Landmark Structures And Districts: Modernizing The Design Guidelines
Landmark preservation is a component of the City of Denver Department of Community Planning and Development. The Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) consists of nine appointed non-compensated members that serve a three-year term. Landmark staff coordinates with the commission to carry out the mission of the Denver Landmark Ordinance of 1967 to protect and enhance Denver’s structures and districts that are of historic, architectural and/or geographic significance.
Last fall, the department began the process of revamping the design guidelines for landmark structures and districts. The LPC reviews designs for any exterior work to a property that is a designated historic structure or in a historic district. The design guidelines contain information on preservation, additions, new construction, site and landscape design, and signage.
The current guidelines were written in 1995 and are deemed difficult to navigate, lack illustration and do not incorporate recent advances in building technology and sustainable design. Landmark has outlined their purpose for updating the design guidelines per the following:
Provide property owners with clear information on historic design review processes, expectations and parameters;
Encourage “solutions-oriented” approaches to planning additions and new construction, through user-friendly illustrations and examples that stimulate creative design solutions;
Re-focus design review efforts around the preservation of character-defining features of landmarks and districts;
Address and expand areas that current guidelines shed little light on, including sustainability and weatherization, signage, commercial buildings, building maintenance, new construction, demolitions, and additions.
Landmark held a public workshop on Dec. 9 for input from Denver residents, neighborhood groups, architects, developers and the community at large. Landmark gave an overview of the project at the workshop. They have published a summary of the meeting and posters highlighting participant input on the subjects of new infill, pop-tops, windows, rear additions and retaining walls.
Some general comments were that additions and new construction projects should use materials and be of a form and size that is sympathetic to the character of the structure or district. However, participants shared the desire for flexibility when it comes to energy efficiency measures such as window replacement or installing solar panels. Further opportunity for public input will be available at a second public workshop in March (see timeline below).
Design Guideline Update Timeline:
• Draft versions of Chapters 1 and 2 were presented to the LPC at its regularly scheduled meeting on Feb. 4.
• Public Workshop to be held Wednesday, March 26, at 6 p.m. at East High School
• The LPC will hold a public hearing on the updated design guidelines in May 2014.
• LPC is slated to adopt the final updated document in June 2014.
Visit the Landmark Preservation and Design Guidelines Update pages at denvergov.org to learn more or to sign up for Landmark e-news.