Historic Preservation Commission Agenda and Packet 2020 05 11

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SUMMARY: The applicant is requesting:  Approval to demolish the existing structures at 105 Roosevelt Avenue. According to the Louisville Municipal Code (LMC) section 15.36.020, a demolition is an act which removes “fifty percent or more of the roof area as measured from directly above ,” or “fifty percent or more of the exterior walls of a building as measured contiguously around the building”. Under section 15.36.200 of the LMC, if the commission finds that the building may have historical significance under the criteria “no permit for demolition, moving or removal shall be issued for a period not to exceed 180 days from t he date the permit application was accepted … The commission will make all reasonable efforts to expedite resolution of the application or request.”  A finding of probable cause for landmark designation to allow for funding of a historic structure assessment for 105 Roosevelt Avenue. Under Resolution No. 17, Series 2019, a property may be eligible for reimbursement for a historic structure assessment (HSA) from the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) if the Historic Preservation Commission finds “probable cause to believe the building may be eligible for landmarking under the criteria in section 15.36.050 of the Louisville Municipal Code.” Further, “a finding of probable cause under this Section is solely for the purposes of action on the pre -landmarking building assessment grant request, and such finding shall not be binding upon the HPC, City Council or other party to a landmarking hearing.” Staff recommendations:  Staff recommends approval of a 180 day stay, expiring on July 27, 2020, giving the applicant time to research alternatives to demolition as well as pursue a historic structure assessment, if approved by the Historic Preservation Commission.  Staff recommends that the HPC find there is probable cause for landmarking 105 Roosevelt Avenue making the properties eligible for the cost of a historic structure assessment. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Information from Bridget Bacon, Louisville Historical Museum This building is part of Johnson’s First Addition, the second residential subdivision in Louisville. Originally, there was another building on this parcel on Lot 15. The original building was constructed in 1896, according to Boulder County records. In 1947, the property was purchased by Martin Rotar (1916-1977). He was a carpenter in Louisville and was president of the Carpenters Union, Local 882. He married Olive Calnan in 1944. Olive worked at the Blue Parrot Restaurant. The Rotars lived in the original structure found on this property in 1951 but by 1953 had constructed the house currently found at 105 Roosevelt. In late 1952 and early 1953, the Rotars advertised in The Louisville Times to sell the original structure and have it moved off the property. It is not known whether the original structure was demolished or relocated. Martin Rotar sold 105 Roosevelt to Harold and Mary Ann Williams in 1961. It was owned by members of the Williams family for 46 years. They both came from longtime Louisville families. Harold worked in Louisville coal mines starting at age 16 in approximately 1935 until 1942, when he joined the Army and served in World War II. He worked in security at Rocky Flats for thirty years. The Williams family sold 105 Roosevelt to Creel Kerss in 2007. In 2020, he sold the property to Paul Rohr.