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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.hpc.20260128 REGULAR MEETING HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION JANUARY 28TH, 2026 Vice - Chairperson Raymond opened the regular meeting of the Aspen Historic Preservation Commission at 4:30pm. Commissioners in attendance: Roger Moyer, Jodi Surfas, Duncan Clauss and Kim Raymond. Staff present: Gillian White – Principal Preservation Planner Luisa Berne - Assistant City Attorney Mike Sear – Deputy City Clerk MINUTES: Mr. Moyer moved to approve the draft minutes from 12/10/26. Mr. Clauss seconded. Roll call vote: Mr. Moyer, yes; Ms. Surfas, yes; Mr. Clauss, yes; Ms. Raymond, yes. 4-0, motion passes. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None COMMISSSIONER MEMBER COMMENTS: Ms. Surfas asked about the Old Powerhouse project. Ms. White and Ms. Berne updated the commissioners about work on the restoration of the brick and replacement of the roof. DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: None. PROJECT MONITORING: None STAFF COMMENTS: None CERTIFICATE OF NO NEGATIVE EFFECT: None CALL UP REPORTS: None SUBMIT PUBLIC NOTICE FOR AGENDA ITEMS: Ms. Berne confirmed that public notice was completed in compliance with the Code as needed for the agenda item. NEW BUSINESS: 411 E. Main St. - Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for Minor Development and Commercial Design Review. Applicant Presentation: Garrett Larimer – Kraemer Land Planning / Ryan Doremus – Thunderbowl Architects Mr. Larimer began his presentation by reviewing some details of the property and noted the mix of commercial and deed restricted housing units. He then went over the history of the building, showing several historic pictures and noted that it gained individual historic designation in 1987. He also pointed out the various commercial uses and tenants that occupied the building during its long history. Mr. Larimer continued by going over the history of the current project, noting that they had submitted for an interior renovation and some fenestration changes through an administrative certificate of no negative effect process. He noted that a referral comment came back from the Building Department that the chamfered corner entry doors that they were proposing for the corner of Mill St. and Main St. were required to be ADA accessible. He pointed out that there is an elevation change from the street level to the main interior floor that previously had a step up to gain access, but that that is not ADA REGULAR MEETING HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION JANUARY 28TH, 2026 accessible. After working with the Building, Engineering and Historic Preservation Departments they revised their proposal to lower the threshold of the corner entry door to street grade to allow an ADA accessible ramp on the interior of the space. He noted that the design of the historic chamfered corner entrance will remain, including the single transom window above the entry doors. He said that the request in front of HPC was returning the chamfered corner entry, approving the size of the door, lowering of the threshold for ADA compliance, the single transom window above the door and the installation of a wireless push button actuator to open the doors. Mr. Larimer then gave some context by showing the existing and proposed north elevations and noting the fenestration changes. He also gave some more details of the interior ramp and push button actuator. He said that they feel this is a mutually beneficial design that restores the historic corner entry and improves ADA accessibility. Mr. Moyer asked about the doors’ swing direction and Mr. Doremus clarified that they would be out swinging but would be recessed as to not impede the right of way when open. Ms. Raymond asked about the lower wood panels on the doors and if they would line up with the panels below the windows on either side. Mr. Doremus said that they were originally basing things off the height of the panels but would be more than happy to make sure they line up. Staff Presentation: Gillian White – Principal Preservation Planner Ms. White began her presentation by going over some details of the property and its location. She noted the Land Use reviews in front of HPC and went over the applicants’ request to relocate the main entry to the chamfered corner of the building. She noted that this was in front of HPC as due to current code requirements, the applicant could not relocate the door exactly as it had existed historically. She said that overall, Planning staff is supportive of the reestablishment of the historic location of the main entry and she went over some of the relevant historic preservation guidelines. She also referenced the fenestration changes that had been administratively approved for the street facing windows on Main St. and a door on Mill St. Ms. White went on to note that staff were supportive of the reconfiguration of the corner entry doors that allows for better ADA compliance at the main entrance. She finished her presentation by stating that staff is recommending approval of Resolution #2 for this project. Mr. Moyer asked about how this new entry would deal with water drainage. Ms. White noted that the sidewalk currently slopes away from the building. She noted that the Engineering Department had reviewed the proposal and were supportive. Public Comment: None. Board Discussion: Ms. Raymond liked the idea that the door would be put back in its historic corner location. The rest of the members agreed. There was then some discussion of how to word the language of an additional condition of approval related to the door and window panels lining up. MOTION: Mr. Moyer moved to approve Resolution #2 with the added condition of the glass and wood panels lining up. Ms. Surfas seconded. There was some further discussion of the language of that REGULAR MEETING HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION JANUARY 28TH, 2026 condition. Roll call vote: Mr. Moyer, yes; Ms. Surfas, yes; Mr. Clauss, yes; Ms. Raymond, yes. 4-0, motion passes. NEW BUSINESS: Public Art Presentation Re: Ped Mall 50 Year Celebration Presentation Ms. White introduced the item and noted that she invited Lara Whitley to present as the Ordinance for the Pedestrian Mall specifies that HPC has purview over the location of public art. Staff Presentation: Lara Whitley – Aspen Public Art Program Administrator Ms. Whitley began her presentation by giving some history of Aspen Public Art Program that was just established in 2025. She continued by reviewing some history of the Pedestrian Mall and its connection to the arts and culture of Aspen. She then went over some of the details of the 50 Year Celebration and the related festivities, including public art installations and a one day “people powered” art parade that would traverse through the mall areas and the Saturday Market. There were a few questions from commissioners about the timing of the parade and if it would be hampered by the crowds in the Saturday Market. Ms. Whitley said that she was working with the Market manager and felt the excitement of the parade would create space for it to come through. There was some discussion amongst the commissioners of ways that HPC could be involved and potentially help educate the community of the great preservation work it does. Before the meeting ended, Mr. Moyer wanted to go over the list of discussion topics that Chair Thompson had distributed, as he was a bit unsure what she wanted from each commissioner. There was some brief discussion of the list and what the next steps would be in working on the various topics. ADJOURN: Ms. Raymond moved to adjourn the regular meeting. Mr. Moyer seconded. All in favor, motion passes. ____________________ Mike Sear, Deputy City Clerk