rd designated district if approved by Denver City Council. The proposal first heads to the Landmark Preservation Commission in July and then moves to the Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure committee before going to City Council. The effort is supported by city planning staff and Historic Denver.

Kara Hahn, senior city planner with Landmark Preservation, said the history of women in the area is particularly interesting. Many local women were homeowners and developers and played a large role in the growth of the area in the late 19th century. The names of several area women not their husbands appeared on property titles, and many area women assumed vital roles in advancing womens rights.

Were excited to see when underrepresented groups are discussed, Hahn said.

Organizers of the push spent a lot of time contacting residents. Benedix said her group knocked on each door between five and 25 times. However, not everyone supports the designation and a petition opposing the district is circulating.

Opponents object to restrictions that would be imposed by the designation, such as requiring Landmark Commission approval of permits to work on a homes exterior; a window replacement policy; and a requirement that mandates second-floor additions must set back at least 15 feet from the front of an existing structure.

Fixing homes becomes more burdensome. Theres another level of bureaucracy, said Kevin OConnell, a resident who launched the website keepwesthighlandfree.com. To me personally, I just think its using a sledgehammer when we can use a scalpel.

West Highland resident Beau Wynja also opposes the district. He hopes to add a second story to his home, which might not be allowed in a designated historic district. He said he is scrambling now to finalize plans and submit permits for the addition in case the historic district is approved.

Homeowners, he said, should be able to make decisions about their property.

We feel like homeowners should have more rights to choose what design they want to do to property they own, he said. We love our neighborhood and the reason were trying to expand our home is that we dont want to leave.

OConnell believes the neighborhood is split 50/50 on the issue, but Benedix said her groups information indicates the neighborhood is mostly supportive. Of residents contacted, 77 support the historic district designation, 17 oppose designation, 13 are undecided and 86 did not reply, she said.

I think neighbors are saying that the character and history are worth that little trade-off, she said.

Historic Denver executive director Annie Levinsky said she believes the historic district designation is not as restrictive as it might seem, and many projects are quickly permitted.

I think weve seen a lot of modifications and evolutions, she said of the 52 historic districts around Denver. Weve seen it done in ways that can add more space but also protect that character that drew them to the area in the first place.

Resident Roger Oram supports the proposed historic district and helped organize the effort. He believes its important to keep the architectural integrity of a neighborhood and preserve an areas history.

I think its going to be beneficial to all of us here. I think its worth every minute of time Ive spent to convince people that its worthwhile, he said. I think of the many people who bought houses here because they like the way it looks, and if we dont take steps to preserve that, were going to lose it.

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West Highland residents seek new historic district - The Denver Post