Progress & Preservation...Together

APRIL 2002 NEWSLETTER

Here is our latest news.....

Progress & Preservation . . . Together had a preliminary meeting with the Landmark Preservation Commission on March 19. The meeting went extremely well. The Commission reviewed our boundaries and the estimated integrity (70%) of our proposed Historic District. They were very helpful in counseling us on what needs to be done.
1. We need to conduct neighborhood meetings. Those will be done block by block to answer questions. Anyone who can be a Block Captain, please let us know by calling 303.733.7089.

2. We will be available to answer questions at the WPENA May 15 meeting.

3. Our second survey is in progress and will result in preparation of our application for historic designation.

4. We have overspent our grant money, of course, so we need to do some fundraising. Lynn will be calling you for help!! Fundraisers coming up:
Old South Gaylord Memorial Day Festival. Thank you Paul Kashmann of the Washington Park Profile for your booth again this year.
The 1st Annual Washington Park East Living History Garden Tour will be in August.

The Economic Benefit of Historic Preservation put out by the Colorado Historical Foundation says, "Historic designation does not decrease property values. Property values in designated areas experienced value increases that were either higher than, or the same as, nearby undesignated areas." Quoting Joanne Ditmer from The Denver Post, Sunday, March 24, 2002, "(Historic Designation) indicates it's a 'special area' and therefore desirable. Property values increase." To get a copy of the report she referenced, call the Colorado Historical Society's Office of Archeological and Historic Preservation at 303.866.8395, or go to www.colf.org and click the "economic report" link.

TOURS AND TALKS BY PHIL GOODSTEIN

Saturday, May 4: Riverside Cemetery, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Meet at the administration building. The cemetery is at 52nd Avenue, Race Street, and Brighton Blvd.
Sunday, May 5: Morgan's Addition/Congress Park, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Meet at the Fred Mazzula House, southwest corner of Eighth Avenue and Race Street.
Saturday, May 11: Fairmount Cemetery, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Meet at the front of the Ivy Chapel. The cemetery is at Alameda Avenue and South Quebec Street.
Sunday, May 12: Sloans Lake, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Meet in front of Lake Junior High School, West 19th Avenue and Meade Street.
Saturday, May 18: Mount Olivet Cemetery, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Meet at the front of the Madonna Mausoleum. The cemetery is at West 44th Avenue and Youngfield Street.
Sunday, June 2: City Park, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Meet at the fountain by the Sullivan Gateway, Colfax and Esplanade (in front of East High School).
Sunday, June 9: Baker/Broadway Terrace, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Meet on the steps at the Colorado Labor Center, southeast corner of Fourth Avenue and Acoma Street.
Sunday, June 16: Civic Center/Golden Triangle, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Meet at the benches between the Denver Public Library and Denver Art Museum, 13th Ave. and Acoma.
Sunday, June 23: Park Hill
Meet at Ferguson Park, southeast corner of 23rd Avenue and Dexter Street.



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A) Add a second story to our house? Yes, the second story must be subordinate to the first. Pg. 27-30 and Pg. 6-last paragraph*B) Finish the new exterior with stucco? Yes, intent is to architecturally tie old to new. Pg. 29, photo #37*C) Install Cape Cod Windows? Yes, if Cape Cod Windows are in the style of your home. Pg. 14*D) Use the color of our choice to paint the exterior? Yes, Yes. Pg. 36*E) Utilize xeriscape or Southwestern Style landscaping for the yard? Yes. The Design Guidelines do not address issues around landscaping. Remember, only exterior changes requiring a City building permit activate the design review process. Pg. 12, photo #6; pg. 22-24, photos #25-28*F) Install an air conditioning unit? Yes. Pg. 25*G) Replace our brick garage with a frame garage? Depends on many factors. Overall condition, contributing or non-contributing structure, however, design review appears more lenient on garages than housing. Pg 48-51; Pg. 41, photos #58 & 59*H) Install a lawn sprinkler system? Yes. Again, as in question E above, design review does not apply.I) Cut down existing mature trees and shrubbery? Yes, though removing mature trees is strongly discouraged. Only exterior changes requiring a City building permit necessitate the design review process.J) Install a dish on the roof? Yes, installation should minimize the visual impact of the item. Pg. 25* K) Place playground equipment in our yard? Yes. Same response as in question E, H and I above.L) Replace a window with glass brick? Yes, if glass block was original. Pg. 15*M) Can I replace my entry door? Yes, though if original, preservation is the first choice. If not original or beyond repair, then the door replacement should be similar to original finishes and avoid change in position or proportion. Pg. 13, photos #7*N) Can I gut the inside of my house? Yes, design review applies only to exterior design that requires a City building permit. Pg. iv, Preface*O) Can I put up aluminum storm windows? Not raw aluminum, but pre-finished aluminum clad may be ok. Consider storm windows as an alternative to window replacement. Pg. 15*P) Is demolition of our house or others in the neighborhood allowed? Probably not, although it depends on many factors. Please reference the Design Guidelines on pg. 48-51*Q) What is the difference between landmark and covenant regulation? Covenants regulate such things as house color, landscape or cars allowed around your house. The basis of design review is compatibility with the historical character of the district. Design guidelines are utilized to make decisions. Pg. iv, Preface; Landmark Preservation Ordinance, Chap. 30, Revised Municipal Code*R) Does historical designation lower the value of the homes in the neighborhood? No. There are several excellent studies and resources that help in answering this question and others.

The reference page numbers throughout this document refer to *DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR LANDMARK STRUCTURES and DISTRICTS published March 1995 by the City and County of Denver. It can be attained in three ways:
1. DESIGN GUIDELINES can be purchased for $5.00 from the City and County of Denver Planning Department - or - from Progress & Preservation . . . Together (PPT).
2. Download from the internet at site: www.DenverGov.org
3. Review at the Eugene Field Library where this book and other materials are on reserve for neighborhood viewing.

Another excellent resource is the PPT publication: "WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HISTORIC DESIGNATION?" This is available by calling PPT at 303.733.7089 or at the Eugene Field Library. Also, please refer to our website at: www.neighborhoodlink.com/org/ppt.