HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformation Update.201910081
AGENDA
INFORMATION UPDATE
October 8, 2019
4:00 PM,
I.INFORMATION UPDATE
I.A.Community Development Work Program Summary
I.B.Small Lodge Preservation Program
I.C.Historic Inventory Update
1
WORK SESSION SUMMARY
TO:City of Aspen Mayor and Council
FROM:Jennifer Phelan, Interim Community Development Director
THROUGH:Sara Ott, City Manager
MEMO DATE:September 30, 2019
MEETING DATE:September 16, 2019 (original work session date)
RE: Information Only: Community Development Work Program Summary
SUMMARY OF DICUSSION: On September 16th,Council conducted a work session with Community
Development representatives to discuss the department’s current workload, work program, and potential
additional work program items that can be undertaken in 2020.
During the discussion, staff outlined current projects and that are ongoing, those that will continue into
2020,and a suggested list of options for addition to the 2020 work program. Following are the items staff
noted as either currently underway or ongoing into 2020:
1.Electronic Permitting System Implementation
2.Historic Preservation Permit Improvements
3.Fee-in-Lieu Update
4.Wireless Design Guidelines
5.Wireless LUC Updates
6.Small Lodge Preservation Program
7.Historic Property Inventorying
8.Permit Improvements Group
9.Uphill Economy
10.Signs/Sandwich Boards
Staff identified eight items as potential additions to the 2020 work program, three of which were identified
as within the department’s capability to undertake given current staffing and resources. The following
items outline staff’s suggested items for 2020, with 11-13 being recommended add-ons.
11.Affordable Housing Program Coordination
12.Outdoor Lighting Regulations
13.Community Development Fee Update
14.Miscellaneous Code Amendments
15.Future Land Use Map and Annexation
16.Updates to aspenvictorian.com & aspenmodern.com 2
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Community Development
2020 Work Program Summary
17. Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) Update
18. Community & Economic Sustainability
It is anticipated that items 1 through 13 can be completed in 2020. The numerical ranking of each item
does not indicate its importance to Council or anticipated order of completion. Rather, staff anticipates
many of the projects having concurrent timelines.
Council raised additional items of interest for consideration in the 2020 work program. These topics
include: marijuana regulations, affordable housing requirements associated with lodging development
incentives, vacation rentals, prioritizing community and economic sustainability initiatives, various ideas
for support of small businesses, and childcare mitigation.
Staff suggests setting up a follow-up work session prior to the end of the calendar year where staff can
outline the anticipated timeline and initial scope of the thirteen work program items. Additionally, this
would provide an opportunity to verify with Council any items that it would like addressed if additional
capacity becomes available or items are reprioritized.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:The cost of the different work program items will vary depending on the needs of
the projects. Some items have been anticipated for and are budgeted, some funding is being requested in
the 2020 budget or anticipated to be covered by department savings. Some items may need a
supplemental request in the future.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:N/A
ALTERNATIVES:N/A
RECOMMENDATIONS:Staff recommends a follow-up work session to memorialize a 2020 work program
for the Community Development Department prior to the end of the year.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
3
INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
TO:City of Aspen Mayor and Council
FROM:Phillip Supino, Principal Long-Range Planner
THROUGH:Jennifer Phelan, Interim Community Development Director
MEMO DATE:September 30, 2019
MEETING DATE:October 8, 2019
RE: Information Only: Small Lodge Preservation Program
REQUEST OF COUNCIL:This is an information only memo in support of the ongoing discussion
of the 2020 Community Development work program. This memo provides additional information
to Council about the Small Lodge Preservation Program.
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: The Small Lodge Preservation Program (SLPP) was adopted in
May 2015. The program is a result of extensive outreach to small lodge operators and a City
policy objective to incentivize the preservation and continued success of the remaining small
lodges in Aspen. Small Lodges were identified as an important component of Aspen’s tourist
bed base. They are also more challenging to operate in competition with larger lodges and
private vacation rental properties. The attractiveness of residential redevelopment for many
small lodge properties poses another ongoing challenge to these community character defining
lodges.
With these challenges and the small lodges’ role in diversifying Aspen’s bed-base in mind,
Council adopted Ordinance 15, Series 2015, creating the SLPP. (That Ordinance is included as
Exhibit A.) The program is incentive-based, offering a range of benefits in exchange for
agreements from participating lodges to continue to operate as a lodge for an agreed-upon
period. There are seven incentives included in the program:
1.Planning Assistance,
2.Express Lane for Land Use Reviews,
3.Express Lane for Building Permit Reviews,
4.Building Code Assessment,
5.Small Lodge Energy Efficiency Program,
6.Building Permit Fee Discounts, and
7.Right-of-Way Improvements.
(See Exhibit A, Ordinance 15, 2015 for additional information about each.)
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Page 2 of 3
Small Lodge Preservation Program
The 14 lodges enrolled in the SLPP are:
Lodge Address
Annabelle Inn 232 W Main St
Aspen Mountain Lodge 311 W Main St
Boomerang Lodge 500 W Hopkins Ave
Chalet Lisl 100 E Hyman Ave
Hearthstone House 134 E Hyman Ave
Hotel Durant 122 E Durant Ave
Molly Gibson 101 W Main St
Hotel Aspen 110 W Main St
Mountain Chalet 333 E Durant Ave
Prospector Lodge 301 E Hyman Ave
Shadow Mountain Lodge 232 W Hyman Ave
Snow Queen Lodge 124 E Cooper Ave
St. Moritz Lodge 334 W Hyman Ave
Tyrolean Lodge 200 W Main St
Collectively, the seven incentives represent significant project cost savings for lodges enrolled
in the program. These cost savings lower the financial barrier for small lodges to make
improvements while continuing to operate. To the extent that some incentives require legal
commitments to remain a small lodge for a specified amount of time, the program delivers on
Council’s long-term goal of preserving the existing small lodge bed base.
At the time the program was established in 2015, it was scheduled to sunset in May of 2020,
five years after adoption. In February 2020, via Ordinance 1, 2019 Council extended the
program sunset for five years to 2025.
DISCUSSION:To date, the program has secured commitments from three lodges, The
Boomerang, The Prospector, and Shadow Mountain Lodge, to remain lodges in exchange for
program benefits. Those lodges took advantage of building permit fee reductions when
undertaking improvements to their buildings. In 2015, the Boomerang (currently not in
operation) agreed to a 20-year commitment to operate as a lodge in exchange for a 25%
reduction in Plan Check, Energy Code, Zoning Review, Engineering Review, Utility Review, CMP,
and Building Permit Fees. In 2017, the Prospector Lodge received a building permit fee
reduction of $1,988 in exchange for a five-year commitment to continue operation as a lodge.
Also, in 2017 the Shadow Mountain Lodge received a building permit fee reduction of $1,407
for a five-year commitment.
Presently, the Hotel Aspen is preparing a building permit submittal. City staff has worked with
the ownership to provide SLPP benefits to that project, although the details of the benefits and
agreement to remain a lodge have yet to be finalized. To date, no property has leveraged the
rebate money available for right-of-way improvements.
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Page 3 of 3
Small Lodge Preservation Program
The Energy Efficiency (SLEEP) portion of the program, administered by the Climate Action Office
staff in partnership with CORE, has financed hundreds of thousands of dollars in efficiency
upgrades of small lodges. (Those expenditures are outline in Exhibit B. Accounting is not yet
available for 2019.) Without the SLEEPP program, many of these efficiency improvements
would not have been undertaken. In addition to incentivizing small lodges to remain, the
resulting energy savings and emissions reductions have the ancillary benefit of delivering on
Council’s climate action goals.
SLPP is a highly successful and popular program. During outreach efforts in late 2018 in support
of the program extension process, Community Development staff has received only positive
comments from member lodges. Since the program was created in 2015, two additional lodges
which meet the qualifying criteria have enrolled in the program. Extending the SLPP for an
additional five years provided Council with an established means of supporting the existing city
bed base. These small lodge agreements represent a mutual agreement between the lodges
and the community about the importance of small lodges to our economy and character. The
program also delivers on several Council goals and City policies related to commercial vitality
and sustainability. This is particularly true given the relatively low annual budget allocation of
$141,000 to fund the program, much of which goes unspent in each budget year.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:Council grants $141,000 in annual budget authority to finance the SLPP.
This includes the City portion of the program cost for SLEEP, as well as authority to spend
monies earmarked for the other benefits in the program. Based on the accounting in Exhibit B,
the City and CORE combined to provide $291,339 in funding to SLEEP participants. The two
SLPP agreements leveraged an additional $3,399 in Community Development funds. All monies
not spend in a budget year are returned to the general fund. In this way, the program is both
cost efficient and fiscally responsible, while continuing to offer meaningful financial assistance
to properties which meet the program criteria and community lodging goals.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:While the SLEEP program delivers tangible building efficiency
improvements, there is not presently an accounting of the CO2-E emissions reductions from
those improvements. Additional staff analysis and coordination with CORE would be required
to assign a CO2-E amount to the reductions realized from those improvements.
ALTERNATIVES:N/A
RECOMMENDATIONS:N/A
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
Exhibits
A – Ordinance 15, Series 2015
B – Small Lodge Preservation Program Expenditures by Year
6
ORDINANCE No. 15
Series of 2015)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE ASPEN CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING A PROGRAM TO
ASSIST SMALL LODGES TO CONTINUE OPERATING AS SMALL LODGES.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 26.310.020(A), the Community Development
Department received direction from City Council to explore code amendments related to the
creation of a small lodge preservation program to bolster the bed base in both traditional hotel
units, particularly in small lodges; and,
WHEREAS, the Community Development Department conducted existing conditions
research to understand Aspen's existing lodge inventory, the occupancy and rate characteristics
of Aspen's bed base, the economics of upgrading, expanding, or developing lodge products, the
latest visitor demographics, and the types of lodging product most in demand; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 26.310.020(B)(1), the Community Development
Department conducted extensive Public Outreach with community members, the Aspen
Chamber Resort Association,condominium and lodging owners, managers, and stakeholders, the
Planning & Zoning Commission, the Historic Preservation Commission, and City Council
regarding lodging; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 26.310.020(B)(2), during a duly noticed public hearing
on December 1, 2014 and December 8, 2014, the City Council directed staff to draft a code
amendment to assist small lodges to continue operating as small lodges; and,
WHEREAS, the Community Development Director has recommended approval of the
proposed amendments to Title 26, the City of Aspen Land Use Code to implement a small lodge
assistance program; and,
WHEREAS, the Aspen City Council has reviewed the proposed code amendments and
finds that the amendments meet or exceed all applicable standards pursuant to Chapter 26.310.050;
and,
WHEREAS,the City Council finds that this Ordinance implements the City's goals related
replenishing and diversifying the lodging inventory, as articulated in the 2012 Aspen Area
Community Plan; and
WHEREAS,the Aspen City Council finds that this Ordinance furthers and is necessary for
the promotion of public health, safety, and welfare; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ASPEN, COLORADO THAT:
Section 1: Code Amendment Obiectives
The goals and objectives of the code amendment, as outlined in the Policy Resolution, are to:
Small Lodges Preservation Program
Ordinance 15, Series 2015
Pagel of 5
7
a. Recognize that the bed base, particularly the small lodges, is a critical part of the City's
overall infrastructure.
b. Ensure the,Aspen bed base provides a number, diversity, and quality of lodging options to
be attractive and welcoming to the next generation of visitors.
c. Encourage investment in existing lodges to meet visitor expectations.
d. Strive for lodging being the "highest and best"use in the lodging zone.
e. Make sure the bed base continues to be compatible with community character.
f. Focus on small and economy/moderate lodge investment first.
g. Reduce or eliminate city process and fee barriers to investment in existing lodge properties.
Section 2: Applicability and Timeframe
The Small Lodge Preservation Program (hereinafter "Program") is established for a period of
five (5) years from the date of passage of this Ordinance. During that time, the Program is
available to the existing small lodges listed below, only for such time as they remain small
lodges:
Hotel Address
Annabelle Inn 232 W Main St
Aspen Mountain Lodge 311 W Main St
Boomerang Lodge 500 W Hopkins Ave
Chalet Lisl 100 E Hyman Ave
Hearthstone House 134 E Hyman Ave
Hotel Durant 122 E Durant Ave
Molly Gibson 101 W Main St
Hotel Aspen 110 W Main St
Mountain Chalet 333 E Durant Ave
Snow Queen Lodge 124 E Cooper Ave
St. Moritz Lodge 334 W Hyman Ave
Tyrolean Lodge 200_W Main St
A new small lodge is eligible to participate in the program if it meets all of the following criteria:
1. Contains fifty (50) or fewer rooms, and
2. Is located in the Lodge (L), Commercial Lodge (CL), Lodge Preservation Overlay (LP),
or Lodge Overlay (LO) zone districts.
City Council, at its sole discretion, may amend the lodges eligible for or extend the timeframe of
the Small Lodge Preservation Program by Resolution.
Section 3: Small Lodge Planning Assistance
Planning assistance is available to assist the small lodges through the City of Aspen land use and
building permit processes, as well as identifying non-city programs, such as CORE grants, that may
be of assistance to the small lodge.
Small Lodges Preservation Program
Ordinance 15, Series 2015
Page 2 of 5
8
The planning assistance described above is dependent on the funding available to provide the
assistance.
Section 4: Express Lane for Land Use Reviews
Small lodges are eligible for expedited review of all land use cases. A small lodge requesting
expedited review shall include the request in their land use application, and shall be scheduled for
the initial public hearing as quickly as possible. This expedited review shall in no way waive any
application requirements, including that the project application be complete prior to scheduling of
any public hearings.
Section 5: Express Lane for BuildinjZ Permit Reviews
Small lodges are eligible for expedited review of all building permits. Complete submittals for
small lodge projects will be reviewed ahead of standard building permit submittals. Standard
projects do not include affordable housing projects, phased permits, and other projects the Building
Department defines as "non-standard." Resubmittals for small lodge projects will be queued with
all other permits.
The queuing described above is dependent on the funding available to review small lodge
projects ahead of standard projects.
Section 6: Building Code Assessment
Small lodges are eligible for a free building code assessment to identify areas of the lodge that
could or should be upgraded to current building codes. The assessment will be completed by a
third party, and reimbursed by the city up to $0.50 per square foot.
The building code assessments described above are dependent on the funding available to
provide the additional subsidies.
Section 7: Small Lodge Energy Efficiency Program
Small lodges are eligible for free energy audits and additional subsidies for energy efficiency
improvements through a new Small Lodges Energy Program. This program would provide
subsidies for,energy audits and improvements after the existing CORE and City of Aspen Energy
Efficiency subsidies are applied. Energy improvements up to $20,000 are eligible for a combined
CORE, City of Aspen Energy Efficiency Program, and Small Lodges Energy Efficiency Program
subsidy, up to 100% of the project cost. Energy Improvements above $20,000 are eligible for a
combined 50% subsidy.
The energy benefits described above are dependent on the funding available to provide the
additional subsidies.
Section 8: Small Lodges Building Permit Fee Discounts
Small lodges are eligible for a discount on building permit fees. Chapter 2.12.100 of the Municipal
Code is hereby amended to add the following language:
Small Lodges Preservation Program
Ordinance 15, Series 2015
Page 3 of 5
9
Community Purpose Discount Programs
Applications for Building Permits for Small Lodges, as defined in Ordinance 15, Series 2015,
are eligible for reduced building permit review fees based on the following schedule. To be
eligible for the discount, all lodges must enter into an agreement with the City stating that the
property will remain a lodge for a minimum number of years, and that if the use changes
during that time period the property shall owe the City 100% of the building permit fees. The
reductions shall apply to Plan Check, Energy Code, Zoning Review, Engineering Review,
Utility Review, CMP, and Building Permit, Fees.
of Building Length of
Category of Work Permit fee City
charged Agreement
Minor interior upgrade (i.e. paint, carpet, light fixtures) 25%5 Years
Minor exterior upgrade (i.e. new windows, new o
paint/exterior materials)
25/0 5 years
Major interior upgrade A (i.e. remodel units, including 50%10 years
bathrooms)
Major interior upgrade B (i.e. remodel common areas and
50%10 years
any kitchen/food service facilities)
Redevelopment or Major Expansion 75%20 years
Section 9: Improvements.in the Right-of-Way
The cost, as approved by the City, of any required public improvements located in the public
right-of-way, such as curb & gutter, sidewalks, and street trees that are related to the Small
Lodge Preservation Program shall be reimbursed by the City. The Small Lodge shall be
responsible for the design and completion of the improvements, and the City shall reimburse the
Small Lodge for the cost of the improvements following final Certificate of Occupancy. The
allowable reimbursement is provided for in the Small Lodge Right-of-Way Improvement
estimate schedule on file with the City of Aspen Engineering Department. This schedule will be
updated on an annual basis to account for construction inflation costs.
Section 10: Costs associated with the program
All costs to the City for all program elements outlined herein are subject to available funds.
Section 11: Budget authority
City Council hereby grants budget authority of $5,000 for the Small Lodge Planning Assistance
Section 3), and $20,000 for Small Lodge Energy Efficiency Program (Section 7). Money will be
formally allocated during the Fall 2015 Supplemental Budget.
All other programs shall have no available funding for 2015.
Section 12: Any scrivener's errors contained in the code amendments herein, including but not
limited to mislabeled subsections or titles, may be corrected administratively following adoption
of the Ordinance.
Small Lodges Preservation Program
Ordinance 15, Series 2015
Page 4 of 5
10
Section 13: Effect Upon Existiniz Litization.
This ordinance shall not affect any existing litigation and shall not operate as an abatement of any
action or proceeding now pending under or by virtue of the ordinances repealed or amended as
herein provided, and the same shall be conducted and concluded under such prior ordinances.
Section 14: Severability.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this ordinance is for any reason
held invalid or unconstitutional in a court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a
separate, distinct and independent provision and shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions thereof.
Section 15: Effective Date.
In accordance with Section 4.9 of the City of Aspen Home Rule Charter, this ordinance shall
become effective thirty (30) days following final passage.
Section 16:
A public hearing on this ordinance shall be held on the 27th day of May, 2015., at a meeting of the
Aspen City Council commencing at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, Aspen City Hall,
Aspen, Colorado, a minimum of fifteen days prior to which hearing a public notice of the same shall
be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the City of Aspen.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ORDERED PUBLISHED as provided by law, by the City Council
of the City of Aspen on the 27th day of April, 2015.
At st:
inda Manning, City Cl rk Steven Skadr n,MAyor
FINALLY, adopted, passed and approved this 27th day of May,2015.
Att t:
y si,
Linda Manning, City Cler Steven Skad on,Mayor
Approved as to form:
mes.R. True, City Attorney
Small Lodges Preservation Program
Ordinance 15, Series 2015
Page 5 of 5
11
Exhibit B: Small Lodge Energy Efficiency Program Annual Accounting 2015 – 2018
YEAR LODGE E.E. IMPROVEMENTS SLEEP BENEFIT
2015 Mountain Chalet new high efficiency
refrigerators
$9,672
St. Moritz high efficiency boiler upgrade $10,328
TOTAL $20,000
2016 Molly Gibson high efficiency lighting upgrade $2,116
Hotel Aspen high efficiency lighting upgrade $4,430
Snow Queen Lodge high efficiency boiler, lighting,
refrigerators, snowmelt timers
$16,992
Hearthstone House high efficiency boilers and
water heaters
$26,822
Shadow Mountain
Lodge
window and door upgrades $24,200
Prospector Condos high efficiency lighting and
thermostat upgrades
$7,634
Aspen Mountain Lodge high efficiency heater upgrades $11,406
Annabelle Inn HVAC upgrades $6,400
TOTAL $100,167
2017 Prospector Condos window and door upgrades $20,000
Shadow Mountain
Lodge
window upgrades $3,967
Annabelle Inn HVAC upgrades $10,154
Aspen Mountain Lodge HVAC upgrades $20,000
Molly Gibson
high efficiency lighting
upgrade, HVAC upgrades $13,843
Hotel Aspen
new high efficiency
refrigerators $2,750
St. Moritz high efficiency lighting upgrade $11,344
Shadow Mountain
Lodge
Insulations upgrades, high
efficiency lighting upgrade,
HVAC upgrades $10,547
TOTAL $92,605
2018 St. Moritz High efficiency lighting and
refrigerators
$10,071
Hotel Aspen High efficiency lighting and
refrigerators
$2,928
Molly Gibson HVAC and lighting upgrades $13,797
Annabelle Inn HVAC upgrades $10,941
Aspen Mountain Lodge HVAC upgrades $20,000
Prospector Condos high efficiency lighting upgrade $3,937
TOTAL $78,576
4-Year TOTAL $291,339
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INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
TO:City of Aspen Mayor and Council
FROM:Amy Simon, Historic Preservation Officer
THROUGH:Jennifer Phelan, Interim Community Development Director
MEMO DATE:October 1, 2019
RE: Information Only: Historic Inventory Update
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:This is an information only memo regarding an update to the
City of Aspen Inventory of Historic Sites and Structures. A first phase of this update was
approved for funding by a previous Council and is underway, with a consultant visiting eighty
properties in the West End, taking new photographs and entering data using forms developed
by the State. Community Development’s proposed 2020 workplan indicated that additional
phases will be needed to cover the entire Inventory of 300 properties. Council requested
further explanation, which is provided below.
The careful process of comprehensively surveying Aspen’s historic structures and places, then
developing policies, regulations and guidelines for their treatment is the foundation of the
City’s historic preservation efforts. A historic resource survey includes field work, investigating
the history of a property and its early occupants, researching historic photos and maps and
recording the information in a consistent format. Aspen’s first survey was completed in 1980.
The resulting information was then evaluated against established criteria for historic
significance and qualified properties were listed on the Inventory of Historic Sites and
Structures.
The Inventory is not static;appropriate management requires periodic documentation of
restoration or alterations that have occurred. This is the focus of the current update.
Stewardship of the Inventory may also include consideration of additional properties that may
have gained significance with the passage of time. That is not part of the current scope.
The City agreed to undertake these practices when, in 1987, Aspen became a “Certified Local
Government (CLG).” The CLG program is derived from the National Historic Preservation Act of
1966 and administered by the National Park Service and state historical societies, in our case
History Colorado. The goal is to align the preservation efforts of local, state and federal
agencies.
A community which is a designated CLG must meet and maintain certain requirements, which
are:
A.The local government must enforce appropriate state and local legislation for the
designation and protection of historic properties.13
Page 2 of 3
Informational Memo
Historic Inventory Update
B. The local government must establish by local ordinance an adequate and qualified
historic preservation commission.
C. The local government must maintain a system for survey and inventory of historic
properties.
D. The local government shall provide for adequate public participation in local historic
preservation programs (including the process of recommending properties for nomination
to the National Register.)
E. Local Governments may opt to undertake specific SHPO-delegated responsibilities.
Aspen has met these requirements for the last 32 years, confirmed by History Colorado, who
reviews all HPC minutes, reviews an annual report filed by City staff, and periodically sends a
representative to attend HPC meetings to observe our process. There are 64 CLGs in Colorado.
Council will note item C above states that, “the local government must maintain a system for
survey and inventory of historic properties.” The Certified Local Government Handbook goes
on to indicate “the frequency of survey updates will vary depending on the amount of change
happening within the survey area, but resurvey efforts should generally occur every 5 to 10
years.”
DISCUSSION: Properties have been added and deleted from the Inventory by Council ordinance
over the years, particularly during the two previous updates that occurred in 1993 and 2000.
The focus of the 2000 survey was not only to revisit designated properties (almost all of which
were associated with the Victorian era), but also to identify additional potential historic
resources related to Aspen’s postwar rebirth as a cultural center and ski resort. This resulted
in a years-long community discussion of preservation policy and ultimately the designation of
forty properties and the creation of the AspenModern voluntary landmarking program.
The AspenModern ordinance, passed in 2012, included a non-binding representation by the City
Council of that time that the City would not pursue additional survey of postwar era properties
for 10 years. Staff informed History Colorado of this in subsequent annual reports and has also
explained in detail that various other priorities and workload have taken precedent over re-
survey of already listed properties. The City’s position has been accepted each year, but we
are at a point now of being far past (as much as 15 years past) the established timeframe.
Council approved $25,000 towards survey work in response to a 2016 Supplemental Budget
request from Community Development. More pressing priorities and a period of staff turnover
required the funds to be rolled over to 2019.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:The contract for the current phase of work is $25,000. BendonAdams is
the consultant, selected after a request for proposals was sent to numerous qualified firms
around the state. Three responses were received. Staff worked with the Procurement Officer
to follow all City protocols for selection and determined that BendonAdams’ proposal was the
best qualified in terms of approach and budget.
Staff explained to Council at the time of the 2016 budget request that we were uncertain how
many resources could be covered for $25,000 and we would view this as a phased project. Now
that proposals have been received, we understand the cost per property to be approximately
$300. The current contract covers 80 properties, with some extra hours budgeted for complex
sites, public outreach, coordination with History Colorado and a conclusion report. Phase 1 is
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Informational Memo
Historic Inventory Update
only covering Victorian era homes in close proximity to each other in the West End for
efficiency. Survey of the remaining 220 properties will occur in additional phases and will
require budget requests to Council. The approximate anticipated price of the remaining work
is $66,000. Staff will seek grant assistance for a portion of this cost through the Certified Local
Government program, now that we have a vetted budget as a basis for the request.
The product of this Inventory evaluation will be editable PDF Inventory forms which staff can
update following project reviews. Future management of the inventory may be able to be
completed in-house due to this new format.
To remain a Certified Local Government and to responsibly administer the historic preservation
program, periodic survey updates are necessary. The benefits of being a CLG include exhibiting
leadership in the protection of historic resources, receiving technical assistance from History
Colorado, having a formal role in the National Register of Historic Places process, being eligible
for no-match grants, and assuring the eligibility of local properties for state historic
preservation tax credits.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:N/A
ALTERNATIVES: As noted above, the City can work with History Colorado to identify a
reasonable timeframe for surveys, and staff can plan to keep records current by revising
inventory forms as development occurs on each inventoried property.
RECOMMENDATIONS:N/A
CITY MANAGER
COMMENTS:______________________________________________________________________
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