Loading...
12.18.23 LB PRAB Joint Study Session MinutesCITY OF BOULDER BOULDER, COLORADO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES To listen to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meetings in their entirety, please go to the following link Name of Board/Commission: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and Landmarks Board Study Session Date of Meeting: December 18, 2023 Contact Information Preparing Summary: Rosa Kougl; 303-413-7223 PRAB Board Members Present: Charles (Chuck) Brock, Elliott Hood, Jason Unger, Andrew (Bernie) Bernstein, Sunny van der Star, Anna Segur Landmarks Board Members Present: Ronnie Pelusio, Renee Golobic, Chelsea Castellano, John Decker, Abby Daniels, PRAB Board Members Absent: Anita Speirs Staff Present: Ali Rhodes, Scott Schuttenberg, Rosa Kougl, Mark Davison, Bryan Beary, Jackson Hite, Regina Elsner, Jonathan Thornton, Jill Sobol-Kertz, David Choate, Tina Briggs, Shihomi Kuriyagawa, Marcy Gerwing, Kristofer Johnson, Brad Mueller, Lucas Markley, Amanda Cusworth, Clare Brandt Guests Present: Angie Jeffords, PLAY Boulder Type of Meeting: Joint Study Session Agenda Item 1: Approval of Agenda The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. A PRAB quorum was present for the conduct of business. A Landmarks quorum was present for the conduct of business. Motion to approve agenda. First motion by Brock, second by Hood. The motion passed 6-0. Agenda Item 2: Joint Study Session: •PRAB and Landmarks Board Joint Study Session Markley, Gerwing, Johnson, Kuriyagawa presented this item. The purpose of the Dec. 18, 2023, Joint study session and presentation was to provide an update on the process for the Proposed Civic Area Historic District, provide feedback on the draft design guideline framework and review the Cultural Landscape Assessment (CLA) process and findings for Central Park. The Proposed Civic Area Historic District application is a proposal to designate a portion of the Civic Area as a local historic district. Reference the Dec. 18, 2023 PRAB Packet. Mueller offered opening remarks. Markley presented the roles of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Landmarks Board and the quasi-judicial process. Johnson presented group agreements and the meeting purpose. Gerwing presented an overview of the proposed historic district, including a project update and draft design guideline framework. Kuriyagawa presented the Cultural Landscape Assessment (CLA) process and findings. Discussion Questions 1.Do board members have questions on the designation process? 2.Do board members have feedback on the draft design guideline framework (intent, table of contents, guiding principles)? 3.Do board members have questions on the CLA process or findings? PRAB and Landmarks Board had the following clarifying questions and feedback as noted in the recording here: Board Members asked for clarification on: •Analysis of the Bandshell separately from the other landmarks within the proposed boundary. •The meaning of integrity in the context of historic district designation. •Timing of the development of the design guidelines within the quasi-judicial process. •What method PRAB’s recommendation will be conveyed to City Council (i.e. written resolution, letter, verbal vote) •The date of the last designation of parkland. •Role of the applicant groups (Historic Boulder, Inc., Friends of the Bandshell, Friends of the Teahouse) in the designation process. •Clarification on “urban trees, park design standards, transportation networks, and maintenance components” in guiding principle #1. •How historic planting plans might apply to current and future selections. •How designation impacts the management of the park, including costs to maintain designated property. •Role of the irrigation ditches related to historic district designation. •The date the Broadway Underpass was created and how designation would impact its location and status. •Whether Boulder Creek is included within the proposed boundary. •Who funds maintenance costs for designated properties, i.e. the Bandshell. •The historic uses of the area, i.e. the Farmers’ Market and camping. •The land use implications of historic district designation. •Whether any part of the park has been considered to be “contributing restorable.” Board member feedback included: •If something is designated or landmarked, changes are permitted. •Often it is very difficult to make changes to historic property, so we do not want to give this false sense that it's easy to change things if it is landmarked, because based on a year and a half on this board, that is not true. •The guidelines should recognize the critical importance of the maintenance and work for life safety elements. •Regarding boundaries around 13th Street, the boundary might want to span all of 13th from Arapahoe to Canyon. •In the event of flooding and catastrophic change, are there any contingency guidelines to deal with that? •I am not prepared to respond to the CLA findings. I think I am more likely to really look at the completed project because that is where we are going to see the substance and the heart and soul. •Regarding the fourth guiding principle around social and political history, it is very important the full inclusive history is represented throughout the storytelling of the Park, and even through some educational pieces that could be stood within the park, if this does not go forward with historic designation at any point throughout the process, is that still possible to include in the park design as it goes through renovation. •I have not been given the information to make me understand the full history. I just want to make sure as a community, we try to integrate this more into not just the external policies and processes, but also the internal processes, so that we all have a baseline level of knowledge and understanding of who and what we're talking about. •I want to applaud everybody for the efforts that have been put in place for the community outreach component, it does appear to me that it was a very robust effort. •No formal vote or action was taken. Next Steps The historic district application will be reviewed by Boards and the City Council in early 2024. The anticipated schedule includes: •January 22, 2024 - Parks & Recreation Advisory Board •February 7, 2024 – Landmarks Board Designation Hearing •March 2024 – Planning Board (Land Use) •March 2024 – City Council, 1st Reading •April 2024 – City Council, 2nd Reading and Public Hearing Adjourn 7:25pm First motion by Castellano, second by Pelusio. Amendment to Agenda: Event at Boulder Recreation Center, December 17 Rhodes, Director of Parks and Recreation shared a timeline of events. PRAB follow up questions or comments. •How long the lockdown lasted before people were allowed to leave? •Where in the building are people allowed during a lockdown? Agenda Item 3: Future Board Items and Tours: Rhodes, Director of Parks and Recreation, reviewed upcoming agenda items and events. PRAB follow up questions or comments. •The appropriate avenue for providing feedback to City Council on the Historic District application. Agenda Item 4: Public Participation •Fran Mandel Sheets shared her history as a Landmarks Board member on proposed Historic District in the Civic Area. •Leonard Segel spoke on behalf of the preservation organization, Historic Boulder, as its executive director. •Patrick O’Rourke shared his thoughts on the proposed Historic District. •Larry McKeogh shared his appreciation for BPR services and amenities . •Emily Gonyou shared concern about the events that occurred on December 17 outside of the North Boulder Recreation Center. PRAB follow up questions or comments. •One of the commenters suggested that the Parks and Recreation Department is somehow working against the proposed historical d istirct; is that accurate? •We have never seen any indication from city staff in any of our prior discussions or meetings about this suggesting that there is any such motivation on the part of staff or this board. This is a transparent process and what we saw tonight is indicative of the kind of public discussion we want to have about the proposed Historic District. Agenda Item 5: Consent Agenda •Approval of Minutes from November 27, 2023, Business Meeting Motion to approve the minutes from the November 27, 2023, Regular PRAB meeting. First motion by Hood, second by van der Star. The motion passed 6-0. B, C, D. Updates from the Director, Project Updates, Operations & Development PRAB had follow up questions or comments. •The two photos, the before and after, of the reservoir related to ANS are alarming. What is a high-level update on the control of this and what are our prospects? •What is the effect on our water intake and quality. •Would like to have more information on this, a full segment of our meeting should be dedicated to addressing this. •Are there other nearby towns in Colorado that are dealing with this? •This increases concern in our aquatic nuisance species, mitigation protocols. •Would like more details about what the danger is, both in terms of to the ecology of local ecosystem, but also in terms of the drinking water. Agenda Item 6: Items for Action •No items Agenda Item 7: Matters for Discussion •No items Agenda Item 8: Matters from the Department •PLAY Boulder Foundation Guest Angie Jeffords presented this item. PRAB had the following questions/comments: •As a philanthropic organization, PLAY can go after money that the Parks and Recreation Department itself cannot and they can also serve people who are not within the city limits of Boulder. It expands the reach of some of the programs beyond just the city borders. •This is a great organization and Angie has done a great job of re-energizing it after Covid had strong impacts. •Play Pass is a is a resource that a lot of families really appreciate. •Are there any options or opportunities for the swim programs. •Thank you to Angie for what she is doing, the programs are super exciting, and it is nice to hear what is going on and feel the passion behind it. Agenda Item 9: Matters from the Board Members a.View of Final PRAB Handbook PRAB had the following questions or comment: •Change Chuck Brock to Chair from President on Cover Letter b.PRAB Matters PRAB had the following questions or comment: •What happened to the portable restroom outside of Pleasantview? •What are the hours of the bathrooms when Scott Carpenter is open to the public for those who are at the playground? •What is at the construction site from the Arboretum on the bike path as you approach the creek on the south bank, there is a new chain link fence with signage that says, “open excavation”. Agenda Item 10: Next Board Meeting Next Board meeting: Monday, January 22, 2024, Hybrid Agenda Item 11: Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m. Approved by: ___________________ Abby Daniels Landmarks Board Chair Date: 1/17/2024 Attested: _____________________ Aubrey Noble Historic Preservation Program Coordinator Date: 1/17/2024