Historic Preservation Commission

MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION TOWN OF BUENA VISTA, COLORADO November 3, 2022 3:00 PM In-person Meeting will be held at the Buena Vista Community Center with alternate zoom link availability for the public to also attend virtually. To participate in Public Comment and/or Public Hearings you must attend in-person or use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/95118280381 Meeting ID: 951 1828 0381 Passcode: 20212021 Listen via phone at: 1-720-707-2699 Meeting ID: 951 1828 0381 Passcode: 20212021 I. CALL TO ORDER John O’Brien called the meeting order at 3:11 pm. II. ROLL CALL Vic Kuklin, John O’Brien, Mary Therese Anstey, Suzy Kelly, Nancy Locke, Melanie Roth, and Katy Welter attended in person. Jo Reese and Dan Courtright were absent. Staff Joseph Teipel attended in person. III. AGENDA ADOPTION Mary Therese made and Suzy seconded a motion to adopt the agenda as written. The motion carried unanimously. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 6, 2022 No formal meeting was held, so no minutes are available to approve. V. PUBLIC COMMENT VI. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Town Hall recap Suzy received feedback from a couple of local property owners who were concerned that the ADG’s would make it difficult to work on their property. Vic said that he came to a realization that everything happening in town in terms of development was disproportionately benefiting tourists and second homeowners. The ADG’s represent a move that is meant to protect local interests as well. John received feedback from a couple of Town Trustees that was supportive of the meeting and the ADG’s in general. He also made the point that Breckenridge adopted their ADG’s in 1992, and that without those, the downtown of Breckenridge would have been lost to development. This Agenda may be Amended Posted at Buena Vista Town Hall and www.buenavistaco.gov  Melanie asked if there was a possibility that the height limit for buildings in Town might be raised. Joseph said that an affordable housing code audit recommended that a project committed to affordability should be exempt from some height limits, but that that recommendation was not expected to be adopted. B. ADG code language Joseph reported that the lawyers are still working on the code language for Chapter 19, and he is hoping that we can affirm our approval of the code changes at the December meeting. C. 206 W Sterling Ave. John met with the property owner and looked at photos from the 1940’s. The house looks roughly similar, but has been altered in non-historic ways. The owner wants to restore it and is considering locally landmarking. [Update: following the meeting, it was determined that this house is part of the West Side survey currently underway. If it merits local landmarking, then John, Suzy, and Katy will work with the owners on an application and accessing preservation incentives.] D. McGinnis Gym update Katy gave an update on the McGinnis Gym project, including that the National Register nomination has been updated to more clearly describe the Gym, Jail, and Maintenance Garage buildings. Watershed Inc. has applied for a State Historical Fund grant for the exterior of the building and this month will apply for a US EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant to remediate hazardous materials in the building. E. San Luis Valley conference discussion Since Jo Reese was absent, this discussion will be tabled until the next meeting. F. December meeting discussion December meeting will happen as regularly scheduled. We will discuss in December whether the January meeting will happen as regularly scheduled. Vic, Suzy, and Melanie’s terms expire in December 2022. Also, officer elections will need to take place at the first meeting of the year. Vic said he is considering not running again. G. Updates from related organizations and general discussion BV Heritage – Vic shared that they are making progress on the elevator issues in the courthouse. They are working on re-wiring part of the courthouse and the restoring the remaining windows. The fire marshal decided that the mine exhibit going to the hallway in the gym is not fire proof, so that is all coming down, and the office will move upstairs. They are working on a second legal egress on the first floor. Historic St Elmo – It’s snowy and cold, and they have the final inspection on the undertaker building. Katy shared that she’d learned a little bit about the tunnels road project and asked if anyone could recommend archaeologists or architectural historians. A couple of names were offered. VII. STAFF UPDATES The Town’s new comp plan process will officially begin tomorrow. Joseph will be out of the office from early December until early January. This Agenda may be Amended Posted at Buena Vista Town Hall and www.buenavistaco.gov VIII. ADJOURNMENT John adjourned the meeting at 4:12 pm. John O’Brien HPC Chair This Agenda may be Amended Posted at Buena Vista Town Hall and www.buenavistaco.gov