HomeMy WebLinkAbout19215 Historic Designation
October 26, 2018
Andy Holloran
HomeBase Partners
20 North Tracy Avenue
Bozeman, Montana 59715
RE: Historic Designation – 122 N. Bozeman Ave,
(BOZEMAN ORIGINAL PLAT, S07, T02 S, R06 E, BLOCK I, N2 LOT 35,36,37 & 38)
Dear Mr. Holloran,
This letter is in response to and provides information for your request as to the Historical
Status of the Home located at 122 N. Bozeman Ave. as it relates to the application for a
permit to demolish the structure.
I have attached the Montana Historic Property Record, Bozeman Historic Structures
Inventory completed February 16th of 2015 by Scott L. Carpenter of InteResources
Planning, Inc.. According to this inventory the house was built in 1905 and as indicated by
the inventory form it is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The
form further indicates that this home is not individually eligible for the NRHP but rather as
a contributing resource to a Historic District.
The Criteria used for this eligibility is stated as;
Area of Significance: Association with Bozeman's residential development
Significance: Bozeman's Civic Phase (1884-1912)
The inventory form includes the statement “[The] Building has undergone several
remodels losing some of original design and fabric.” However, the Statement of Significance
within the inventory form is clear in saying; “The property retains elements of historic
materials, workmanship, and design to justify a recommendation for defining the property as
a contributing element of a potential historic district typifying Bozeman's residential
developments during the Civic Phase.”
Page 2 of 3
According to The Bozeman Municipal Code (BMC), the demolition of a Historic Structure
must be reviewed and meet the criteria found in BMC Sec. 38.340.090. If the structure does
not meet the definition of a historic Structure then it would be reviewed under the less
stringent criteria found in BMC Sec. 38.340.100.
Therefore the first step in the process to obtain a demolition permit would be to determine
the homes historic status. To do this I must adhere to the definition given within the BMC.
BMC Sec. 38.700.090
Historic structure. Any building or structure that is:
1. Listed in the State or National Register of Historic Places;
2. Designated as a historic property under local or state designation law or survey;
3. Certified as a contributing resource within a National Register listed or locally
designated historic district; or
4. Eligible, as determined by the City of Bozeman, to be listed on the National or
State Register of Historic Places either individually or as a contributing building to
an existing or potential historic district.
The most recent National Register Criteria for Evaluation as published by the U.S.
Department of the Interior, National Park Service are the basis for determining whether a
property is eligible for historical significance when a new or updated evaluation is
prepared.
This home clearly does not meet numbers 1, 2 or 3 of the above, leaving just number 4 in
question. As stated above, this structure has been found to be eligible, however, it has been
determined that this eligibility hinges on the creation of a historic district. This property is
not in an existing historic district, nor is it within any planned historic district or within any
area under current historic district nomination.
In order for this structure to meet the definition it must be determined that it is within a
potential historic district. In making this determination I have relied on my understanding
of the U.S. Department of the Interior standards. I have also conferred with the City’s
Historic Preservation Specialist, Phil Gonzales, and in turn Mr. Gonzales has spoken with
the State of Montana’s Historic Preservation Office.
While both the State’s historic preservation office staff and Mr. Gonzales are unable to
formalize their opinions in writing without a formal nomination it is fair to say that the
consensus is that the inclusion of this property in a future historic district is highly unlikely.
Page 3 of 3
With all of the information and background considered, it is my interpretation of the BMC
and my determination that this particular structure is not within a potential historic
district. Therefore the structure does not meet the City’s definition of a historic structure.
Please contact me should you have any questions or require further information regarding
this information and determination.
Sincerely,
Martin Matsen
Director of Community Development
CC:
Greg Sullivan, City Attorney
Ref:
U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Cultural Resources, National Register,
History and Education: National Register Bulletin #16A. “How to Complete the National
Register Registration Form.”
U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service Interagency Resources Division:
National Register Bulletin #18. “Technical information on comprehensive planning, survey of
cultural resources, and registration in the National Register of Historic Places.”
https://www.nps.gov