HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-28-19 Public Comment - J. Dunn (on behalf of HPAB) - NCOD ReviewFrom:Jennifer Dunn
To:Phillipe Gonzalez; Agenda
Cc:Jeanne Wilkinson
Subject:HPAB letter to commission on NCOD
Date:Thursday, March 28, 2019 3:08:05 PM
Attachments:NCOD Letter to Commission3-27-19.pdf
Please see attached letter for 4/8 commission meeting regarding the NCOD.
Best,
Jenn Jennifer Dunn RA
March 27, 2019
To Mayor Andrus, Deputy Mayor Mehl, and City Commissioners:
Re: Support of the NCOD Recommendations by Bendon Adams
The Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB) thanks you for commissioning the review of the
Bozeman Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD). The NCOD contributes immeasurably to
our community’s unique identity, sense of place and soul. The list of recommendations for the NCOD and
Historic Preservation put forth by Bendon Adams is a positive step in preserving and strengthening our
city’s history and core neighborhoods. We whole-heartedly support the recommendations and would like
to highlight three specific items from the report.
First, we agree that the HPAB role in the city’s preservation program needs to be strengthened. Currently
we are a full board of seven including the required architect, historic preservationist, professional
designee, at large members and historic district resident. Yet, the board has no review authority.
Alternative recommendation 3.3 suggests HPAB review for historic projects and projects within a historic
district. We understand there are approximately 50 Certificate of Appropriateness requests related to
historic properties per year. We do not necessarily have to review them all but do believe there should be
thresholds set for project review and demolition requests, similar to other boards where the city planner
and commission seek advice from their advisory boards. We believe this is a step that will help strengthen
the city’s preservation program as whole.
Second, it is crucial that we complete a historic architectural inventory survey. The survey will inform
multiple future steps in the recommendations. It will help determine if additional properties should be
nominated to the National Register of Historic Places and areas where new historic districts should be
created. It will also inform the community of neighborhood characteristics or of areas that could become
local historic districts.
Lastly, we agree with alternative recommendation 3.4 to incrementally create historic district
preservation standards and guidelines based on the recently updated Secretary of Interior’s Standards for
the Treatment of Historic Properties and existing NCOD guidelines. We also agree with alternative
recommendation 2.3 to create separate design standards and guidelines for non-historic areas within the
NCOD, with special standards for blocks adjacent to historic districts or historic structures. This will
strengthen local preservation in nationally recognized neighborhoods. It would provide a gateway for
future guidelines and could be rolled in with current Block Frontage Standards in the Bozeman United
Development Code.
Thank you for your efforts and we urge you to accept the NCOD recommendations to strengthen and
protect our history.
The Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board
Jennifer Dunn, Chair
Jeanne Wilkinson, Vice-Chair
Crystal Alegria, Member
Samantha Fox, Member
Chelsea Holling, Member
Eric Karshner, Member
Michael Wallner, Member