Historic Preservation Commission Agenda and Packet 2019 01 14

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Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes December 17, 2018 Page 4 of 18 Fahey asked if there could be a specific meeting for this building in particular. Zuccaro responded that staff traditionally brought referrals to the Commission during their regular meetings. He explained that staff was looking for a recommendation on whether the proposal fit into the criteria. Fahey asked about the official role and authority of the HPC vis-a-vis a referral. Zuccaro replied that there was nothing explicit in the Code, but that the Council gave them the directive to give recommendations and advise them on matters related to historic preservation. This building was not being preserved, but as a downtown district it was relevant to hear how new developments fit in with the historic context. He added that any developments of parks and open space, even though it was not in any ordinance, it was practice to bring them before the relevant commissions. Ulm asked about a visual in the staff packet. Zuccaro responded that they were rough estimates of the property lines. Those lines are often off by several feet when staff makes those graphics. Ulm asked if the property line was set back from other storefronts along the street. Zuccaro stated that he did not know if that was accurate, but he could look it up or the applicant could respond to that question during his presentation. Haley suggested that the Commission go through the handbook criteria to shape their recommendation for Council. Haley invited the applicant to present. Eric Hartronft of Hartronft Associates, 950 Spruce Street in Louisville, CO, architect for Boulder Neighborhoods, described the design concept of the project. He explained that the plan was responding to the opportunity to improve underutilized buildings and provide new retail and/or restaurant businesses on Main Street and to respect the adjacent historic property at The Huckleberry. The property line met the same line as the other buildings on the block, but they wanted to retain the setback from the sidewalk to give a break from the narrow walkway on the rest of the block. Some of the changes they had made since 2017 included decreasing the parking garage and allowing the City to build a nearby parking garage at some point in the future. They were also relating their architecture to the mid-century aesthetic that they were replacing to help maintain the eclectic architectural feel downtown. Hartronft described the proposal to the Commission, highlighting the one-story section next to The Huckleberry, the roof deck, and the setback from the sidewalk. He added that the proportion of the two-story buildings were a nod to false -front architecture. He