City Council Minutes 2009 11 02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes November 2, 2009 Page 6 of 14 Commercial Design GuidelinHs. The Commercial Design Guidelines were developed for a one-size fits all development, which is not a good fit for the contexts and the character of downtown Louisville. He noted the HPC observed the Planning Commission's rHluctance to review historic buildings and to identify character defining elements and feels this would be more appropriate for their review. He noted there was a gap in applying the Downtown Guidelines implemented during the PUD process. He stated there could be renovation made without a PUD process and the HPC feels it would be more appropriate for them to review such renovations. He explained the HPC is looking for clarity on the contributing buildings requirements. Michael Menaker, 1827 Choke Cherry Drive, Louisville, CO addressed Page 51 of the Handbook and statEld without landmarking or a historic district, the guidelines are at the discn3tion of the owner. He noted the City has never entered into involuntary landnnarking and urged Council not to proceed in that direction. He did not support a design review committee. Erik Hartronft, 817 Lincoln Avenue, Louisville, CO, a former Historic Preservation Commissioner noted, at the joint meetings, the majority of the discussion centered on what is histori:c. He explained in order to be historic in Louisville you must be designated as a local landmark; national registered properties are not local landmarks and beyond the designated properties, there is not a historic district. The 2000 survey is a good guideline that identifies which properties are eligible to be considered to be a local, state or national landmark, but it does not landmark the properties. He supported clarifying the definitions in the Handbook, but opposed broadening the definition to include any building in downtown Louisville being reviewed by the HPC. He suggested the Council continue land marking on a voluntary incentive based program and working with the property owners in downtown Louisville. Rhonda Grassi, 916 Main Street, Louisville, CO, stated she was involved in the development of the Downtown Design Guidelines and emphasized they are only guidelines. She reported working with the HPC on two projects; one was approved by the HPC and thH Council; the second was a residence on Short Street, which the HPC failed to review or make a recommendation and instead put a six-month hold on the process. She felt if the HPC has strong opinions on private properties, they should buy the properties, renovate and resell them. She supported a voluntary, incentive based process. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Muckle thanked thH Joint Commissions for their work. He stated the voters who passed the Historic Preservation Tax expect to see a Historic Old Town and Downtown. He felt the preservation of historic significant properties is a professional industry and therefore a professional review process is