2 - Historic and Cultural Preservation Plan for Boulder Historic and Cultural Preservation Plan for Boulder
Phase I -Project Scoping
November-December 2008
Purpose:
In broad terms, the purpose of the historic and cultural preservation plan is to
proactively and comprehensively plan for the identification, evaluation, and
preservation of the city of Boulder's significant historic and cultural resources.
The intent of the historic and cultural preservation plan for the City of Boulder is to
provide guidance for future preservation efforts by taking a comprehensive look at
1istoric and cultural resource management in the city in a manner consistent with 21St
century historic preservation practice and the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. The
plan will establish goals, objectives, and an action plan to facilitate the preservation of
cultural, historic and archaeological resources (sites, buildings, objects, landscapes, etc.)
in the city of Boulder.
Background:
Established in 1974, Boulder's historic preservation program has grown to be one of the
most sophisticated and effective in the country. With this growth has come the need to
identify goals, priorities, needs, and strategies to preserve the city's historic and cultural
resources in a comprehensive manner. In 1995, the city approved a new policy in the
Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan (BVCP) stating that a Boulder Valley-wide
preservation plan shall be developed. In 2000, historic preservation was further
recognized in the BVCP with the inclusion of the designated and eligible historic
districts map.
The city recognizes the value of the preservation of buildings, sites, and areas of the city
reminiscent of past eras, events, and persons important in local, state, or national history
or providing significant examples of architecture of the past. It also recognizes that
developing and maintaining appropriate settings and environments for such buildings,
sites, and areas enhances property values, stabilizes neighborhoods, promotes tourist
trade and interest, and fosters knowledge of the city's living heritage.
The city has many existing resources that will inform the preservation plan, including,
historic surveys for 4,000+ buildings, l 7 survey reports (including neighborhood history
and eligibility recommendations),150 individual landmarks, 10 historic districts, 8
walking tour guides, the historic preservation ordinance and the various incentives
throughout the Boulder Revised Code applicable to historic buildings.
Components:
• Introduction
• History of the program
• Historic Preservation in Boulder today
o Historic Preservation Ordinance and Landmarks Board
o Survey/historic contexts
o Historic Districts/Landmarks
o Administrative Regulations
o Landmark Alteration Certificates/design guidelines
o Demolition Review
o Incentives
o Enforcement/penalties
o CLG Program
o Structures of Merit program
o Special Projects
o Public Outreach/Education/Public Perception
o Historic/pre-historic archaeology
o Disaster Preparedness
• Issue Identification
• Goals & Objectives
• Recommendation/Action Plan
The Historic and Cultural Preservation Plan Should:
• Consist of an objective, comprehensive assessment of Boulder's historic
preservation program recognizing it is mature and complex
• Articulate a vision and chart a course for the next decade of historic preservation
Boulder
• Pravide a solid planning and informational basis for historic preservation in
Baulder
• Develop short and long term objectives for the historic preservation program
• Prioritize resources in need of protection and establish strategies to proactively
designate them
• Provide strategies to better integrate historic preservatian into other city
functions especiallZr as they relate to land use planning and environmental
sustainability -consideration of preservation as key component of Boulder's
growth strategy)
• Develop strategies to deal with management of resources frain recent past and
neighborhoods with less historic integrity through tools such as conservation or
advisory review districts
• Explore ideas to provide additional financial incentives for historic preservation
in Boulder i.e. revolving preservation fund, refund of impact fees for work on
designated contributing/landmarked properties
• Assess and make recommendations regarding historic preservation enforcement
• Assess and make recommendations to increase certified local government and
state tax credit program activity
• Explore establishment of city archaeological program
• Assess current funding and staffing needs for city's historic preservation
program based upon analysis of activities and make recommendations for
resources and efficiencies based upon assessment, forecasts, and projections
• Establish action plan to implement strategies outlined in the plan.
Process
Phase I -Project Scoping November -December, 2005
• Identify objectives for plan preparation, issues to be addressed, components and
future work plan.
Phase II -Plan Development & Adoption January 2009 -September, 2010
• Review and approval of plan objectives and Scoping by the Landmarks Board
and City Council;
• Identify funding resources for consultant including potential grant opportunities;
• Issue RFP;
• Select consultant;
• Collect and analyze existing information;
• Develop plan carnponents with input from stakeholders;
Staff will work with the Landmarks Board and other key stakeholders including:
Boulder County Historic Preservation Advisory Board, Planning Board, County
Commissioners, and City Council as well as potentially affected property owners and
residents;
Fiscal Impact -Staff anticipates that development of a historic and cultural preservation
plan will require consultant services in the amount of approximately $100,000. A
substantial of this amount may be funded through grants.