Historic Designation For Jefferson Park House Up For Debate
DENVER (CBS4) - A house that's more than a century old is becoming one of the most controversial residential developments in Denver.
A city commission will have to weigh if the house is just old, or if there's historic value in the home to preserve the rapidly changing Jefferson Park neighborhood.
"This house is 130 years old. We want to save it, it adds character to the neighborhood for the future," said Jerry Olson, an applicant to have 2329 Eliot Street designated as an historic landmark. Olson lives on the other side of Jefferson Park from the property in question.
"I think it's an old dump if you want the truth," said Jim Sonnleitner who has owned the home since 1990. He has also owned the accompanying carriage house next door since the 1970s. "I don't have any personal attachment to it, it's a house."
The recent application to have the house historically listed comes after it was made public Sonnleitner wanted to sell his entire property to a developer. There has been a lawsuit concerning a late filing of an application and the city's only time it has rescinded a permit allowing a property to be razed.
"My company's plans are to remove the two existing homes and built 18 for-sale townhomes," said developer Nathan Adams. "We don't believe it's historic and this house is in serious disrepair."
Inside there are still original fireplaces and even crown molding. Sonnleitner says he's remodeling a bedroom right now, but admits he hasn't made progress in 25 years on the kitchen set up.
"I don't think it's anybody's business but mine if I want to sell my house," Sonnleitner said.
On Tuesday the Denver Landmark Preservation Commission will have a hearing for the property. City Staff have recommended approval. Factors include the Queen Ann architecture consistent with a building date around 1890.
But the application also requires a reason for an historic designation.
"This house was the home of William W. Anderson. He was an attorney in Denver," said Olson who adds Anderson was involved in a gunfight with two publishers from the Denver Post and also represented Alfred Packer.
"That's absolutely false, he didn't defend Alfred Packer, they had a relationship for all of 48 hours," said Adams. "If this were the Anderson House like they claim it is, somebody would have known that well before the past six months."
The city commission will have to weigh if the house is just old, or if there's historic value in the home to preserve the rapidly changing Jefferson Park neighborhood.
Sonnleitner says he and his real estate agent believe they're getting a fair deal for the property and adds, "It's nobody's business but mine."
The hearing is Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. in the Webb Building.
Jeff Todd joined the CBS4 team in 2011 covering the Western Slope in the Mountain Newsroom. Since 2015 he's been working across the Front Range in the Denver Headquarters. Follow him on Twitter @CBS4Jeff.
