City Council Study Session Agenda and Packet 2004 02 24

Home Browse Search

PAGE TWO SUBJECT: DRAFT HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE DATE: FEBRUARY 24, 2004 would immediately be rejected. • The Commission members discussed an exemption for economic hardship in the landmark designation section and opted not to include it. Members did include the exemption in the alteration certificate process. The thought was that Iandmarking itself would not impose an economic hardship, but not being allowed to alter or develop a site might be. • In the alteration certificate process, City Council would not have to review items approved by the Commission. Council can call -up items or applicants can appeal a denied decision to the City Council. The thought was that the Council does not need to be involved in minor alterations. • The ordinance includes a demolition section that would require the review of any application for a demolition permit for a building over 50 years old. If the Commission members found the building to be historically significant, the ordinance would put a stay on the demolition permit for up to 180 days to allow time for the site to be considered in the Iandmarking process. Other points for discussion /information that do not pertain directly to the ordinance: • Members have submitted a list of proposed preservation incentives for the Council to consider. Assuming that roughly 20% of the properties in Old Town would be eligible for individual designation, these incentive programs would likely only apply to a small number of properties. Staff is currently researching an estimated cost for those programs with a financial impact. • Once an ordinance is approved, the Commission and staff will begin work on administrative details of the program including applications, forms, and public relations efforts. This would likely include a booklet or brochure that would explain the program and its benefits as well as describe the process to be landmarked in a more readable form than the ordinance. • Proving historical significance is generally done through a building survey. Three surveys have been completed for Old Town (1982, 1995, and 2000). They reviewed approximately 100 buildings in depth. Staff is currently working on a State Historical Fund Grant Application for another survey to start where the 2000 survey left off. The goal is to eventually have all of the Old Town Overlay area surveyed and have base information on all sites. This'information will allow for an expedited Iandmarking process as staff will have base information to work with for applications. • Once the ordinance is ready for final Council consideration, it will also - be submitted to the Colorado Historical Society's Office of Archeology and Preservation for Certified Local Government (CLG) status. CLGs are eligible for an earmarked pool of federal grants and can participate in the state preservation tax credit program. To date, staff is aware of at least two entities that would like to submit applications for local Iandmarking. The Downtown Business Association which would like to make the downtown commercial area a local historical district and the Historical Commission would like the Museum site, including all three buildings, to be locally landmarked. Historic Preservation Commission members will give a brief overview of the ordinance and will take questions from the Council.