HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.council.worksession.20090302MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Amy Guthrie, Historic Preservation Officer
RE: Historic Preservation Task Force Update
DATE: March 2, 2009
SUMMARY: This worksession is an update to City Council on the progress of the Historic
Preservation Task Force. The Task Force welcomes input from Council on the work undertaken
to date.
Ordinance #48, Series of 2007 called for the establishment of a
Historic Preservation Task Force. Council appointed 24 members in
February 2008, two of whom later resigned due to other
commitments. The initial purpose of the Historic Preservation Task
Force was to provide recommendations on changes to Ordinance #48
and the historic preservation program as a whole. The full Task Force
has met 18 times. After a community forum in June generated almost
180 issues, ideas, or topics for the group to address, the following
committees were formed; Philosophy of Historic Preservation,
Criteria for Designation, Voluntary vs. Involuntary Designation,
Historic Districts, Economics and Incentives, Architecture, and Public
Outreach. The entire group took on the philosophical discussion of
"why" and "what" to preserve on August 14`", after which the
committees began their efforts to become experts on specific aspects
of preservation. Each Task Force member has volunteered for
committees, some joining one and others participating in all five.
Almost 75 small group meetings have been held. The commitment
made by these volunteers is tremendous.
H I S T O R I C
PRESERVATION
TASK FORCE
There have been several "check-ins" with Council during the process. Last April, Mayor
Ireland, Councilman Johnson, and Councilman DeVilbiss attended a Task Force Q&A to discuss
the mission of the group. The Task Force was encouraged to look at the historic preservation
program's successes and weaknesses comprehensively and not be bound by the way things have
been done to date. Mayor Ireland advised that the recommendation of this citizen's committee
will be much more powerful if it is arrived at and supported by a large consensus of the group.
In July, staff updated Council on the process the Task Force was using to develop their
recommendations, aproposed schedule for completion by January 2009, and a budget summary.
As work continued into the fall, it became obvious that addressing the scope of work that had
evolved would extend further into 2009. The committees presented preliminary reports to the
full Task Force, and to City Council in November and December 2008. Council feedback was
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positive, but there was concern that the Task Force might need to prioritize issues specifically
related to addressing the properties identified on Ordinance #48. Councilman Johnson stated that
to him this means focusing on "list / no list, demolition review / no demolition review, voluntary
/ involuntary."
Over the last two months, the committees have continued their research, sought out additional
expertise, and circulated ideas with other communities addressing postwaz resources, etc. Two
committees; Historic Districts and Architecture, have brought forward their final
recommendations. Neither has been supported as presented, but may be revised for further
discussion. Briefly, the status of the committee work is as follows:
Summary of progress on Historic Districts: The Historic Districts committee has been
studying the appropriateness of creating a new district in the West End. Presumably this district
would be reviewed in a manner similar to HPC oversight of Main Street and the Commercial
Core, since the 1970's. The group is also discussing the concept of a "conservation district," an
azea that shazes common history and architectural chazacteristics that can be managed and
preserved with a lesser degree of oversight than a historic district. This committee presented a
recommendation to the full Task Force in January, which was narrowly defeated and is being
reconsidered.
Summary of progress on Architecture: This committee has struggled the most with their
recommendation. The group focused on concerns that have been expressed about new
construction and additions to historic buildings in town and found it hard to agree about potential
revisions to design guidelines and the land use code. A recommendation presented to the Task
Force was voted down.
Summary of progress on Public Outreach: The Public Outreach committee is producing the
Task Force report, and involving the public in that effort. In addition, the committee is
brainstorming numerous short term and longer term efforts that Aspen should undertake to raise
awareness and support for historic preservation.
Summary of progress on Economics and Incentives: Economics and Incentives has
undertaken case studies of the effect of designation on numerous Victorian and 20`s century
properties in town. They are finalizing their conclusions on that reseazch. The group has also
discussed Aspen's preservation incentives at length, and suggested new benefits the City could
offer.
Summary of progress on Criteria: Criteria is drafting proposed new requirements for the
designation of postwaz resources, as well as refinement of scoring systems and other tools that
can be used to prioritize the properties where efforts should be focused.
Summary of progress on Voluntary vs. Involuntary: This committee has tackled a difficult
philosophical issue. Generally, the committee has leaned towards a voluntary program, however
they are awaze of the Criteria committee's proposals to identify certain resources that must be
saved, perhaps with involuntary designation.
The schedule for completion has been revisited regulazly. The committees have been working
very hard to reconcile many different points of view and staff believes the Task Force will bring
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forwazd valuable new ideas. At this point the work has been underway for a year. The Task
Force plans further meetings as follows:
Thursday, March 19`h, 4-7:00 p.m., Council Chambers. Recommendation by Historic Districts.
Thursday, March 26`", 4-7:00 p.m., Council Chambers. Discussion of Community Vision
statement on Historic Preservation.
Thursday, April 2°d, 4-7:00 p.m. Location TBD. Recommendation by Economics and
Incentives.
Thursday, Apri19`", 4-7:00 p.m., Council Chambers. Recommendation by Criteria.
Thursday, April 16`h, 4-7:00 p.m., Council Chambers. Recommendation by
V oluntazy/Involuntary.
Thursday, April 23'd, 4-7:00 p.m., Council Chambers. Formulate recommendations.
Thursday, April 30`", 4-7:00 p.m., Council Chambers. Formulate recommendations.
Date in May TBD, presentation of first draft to public.
Date in May TBD, Present first draft to Council.
Task Force Chair Bill Stirling, and Vice Chair Tom Todd, will be available to answer Council
questions. Staff will provide Council with a budget report at the worksession.
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