Review of Demolitions and Certificates of Non-Historic Status

Transcription

1 Review of Demolitions and Certificates of Non-Historic Status -Adopted by the Landmark Preservation Commission 4/15/14 Community Planning & Development Policy Landmark Preservation 8/15/14 Per Section 30-6(1) of the Denver Revised Municipal Code (D.R.M.C.), Landmark Preservation reviews total demolition proposals for structures citywide. For properties which already have landmark designation or are located within locally-designated historic districts, the demolition review process delineated in Section 30-6(6) of the D.R.M.C. applies. For properties without such designation, the Landmark Preservation demolition reviews are meant to identify structures with the potential for designation. Similarly, Landmark Preservation staff reviews Certificates of Non-Historic Status (certificates) applications. When issued, these certificates officially declare buildings as non-historic at the local level (i.e., not eligible for Denver landmark designation) for five (5) years. If during the demolition or certificate review process, Landmark Preservation staff finds that a structure has potential for designation, then the notification provisions in Section 30-6 (1)(b)(ii) or 30-6(1)(c)(ii) of the D.R.M.C. apply and Landmark Preservation will post a sign on this structure for at least twenty-one days to allow a potential designation application to be prepared and submitted. Procedures It is the policy of the Landmark Preservation Commission to use the procedures delineated below as a guide to review and evaluate structures as to their potential for designation, and to apply the landmark designation criteria delineated in Section 30-3 of the D.R.M.C.: business-day Review. Landmark Preservation staff will review all completed Demolition and Certificate of Non-Historic Status applications within ten (10) working days of receipt to determine whether a structure has potential for designation based on the landmark designation criteria delineated in Section 30-3 of the D.R.M.C. 2. Initial Application Review and Preliminary Evaluation. In the course of its review, Landmark Preservation staff will complete an initial application review and preliminary evaluation on all properties to determine if additional research is warranted. Refer to A. and B. on the Landmark Preservation Commission Demolition Review and Research Checklist attached as Addendum A. a. If Landmark Preservation staff finds that a property does not have any potential for designation and, as such, no additional research is warranted, then the demolition is approved/certificate of Non-Historic Status is issued. b. If Landmark Preservation staff finds that a property may have potential for designation and additional research is warranted, then Historical Research is conducted. 3. Historical Research. Landmark Preservation staff will conduct additional research using the sources listed under C. on the Landmark Preservation Commission Demolition Review and Research Checklist attached as Addendum A. Staff will follow established historical research protocols, such as the Researching Denver Buildings and Neighborhoods protocol of the Denver Public Library Western History/Genealogy Collection, the Researching the History of Your House publication provided by History Colorado, and other protocols as necessary. page 1 of W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 205 Denver, CO or landmark@denvergov.org

2 Community Planning & Development Policy Landmark Preservation 4. Landmark Criteria Evaluation. After completing the historical research, Landmark Preservation staff will utilize the designation criteria specified in Chapter 30 of the D.R.M.C. to determine whether a property has the potential for designation. Staff will find that a property has potential for designation if the historical research and landmark criteria evaluation reveals: a. That the property reasonably maintains its historic and physical integrity as defined by Section 30-2 (4.2) of the D.R.M.C. and b. A moderate to strong potential, supported by documentation and research, that at least two (2) of the History, Architecture or Geography criterion for designation (as delineated in Section 30-3 of the D.R.M.C.) can be met. If staff finds that a property has potential for designation, then staff will prepare a draft memo report of findings (see step 5. below). If staff finds that a property has limited to no potential to meet at least (2) of the History, Architecture of Geography criterion for designation (as delineated in Section 30-3 of the D.R. M.C.), then staff will approve the demolition or issue the Certificate of Non-Historic Status. 5. Draft Memo Report of Findings. Landmark Preservation staff will prepare a draft summary memo report on each property with at least moderate potential for a property to meet at least one criterion under each of the History, Architecture or Geography categories. The draft memo report will follow the format provided in Addendum B. This report will: a. Summarize the research and analysis conducted, and b. Summarize whether the property meets landmark criteria, and was found to have or not have potential for designation. 6. Internal Review and Potential Consultation with Experts. For properties on which draft memo reports were prepared, Landmark Preservation staff will consult with the City s landmark review team established by the Department of Community Planning and Development s Executive Director (Executive Director). As deemed necessary, Staff may also consult with outside experts in history, architecture and historic preservation regarding the landmark potential of structures, to gather additional information relevant to the evaluation of designation potential. Landmark Preservation will take any comments and recommendations under advisement, and complete any additional research as deemed necessary. 7. Final Memo Report of Findings. After completing the steps above, the Landmark Preservation staff, in coordination with the Executive Director or his/her designee, will determine if a structure does or does not have the potential for designation and finalize the summary memo report of findings. The final summary memo report of findings for a property will be sent to the applicant and included in the official landmark Demolition or Certificate of Non-Historic Status file for that property. page 2 of W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 205 Denver, CO or landmark@denvergov.org

3 ADDENDUM A: A: LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION DEMOLITION REVIEW AND RESEARCH CHECKLIST Property Address _ A. Initial Application Review Date Completed: Step Description Result 1 Review Application - Ensure application is complete, including parcel information and photographs. 2 Examine Assessor s Record - Verify property owner and structure age - must be at least 30 years old to be considered. 3 Review Photographs Ensure that primary facades are visible. Conduct site visit if necessary. 4 Review Maps Consult current Aerial Maps, Sanborn Fire and other historical and current maps (as available) to confirm age, rarity, alterations & geographical context B. Preliminary Evaluation Date Completed: Step Evaluation Yes/No Explain 1 Integrity: Does property have historical and physical integrity per Section 30.2 Denver Revised Municipal Code (D.R.M.C.)? 2 History: Is property 30 years of age or more [Section 30-3(1)]? 3 Architecture: Does structure have design quality [Section 30-3(2)], and convey distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style or type [Section 30-3(2)a]? 4 Geography: Does structure meet one or more of the following: Criteria 3(a): Does it have a prominent location? Criteria 3(a): Is it an established, familiar, and orienting visual feature of the contemporary city? Criteria 3(b): Does it promote understanding and appreciation of the urban environment by means of distinctive physical characteristics or rarity? Criteria 3(c): Does it make a special contribution to Denver s distinctive character? 5 IS ADDITIONAL RESEARCH WARRANTED? page 3 of 6

4 C. Research Date Completed: Step Research Type Consulted? (Yes/No) 1 In-house Historic Property Surveys Examine available historic property surveys to determine if structure has previously been documented/identified. 2 Compass History Colorado s on-line database for prior evaluations of historic significance and historical information. 3 City/Householder Directories and Census Records Denver Public Library (DPL) on-line search to document prior inhabitants/owners 4 Heritage Quest Genealogical & Historical database available on-line from DPL 5 Denver Assessor and Building Permit Records available from DPL 6 Other Denver Public Library Western History Dept. (circle applicable) Library Catalog Architect, Architecture, Building Records Neighborhood Records Photographic Collections Obituary and Death Notices Newspaper Search Biography Records Business Directories List Other: 7 History Colorado: Stephen H. Hart Library (circle applicable) Library Catalog Reference and Vertical Files: _ List Other: _ 8 Other Sources: _ D. Landmark Criteria Evaluation Date Completed: Step Evaluation Yes/No Criteria Potentially Met (Circle applicable criteria) 1 Is One or More History Criteria Potentially Met? 1a 1b 1c 2 Is One or More Architecture Criteria Potentially Met? 2a 2b 2c 2d 3 Is One or More Geography Criteria Potentially Met? 3a 3b 3c 3d 4 DOES PROPERTY HAVE POTENTIAL FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION? page 4 of 6

5 Community Planning and Development Planning Services Landmark Preservation 201 W Colfax Ave, Dept 205 Denver, CO p: f: ADDENDUM B LANDMARK PRESERVATION MEMO REPORT OF FINDINGS FOR CERTIFICATE OF NON-HISTORIC STATUS/DEMOLITION REVIEW Date: Address: Legal Description: Construction Date: ADDENDUM B LANDMARK PRESERVATION MEMO REPORT OF FINDINGS FOR CERTIFICATE OF NON-HISTORIC STATUS/DEMOLITION REVIEW Source of Information: _ Architectural Architectural Style: _ Architect/Builder: Source of Information: _ Historical Original owner: Original use(s): Current use(s): Historical Summary: Source of Information: _ page 5 of 6

6 Designation Eligibility Assessment Integrity: Does the structure or district maintain its historic or physical integrity? X Has integrity Does not have integrity Landmark Designation Criteria: Does property meet at least one (1) criterion in two (2) or ore of the following three (3) categories: 1. History. To have historical importance, the structure shall be more than 30 years old or have extraordinary importance to the architectural or historical development of Denver, and shall: _ a. Have direct association with the historical development of the city, state, or nation; or b. Be the site of a significant historic event; or c. Have direct and substantial association with a person or group of persons who had influence on society. Does not meet any of the above History criteria. 2. Architecture. To have architectural importance, the structure or district shall have design quality and integrity, and shall: a. Embody distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style or type; or, b. Be a significant example of the work of a recognized architect or master builder, or, Contain elements of architectural design, engineering, materials, craftsmanship, or artistic merit which represent a significant or influential innovation; or, c. Portray the environment of a group of people or physical development of an area in an era of history characterized by a distinctive architectural style. Does not meet any of the above Architectural criteria. 3. Geography. To have geographical importance, the structure shall: _ a. Have a prominent location or be an established, familiar, and orienting visual feature of the contemporary city, or, b. Promote understanding and appreciation of the urban environment by means of\ distinctive physical characteristics or rarity; or, c. Make a special contribution to Denver s distinctive character. Does not meet any of the above Geographic criteria. Has potential for designation Does not have potential for designation Additional Explanation: page 6 of 6