Historic Preservation Commission

AGENDA HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION TOWN OF BUENA VISTA, COLORADO June 3, 2021 3:00 PM In-person Meeting Meeting will be held at the Buena Vista Community Center with alternate zoom link availability To participate in Public Comment and/or Public Hearings you must attend in-person or use the Zoom link below. Conferencing Access Information: https://zoom.us/j/91956997299 Password: 691731 Listen via phone at: 1-650-449-9052 Meeting ID: 919 5699 7299 Passcode: 691731 I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. AGENDA ADOPTION IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 6, 2021 V. PUBLIC COMMENT VI. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Buena Vista Court House landmark application B. Ethics lesson learning experience C. Strategic planning updates D. Residential Survey draft submission comments E. Historic Records Grant discussion F. Updates from related organizations G. Next meeting date and location: July 1, 2021 3:00 pm ? VII. STAFF UPDATES A. Mary Therse Anstey was appointed by the Board of Trustees on 5/25 VIII. ADJOURNMENT This Agenda may be Amended Posted at Buena Vista Town Hall and www.buenavistaco.gov  MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION TOWN OF BUENA VISTA, COLORADO May 6, 2021 3:00 PM Virtual Meeting Conferencing Access Information: https://zoom.us/j/91956997299 Password: 691731 Listen via phone at: 1-650-449-9052 Meeting ID: 919 5699 7299 Passcode: 691731 I. CALL TO ORDER John called the meeting to order at 3:09 pm. II. ROLL CALL John O’Brien, Nancy Locke, Vic Kuklin, Suzy Kelly, Jo Reese, Melanie Roth, Mark Doering, Katy Welter, and Mary Therese Anstey. Dan Courtright joined mid-meeting. III. AGENDA ADOPTION Suzy moved to approve the agenda and Melanie seconded. The motion passed unanimously. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 1, 2021 Melanie moved to approve the minutes as drafted and Jo Reese seconded. The motion passed unanimously. V. PUBLIC COMMENT None. VI. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Commissioner Candidate interview – Mary Therese Anstey Mary is an architectural historian interested in serving on the Buena Vista Historic Preservation Commission. She shared her experience, which included serving as staff to the City of Aurora HPC. Mary’s application is included in the meeting packet. After Mary and the HPC exchanged a number of questions, Katy moved to recommend to the Board of Trustees that they appoint Mary Therese Anstey as an alternate on the Historic Preservation Commission on the May 25th agenda. Jo Reese seconded. The motion passed unanimously. B. Ethics lesson learning experience John contacted Erica Duvic (History Colorado CLG Coordinator) to see if she could provide any training regarding ethics. As Erica is now leaving her position with History This Agenda may be Amended Posted at Buena Vista Town Hall and www.buenavistaco.gov  Colorado, John proposed the idea of an experienced commissioner or chair to talk to us about this subject. Melanie also suggested that we might attend experienced HPC meetings. John will look into both. C. Strategic planning updates Jo Reese updated on the marketing strategic planning goal. Jo proposed that we publicly and consistently adopt the mission statement “to protect a sense of time and place with preservation of historic buildings in Buena Vista.” She also proposed taking steps toward making public statements on the Town of Buena Vista website, possibly creating a Facebook page, and other outlets. Mark stressed the importance of any such communications representing official positions from HPC/Town, but not the personal views of the individual commissioners. John O’Brien moved that Town create an HPC designated email address and that Jo Reese create a Facebook page for the purpose of sharing HPC information, with anything to be previously approved by Mark. Jo seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The local landmarking update is addressed in item G. No other updates at this time. D. Residential Survey update Front Range Research Associates (Tom and Laurie Simmons) have made significant progress on the residential surveys, but they noted that many buildings lack historic integrity, but would still qualify for local landmarking under our code. The HPC discussed whether it would like to propose to the Board of Trustees that we make historic integrity a requirement under the municipal code. The consensus was to leave the code as is so that we can have a generous standard for local landmarking, and so that decisions about local landmarking do not hinge on integrity. E. Historic Records Grant discussion Katy updated that the photo archives project volunteers met on Sunday to discuss next steps. Suzy emphasized that her priority is identifying the photos using archival pen as the first priority while the group figures out a strategy to continue scanning the photos. Katy will attend the BV Heritage meeting on May 25 to discuss the best approach to storing/sharing the photos. F. Updates from related organizations Katy Welter shared that she is representing (in her professional capacity as an attorney) the owners of 420 E Main St. She will not be able to discuss with HPC or vote on any matters pertaining to the project; and she will not advocate for the owners before HPC. John expressed that these types of situations were a normal part of professionals volunteering on small town boards, and that accepting that fact is essential to attracting qualified professionals as volunteers. Mark shared details about the timeline to have a public hearing; July 1 appears likely. This Agenda may be Amended Posted at Buena Vista Town Hall and www.buenavistaco.gov  Vic updated that BV Heritage is making significant progress on restoring the windows in the courthouse, but that it means the courthouse won’t be open to the public until June 15. G. Buena Vista Court House landmark application – Set hearing for next meeting Mark indicated that we would need to publish notice in next week’s paper if we are going to having a public hearing about the local landmarking. The HPC agreed that it would like to hear this application on June 3. H. Next meeting date and location: The Board discussed where to meet and there was consensus to meet in person in Pinon Room but offer zoom link option. I. Next meeting date and location: June 3, 2021 3:00 pm at the Pinon Room, in person! with additional access via zoom. J. STAFF UPDATES – Mark noted that the town continues to see a lot of building and development activity. K. ADJOURNMENT at 5:05 pm. Respectfully submitted ____________________ John O’Brien - Chair This Agenda may be Amended Posted at Buena Vista Town Hall and www.buenavistaco.gov  town of buena vista P.O. Box 2002 Buena Vista, CO 81211 Phone: (719) 395-8643 Fax: (719) 395-8644 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT DATE: May 25, 2021 HEARING DATE: June 3, 2021 ADDRESS: 506 E. Main Street – Buena Vista Heritage Museum APPLICANT: Buena Vista Heritage REQUEST: Request for Local Landmark Designation for the Heritage Museum CITY STAFF: Mark N. Doering, Principal Planner STAFF RECOMMENDATION: If the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) accepts the conclusion and recommendation as presented in this staff report, it should make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees to designate the Buena Vista Heritage Museum building located at 506 E. Main Street as a locally designated historic building per Chapter 19 of the Buena Vista Municipal Code. ATTACHMENTS TO THE REPORT: Attachment A – Vicinity Map Attachment B – Site Plan Attachment C – National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for the building I. SUMMARY OF REQUEST The applicant is requesting approval of a locally designated historic structure for the Buena Vista Heritage Museum Building located at 506 E. Main Street. See the attached Vicinity Map in Attachment A. The building was originally constructed as the Chaffee County Courthouse in 1882 and received designation on the national register of historic places on September 10, 1979. The building was originally constructed with the County Jail Building, which now houses the Buena Vista School District administration offices. That jail building is not a part of this application, and is now on a different property from the museum property with a new property line between the two buildings. The applicant is seeking local designation of the former courthouse building at this time. The building is identified as part of the Chaffee County Courthouse and Jail Complex in the national designation registration form (Attachment C). It was designated because it was significant in its architecture, and for its role in education, law, and politics/government. The building was built in 1882 in the Italian Villa style of architecture to be the county’s courthouse and operated as such until the county seat was moved to Salida in 1928. It then was used as a school and then transitioned into a museum as it remains today.  June 3, 2021 Buena Vista Heritage Museum Building Local Historic Designation II. PROCESS The applicant has submitted a local landmark designation application as specified in Section 19-6 of the Town of Buena Vista Municipal Code. Staff reviewed the application is forwarding the request for the local landmark to the Historic Preservation Commission for a recommendation to the Board of Trustees for a final decision on the application. III. ANALYSIS – HISTORIC DESIGNATION CRITERIA Section 19-7 of the Buena Vista Municipal Code provides two ways that designation of a historic structure or site can be accomplished. The first way is by being at least fifty years old and by meeting at least one of 16 criteria for designation. The second way is by being landmarked on the state or national register and by making an application for local historic designation. This application meets that second option for designation, as the building was listed on the national register of historic places in 1979, and the paperwork used for that designation is included as Attachment C. As such, it could be designated as a historic structure as listed in the Buena Vista Municipal Code. Staff has also provided its analysis for the first option for the Commission’s review. Each criterion is listed in bold text, followed by staff’s analysis for each in standard text. Staff has used the information in the national designation registration form for its analysis. 1. Exemplifies specific elements of an architectural style or period; The building reflects the characteristic elements of the Italian Villa style for a public building from the late 19th century. The cupola, quoins, hipped roof, bracketed eaves, pediments, and round- headed windows are features of that style. 2. Is an example of the work of an architect or builder who is recognized for expertise nationally, statewide, regionally, or locally; The building was built by E. Fisher, who was experienced in building a county courthouse in Canon City for Freemont County, as indicated in the national designation paperwork. Some research indicates that it was designed by George King from Leadville, who also produced several notable buildings in Leadville, Boulder and Fort Collins. 3. Demonstrates superior craftsmanship or high artistic value; The building exhibits a high artistic value and craftsmanship for the exterior and interior spaces of the building. The cupola is the most recognizable building element in the town. 4. Represents an innovation in construction, materials, or design; The building does not represent any particular innovations in its construction, materials or its design over any other building built from that time period. 5. Represents a style particularly associated with the Buena Vista/Chaffee County area; The building style (Italian Villa) is not unique in its styling that would be particularly associated with the Buena Vista/Chaffe County area.  June 3, 2021 Buena Vista Heritage Museum Building Local Historic Designation 6. Represents a built environment of a group of people in an era of history; The building does represent a specific era of history when the town started to transition from its initial wood construction when it was established as a mining town to the era when brick buildings started to show more permanent structures in an established town. 7. Represents a pattern or grouping of elements representing at least one (1) of the above criteria; The building does not represent a pattern or grouping of elements other than identified above. 8. Is the site of a historic event that had an effect upon society; There are no known specific historic events that have occurred on the property that had an effect upon society, other than those local events rising from its uses as a county government or schoolhouse. 9. Exemplifies cultural, political, economic, or social heritage of the community; The building does represent the cultural and economic heritage of the community as is perhaps the most recognizable buildings in the Town of Buena Vista when it was constructed, after the town became the County seat. 10. Represents an association with a notable person or the work of a notable person; The buildingwas designed by architect Georg King. He has several buildings of note in Leadville, Boulder and Fort Collins, including the Tabor Opera House in Leadville. 11. Represents a typical example/association with a particular ethnic group; Not applicable. The building is not associated with any specific ethnic group. 12. Represents a unique example of an event in Buena Vista's history; The building does represent a particular event in Buena Vista’s history, when it housed the County government after becoming the county seat through election of county residents. 13. Enhances sense of identity of the community; The building does enhance the sense of identity of the community and is arguably the most identifiable building in town limits. 14. Is an established and familiar natural setting or visual feature of the community; The building is in the middle of downtown Buena Vista and is the most established visual feature of the community. 15. Properties that have yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory; or The building has not yielded any important information in prehistory, but does contain important history of the community since it was established. 16. If the property is less than fifty (50) years old, must demonstrate overwhelming historic significance. Not Applicable. The building is over fifty years old.  June 3, 2021 Buena Vista Heritage Museum Building Local Historic Designation IV. REVIEW COMMENTS Staff has received no review comments from the public regarding the application. Should the HPC rely on any particular piece of information in its designation discussion (and ultimately in its decision to either to recommend or not recommend designation to the Board of Trustees), it should include that basis for its decision in the recommendation. V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION Based upon the information and materials provided by the applicant and included in the staff report, staff supports the requested local historic designation. Therefore, staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission find that: 1. Applicant has requested approval of a Local designation as a historic building; and 2. Notice of the public hearing was posted on the property and published in the newspaper as required by the Municipal Code; and 3. The Buena Vista Heritage Museum building, originally constructed as the Chaffee County Courthouse, has previously obtained national historic designation (in 1979); and 4. The application is consistent with the applicable standards for local designation as a historic building. THEREFORE If the Historic Preservation Commission accepts the conclusions and recommendation as presented in this staff report, it should recommend APPROVAL of the local designation as a historic building for the Buena Vista Heritage Museum building located at 506 E. Main Street. cc: Suzy Kelly, representative for Buena Vista Heritage  June 3, 2021 Buena Vista Heritage Museum Building Local Historic Designation Attachment A – Vicinity Map NORTH  June 3, 2021 Buena Vista Heritage Museum Building Local Historic Designation Attachment B – Site Plan (1886 Sanborn Map)  June 3, 2021 Buena Vista Heritage Museum Building Local Historic Designation Attachment C – National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for the building See the Following 8 pages