HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2010-11-09 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, November 9,
2010
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TOWN BOARD STUDY SESSION
of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held at
Town Hall in Rooms 201/202/203 in said Town of Estes Park on the
9th day of November, 2010.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Levine, Trustees
Blackhurst, Elrod, Ericson, Koenig, and Miller
Attending: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Levine, Trustees
Blackhurst, Elrod, Ericson, Koenig, and Miller
Also Attending: Town Administrator Halburnt, Deputy Town Administrator
Richardson, Town Attorney White, members of the Historic
Preservation Ordinance Committee, and Deputy Town Clerk
Deats
Absent: None
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE.
John Baudek, chairman of the Historic Preservation Ordinance (HPO) Committee,
began the presentation of the proposed draft ordinance by noting that residents should
take pride in the Town of Estes Park as it approaches its 100th anniversary in 2017, and
said that an historic preservation ordinance can help develop that pride and preserve
Estes Park’s rich and unique history. He said the proposed ordinance includes
provisions required for the Town to become a Certified Local Government (CLG) which
has benefits related to grant and tax credit eligibility, and said the Committee requests
feedback to see if the ordinance contains what the Town Board wants in an historic
preservation ordinance. Mr. Baudek said that the Committee is willing to host public
forums to provide an educational component to the process and to provide an
opportunity for public comment. He introduced members of the Committee present at
the meeting: Ron Norris, Paula Steige, David Tanton, Bill Van Horn, and Sharry White;
and thanked Jim Pickering, Trustee Miller, Derek Fortini, and Kate Rusch for their
contributions and support.
Paula Steige, whose family has owned Macdonald’s Book Store on Elkhorn Avenue
since 1908, said that although the exterior of the building has been altered over time, it
is still recognized as the same building seen in photos of the early 1900s. She noted
that many visitors to her business express an interest in the origin of the building and
that many generations of tourists have visited her business over the years. She noted
that with the adoption of an historic preservation ordinance she would know the building
and its history would be preserved for future generations as well. Ms. Steige said key to
the ordinance is voluntary participation by the property owner and that only the building
exterior is subject to the historic preservation requirements.
Bill Van Horn stated that he fully supports the historic preservation ordinance and that it
must be broad-based and something that the community can support. He noted that for
the past ten years he has been the chairman of the Board of Trustees at MacGregor
Ranch where 20 buildings are on the national registry. He said this designation has
been a benefit to the Ranch in receiving grant funds and has helped to carry out the
mission of the Ranch, where 3000 students per year participate in educational
programs. He said modern society is forgetting history and an historic preservation
ordinance will make people more aware of history in general and Estes Park’s history in
Town Board Study Session – November 9, 2010 – Page 2
particular.
Sharry White presented myths about historic preservation which included historic
preservation lowers property values; is bad for business; is a violation of property rights;
prohibits demolition of properties or takes away the ability to change a property in any
way; and is only for high-style buildings. Ms. White refuted these myths and said that a
combination of new development and historic preservation retains the best of our
shared heritage, preserves historic sites, spurs economic development, and creates
better communities.
Dave Tanton said his family has lived in Estes Park for over 100 years and said it has
been a privilege working on the Committee with such a dedicated and committed group
of people. He noted that, in his lifetime, he has seen historic structures disappear from
Estes Park such as the original Town Hall, the Library in Bond Park, and the original
Post Office noting that it is important to preserve Estes Park’s history.
The Mayor called for a ten-minute dinner break at 5:30 p.m.
Ron Norris, vice chairman of the HPO Committee reviewed the proposed ordinance and
fielded questions and suggestions from the Trustees, including questions related to staff
involvement with processing applications; composition of the commission; costs
involved with mailings, recording of documents, and plaques denoting historic
designation; non-voluntary inclusion in an historic district; inconsistencies in the role of
the Town Board in the approval/denial process; clarification about voluntary participation
and nomination processes; concerns related to recording historic preservation status on
property title; the timeframe related to the application and review process; and penalties
imposed related to the revocation of historic designation. The Trustees requested that
the HPO Committee consider incorporating their comments and suggestions into the
proposed ordinance. Although the Trustees have not reached a consensus as to
whether an historic preservation ordinance is necessary or desired, they recommended
moving forward with public education and public input in order to make a determination
about proceeding with the ordinance.
VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND CHECKS.
This item will be included on a future Town Board Study Session agenda.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m.
Cynthia Deats, Deputy Town Clerk