HomeMy WebLinkAbout135 W Francis.Notice of Call Up Memo.20211026 MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Torre and Aspen City Council
THROUGH: Phillip Supino, Community Development Director
FROM: Sarah Yoon, Preservation Planner; Community Development
MEMO DATE: October 18, 2021
MEETING DATE: October 26, 2021
RE: Call Up Notice, HPC approval for 135 W. Francis – Conceptual Major Development,
Relocation, Setback Variations, and a Floor Area Bonus, HPC Resolution #13,
Series of 2021
APPLICANT:
Francis Street Holdings LLC
REPRESENTATIVE:
Kim Raymond Architecture +
Interiors
LOCATION:
Street Address:
135 W. Francis Street
The “Aspen Extreme” House
Legal Description:
Lot A and the West One-Half
of Lot B, Block 56, City and
Townsite of Aspen, Colorado
Parcel Identification:
PID# 2735-124-21-001
CURRENT ZONING & USE:
R-6 (Medium-Density
Residential); Duplex, may
not be legally established
PROPOSED USE:
Single-family home
PROCESS SUMMARY: Certain land use approvals granted by HPC or
P&Z require that Council be notified of the decision through a brief staff
summary. The notification is not a public hearing and no applicant
presentation or public comment has been accepted in the past. During
the Call Up Notice, City Council may uphold the HPC or P&Z decision.
Alternatively, Council may request more detailed information be
provided through a presentation by staff and the applicant at a future
meeting. After hearing the additional project description, Council may
uphold the boards’ decision or may remand it to require reconsideration
of specific issues at a new public hearing. HPC’s or P&Z’s decision on
remand shall be final.
BACKGROUND: 135 W. Francis is a historically designated landmark
on a 4,500 sf corner lot in the R-6 zone district. A Victorian era home is
located on this property. Significant alterations were made to the historic
home as part of a 1980s remodel, however, the 1904 Sanborn Map
reveals that the historic home still occupies the original location on the
site. The property’s historical significance was further enhanced when it
was featured in the 1993 film Aspen Extreme, where T.J. sits in a tree
swing while courting local radio D.J. Robin.
Site Locator Map – 135 W. Francis Street
135
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
The proposal for Conceptual Major Development includes
the removal of all non-historic alterations and additions. The
historic home will be restored using historic maps, photos
and physical evidence. Excavation underneath the
resource will trigger Relocation, but the historic home will
put back in its historic location on the site.
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) reviewed
three separate design iterations of this project before it was
finally approved with conditions. Approval was granted to
excavate a basement addition and construct a new addition
to the rear of the property. The new addition meets relevant
Design Guidelines and successfully maintains the historic
home’s prominence on the lot. The request for a rear yard setback variation is directly associated with
keeping the historic landmark in its original location. As a corner lot, maintaining this contextual relationship
was considered an important character defining feature that needed to be preserved. A 60 s.f. floor area
bonus and setback variations were granted to the proposed design.
Staff supported the proposal with conditions at the third public hearing and HPC approved the project
with a unanimous vote of 4-0 on September 22nd. Staff recommends Council uphold HPC’s decision.
Figure 2 – Approved West Elevation (viewed from N. 1st Street)
FINANCIAL IMPACTS: N/A
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: N/A
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
“I move to uphold HPC’s approval for 135 W. Francis – Conceptual Major Development, Relocation,
Setback Variations, and Floor Area Bonus.”
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
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Figure 1 – 135 W. Francis, 2021
EXHIBITS:
A – HPC memo, September 22, 2021
B – HPC approved plans
C – Draft HPC meeting minutes, September 22, 2021
D – HPC Resolution #13, Series of 2021