HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.hpc.20050223ASPEN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 23~ 2005
529 W. FRANCIS STREET - CONCEPTUAL - PUBLIC HEARING ............................ 1
530, 532, 534 E. HOPKINS AVE. - CONNER CABINS - CONCEPTUAL 1
403 W. HALLAM ST. - RELOCATION, VARIANCES, PUBLIC HEARING .............. 3
ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR.
ASPEN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 23~ 2005
Chairperson, Jeffrey Hal£erty called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Commissioners in attendance: Jason Lasser, Michael Hoffrnan, Derek
Skalko, Sarah Broughton and Valerie Alexander.
529 W. FRANCIS STREET - CONCEPTUAL - PUBLIC HEARING
MOTION: Valerie moved to continue conceptual development and the
Public hearing on 529 W. Francis to March 9, 2005; second by Jason. All in
favor, motion carried.
530, 532, 534 E. HOPKINS AVE. - CONNER CABINS -
CONCEPTUAL DEMOLITION - PARKING WAIVER - PUBLIC
HEARING
Michael Noda, Greg Hill, Mitch Haas
Amy said this is a continued public hearing. The proposal is to convert the
miners cottages to office/retail use and to do detached homes along the alley.
The three miner's cottages will be preserved completely intact and restored.
They will have no additions to them. The residences will be new
construction placed along the back half of the property. The new
construction is more commercial in nature because that is the district that we
are in. The new construction should differentiate itself and reflect on the
patters downtown. At the last meeting the board asked for restudy of the
exact locations of the miners cottages. They were a little bit closer to the
street, about 1 ½ feet away from the street. HPC asked for a restudy so that
there is an additional green space in the foreground. The applicant is
representing 4 ½ feet now. HPC also asked for a restudy of the lofts that are
on top of the residences in the back to make sure there is a little separation
between each one of the third floor elements.
We also need to discuss the demolition of the non-historic additions that are
currently on the back side of the historic cabins and they also propose to
demolish out-buildings on the alley which do not appear on the 1904
Sanborn map. The applicant is asking for a waiver of all the on-site parking
that is generated for the office/commercial use. They will provide what is
needed for the residences but there is simply no more area along the alley
where they could add additional parking. They can't come in from Hunter
or Hopkins because that wouldn't be allowed by the City. A portion of this
project is in a protective view plane which is standing from the court house
looking toward Aspen Mtn. There are requirements and restrictions as to
how tall anyone can build in that area. The view plane will be handled by
Planning & Zoning. The applicant is going to ask for an exemption and they
ASPEN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
_MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 23~ 2005
would like HPC support. Part of the basis for that support might be that the
project is 15 feet below the height limit and about half of the allowable floor
area. Staff recommends approval and there are seven conditions in the
resolution.
Mitch said they have provided an east elevation that shows St. Mary's
church. The four areas of concern were the windows on the 534 and they
were return to a less commercial appearance. The balcony was put back on
the 534 residence to step away from the historic cottage. We were asked to
separate the 3rd floor spaces between 532 and 534 and that was done. The
Hopkins Ave. setback has been increased to four feet from the property line
and five feet from the sidewalk which leaves 10 feet between the historic
buildings and the new construction depending on where you measure with
the jogs in the buildings. Mitch said the conditions are fine as written.
Michael Noda went over the model indicating where the cabins have been
pushed back. He also explained the break in the residential houses.
Jeffrey opened the public hearing.
Tony Kronberg said she is in support of the project. This is in the overlay
district and that has different sets of criteria. She feels neighborhood
character and community character should be addressed. The architecture is
Victorian and her concern is the roof lines. The flat roofs take away from
the historic context of the block.
Jeffrey closed the public hearing.
Derek pointed out that for every sloped roof in town you have the same
number of flat roofs.
Jason said the new setback of five feet works well.
Sarah said the changes put this project in 100 compliance with Chapter 13 of
our guidelines. The additional gap between 532 and 534 adds so much to
this project.
Michael said the project is spectacular and it will be a national recognized
project when the commitment to restore the historic cabins is completed.
ASPEN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 23~ 2005
Valerie said the applicants have read the guidelines from the beginning and
the team understands them and has tried to meet all of them.
Jeffrey echoed the comments made by the board. The work sessions were
useful. When the cabins are renovated the project will only be a benefit.
MOTION.. Sarah moved to approve Resolution #7, second by Derek. All in
favor, motion carried 6-0.
403 W. HALLAM ST. - RELOCATION, VARIANCES, PUBLIC
HEARING
Joede Schoeberlein, Stan Gibbs, Mary Janss
Amy said the proof of publication is all in order. HPC has given this
property final approval. As they were preparing to do their construction they
found out that the foundation of the miner's cottage is inadequate. They are
going to have to lift up the building and replace it and in doing so the Bldg.
Dept. will require them to respect a three foot separation fi.om the property
line and right now they are only 1 ½ feet. We need to do two things; allow
them to move the building and to grant them a setback variance. Once it is
picked up you need to legalize your location by granting them a variance.
Staff recommends support of the project. Another issue that came up is that
they would like to change the grade about four or five inches because the
property is sloping from the alley down hill. Possibly they can salvage as
much as the existing foundation as possible and use a x3eneer. It is
appropriate to give a variance so that they do not have to move the house too
far. Staff recommends approval with six conditions.
Joede said the structural engineer said he could dig out the mortar with hi's
finger. This is clearly the time to pick up the foundation. There is a partial
basement and it will be totally dug out for a whole basement with no
window wells. We are trying to keep the project exactly the same. We will
put in another foundation wall instead of shoring it up. As far as the
foundation finish we will look at the stones and at a minimum we will find
stone that matches as closely as we can. We would like it to look the same
but not painted.
Joede said they want the garage to be at ground level and not have to step up
into it. They will feather the grade.
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ASPEN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
.MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 23~ 2005
Chairperson, Jeffrey Halferty opened the public hearing.
Doug Allen said this will be an improvement to the comer.
The chair closed the public hearing.
Valerie said this is the best preservation method. Improving the grading and
drainage is a benefit for the home. Valerie asked the applicant to take
photos of the foundation.
MOTION.. Derek moved to approve Resolution g8 for 403 W. Hallam with
one additional condition #5, that photos be taken for documentation of the
basement, second by Jason. All in favor, motion carried 6-0.
ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR
Jeffrey - Chairperson
Michael - Vice-chair
MOTION.. Jeffrey moved to adjourn; second by Michael. All in favor,
motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Kathleen J. Strickland, Chief Deputy Clerk
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