LEADVILLE — The Leadville City Council unanimously approved a new single-family residence at 727 Maple Street and authorized $20,000 in grant applications to support the city’s joint comprehensive plan with Lake County at its regular meeting on April 21, 2026.
Planning Director Chapin LaChance, AICP, presented the Certificate of Appropriateness request for the Galena Hall Residential Infill project. The proposal calls for a new home on six vacant 25-foot lots platted in the 1800s. The site has historic connections to Leadville Monument Works, the company that produced the Texas Jack tombstone. The design meets 13 of 16 residential infill guidelines. Applicant Michael Stesney accepted the three conditions recommended by the Historic Preservation Commission.
Mayor Dana Greene opened the quasi-judicial public hearing. Councilmember Josef Edwards disclosed a peripheral acquaintance with the applicant and no ex-parte communications. No recusals were requested and no public comment was received. Councilmember Edwards moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness with the three conditions. The motion passed unanimously on roll call.
The conditions require an entrance door on the northeast corner with a small shed porch roof and brackets, windows adjacent to the fireplace observing a 2-to-1 height-to-width ratio, and the bedroom window on the west or north elevation positioned at least one foot from the building corner.
Council then unanimously approved Resolution No. 15, Series of 2026, authorizing applications to the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and El Pomar Foundation for $10,000 each. The funds would support the One Community Project joint comprehensive plan with Lake County. The resolution has a net-zero impact on the 2026 city budget.
Earlier in the meeting, Randi Snead, South Central Regional Manager for the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), gave a presentation on state resources for local governments. Snead noted that the Energy Impact Assistance Fund has decreased significantly from approximately $90 million last year to $15 million this year, while community requests totaled $55 million.
The council approved the consent agenda by unanimous vote. Items included approval of the April 7, 2026 meeting minutes and a Temporary Use Permit for the Leadville Pride and Wellness Festival on June 20, 2026, which includes closure of Harrison Avenue from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and use of the sidewalk in front of the Tabor Opera House.
During public comment on items not on the agenda, resident Steve Prestash repeated objections to Councilmember Edwards serving on the Lake County Planning and Zoning Commission and called for enforcement of front license plate requirements and enhanced fines for glass bottles shattered on Harrison Avenue sidewalks.
Council entered executive session pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-6-402(4)(f) to discuss the city administrator’s performance as a personnel matter. The motion passed unanimously. Upon returning to open session at 7:58 p.m., no member reported any discussion of matters outside the noticed topic.
In her mayor’s report, Mayor Greene announced the special meeting on economic development and ARPA funds has been rescheduled to May 26 to avoid conflict with the One Community Project open house at Lake County High School on April 28. She also reported attending Chamber of Commerce LEADS meetings to improve government-business relations.
Council members reported on the upcoming Cloud City Food Lab graduation event on April 27, strong shoulder-season business activity, and a recent community land trust conference focused on affordable housing strategies.
The council confirmed the Lake County Open Recreation Authority meeting scheduled for April 30 at 6 p.m. and noted quorum considerations due to member availability.
Council adjourned by unanimous vote.
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