HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.hpc.003-1995RESOLUTION NO-,~
Series of 1995
A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ASPEN, COLORADO, RECOMMENDING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION, STATE OF COLORADO, SELECT THE CITY OF ASPEN'S
"ALTERNATIVE H" AS THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE IN THE FINAL
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE STATE HIGHWAY 82 ENTRANCE
TO ASPEN TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Aspen, Colorado, is
a duly appointed permanent commission of the City of Aspen in accordance with Section 8.1 of
the Home Rule Charter of the City of Aspen for the purpose of (a) ensuring the preservation of
Aspen's character as a historic mining town because of its importance to the economic viability
of the community as an international ski resort and cultural center, CO) promoting the cultural,
educational and economic welfare of Aspen through the preservation of historic structures and
areas and the preservation of the historic character of the community, (c) encouraging productive
and economically attractive uses of historic structures, and (d) supporting the implementation of
the Historic Preservation Element of the Aspen Area Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement ("DEIS") and draft section 4(f)
evaluation has been issued by the Department of Transportation, State of Colorado, CCDOT")
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and the Department of Transportation Act
for the State Highway 82 Entrance to Aspen Transportation Improvement Project; and
WHEREAS, the DEIS sets forth ten alternatives, including the no-action alternative,
which are considered for transportation improvements to the Entrance to Aspen on State
Highway 82; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aspen has proposed a new alternative which is not included in
the DEIS and which is commonly referred to as Alternative H; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aspen has expended considerable financial resources to evaluate
Alternative H in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Department of
Transportation Act; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission has carefully reviewed the City's
proposed Alternative H and ail supporting documentation, reports, and anaiysis; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission has carefully reviewed the aiternatives
considered in the DEIS and notes that the Maroon Creek Bridge, Holden Smelting and Milling
Complex, and Colorado Midland Railroad have been identified as historic sites and/or resoumes
that may be used or impacted by the alternatives considered; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission finds that, except for the no-build
aiternative, all of the alternatives under consideration, including the City's proposed Alternative
H, will require the use of and/or will adversely impact publicly owned historic sites on or
eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places; and
WHEREAS, the Design Quality and Historic Preservation Action Plan of the Aspen Area
Community Plan, adopted by joint resolution by the City Council of the City of Aspen and the
Board of County Commissioners of Pitkin County on February 2, 1993, states that it is the intent
of the Aspen community to "ensure the ma/ntenance of character through design quaiity and
compatibility with historic features"; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission endorses the Project Need, Project
Intent, and Project Objectives as adopted by the City Council of the City of Aspen and set forth
in the DEIS; and
WHEREAS, the DEIS and draft Section 4(f) evaiuation seeks public comment and the
Historic Preservation Commission desires to offer its special~ knowledge and expertise to CDOT.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO, THAT:
The Department or Transportation, State of Colorado, be informed that the Historic Preservation
Commission of the City of Aspen, Colorado, has reviewed the DEIS and draft Section 4(0
evaluation for the State Highway 82 Entrance to Aspen Transportation Improvement Project and
has concluded as follows:
I. The no-build alternative should not be determined to be the preferred alternative
in the Final EIS as the no-build alternative falls to meet the Project Need, Project Intent,
and Project Objectives adopted by the City Council of the City of Aspen and included
in the DEIS.
2. All of the alternatives evaluated, with the exception of the no-build alternative and
including the City's Alternative H, will require the use of and/or will detrimentally
impact historic sites and resources and no prudent and feasible alternative exists to using
or impacting such sites and resources; however, the City's proposed Alternative H offers
the greatest opportunities for cooperative planning between CDOT and the City of Aspen
to minimize harm to the historic sites and resources.
3. For all of the foregoing reasons, Alternative H should be evaluated to the fullest
extent possible and thereafter selected as the preferred alternative in the Final EIS.
4. The Historic Preservation Commission is hereby committed to community based
planning and to cooperatively assist CDOT in planning all necessary mitigation measures
to minimize all harm resulting from the adoption of Alternative H as the preferred
alternative in the Final EIS.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the Historic Preservation Commission of the City
of Aspen on the /~,.2 day of - , 1995.
I, the undersigned duly appointed and acting Deputy City Clerk do certify that the
forego~ing ;is a'true and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the Historic Preservation
Commission of the City of Aspen, Colorado, at a meeting held on the day hereinabove stated.
/l~>uty City Clerk