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REGULAR MEETING HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION JULY 12TH, 2023
Assistant City Attorney, Kate Johnson, made an announcement that both the chair and co-chair were
absent from the meeting, and she needed a consensus from the board on who would fill the role of
chair. The board confirmed that they would nominate longtime member, Roger Moyer.
Acting Chairman Moyer opened the meeting at 4:30 p.m.
Commissioners in attendance: Roger Moyer, Jodi Surfas, Barb Pitchford, Riley Warwick, and Kim
Raymond. Absent were Jeffrey Halferty, Kara Thompson, and Peter Fornell.
Staff present:
Amy Simon, Planning Director
Kirsten Armstrong, Principal Planner Historic Preservation
Stuart Hayden, Historic Preservation Planner
Jeff Barnhill, Planner II
Trish Aragon, City Engineer
Kyla Smits, Project Manager I, Engineering
Haley Hart, Long Range Planner
Jen Phelan, Development Manager, Asset Management
Kate Johnson, Assistant City Attorney
Nicole Henning, City Clerk
MINUTES: Ms. Pitchford motioned to approve the minutes from 6/28/23; Mr. Moyer seconded. All in
favor, motion carried.
DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: None.
PROJECT MONITORING: None.
STAFF COMMENTS: Ms. Armstrong said they would be switching the order of the agenda items and that
they would be hearing the Rubey Park project first.
CERTIFICATE OF NO NEGATIVE EFFECT: None.
CALL UP REPORTS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
SUBMISSION OF PUBLIC NOTICE FOR AGENDA ITEMS: Ms. Johnson said that she reviewed public notice,
and that notice was provided per the code for the agenda items.
NEW BUSINESS: 420 E. DURANT AVENUE – Rubey Park Transit Center – Minor PD Amendment, Minor
HP Development, Commercial Design Review – Jeff Barnhill, Trish Aragon, and Kyla Smits
Ms. Smits presented the project overview: Electrification in Aspen, Background on RFTA Destination
2040 plan, Review Criteria with no changes to existing building structures, and the Proposed Design.
Mr. Barnhill presented for the planning staff and went into more background of the project.
REGULAR MEETING HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION JULY 12TH, 2023
Mr. Moyer opened public comment.
Karen Day – Ms. Day said she was on HPC for a long time. She said there are four condos that overlook
the path that faces the back of the bus station. She has had a look at the plans, and she is concerned
about her balcony view being blocked. The first arm will fall dead center right in front of her front door.
She would like for this to not cover up her social area. She’s asking for it to be moved farther to the east.
Ms. Pitchford asked if there is any leeway at all and Ms. Smits said not really because of the bus turning
clearance in order to not damage anything.
Ms. Surfas said she has sympathy but wondered if anyone knows for sure that it will be blocking the
view.
Ms. Raymond said she’s all for sustainability and is in favor of the charging arm. She is sympathetic to
blocking views, but it is the greater good that must be served here. She is in favor of this project.
Mr. Warwick said he is in favor of the bus plan with the charging station also.
Ms. Pitchford said she agrees.
Ms. Surfas said she is in favor.
Mr. Moyer said he is also in favor of staff’s recommendation.
MOTION: Ms. Pitchford motioned to approve Resolution #07, Series of 2023; Ms. Raymond seconded.
Roll call vote: Mr. Moyer, yes; Ms. Surfas, yes; Ms. Raymond, yes; Mr. Warwick, yes; Ms. Pitchford, yes. 5-
0 vote, motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS: 630 W. Main Street – Minor Development, Growth Management, Planned
Development and Conditional Use – Haley Hart, Jen Phelan, and Kirsten Armstrong
Ms. Phelan presented and described the request. This is the former location of Mountain Rescue.
Currently it is the home of the special events and transportation departments, and the applicant would
like to turn this into affordable housing. The request is for a certificate of appropriateness, conditional
use, growth management quota system and to amend the planned development. She gave the history
and background of the property. The proposal is to convert this into a one- and two-bedroom duplex,
provision of one-off street parking space and in the alley, a loaded garage, and some exterior changes
proposed/required with redevelopment. She described the exterior modifications and the associated
land use reviews.
Ms. Armstrong presented the staff commentary. She again gave background of the site and described the
exterior scope of work. She gave topics to be considered: landscaping, original finish,
mechanical/utilitarian features, and stormwater management and asking for reconsideration of the rain
garden.
Ms. Hart then went over details of the other review criteria including GMQS, Planned Development,
setback variance requests, parking, and conditional use. She stated that staff finds the review criteria to
be met. She displayed the conditions included in the resolution and described a few highlighted ones for
further discussion.
REGULAR MEETING HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION JULY 12TH, 2023
Ms. Raymond asked about the proposed placement of the heat pumps and there was some discussion
with staff about the concerns and related issues. Ms. Raymond also raised a concern about the proposed
rain garden and made some suggestions for the design.
Ms. Pitchford said the finish should be restored to what it was originally. It’s important in the pan abode
world. She asked for more consideration to explore stripping the paint, restoring the building to its
historic finish.
There was some discussion about the idea of including a condition in the resolution asking the applicant
to further study the possibility of removing the paint and resorting the historical finish.
Ms. Simon reiterated the guideline on finishes for the board.
Acting Chair Moyer opened the public comment portion of the hearing. Seeing none he closed the public
comment and moved into board discussion.
Ms. Raymond asked if staff knew when the building was painted in the past. Ms. Armstrong said that a
picture from 1980 showed a dark stain, but did not know exactly when it was painted, but potentially in
1989 when the addition was built.
Mr. Warwick said it’s his understanding that they don’t have purview over the color. He thinks the rain
garden should be more of an organic dimension, but he likes the project.
Ms. Surfas said she thinks it’s ok to leave it painted. The rain garden needs to be more “rain gardeny”
and more organic. She’s ok with the variances and thought it was a good project.
Ms. Pitchford said she appreciates that it will be used for employee housing. She’s not talking paint, but
she would like the finish to be what it was historically. She would like more information on what it would
cost to restore it to the original finish.
Mr. Moyer thinks staff has done a great job. He is in line with all conditions and requests. He’s conflicted
about restoration of the historic finish and if possible, bringing it back, however.
Ms. Raymond said holding this up due to the finish isn’t ideal since it will hold up the permit. Her
suggestion is to come to a decision.
Mr. Warwick and Mr. Moyer agreed.
The board amended the resolution to add the rain garden for staff and monitor.
There was a continued discussion of the ability of HPC to mandate the material finish be brought back to
its historical finish and whether the issue should be left to staff and monitor.
Mr. Moyer was in favor of leaving the finish up to staff and monitor after staff collects additional
information.
MOTION: Mr. Warwick motioned to approve Resolution #08 as amended with the 20 conditions; Ms.
Raymond seconded. Roll call vote: Mr. Moyer, yes; Ms. Surfas, yes; Ms. Pitchford, yes; Ms. Raymond, yes;
Mr. Warwick, yes. 5-0 vote, motion carried.
Mr. Moyer explained what “staff and monitor ” is to the new members.
REGULAR MEETING HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION JULY 12TH, 2023
Ms. Raymond and Ms. Pitchford volunteered to be monitors for 630 W. Main Street.
Ms. Surfas and Mr. Warwick volunteered to be monitors for the Ruby Park project.
Ms. Raymond motioned to adjourn; Ms. Pitchford seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
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Nicole Henning, City Clerk