Historic Preservation Commission Minutes 2008 07 21

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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes July 21, 2008 Page 2 of 7 PUBLIC HEARING -Demolition Request 944 Garfield Avenue Lewis opened the public hearing and asked for a staff report. Muth stated that the applicant would be joining the conversation via telephone and she got him on the phone. Muth gave the following staff report: The property owner, Brent Miley, applied for a demolition permit (through his representative) on June 3, 2008 for the demolition of 944 Garfield Avenue. Subcommittee members Menza and McMenamin toured the site on June 17, 2008 and determined that the home may be eligible for local landmarking as the oldest section of the building, on the west side of the home, appears to have retained a large degree of architectural integrity over the years. The home is in a style particularly associated with Louisville and represents the built environment of the coal miners, so it may be culturally significant to Louisville. A stay was placed on the demolition permit request and a public hearing was scheduled for July 21. Per Ordinance No. 1463, Series 2005 the following public notice was given: • The public hearing was advertised in the Daily Camera on Jd~ 5, 2008; • A public hearing notice was posted on the property on July 2, 2008; • The applicant was sent notice via both regular and certified mail, sent on July 2. The Commission may vote to either release the demolition permit or hold the permit for the remainder of the 180-day period. In this case, the 180-day period will expire November 30, 2008. In that 180-day period, the Commission and applicant may work to find an alternative to demolition. If no alternative is found by November 30, the applicant is then free to demolish the building. Lewis asked the applicant if he would like. to make a presentation. Brent Miley, 58 Lincoln Street, Belmont, Massachusetts, stated that he grew up in Boulder and is moving back to the area with his family. He purchased the lot for its mature trees (most of which he would like to retain) and for the size of the lot. His original plans were to remove the home and build a new home that is in the 3000 square foot range. He stated that the family has two concerns regarding keeping the existing home. First, there is asbestos in the siding and pipe wrap and second, they would like to avoid the design constraints involved in building around an existing structure. He stated he plans to be in Colorado next week to meet with potential architects for the project and would also be happy to meet members of the HPC at that time. He added that he would be happy to donate the structure to the City as well. Lewis asked for comments from members of the public. Betty Solek, 725 Lincoln Avenue, stated her concern with the large number of teardowns in Old Town. Not only are the original homes being demolished, but they are being replaced with large homes that do not match the scale and character of the neighborhood.