HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.hpc.20091209ASPEN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 9, 2009
Chairperson, Michael Hoffman called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Commissioners in attendance: Brian McNellis, Jay Maytin, Jason Lasser,
Ann Mullins, Jamie McLeod, Nora Berko and Sarah Broughton.
Staff present: Jim True, Special Counsel
Amy Guthrie, Preservation Officer
Sara Adams, Historic Preservation Planner
Kathy Strickland, Chief Deputy Clerk
Toni Kronberg, public: The fire station concrete wall looks very stark. Is
there something that can be done to soften it up? Last night council
approved Sandy's office supply building being designated, 630 E. Hyman
and I have a real problem with that. When something is landmarked you
don't touch it, it stays as it is. You don't put a third floor on it. On 205 S.
Spring Street which is the William R.Walton landmark property I worked
for Adam before he died as a custodian for five years. I don't work for the
executor but am working for the heirs of the trust and family that will
eventually be inheriting that property. I had asked how the work that was
done was authorized without a review.
Sara presented photographs of the house on Spring and Hopkins. Toni is
concerned about the driveway off the alley. Essentially they moved a few
planks of the fence to put the parking space in. That doesn't qualify as a
development review.
Jay said the increased the opening to accommodate another car.
Sara said the fence ran along the alley before they came in for the request to
park onto their property and they removed some of the planks to do that.
Staff considered removal of the plants not historic.
Ann said she walked by and the impact is minimal.
Jay said he would like HPC to see these requests if there is time on the
agenda.
Sara said there is certain criteria to follow in the code that defines what type
of process happens for the type of project that you want to do. If it was an
historic fence it would be another issue.
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Jay said he is amazed that the person came in for a building permit for a
couple of planks. I walked by and it doesn't look like the property was
being kept up.
Jason said he visited the site and it seems logical to enter from the alley and
they have the right to park on their property if they wish too. It is an
administrative review and it is in the purview of the staff.
Toni Kronberg said she is going to appeal this decision. Not only was the
fence taken down and putting in a driveway in the man's back garden there
was also the addition of a deck that was never permitted and they are also
installing a hot tub on the site that doesn't have a permit either. According
to the code under effect of designation 26.415.060 . Any development
involving properties designated on the Aspen Inventory of Historic
Landmark Sites and Structures , as an individual building or located in an
historic district, unless determined exempt, requires the approval of a
development order and either a certificate of no negative effect or a
certificate of appropriateness before a building permit or any other work
authorization will be issued by the city. This property did not go through
any process to determine if it was exempt or if it needed a certificate of no
negative effect or if it needed a certificate of appropriateness. The design
guidelines were adopted to give the public an opportunity to give public
comments and that is in Section B. The standards apply to the exterior
features and/or notable streetscape and landscape elements of the designated
historic property and/or district. As Sara said they have to be approved in
accordance with the procedures established for their review. You need to
decide whether the three components should be considered exempt,
certificate of no negative effect of certificate of appropriateness. The
certificate of no negative effect triggers a review, a public hearing before the
H PC and that did not happen. The building permit was issued without
compliance with notice and public hearing. At the last meeting it was said
that parking was required and in this code it says it isn't required onsite and
that an owner can always do a cash-in-lieu. How is this fence not deemed
historical.
Jay said decks require a permit if they are of a certain height.
Amy said we have looked at this issue and by no means have overlooked or
shrugged off the work being done at the site. We were both at the site with
the contractor. There was work years ago for a hot tub and never finished
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MINUTES OF DECEMBER 9, 2009
and there is a hole in the ground that is not safe. We discussed it with the
contractor but the deck is in the setback and they need to come up with a
plan.
202 N. Monarch and 204 N. Monarch
Sara explained that the discussion is the height of 204 N. Monarch. There
was a complaint that was filed with the Planning office questioning if the
height of Tim Semerau's house at 204 N. Monarch is correct. The elevation
of the plate is starting at the correct elevation and that was approved by
HPC. Staff also measured the HPC's final plans and the building permit
elevations. Staff checked the height with a building inspector and we did a
field measurement from the ridge to the plate. The HPC plans approved the
height of 29 feet from grade to finish at''/4 inch scale. Tim dropped off Y2
inch scale drawing which indicated 29 feet and 2 '/z inches. There is 2 '/z
inches difference. The building is under the height limit for that zone
district.
Jason pointed out that 2 '/z inches is like insulation.
Sarah said it is like roofing material.
Brian said he was confused because he thought the discrepancy was 2 '/z feet
and he was uncomfortable approving that.
All members favored approving 2 '/z inches.
Tim Semerau said it is actually a discrepancy of/z inch because he used
bigger plywood that has metal on it.
Sarah pointed out that on our final drawings it should indicated the final
height.
Tim said the complaint was from a fictitious person. Tim requested that if a
complaint is made they should sign their real name.
Jay said a copy of the driver's license should be given when a complaint is
made.
Jason said some people call in and don't give their name.
ASPEN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 9, 2009
Work sessions - no minutes
Update of downtown sandwich board/outdoor display policies.
HPC Guidelines - Streetscape and Lot Features/Historic Development
Patterns and Landscape Design
Introduction to "nuts and bolts" preservation issues to be addressed at
January meeting
Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.