HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.hpc.19901212Historic Preservation Committee
Minutes of December 12, 1990
801 E. HYMAN - FINAL DEVELOPMENT AND DEMOLITION
PITKIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE - MINOR DEVELOPMENT HANDICAP
LIFT
PRE-APPLICATION 442 W. BLEEKER, PIONEER PARK
PAEPCKE PARK GAZEBO .
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HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
Minutes of December 12, 1990
Meeting was called to order by chairman Bill Poss with Georgeann
Waggaman, Joe Krabacher, Don Erdman, Charles Cunniffe, Glenn
Rappaport, Jake Vickery and Roger Moyer present. Leslie Holst
was absent.
MOTION: Georgeann made the motion to approve the minutes of Nov.
14, 1990; second by Joe. All in favor, motion carries.
MOTION: Don made the motion to approve the minutes of Nov. 28,
1990; second by Roger. All in favor, motion carries.
COMMISSIONER AND STAFF COMMENTS.
Roxanne: On January 21st city Council has requested a
worksession with the HPC from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The topic will
be the expansion/overlay of the entire townsite. From 5:00 to
6:00 they will be discussing the Ski Museum with the Historical
Society.
Joe will be the monitor on the ski museum.
Bill: I received a call from Little Annie's this weekend as they
needed some onsite review from HPC to make corrections to the
structure that supports the false front. Because of the
necessity of the seven day construction schedule, I have given
them the approval representing the HPC Board to change it to a
wood structure. It was concrete block and they needed a steel
lintel and over the weekend could not get one. I didn't feel
that it effected the architectural integrity because it was
structural within the building itself.
Roxanne: January 31st at the Hotel Jerome from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
will be the State Rehab Tax Credit Workshop.
801 E. HYMAN - FINAL DE~-ELOPMENT AND DEMOLITION
Roxanne: At the last meeting the applicant received approval
with two conditions: 1.) That the final development application
shall include detailed elevations and a site plan of the new
structure and that an revised massing model shall be presented.
And that the HPC continue to encourage the relocation of the
alley outbuilding structure of the main house. Our
recommendation is that we have found that the applicant has met
those conditions and a model will be presented tonight and that
we are recommending final development and demolition approval be
granted finding that the conditions have been met. We further
recommend that the HPC require the demolition permit to be
granted by the Bldg. Dept. concurrent to, not prior to the new
construction permit. That the applicant actively continue to
still seek relocation in the interim.
Historic Preservation Committee
Minutes of December 12, 1990
Stan Mathis, architect: There is a glass wall on the east
elevation that curves around. There are two small windows on the
side. There is stone but it is not carried all the way to the
ground. There will be shingles in the gables. We will keep the
size of the fascia down. We also do not agree with waiting until
we submit for a building permit to demolish this building. That
was never part of the deal.
Georgeann: Why is that a problem?
Stan: John may want to tear it down.
John Elmore: I have never seen this condition and do not feel it
is a proper condition. The people looking at the property at 803
Hyman were thinking of buying this lot and using it as a yard.
The movers told us that the house is not movable. The garage
structure is certainly not movable. We have advertised in the
paper and people have looked at it and it cannot be moved.
Roxanne: There is precedence for that condition. The Planning &
Zoning put that condition on a review of a multi-family dwelling
demo and reconstruction. I have reviewed this condition with the
Planning Director and the City Attorney. The followup discussion
after the demolition of 624 Hopkins: Should demolitions occur
for just land clearing when new construction is not going up
right away.
Bill: There have been a few lots in the past that have set
vacant.
John: What if the next door wants to use it as a yard.
Bill: Then you would make application for that.
John: That is not what we operated under. It seems onerous at
this point to add this condition. What guarantees do I have that
what we do here is going to hold?
Roxanne: Vesting your rights for three years. After the loss of
624 the HPC and the Planning Office received numerous phone calls
from the community stating that it was not OK by the community,
that land be cleared for clearing sake. It is our responsibility
representing the community that you consider this requirement
very carefully.
Joe: If we have agreed that the structure can be demolished why
should somebody maintain that structure and keep it if they have
an approval to demolish it. It seems unfair we have said that it
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Minutes of December 12, 1990
can be demolished then say you can't demolished it
through the expense of putting together working
filing for a building permit.
until you go
drawings and
Joe stepped down.
Georgeann: I definitely feel John should be give assurances and
if the person next door wanted to buy the property and turn it
into a yard that would be an excellent use for it and open the
space up. It would also be traditionally historic. In this age
of the shortage of employee housing I can't see tearing down
something people can live in but Joe has a good point of why
should you have to insure it.
Stan: Roxanne is talking about vested rights, well that is for
three years and those vested rights go by and we are back in here
again applying for a demolition permit if John decided that he
doesn't want to continue with ...... The vested rights were
really not for our approval. He has to do something in three
years per then he has to come back. This way you are forcing us
to come back in and that is not correct.
Bill: How are they forcing you to come back in before your
vested rights expire.
Stan: If you don't give us the demolition permit and we get a
vested rights approval, if John decided not to build anything on
that project then he has to come back through and we have to go
through the whole routine again, this way he has to build
something within three years or then his approval has to come
back through. Every three years we would have to come back and
go through the demolition permit again.
Bill: That is why the code is written that way so that it
doesn't go for eternity.
Roxanne: It is a site specific development plan that involves a
demo and new construction.
Stan: There is a subtle difference. We would have to build
there within three years.
John: People in town are afraid the rules will change and that
causes demolition to occur earlier and other things to happen
early just because these kinds of things happen. It is
disturbing that we have spent a year to try and comply with
everything and spent a lot of money and then to come in here and
find an entirely new set of rules on the last night, it is just
not right.
Historic Preservation Committee
Minutes of December 12, 1990
Bill: Rules change in this town and are going to change.
John: No, it is a different interpretation of the SAME rules.
Bill: I will admit this got added onto at the end of your
application.
John: Where would I find that in here so I can look at it and
read it?
Bill: When someone comes in for review there is the possibility
of conditions placed on your approval. And every time you come
in conditions can be added onto or taken away. That is the
process. We are trying to get to a point in order to vote on
this.
Georgeann: Perhaps we could give him the right to demolish but
that there be no hole in the ground and trees should be left
standing so that it doesn't look too bad and that we recommend
that the house remain to be used as rentable space for as long as
it can. That could only be a recommendation and this is only a
thought.
Roger: That is a good idea.
Bill: In this particular case the applicant has started quite
some time ago and we have changed our outlook as to whether we
should retain buildings and I agree that we should be fair and
not let applicants get caught in the middle of a change made by
the Board. If it was torn down and the grading was replaced and
made to look in a very nice manner I tend to think, on this
particular case, that I would be in favor of that.
Don: If you add up the expense for carrying insurance and
subtract what you could get in rental., we have a housing problem
and to be able to keep a building as long as possible that would
serve as a dwelling unit is a beneficial thing. I don't
understand what the real problem is by waiting for demolition?
Georgeann: Is there anyone living there right now?
John: Yes, but they are my partner in the house next door and
would like to see it demolished and they feel it is a detraction
in selling the other house. I honestly don't know that I am
going to demolish the house.
Jake: The only other reason to keep it there, it would give you
more time to find a place to move it to, and if in fact it is not
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Minutes of December 12, 1990
a movable building it negates that argument. I don't feel we
should be adding things at the last minute on this on-going
process.
Charles: I believe that the applicant has cooperated quite well
with all of our request in the past and he has arrived here
trying to do it again. He had tried to move it to the Eagles and
spent considerable amount of money in trying to plan that. It is
only fair to let him proceed as we had promised in the beginning.
Roxanne: I don't consider this a change of the rules. I
consider this being responsive to the needs of the community. We
never discussed in the past whether demolition would be tied to
it. This is clarifying what should happen.
Bill: It is a matter of how we are dealing with an applicant. In
the future we should advise c~ients what our philosophy is.
MOTION: Georgeann made the motion that we grant Final
Development and demolition approval for the parcel at 801 E.
Hyman on the condition that if demolition occurs that the site is
left level and no hole in the ground; major planting temporarily
intact and not looking raw and looking reasonably finished. Also
the recommendation that the applicant keep housing there for
someone for as long as it is possible; second by Roger.
DISCUSSION
Charles: Should there be an amendment stating that if there are
any significant changes to the final development as approved the
building has to come back before HPC for a new approval.
Roxanne: That is already required in the code.
Charles:
letting
are.
We have had problems with the Building Dept. before
permits occur without understanding what HPC conditions
AMENDED MOTION: Georgeann amended the motion to add the
condition that if there are any changes to the final development
plan as presented that this project has to come back to HPC for
re-review; second by Roger. All approved of motion and amended
motion, motion carries. 6-0
Jake: From an historic point of view it is hard to justify
tearing down an historic building anytime earlier than it has to
be torn down. I would like that reflected in the records so that
in the future we can refer back to this. Because the applicant
entered the process a year ago we were able to do this. Our
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Minutes of December 12, 1990
policy is historical preservation. We still don't have examples
of materials, windows etc.
Bill: This is not the normal project that is historically
designated within an historic district. This happens to be a
project that just got caught.
Roxanne: This is the first one under ordinance #17.
Roxanne: The applicant is not absolutely sure of the materials.
The stone is presently red sandstone.
PITKIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE - MINOR DEVELOPMENT HANDICAP LIFT
Charles seated.
Roxanne: The courthouse has not been accessible by mobility
impaired since it was built 100 years ago. The county has this
application before you to be considered. This is a temporary
solution as they have budgeted $190,000 for a permanent solution
of which we have not seen. We had recommended at a previous
meeting to have the ramp access the north or east with an
electric lift. They have chosen a lift that will access the west
elevation. I am not sure this is the best solution and they need
to get something immediately. Since it is temporary in nature we
recommend minor development approval for 12 months for this lift
with the following condition: That an HPC monitor or sub-
committee work with Tom Newland and Tom Isaac to examine all
other options for compatibility to this very critical resource
prior to the issuance of a building permit. They still have to
apply for a building permit.
Bill: The 12 month restriction would force them to put the
elevator in.
Scott Mackey: We have researched and feel this is our best
alternative. Aesthetically it does not look that good but will be
on a temporary and the BOCC approved 190,000 for an elevator.
Everyday we delay the approval we delay the handicap access.
Don: I see in the plan that the proposed lift take up
approximately 60% of the stair width of the west entrance. Have
you checked that the remaining stair width is legal as far as
egress requirements?
Scott Mackey: I cannot answer that. According to Tom Newland's
memo that would be adequate.
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Don: It appears that the space would be taken up all the time
and we want to be sure that the City and County Building Dept.
treat Pitkin County the same way they treat the public. It has
to fulfill the requirement of the minimum width egress. That
would be a condition of approval on this application.
Georgeann: It would sit at the bottom of the stairs and be about
the same size of a refrigerator box. It then would go straight
up and ramp over. On one of the pages it states almond color.
We would want something subtle.
Bill: When you measure Tom's chair he needs 59 inches clear; you
can order a large enough platform size to fit. This type states
40 inch maximum size so you would need a custom size platform
made, o~herwise the chair will not fit in.
Tom Isaac: I am also getting a new chair.
Bill: This is a required exit out of this 100 year old building
and you will not be able to reduce the size of it. I thought we
could remove the sandstone and take it apart block by block and
save the block. The way this works you need to come in one way
and as you exit out you continue in the same direction. We could
bring in a walk and Tom could turn and the lift would be on its
side. In moving those blocks, the lift would be hidden by the
stairs and you only remove the sandstone at the landing top
portion. When you got to here then you would swing through the
doors. That would require the exit to exist down right on
through and would be screened. We could store the sandstone and
just rebuild it when the elevator goes in as that egress is
illegal.
Bill: We would want to work out the landing on top so that there
is enough room for Tom to make the turn. If need be you could
create a wood step that would come straight out and make the
landing large enough and safe enough for Tom to maneuver so that
there is no possibility of tipping downstairs.
Charles: So you would have a temporary wooden step over the
existing stairs.
Tom Isaac: We also looked at an elevator inside the building and
that would cost more and be more disruptive. The permanent
elevator would be on the outside of the building similar to the
Elks Building and the Opera House. I also agree with the one
year condition because for years we have been trying to get an
elevator put in.
Glenn: The egress is not legal so it has to be as Bill
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Minutes of December 12, 1990
suggested. Judging from the scale the space is only two feet
wide.
Roxanne: It might be stated in the motion that a revised
application must be submitted and approved by the monitor and
Staff and that the stone should be removed and numbered. Project
monitoring is absolutely crucial in this project.
MOTION: Jake made the motion that HPC approve the installation
of the lift as specified in the location to the north of the
existing stair connecting to the existing walk to be of some
temporary wood or paving walk and that the connection onto the
existing landing occur by removing and saving the existing
stone/brick to be returned to its existing condition upon the end
of the 12 months or when the lift is removed. This shall have a
12 month restriction; second by Roger.
AMENDED MOTION: Don made the amended motion that the landing
area be increased for sufficient maneuverability of a wheelchair
which would entail construction of a temporary wooden stair over
the existing stone stairs as required to allow for adequate
movement and access to and from the building. Prior to the
issuance of a building permit that a revised application be
submitted and said application adheres to all building codes that
pertain to the city and county. The project monitor and Staff be
responsible for ver%fying the applicability of this application.
An exact restoration will occur according to specifications; the
stone will be removed carefully numbered and preserved and
photographed; second by Roger. All in favor of motion and
amended motion, motion carries.
PRE-APPLICATION 442 W. BLEEKER, PIONEER PA}AK
Roxanne: This is strictly an opportunity for the Board to get
more informed what the applicant is seeking. No formal action
will occur at this meeting. This building is listed on the
National Register.
Les Kaplan: There are eleven lots that face Bleeker Street and
the property was subdivided in 1986. Lot 1 consists of five city
blocks with the existing structure and a parcel which is on the
other side of the alley. Lot 2 consists of four city blocks with
12,000 square feet. We intend to submit to the HPC a conceptual
review application for both sites. By doing that it will improve
the way the HPC reviews the project by seeing what we are doing
with the existing house in relationship with what we are
proposing with the new house. On the existing house the floor
plan is obsolete. There is basically no dining room and no
family room. We have a dysfunctional site plan; the garage is
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Minutes of December 12, 1990
right now on the other side of the alleyway. It is a three car
garage and there is no way to get into the house unless you go
thru the alleyway. Another problem is deterioration, there are
structural cracks in the foundation and every element on the
outside needs some attention. The third floor needs work and
window casements in many cases are rotten. The fence has been
vandalized and needs completely repaired. A lot of the additions
that were done over time were done insensitively and were not in
keeping with the character of the house. There is an addition on
the west side of the house which is the bedroom and an addition
on the east and south side which is the kitchen and an exterior
stairway going down to the basement. They were done in the 60's.
We are not proposing to touch that. We are proposing to put a
different addition onto the rear which exposes some of the major
elements which is more in keeping with the house. The four
issues are floor plan, site plan, deterioration of house and the
fact that additions were put on over time that were not in
keeping with the house. This will not be an exact replication.
We would like to reintroduce its prominence as a viable residence
and in order to do that we would have to add additional space to
it and renovate the outside. We are dealing with forms and
function. We would like to move the garage from the north side
of the alley back onto the major part of the property. We are
not proposing to tear anything down and build a new garage
structure. We would like to take the existing extension to the
carriage house and use that as a garage. It might have been
used for horses years ago. One of the problems is that it is too
narrow and we would like to extend the wall out. In the process
of doing that we would like to restore the fenestration or detail
which is on the outside to as it did based upon the best research
that we have. There would also be an addition to the rear. We
would take off the addition that is currently the dining room and
stairway and adding a larger addition. We are also proposing to
use the basement as active living space. We would have to
introduce some windows around the east side and west side of the
house. All the changes that we are proposing of the exterior
alterations are to the rear of the house or to the front of where
the old stables are. My relationship to the property is that I
am the purchaser of lot #2 and the co-developer and renovator of
lot #1. The present owners of lot #1 and myself will be
renovating the house.
Bruce Sutherland, architect. The south side of the house which
is the front, there will be no alterations whatsoever. The
connecting stables that were built after the original carriage
house we are intending to extend that out slightly and bring to
back to what it used to be. We are proposing to extend the
detailing, the facade element the whole way around. One of the
design elements we have not shown, and we are not sure what to do
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Minutes of December 12, 1990
with, we would like to see an ornamental iron cresting around the
top of the fascia as we think it once was. The only thing we
could find was an artist rendering and we are not sure that it is
correct. We would like input on that. On the east elevation the
addition was done in frame and we are proposing to remove the
frame portion and add out to the back and expose the detail. We
believe we can do this in a brick structure that will still not
destroy any of the original character of the existing house. On
the east side we will have three windows. On the west side we
are planning to add windows in the basement and above. We also
intend to remove the iron stairs and ladder. In looking at the
new residence the distance between the two houses is
approximately 60 feet. We have not removed any of the trees.
The top of the ridge of the new house will be lower than the
existing and will be set back. We do not want the new residence
to impose on the existing facility.
Jake: What do you propose to do with the existing garage site
across the alley?
Bruce: We will tear the garage down and have surface parking.
It was built in the mid 60's.
Jake: What about using it for the cottage infill program?
Roger: Could that be part of the requirement?
Roxanne: Les has talked about it.
Georgeann: When you move the wall forward, are you going to keep
that in the existing brick?
Bruce: Our intention is to use the existing brick.
Roger: When the Historical Society gives a tour, Weber, the
mayor, was ousted from office because he owned some buildings
that were rented to prostitutes. He was run out of town because
of public opinion because they were sure he killed his wife by
poisoning her. Shortly after she died the live-in niece became
his wife. When he left town he rented the house for around $10.
a year to a local blacksmith. The local blacksmith built the
carriage house.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Georgeann: I have no problem with the windows on the back of the
carriage house. No problem with taking the ladders off and no
problem visually with the "eyebrow" being removed or keeping it
simple. It is a distracting element. I am not in favor of
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making the new additions or the old additions in brick. I like
them in siding because it clearly says this was the original
building and this is where the additions were. I am also in
favor of changing the large window and in favor of moving the
wall out as long as it is carefully done so that it is still the
original brick.
Roger: Because the basement is going to be put in I would
recommend that there be close monitoring about moving anything so
that the integrity of the house is not destroyed or damaged.
Don: How much of the allowable FAR is being used in the basement
because you are producing three light wells and that triggers the
FAR calculations?
Bruce: We had two meetings with Bill Drueding prior to our
calculations and we all seem to be on the same level. Three
hundred feet of our FAR is going to the basement.
Dick Fallin: We are orienting the new structure toward the
trees.
Don: What is the architectural expression of the new house?
Les: The house will stand on its own. We will try to use older
elements on the outside so that there will still be a "marriage"
between what is old and new.
Dick: One of our major considerations is where the house will go
on those four lots. There are two enormous trees that have a 20
foot spread and are 100 feet tall and those two trees dictated
where the structure should be.
Les: The new house will be a two story house with four
bedrooms/basement. We are also trying to decide which end of
the house the garage will go on.
Jake: As I look at the drawings I like the arch as it is a
unique element.
Glenn: I agree with Jake on the arch because it was there
originally. I am concerned about the additions as to whether
they should be clapboard or brick and if they should try to stand
out a little bit or look subordinate to the house. I also have
concerned about the fences and the material proposal. I am also
in favor of preserving the character of the house.
Don: Is there some reason you didn't want to push the new
residence back toward the alley or to the north? If you do so
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you have a much larger apparent lot size and the visual
encroachment on the pioneer park is less and you get more south
exposure.
Dick Fallin: We do have another plan but we wanted to present
the extreme first.
Bill: I have no problem with the expansion as you presently show
it. I feel brick might be more appropriate as far as the
expansion is concerned. I would like to see how the connection
is made between new and old. I also agree with Glenn and Jake on
the arch. On the streetscape possibly a new roof interest to get
a rhythm going would help fit in the context of the neighborhood.
Stepping it back is appropriate and lowering it. The massing
should not get too big and off balance the elements that are
existing. Any renovation should occur in a sequence and not put
on a hold. We are presently talking about requiring that the
applicant proceed in a timely manner to the code once they start
to demolish, that it gets rebuilt and goes on.
Jake: The banding on the east side goes around and terminates.
Possibly that needs continued or an integration of it.
PAEPCKE PARK GAZEBO
Roxanne: The Paepcke Park Gazebo is being rebuilt with careful
project monitoring with Glenn, Bill Efting and myself on the
materials. I would like the Board to discuss any kind of motion
or action that you wish to take in the form of a statement that
you would like to make to the City or whomever on this particular
issue. In April when we approved this we were very specific with
our conditions and those conditions did not change. The Parks
Dept. put it out to bid and did not get anybody and finally got
somebody and by that time it was getting very late in the year.
I was getting concerned that with heavy snowfall it was going to
continue to damage the existing gazebo and possible would have
the potential to fall over. I felt that it was very important
that they start it. We finally got Aspen Custom Builders to come
in and they started in without any notification to the Planning
Office and they tried to contact Glenn on time to tell him they
were going to start dismantling the building. That happened a
week ago Thursday. They started hand dismantling. I have asked
repeatedly for a copy of the actual contract from the Parks
Department and have not received it but I will tell you I signed
off on the Building Permit and attached a copy of the motion of
the exact specifications from the HPC to that permit. The
conditions very specifically stated that there shall not be a
complete dismantling, a demolition. We knew that the majority of
the materials were gone but there would always be a structure
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Minutes of December 12, 1990
there; just done differently than a mass demo. Thursday
afternoon they started dismantling and couldn't prop a ladder up
without moving it a good distance; I have heard one to two feet
and the contractor at that time made the decision and told the
Parks Department we've decided that it is unsafe and are
concerned about safety over the weekend and we feel that the best
way to handle it now is to bring in a front end loader and let it
go down. Basically the Parks Department acting for the City, one
person, Ken Collins not George Robinson said OK, if that is what
you think needs to happen. Friday morning I got a phone call
from a City councilmen inquiring about the front end loader. And
from there it all started. Monday we had an emergency meeting
and went over the plans, Glenn was there, and made some decisions
about exact materials and where they were going to be ordered
from and the scheduling of the process of reconstruction. I had
a couple of phone calls about if the old one isn't there why not
put it out for a design competition, why do we have to do it like
that? I had another call about not having the gazebo in the Park
at all. The majority of people I talked to basically said as
long as it looks as it did it is OK. The majority of the City
wants to see a gazebo that has the character of the old gazebo.
None of the materials were salvaged. They had to go to the
dumpster to get them to show people the level of deterioration of
the materials. There was noting that was savable. Then we got
into an archaeological situation and when they started excavating
for the foundation they found bottles and jars. It turns out
that Paepcke Park was originally a dump from the 1910 to the
40's. The artifacts found were donated to the Historical Society
and they came and took away everything they could. In the
meantime we are proceeding with the reconstruction of the gazebo
with the contractor.
Bill: When they decided to tear it down was there someone in the
City who was not familiar with the process and did not contact
Glenn or Roxanne? Possibly we should set up a system who the
monitor is and how the process works so that in the future we are
contacted in a crisis.
Glenn: They knew I was the monitor and called the day before and
said they were going to begin work.
Bill: But they made the decision to tear it down on their own.
We need a crisis-management system set up where people can be
called so we can issue something immediately and be part of that.
We are the city's arm of preservation in this community.
Although things like this happen, I don't think it is going to go
away, it will happen in the future because people can't contact
individuals.
Historic Preservation Committee
Minutes of December 12, 1990
Roxanne: Mary Martin was present at the Council Meeting and
three council members responded and the other two did not. Margo
and Bill Stirling asked Carol O'Dowd, City Manager to look into
some kind of fine that would be applied or what the penalty would
be. Jake Vickery also called and was very concerned about the
penalties involved. There are three penalties for an unapproved
demolition or a violation of their building permit: $300. fine,
90 days in jail or 5 year sterilization of land.
Bill: If Staff were to prepare a memo to be given out to all
people who are doing restoration/renovation that explain what to
look out for, it would make everybody aware of the process. New
contractors and people who have not worked with us before do not
know the procedures.
Roxanne: I am willing to prepare something.
Roxanne: Jed is going to be recommending an amendment to the
building code regarding approvals on historic properties.
Jake: I take this seriously and did allot of research. I called
Gary Lyman, John Davis and talked to Frank Ross at Aspen Builders
and the Parks Director. What I got from all of that was that the
bottom line was in a situation like this, the contractor because
he is the license professional in the picture and the person
taking the permit out from the town ends up being the responsible
party. The people working for the City do not necessarily know
all the rules about a project, however a licensed contractor
should be expected to know the rules. Whether it was a lack of
willingness or knowledge I do not know but there is a problem of
destroying an historic structure without a building permit. I
think it is important to give a clear message to a contractors
that if they violate this they are in jeopardy because they are
responsible professionals. One option for action is to recommend
that Roxanne in cooperation wit the building officials review the
situation and consider taking it to the board of appeals and
examiners who are the people that basically license contractors
in the city of aspen. It is real clear to me that this
demolition happened without a demolition permit. Who the city
goes after is the contractor because they re the licensed
professional. There are other issue that are brought up: what
was the selection process used to obtain this contractor, what
are his qualifications? If there is a problem with the stability
of the structure there are things like scaffolding, bracing,
fencing etc. all kind of options and we did not get a chance to
look at those options. Two people make a decision on their own
on a Friday afternoon. It doesn't do any good to go through
policies etc. if they get ignored, or avoided. There has to be
some authority behind what we do. the best channel that I have
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Historic Preservation Committee
Minutes of December 12, 1990
is by referring these contractors back to this committee and if
they are unwilling there license should be considered for
possible revocation. It isn't this specific situation it is all
situations like this.
Roger: There are two issues communication and education.
The fine should go to the contractor and another issue was the
contractor present. It is the sensitivity to an issue and allot
of contractors are not sensitive to the issues but they need
educated.
Bill: In the zoning code the contractor is responsible for
people working on the job. There are about six projects on Main
Street that have really come together and there is an interest.
There are allot of people in the community that feel we do not
have a tooth and their only goal is to get it done. Rather than
pass a resolution that has not bite we might recommend to the
City that they do refer this to the Board of appeals.
Roger: A letter of reprimand.
Jake: I am prepared to make a motion that has two parts to it.
Glenn: I agree with everything but part of the problem that
comes from the legal aspect is being liable if someone is
injured. From my discussion with John Davis that was the factor.
Glenn: Possibly there is a way for the city to be liable on
public property until it is sufficiently stabilized and maybe
there is a way to shift that.
Jake: That point of view could be abused. There are all kind of
dangers and according to the bldg. inspector no evidence has been
submitted to that effect. That is not his call and he has
liability insurance to protect him.
Charles: The Parks Dept. took it upon themselves to go along
with the contractor and demo it.
Glenn: He did ask who he thought was the responsible person.
Charles: You can't put all the blame on the builders because he
turned to the Parks Dept. for an answer.
Glenn: The Parks Dept. does represent the city.
MOTION: Jake made the motion that in situations that a
contractor would act in non-conformance to conditions imposed by
the HPC that upon the vote of the HPC that their action be
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Historic Preservation Committee
Minutes of December 12, 1990
reviewed by the Board of Appeals and Examiners. Point #2 is that
we find that the contractor in this particular case violated the
conditions of his bldg. permit and did not seek a demolition
permit through proper channels; second by Roger. All in favor
except Georgeann, motion carries.
Roxanne: The conditions were not met.
Jake: We will leave it to the Board of appeals and Examiners to
determine the appropriate action. It is a lot easier to call us
up and talk with us than go thru this process.
Glenn: The city acted irresponsibly and took it upon themselves
to make that decision when in fact it was not their decision to
make.
Bill: It may come out that way. This should be discussed with
Jed also before it is pursued. Also Gary Lyman.
MOTION: Bill made the motion to table the rest of the agenda
(Meadows) to the next meeting; second by Jake. All in favor of
motion and amended motion. 6-0
MOTION: Don made the motion to
approve, motion carries.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
adjourn;
second by Glenn. Ail
Kathy Strickland, Deputy City Clerk