City Council to hold public hearing on request to remove historic status for 37 Hillside Avenue

1940s Tax Photo of 37 Hillside Avenue. Photo: Park City Municipal

Historic Preservation Board recommends denying application to delist mining-era home

PARK CITY, Utah — On October 10, 2024, the Park City Council will hold a public hearing to consider a request from the owner of 37 Hillside Avenue to remove the property from the city’s Historic Sites Inventory. The request comes after the Historic Preservation Board (HPB) unanimously recommended denying the application, citing the home’s significance as a preserved example of Park City’s mining-era architecture.

The house, built in 1885, is designated a Significant Historic Site and reflects the city’s Mature Mining Era. James C. Weaver, the property owner, submitted the application in May, arguing that alterations made to the structure compromise its historic integrity. However, the HPB found that the home retains its essential historic form. “The qualities that caused it to be originally designated have not been lost or destroyed,” said Clive Bush, a neighbor opposed to the removal​.

In addition to its architectural importance, the home is historically significant due to its association with early residents such as Timothy Driscoll and Adam Krigbaum, both connected to the mining industry. The city’s General Plan and Land Management Code emphasize preserving such sites as part of Park City’s heritage, a position reinforced by the HPB’s findings.

Several neighbors have voiced concerns about the potential consequences of removing the property from the inventory. “The historic character of our neighborhood is a unique and valuable asset,” said Heleena Sideris, a resident of nearby Prospect Avenue. Others fear approving this request could weaken the protection of other historic homes in the area.

The City Council will take public comments during the hearing and is expected to finalize the property’s status afterward. To attend the meeting via Zoom, click here.