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Item 6A - HPPU Draft Revisions 11.28.2018Five-Year Update to the Historic Preservation Plan Draft Revisions based on feedback from the Landmarks Board (Sept. 5 and Nov. 7), Coordination Team (Oct. 18) and Working Group (Oct. 19) Last Updated November 29, 2018 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES (p29) ENSURE THE PROTECTION OF BOULDER’S SIGNIFICANT HISTORIC, ARCHITECTURAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND CULTURAL SITES •Create a shared community vision for the protection of resources and areas that are historically, architecturally and/or environmentally significant, and develop strategies for their protection consistent with local, state and federal historic preservation practices; •Ensure the City of Boulder remains a leader in historic preservation through the careful stewardship of its own historic resources and encouragement of innovative and collaborative approaches to preservation; •Ensure consistency of historic preservation goals with other city plans, policies and priorities and enhance internal coordination; •Improve and increase community understanding of the inherent connection between historic preservation and environmental sustainability; •Establish a clear process for the protection and management of historic resources in the event of natural disaster; •Explore innovative and alternative strategies to recognize and protect important resources from the recent past. ACTIVELY ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION EFFORTS •Encourage collaboration and open dialogue among the community, Landmarks Board, other boards, City Council, city staff and historic preservation organizations to advance historic preservation goals and enhance community support; •Interpret Boulder’s historic, architectural, and environmental resources for residents and visitors; •Celebrate, promote, and raise awareness about historic preservation successes in Boulder; •Establish on-going outreach initiatives that engage the community and promote the benefits of historic preservation; •Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with owners of properties that are individually landmarked and/or located within a historic district. Commented [CM1]: Add goal to address preservation of Native American heritage, related to the City Council’s ordinance to recognize Indigenous Peoples. Item 6A - Historic Preservation Plan Update 1/16 MAKE REVIEW PROCESSES CLEAR, PREDICTABLE, AND OBJECTIVE •Provide excellent customer service; •Provide training opportunities for board and staff to ensure objective and consistent decision-making; •Provide clear, accurate and easily-accessible information to the public; •Ensure regulations and design guidelines are current, relevant, and effective in balancing the protection of historic buildings with other community priorities and policies; •Protect historic resources through effective, consistent and transparent review and enforcement policies and practices; •Recognize and communicate that historic designation allows for change that is sensitive to the character of the building, landmark, or district. CONTINUE LEADERSHIP IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY •Integrate historic preservation and environmental sustainability policies, such as the Greenpoints program and the Energy Code, to maintain shared community resources for future generations; •Recognize innovative scholarship and projects that successfully balance historic preservation and environmental sustainability; •Continue to address common energy efficiency issues as technology evolves, to address window rehabilitation and replacement, solar panel installation, and the use of alternative materials. ENCOURAGE PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC RESOURCES •Better publicize and promote existing incentives, such as eligibility for tax credits and relief from building and zoning codes; •Explore creative and innovative initiatives to encourage historic preservation, improve public perception and defray the cost of rehabilitation and restoration projects; •Improve public perception of Historic Preservation program through enhanced communication, meaningful collaboration, and involvement between the city and the community at large; •Recognize and honor property owners for exemplary stewardship of historic buildings. Commented [CM2]: Update to reflect current programs Item 6A - Historic Preservation Plan Update 2/16 RECOMMENDATIONS (pg30-39) 1. HISTORIC RESOURCE PROTECTION The purpose of the Boulder’s Historic Preservation program is to identify, evaluate, and protect Boulder’s significant historic resources. To this end, it is important for the city’s Historic Preservation program to reflect the diversity and development patterns of the city and establish a shared community vision for resource protection. The identification of significant sites and encouragement of their protection would enable the program to further engage the community in historic preservation and balance proactive and reactive activities. 1.1 Develop a Plan to Identify and Prioritize Historic Resources and Implement Strategies for their Protection A critical component of this plan is the development a long-term vision for future historic resource protection. The goal of this vision would make the city’s historic preservation activities more proactive by focusing on implementing the vision, which would be achieved through community engagement and the development of strategies to protect significant buildings and areas. It would also help make the preservation program more predictable for applicants by clarifying which buildings and areas are important to preserve. This resource plan should include: • An assessment of designated and potential historic and cultural resources in the community to identify which types of properties and areas are currently protected, and which are underrepresented; • Development of an overall historic context for the city that describes the important eras, events, persons, architectural styles, etc. that are important to Boulder’s history; to be used as a basis for prioritizing the resource types that are important to protect. The program should continue to encourage the designation of significant resources and areas found eligible for listing. Key action steps include: • Maintaining survey records to ensure information is current and accurate; • Reassessment of the map of potential historic districts, since many of the identified areas have experienced significant change since the boundaries were established; • Developing strategies to provide financial and/or technical support and incentives for owners of historic properties (see Recommendations 1.5 and 1.6); Commented [CM3]: Affordable Housing is currently missing from the plan; explore opportunity to align goals and efforts through incentives and adaptive reuse. Address pending Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance as a possible new incentive for landmark designation. Commented [CM4]: Assess each recommendation with SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based) goal criteria. Commented [CM5]: Add an objective to recognize underrepresented groups, i.e. African American, Latino, Native American people and history with regard to significance, culture, and sacred lands. Commented [CM6]: Create a resource plan that identifies potential eligibility for landmark designation for all properties over 50 years old. Rely on list to replace/streamline demolition review process and increase predictability for homeowners. Revisit periodically. Ask the community which buildings they think are worth saving. Item 6A - Historic Preservation Plan Update 3/16 • Continuing to mail letters to owners of eligible properties encouraging designation; • Hosting informational sessions within potential historic districts; and • Fostering a network of owners of landmark properties. 1.2 Develop Additional Historic Context Reports The 14 existing documents, developed through the historic context project, should continue to be utilized and additional historic context reports should be developed and made available electronically. A broad historic context of the development of Boulder should be undertaken to help identify significant themes of the city’s history. This broad context report should inform subsequent, thematic-based studies. Other possible topics for new historic contexts include Boulder’s Hispanic community, its agricultural past, the community’s significant relationship with the University of Colorado, the city’s vernacular buildings, and the architectural commissions of Charles Haertling. These may be developed through partnership with a graduate program or by hiring consultants. The documents may be utilized to assess the eligibility of thematic districts. All historic context reports should be easily accessible and posted on the Historic Preservation website. 1.3 Explore Ways to Preserve Smaller Buildings that are Eligible for Landmark Designation Many of Boulder’s working-, and middle-class houses and those associated with Boulder’s early history are modest in both size and architectural detailing. Nationwide, the average square footage of single family houses has grown in recent decades. The desire for larger houses makes smaller buildings to vulnerable additions that overwhelm the historic character of the building. To maintain the character of small, vernacular buildings in Boulder, the city should explore strategies to preserve significant examples of this building type. Possible action steps include forming a working group to focus on this issue, studying how other similar communities have dealt with threats to smaller buildings and vernacular architecture, promoting specialized design solutions (such as excavation to add more square footage) to make small buildings more suitable for contemporary use, and establishing a funding source to preserve small buildings. 1.4 Ensure Continued Integration of Local, State and Federal Policies The Landmarks Board has adopted the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties as the basis for guidance in the review Landmark Alteration Certificate review and the National Register Criteria for the Evaluation of Historic Properties for determining eligibility of landmark designation. Boulder’s adopted design guidelines are consistent with these standards and evaluation for landmark Commented [CM7]: Revise to provide concrete ways to make headway on this recommendation, i.e. establish creative incentives to encourage preservation of small buildings. Item 6A - Historic Preservation Plan Update 4/16 designation is generally based upon the National Register’s criteria. While developing a community vision has been identified as a critical component to ensure historic preservation remains relevant in Boulder, it is important that such a vision is consistent with national historic preservation standards, whether for historic designation, design review, demolition, or tax credit review. Likewise, the City of Boulder is committed to universal access to people with disabilities and life safety consideration through the building code. To this end, the Historic Preservation program should continue to explore innovative ways to make sure that all designated historic properties meet the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide a high level of life safety without compromising important historic character defining features. 1.5 Publicize Existing Incentives Public feedback indicates many owners of historic properties are not aware of the available historic preservation incentives for which they may be eligible. The city should publicize these existing incentives more broadly to increase usage and to benefit historic buildings. Suggested action steps include posting information prominently on the Historic Preservation website, and developing and distributing a specialized brochure about existing incentives. 1.6 Initiate New Incentives Non-monetary incentives recognize building owners for their community contributions and reward stewardship. New honorary incentives might include recognizing responsible owners of historic buildings with City Council proclamations or providing owners with framed historic images of their property. Such items could be distributed at existing award ceremonies held during Historic Preservation Month in May, on the anniversary of designation, or at a special time of the year devoted to honoring owners of landmark properties and buildings within Boulder historic districts. Financial incentives assist property owners to make appropriate alterations or changes to their historic buildings. Possible options for new historic preservation incentives in Boulder include low- or no-interest loans, increases to existing fee waivers, or specialized funding for both maintaining small and accessory buildings and making historic properties more energy efficient. Introducing new financial incentives will require a great deal of planning. Key steps in that planning process should include discussing desirable funding options with owners of historic properties, exploring how other communities manage and finance historic preservation incentives (i.e., in Louisville, proceeds from a specialized tax may be used to restore or rehabilitate resources within the downtown historic Commented [CM8]: Make incentives more relevant and accessible. Commented [CM9]: Explore establishing a city fund to purchase properties threatened with demolition. By relieving the pressure of a pending sale, the City can help connect a significant property to a property owner who will be a sensitive steward. Commented [CM10]: Offer financial incentive in form of building permit rebates Item 6A - Historic Preservation Plan Update 5/16 district); securing both initial and long-range funding sources; launching a small pilot incentive program; and adapting the pilot program (based upon results and public feedback) to assure it is both effective and self-supporting. 1.7 Designate Eligible City-Owned Buildings and Lead by Example Boulder aspires to lead by example, modeling excellent stewardship for all city-owned historic buildings, including those in our parts and our open space,. Additionally, city- owned buildings can be used to effectively illustrate successful integration of historic preservation and environmental sustainability. Many of the actions below aim to achieve goals included in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. The city’s willingness to actively participate in its own Historic Preservation program will instill a sense of unity with owners of landmark properties and buildings within historic districts. Key actions include continuing to maintain and publicize the Facilities Asset Management list of city-owned buildings 50 years or older, assuring the survey (or resurvey) of city-owned properties to determine eligibility for landmark designation, discussing the importance of preservation and designation at City Staff Working Group meetings, and designating eligible buildings. Model stewardship of city buildings would illustrate how to successfully integrate historic preservation and environmental sustainability, and demonstrate the use of materials and techniques appropriate for older buildings. Key actions include continuing to designate eligible buildings, as appropriate; choosing city-owned buildings for energy upgrades; documenting technologies and materials and comparing pre- and post- project energy efficiency; and hosting open houses, either actual or virtual, to share results. 1.8 Increase Coordination between the City and County Regarding Landmark Designation The BVCP fosters collaboration on wide range of preservation issues not just in the city, but throughout Boulder County. Consistent with the BVCP, the city and county should coordinate to designate significant publicly-owned buildings outside of Boulder’s municipal limits that reflect the region’s significant history and architecture. For example, county-owned commissions attributed to prominent Boulder architect Charles Haertling should be designated. Key actions for achieving such coordinated designations might include developing a list of eligible county-owned resources, assuring the survey (or resurvey) of such properties, and discussing the importance of designation at meetings of the existing Boulder County Heritage Roundtable. Item 6A - Historic Preservation Plan Update 6/16 1.9 Explore Establishment of an Archaeological Program The BVCP recommends development of an archaeology program for the city. Historic Preservation staff and Landmarks Board should consult with local archaeologists to determine how to integrate it into the existing Historic Preservation program. It seems most feasible to model a new archaeology program after provisions within the existing Historic Preservation ordinance, detailing procedures for identification, designation, and protection of both prehistoric and historic archaeological resources and specifying how the Landmark Alteration Certificate process will apply for archaeological remains. The composition of the Landmarks Board could also be changed to include a non-voting member with archaeological expertise. The second step should be to modify the ordinance as necessary and raise awareness of a new archaeology program. 1.10 Continue Dialogue About Postwar Architecture Boulder, like many cities in the western United States, flourished in the postwar period. Organizations such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research, Ball Aerospace and the National Institute of Standards and Technology attracted thousands of people to Boulder, greatly impacting the built environment. Given the importance of this period’s history and the high proportion of extant buildings constructed after 1945, addressing postwar resources is crucial if Boulder’s Historic Preservation program is to reflect the community’s overall development patterns. Public feedback revealed a generally low-level of awareness of postwar resources. Yet, in many communities, a growing number of artists, empty nesters, and first-time homebuyers have found houses from this era affordable and adaptable. Actions for increased knowledge about postwar housing in Boulder include showcasing articles from national publications; preparing stories about Boulder’s postwar development, houses, and current neighborhoods for editors of local and national media; and working with neighborhood associations to host tours of “recent past” properties. 1.11 Explore Creation of Conservation Districts Given the sheer size of postwar neighborhoods and the city’s recent efforts to promote smaller, more manageably sized historic districts, investigating the use of conservation areas to protect the scale, house size, and setback within postwar neighborhoods may be appropriate. Such efforts should be coordinated with the development of other community goals, such as walkable neighborhoods. Action steps include studying how other communities have integrated conservation areas into existing historic preservation programs, developing a working group to discuss the desirability and implications of conservation areas, revising the ordinance to Commented [CM11]: Expand to provide add’l directions Commented [CM12]: Increase awareness and celebrate significance of mid-century modern architecture. Commented [CM13]: Create a non-contiguous Haertling district or one related to Boulder’s scientific history. Item 6A - Historic Preservation Plan Update 7/16 include suitable language for conservation area designation, and working with neighbors to designate eligible postwar neighborhoods or subdivisions as conservation areas. Pattern books, such as those developed in Arvada, may be an appropriate tool to illustrate design solutions that adapt common housing types to meet contemporary desires while maintaining a cohesive neighborhood scale. 2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION The plan suggests responsibility for actions to a wide variety of individuals and groups. Participation in the action steps provides an opportunity to continue the discussions among the community, Landmarks Board, City staff, and historic preservation organizations initiated as part of the public input process for the Historic Preservation Plan. 2.1 Strengthen Partnerships with Historic Preservation Organizations The partnership between the city and Historic Boulder, Inc. has been beneficial in raising awareness of historic preservation, fostering community engagement, and designating significant resources. Key action steps include the nonprofit continuing to initiate and facilitate designations, coordinating with Historic Preservation staff and the Landmarks Board to identify significant resources and develop educational offerings, and advocating for historic preservation. In addition, the Landmarks Board and Historic Boulder Board should consider holding regular joint retreats to discuss other ways to offer mutual support for historic preservation initiatives in Boulder. 2.2 Collaborate with Owners of Existing Landmarks and Properties in Designated Historic Districts; Establish Neighborhood Liaisons Historic property ownership involves both benefits and responsibilities. This situation is not unique to Boulder, with historic buildings everywhere offering the opportunity for individuals to possess a tangible link to history but also requiring higher levels of investment for compatible materials and specialized trades people or design professionals. Given this situation, it is important both to support owners of historic buildings and provide incentives to offset the higher costs associated with alterations and maintenance. Commented [CM14]: Add objective regarding Socio- Economic Vitality. i.e. impact of historic preservation on the local economy; integration into affordable housing goals; Commented [CM15]: Be specific in how neighborhood liaisons are established and sustained Commented [CM16]: Establish a feedback loop (i.e. regular surveys) to understand what’s working and what’s not from a community’s perspective. Commented [CM17]: Consider shifting review from weekly LDRC to administrative to shorten time commitment and possible review time. Commented [CM18]: • More design collaboration opportunities at the LDRC level. • Landmarks Board meeting not conducive to collaboration; it is costly and time consuming and often uncollaborative, threatening, and a wild card. • Change the code so that it takes more than one person to call up a case to the LB. • Increase building code / zoning flexibility for historic structures and property. Expand upon the existing considerations for existing conditions (i.e. accessory buildings in the ROW and fireproofing eaves). Item 6A - Historic Preservation Plan Update 8/16 Owners of existing landmark properties and buildings within Boulder’s historic districts are important preservation partners, and support of these individuals is critical. Fostering an open dialogue about the benefits and responsibilities of landmark designation, collaborating on streamlining the design review process, and implementing improvements to the program to promote collaboration would be most useful. Events such as window rehabilitation workshops would provide hands-on opportunities for property owners to learn from professional trades people how to best maintain and repair historic windows. This initiative may be a strong candidate for grant funding. 2.3 Foster Greater Understanding of Historic Preservation Public feedback indicated some individuals have developed ideas about how the Historic Preservation staff and Landmarks Board operate based upon second-hand accounts rather than personal experience. These anecdotes can negatively impact the program’s reputation and efforts to distribute accurate information and foster a collaborative relationship among the Landmarks Board, staff and residents should be undertaken. Action steps include recruiting volunteers willing to act as neighborhood liaisons; developing a neighborhood liaison training course featuring thorough background information about the designation, Landmark Alteration Certificate, and demolition processes and available historic preservation incentives; meeting routinely with neighborhood liaisons and residents to engage in an open dialogue about common issues and concerns within historic districts; and distributing clear and accurate information about the Historic Preservation program. 2.4 Share Stories of Boulder’s Historic Places Historic preservation, at its most engaging, is about stories. These accounts help identify the past and value of the city’s history. Key recommendations for sharing the stories of Boulder’s historic places include erecting more interpretive signage throughout the city, presenting “then and now” slideshows, encouraging local media to focus on the stories of Boulder’s historic sites, developing mobile apps (like Denver Story Trek) which provide access to personal recollections and allow for the collections of new site-specific memories, and utilizing more oral history accounts in nominations for landmark and historic district designation. Current and future historic context reports should be used as a basis for this information. The city should launch a “Preservation Roadshow” initiative with a focus on outreach to the Boulder community to encompass a wide variety of offerings at historic sites and in historic neighborhoods throughout Boulder. Key action steps include sponsoring “open Commented [CM19]: Consider over-the-counter approval for minor alterations (changes to non- contributing buildings; roofing or mechanical reviews; some signage). Commented [CM20]: Expand to increase education and outreach to potential buyers of designated properties so they understand the regulations before they complete the purchase. Commented [CM21]: Add specific outreach to educate/engage new residents. Commented [CM22]: Increase engagement of those not currently involved, i.e. students, non-historic property owners, renters, the community at large through bike tours, scavenger hunts, advertising. Commented [CM23]: Change the perception and awareness of what landmark designation means. Advertise benefits/incentives (ADUs, establish grants like Louisville), economic longevity. Add warmth of the process. Commented [CM24]: Mandate (via ordinance) that new owners sign a binding document at property closing that states the property is in a Historic District, a Landmark, a Structure of Merit, and/ or is a building over 50 years old. Commented [CM25]: publish property history and research (LB memos) as a way to raise interest in historic preservation. Commented [CM26]: Revise to expand outreach for Historic Preservation through social media (i.e. bring back Throwback Thursdays) and interactive web-based programs like StoryMaps. Item 6A - Historic Preservation Plan Update 9/16 house” events with neighborhood associations within historic districts, offering how-to workshops for increasing energy efficiency in historic properties, creating brochures that illustrate examples of alterations adhering to design guidelines, staffing a booth at the Farmers’ Market to promote historic preservation, and hosting tours highlighting projects that made effective use of historic preservation incentives. Planning for the “Preservation Roadshow” needs to consider logistics, funding, volunteer recruitment, promotion, curriculum, potential instructors, and effectiveness assessment 2.5 Revitalize the Structure of Merit Program The Structure of Merit program is an effective way to promote historic preservation, increase the inventory of recognized buildings that can be highlighted in the local media, and expand public outreach and education efforts. Key actions in revitalizing this program include developing promotional materials to increase public awareness of its existence, compiling an updated list of eligible buildings and sites for listing, refining the process for selection, and launching a publicity campaign to increase awareness about the historic and architectural significance of both existing and new listings. The Landmarks Board should consider creating a Structure of Merit subcommittee to oversee the reinitiated program. 2.6 Improve the City’s Historic Preservation Website Clear, accurate, and easily-accessible information is crucial for the public to participate more fully in the city’s Historic Preservation program. The existing Historic Preservation program website is adequate, but should be improved in terms of content, format, and ease of navigation. The review processes should be clearly outlined to reduce confusion. Design guidelines for each of the historic districts should be prominently featured and easily accessible. Possible additions to the website include: an annual “State of Historic Preservation” report, citing relevant statistics, highlighting program successes, and soliciting public input on future initiatives; links to useful information available from preservation partners (National Park Service, National Alliance of Preservation Commissions, Historic Boulder, Inc. and others); and details about existing historic preservation incentives, including eligibility and requirements. The website should also include a single link offering access to all relevant sustainability and historic preservation information available online and a section devoted to tracking progress on this plan. Finally, the website should be used as a tool to engage the community and provide information on currently designated resources for community members and visitors alike. Materials focused toward kids and teens would help encourage families to tour designated historic districts and learn about Boulder’s history Commented [CM27]: Expand to promote awareness of the program. Commented [CM28]: Feature project examples on the website to illustrate before, during, and after pictures/drawings/elevations along with the process and how much time the process took. Commented [CM29]: Provide more comprehensive information on website: similar to a land-use map that ties in ditches and other tags, to also identify Historic Districts, Landmarks, Structures of Merit, and buildings over 50 years old. Item 6A - Historic Preservation Plan Update 10/16 through the built environment. Key actions include adding new content and establishing a schedule for assessment and routine updates. 2.7 Distribute Historic District Design Guidelines Public feedback indicated a need for greater publicity regarding the existence and importance of the city’s historic district design guidelines, particularly to realtors and potential homebuyers. Key actions for distributing the design guidelines include updating and maintaining links of district-specific design guidelines on the city’s website, developing and maintaining a list of individuals (architects, contractors, realtors, owners of landmarked properties and buildings in historic districts) who should be familiar with them, emailing links to the guidelines, and informing these same individuals when the guidelines are revised or changed. 2.8 Publicize Current Scholarship Historic buildings are inherently “green” through the retention of existing materials, which additionally enhances the community’s sense of place and represents responsible stewardship for increasingly finite resources. It is important to Boulder’s cultural and environmental legacy to preserve historic resources. There are many misconceptions regarding historic window rehabilitation vs. window replacement and energy efficiency. The City of Boulder’s Historic Preservation and Environmental Sustainability Integration Project (2006) and the Center for Resource Conservation’s Effects of Energy Efficiency Treatments on Historic Windows (2011), both accessible through the city’s historic preservation website, offer scientific evidence about which window treatments are most effective, a major issue for owners of historic properties. These studies should be more widely publicized, and similar studies to evaluate metal casement window treatments should be undertaken. The city should also pursue opportunities to conduct similar studies regarding the use of solar power, wind power, other energy efficiency advances, and new materials in historic buildings. Key actions include posting the windows study and providing links to other research projects on the Historic Preservation website, delivering educational sessions based upon the window study results, and applying for grants to complete additional studies. 2.9 Recognize Projects that Successfully Integrate Historic Preservation and Sustainability Honoring projects that combine historic preservation and environmental sustainability is a way to bring greater exposure to such efforts and offer examples for other property owners to emulate. Key actions include bestowing a new award (possibly given as part of the Historic Preservation Month ceremony) to property owners, architects, Commented [CM30]: Expand to increase education and outreach to potential buyers of designated properties so they understand the regulations before they complete the purchase. Commented [CM31]: Emphasize the positive impact of historic preservation with examples – celebrate the successes. Item 6A - Historic Preservation Plan Update 11/16 contractors, and other professionals involved with a successful project; developing a specialized plaque initiative to mark building projects that have balanced historic preservation and energy efficiency; and creating a mobile app to highlight these same projects. 2.10 Engage the Community in Historic Preservation Activities Boulder’s mature Historic Preservation program has enjoyed numerous successes over its history. It is crucial to the program to celebrate, promote, and raise awareness about historic preservation successes in Boulder. An informed public is more likely to engage in the Historic Preservation program. Key action steps for providing more information about historic preservation in Boulder include making an annual presentation to City Council highlighting preservation activities and successes, improving the Historic Preservation website, holding more community events and educational sessions, and providing stories about historic preservation to the local media. 2.11 Honor Property Owners for Careful Stewardship of Historic Properties The owners of landmark properties and buildings within historic districts have the honor and responsibility of safeguarding historic structures. It is crucial to recognize the important role these owners play for historic preservation in the city by honoring them for exemplary stewardship of historic buildings. Key actions include recognizing successfully completed projects, perhaps with a ribbon cutting, yard sign, or congratulatory letter. 3. PROGRAM OPERATION IMPROVEMENTS Historic Preservation staff and the Landmarks Board strive to make objective and consistent decisions regarding designation, design review, and demolition permits. Specialized training and continuing education can enhance skill levels and offer increased knowledge about the range of techniques currently employed in the historic preservation field. 3.1 Enhance Training Opportunities for Staff and the Landmarks Board Training for Landmarks Board members is important to ensure continuity, consistency, and capacity. New board members need a detailed orientation and all members require ongoing opportunities that provide core knowledge, institutional background, and practical skills regarding operations and relevant historic preservation issues. Historic Preservation staff training should also emphasize time management, stress reduction, Commented [CM32]: Expand to increase outreach and community engagement efforts to build support for historic preservation. Commented [CM33]: Expand to identify additional ways to recognize and honor community members who exemplify preservation Commented [CM34]: Expand to include training for other city staff to increase cross-departmental coordination/understanding of policies. Commented [CM35]: Request for more professionally trained people on the board. Item 6A - Historic Preservation Plan Update 12/16 networking, and problem solving. Key action steps include improving current in-house training, encouraging Board members and staff to take advantage of available CLG- sponsored workshops, and seeking appropriate training based upon staff and Board assessment of needs and competence. 3.2 Analyze Existing Historic District Design Guidelines Design guidelines offer advice on how to allow changes to historic properties and areas while still protecting sense of place. The Landmarks Board needs current and relevant guidelines to provide effective protection of Boulder’s landmarks and historic districts. Guidelines must be complete, current and clear to facilitate consistent design review decisions. Public feedback also indicated a need for more examples of how design guidelines should be implemented and increasing the understanding of the relationship between Boulder’s guidelines and the Secretary of Interior’s Standards, which provide a philosophic framework for all of the city’s guidelines. Key actions include instituting a schedule for review and revision of existing documents, maintaining a list of new topics to be addressed during scheduled updates, creating a standard template to make content and format of guidelines consistent, crafting a handbook with case studies illustrating the appropriate application of frequently-referenced design guideline provisions to assist both the Landmarks Board and property owners, and promoting the Secretary’s Standards. 3.3 Develop Design Guidelines for New Historic Districts in Collaboration with Property Owners Design guidelines for new historic districts should continue to be developed collaboratively, with participation from both Historic Preservation staff and district residents. Key actions include identifying the character-defining features of the historic district and the appropriate design approaches for retaining them, recruiting members for the design guideline committee, preparing guidelines, and offering opportunities for community input. 3.4 Establish Follow-Up Processes for Landmark Alteration Certificates Review of Landmark Alteration Certificates (LAC) represents a large portion of the Historic Preservation staff and Landmarks Board workload. To ensure compliance, the city should follow-up with property owners to assure projects are completed in accordance with LAC approval. Other communities require certified contractors to work on historic properties and levy fines for non-compliance on property owners and design professionals. Public input indicated some support for similar enforcement in Boulder. Commented [CM36]: Revise design guidelines to better address changes to non-contributing buildings. Item 6A - Historic Preservation Plan Update 13/16 Key actions for improving overall compliance include providing additional enforcement training to city inspectors (focusing on appropriate preservation treatments, applicable design guidelines, and issues associated with the design review process in Boulder) and coordinating with contractors and building professionals to discuss ways to increase understanding of the responsibilities of working on landmark properties or buildings within historic districts. 3.5 Explore Ways to Make Design Review More Consistent and Predictable Effective, consistent, and transparent design review processes, enforcement policies, and historic preservation practices are necessary to make the city’s program predictable and user friendly. Issues of consistency occasionally arise due to the rotating nature of the Landmarks Design Review Committee and the unique conditions of each site. Design review is one of the most important and time-consuming duties for the Historic Preservation staff and Landmarks Board. An efficient design review process is necessary to allow the program to engage in more outreach activities. The staff and board should discuss options for increasing the administrative (staff) review of minor alterations to lessen time spent on less significant projects. To ensure consistency throughout a project’s review, staff should continue the practice of taking detailed notes at each meeting as a record for subsequent meetings. LDRC members should ensure that their decisions are based upon adopted design guidelines and established national historic preservation practices. Since historic properties are nearly always unique, decisions may differ from project to project. However, staff and board members should be aware of past rulings to ensure that ongoing decisions are made with as much relevant information as possible. For instance, a study undertaken of approved fences in the Mapleton Hill Historic District has been very useful in making decisions. Such a study showing appropriate and inappropriate additions to historic buildings and examples of new construction in historic districts would assist the public, staff, and the Landmarks Board in the future. 3.6 Analyze Effectiveness of the Existing Demolition Ordinance Since 1994, the demolition ordinance has resulted in the preservation of historic resources in Boulder. There is an opportunity to analyze the overall effectiveness of this provision and consider further efforts to better protect eligible buildings 50 years or older. Key action steps include continuing to gather statistics on demolition reviews (i.e., numbers of applications, approvals, and locations) to better understand overall development patterns; analyzing past difficult demolition reviews and developing options to address key issues; clarifying the demolition process for Boulder residents to Commented [CM37]: Largest issue from community is unpredictability of the outcome of a demolition review for buildings outside of historic districts. Commented [CM38]: Focus on increasing the predictability of the process and outcome; Subjectivity makes this difficult, and sometimes different LDRC meetings can produce wildly different, even contradicting directions. Commented [CM39]: Add a recommendation to create an inventory of eligible buildings to set expectations for prospective property owners. Item 6A - Historic Preservation Plan Update 14/16 increase understanding that it applies to all non-designated buildings 50 years or older; developing a framework for demolition review decision-making based upon identification of significant and threatened resource types; and considering revisions to the ordinance language to define demolition in a way which allows the Landmarks Board more flexibility in demolition reviews. The proactive identification of significant historic resources (1.1) through ongoing survey and historic context development will also assist in making the demolition review process more consistent and predictable. 3.7 Revise Applications and Forms Recent public input indicated that many individuals and members of the Landmarks Board believe existing historic preservation applications should be simplified to reduce confusion. Key actions for streamlining forms include simplifying formats, clarifying directions, and making greater use of checklists and flowcharts to enhance understanding of review processes. 3.8 Develop a Disaster Response Plan for the Historic Preservation Program The City of Boulder is at high risk for both wildfire and flash floods. For that reason, it is crucial to consider how best to deal with historic resources in the wake of these or other types of natural and human-made disasters. The city should have a disaster plan specifically for historic resources. The plan should include pre-disaster mitigation steps, identify post-disaster mitigation efforts, such as accurate survey forms and feature a process for recruiting historic preservation professionals from outside the city who can assist in the post-disaster period, appropriate collaboration procedures with other city departments, and the possibility of fast-track design review. Referring to existing disaster plans for similar communities or municipalities also facing the threat of fires and floods is recommended. Key action steps include writing a grant application to cover the cost associated with development of a disaster plan for Boulder’s historic resources. 3.9 Coordinate Existing Environmental Sustainability and Historic Preservation Programs The inherent alignment between historic preservation and environmental sustainability should be better expressed in the city’s policies and practices between historic preservation and environmental sustainability. Various city departments, local boards, and other groups are active in shaping policies for both historic preservation and environmental sustainability. The Greenpoints program and city energy codes represent the two areas of greatest overlap. Key action steps to ensure integration between the city’s sustainability and historic preservation Commented [CM40]: Expand to offer addition points for designated properties in the energy code review of building permits. Commented [CM41]: Increase integration of sustainability and historic preservation regulations with regard to wildfire zones (ie. Hardie plank, ignition resistant class, and exposed eaves). Item 6A - Historic Preservation Plan Update 15/16 goals include promoting the reuse of historic buildings city-wide, reviewing the Greenpoints program and energy code to ensure adequate recognition of the impact of retaining an existing building, discussing increased integration of future policies at city working group meetings, and publishing and distributing scholarship on the topics from beyond Boulder. 3.10 Continue to Address Energy Efficiency Concerns as Technology Evolves Key actions include continuing to encourage window rehabilitation to benefit historic character and conserve scarce natural resources, utilizing lessons learned from demonstration projects at city-owned historic buildings and other projects citywide, investigating new technologies and posting findings of such studies to the Historic Preservation website. 3.11 Pursue Collaborative Approaches to Integrate Historic Preservation with Other City Operations Lack of consistency among city policies is particularly frustrating to applicants and can be counterproductive to historic preservation. Enhanced internal coordination is crucial for making historic preservation practices user friendly. Internal coordination should continue with discussions focusing on how best to integrate city policies related to historic preservation and environmental sustainability, universal accessibility, and building code regulations. Key action steps include scheduling regular meetings to improve communication and brainstorm methods for enhancing internal coordination to benefit historic preservation goals and objectives and developing a series of checklists of historic preservation-related policies and goals for other city departments to consult when considering any policy or ordinance revisions. Commented [CM42]: Update to reflect current programs Commented [CM43]: Revise to provide greater clarity on how to better integrate the historic preservation and Development Review processes (sequencing and communication). Commented [CM44]: Create or revise a recommendation to address current conflict between historic accessory buildings that are required to be moved out of the right of way (sometimes encroaching 6”). Commented [CM45]: Address current conflict between OAU regulations that require existing buildings to meet current setback and the desire to adaptively reuse historic buildings in their historic location. Commented [CM46]: Increase integration in flood zones to allow leeway and flexibility for life safety. Item 6A - Historic Preservation Plan Update 16/16