To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: Dave Corliss, Town Manager
Tara Vargish, PE, Director Development Services
From: Julie Kirkpatrick, PLA, ASLA, Long Range Project Manager
Title
Resolution of the Town Council of Castle Rock Adopting a Downtown Historic Preservation Grant Policy
Body
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Executive Summary
As part of the adopted 2021 Budget, Town Council approved initiating a program to support property improvements that maintain the historic character of our Downtown, at a cost of $50,000. In order to administer this new $50,000 grant program, staff is requesting Town Council’s direction on a new Downtown Historic Preservation Grant Policy.
History of Past Town Council, Board & Commissions, or Other Discussion
Along with Town Council’s adoption of the 2021 Budget that approved $50,000 for this new grant program, Town staff had discussions with the Historic Preservation Board and the Downtown Development Authority. The Historic Preservation Board offered input at a study session on July 1, 2020, and Town staff gave an overview of the program to the Downtown Development Authority on October 1.
Discussion
The Town has offered a Design Assistance Program and Local Restoration Grant Program, collectively referred to as the Historic Preservation Grant Program, for historic restoration and rehabilitation of historically landmarked properties for several years. The existing grant program has a yearly budget of $15,000 and has primarily been requested by property owners needing assistance rehabilitating their landmarked properties within the Craig & Gould neighborhood. Any property owner of a historically landmarked property may request a grant to aid with either design or with the restoration work. On a first-come, first-served basis, the Historic Preservation Board reviews and awards grants at a public hearing. This existing Historic Preservation Grant Program for landmarked properties would continue as a separate program.
The purpose of the new Downtown Historic Preservation Grant program is to provide monetary assistance with rehabilitation and restoration of historic properties within the Downtown Overlay District (Attachment B) for exterior improvements. The properties do not require landmark status. The intent is to preserve the historic fabric of downtown buildings and seek to better ensure their long term viability regardless of landmark status. This Downtown Historic Preservation Grant would have a yearly budget of $50,000 in available funds, which would be awarded on a two-round, competitive basis as recommended by the Historic Preservation Board and approved by Town Council. To administer the program, staff has outlined a Downtown Historic Preservation Grant Policy for Town Council’s consideration (Attachment A).
Key points of the proposed policy are:
• Historically landmarked buildings are eligible
• Building must have been built 50 years ago, or older
• Building does not need to be landmarked but must have some historical significance
• Competitive grant process with priority going to properties in Downtown Core District, (Attachment C) specifically those around Courthouse Square
• Each grant not to exceed $25,000 per project per calendar year
• Property receiving grant would be encumbered in perpetuity by historic preservation easement to Town
• Historic Preservation Board would review grants and recommend projects for Town Council consideration
• Town Council awards the grants
• After project completion and receipt of a Certificate of Occupancy (or as approved upon inspection by Town Staff if no Certificate of Occupancy is required), the applicant may request reimbursement of the grant amount
Budget Impact
Town Council has approved the $50,000 grant as part of the 2021 Budget from the Development Services Enterprise fund.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the Downtown Historic Preservation Grant Policy.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve the Downtown Historic Preservation Grant Policy as presented.”
Attachments
Attachment A: Resolution
Exhibit 1: Downtown Historic Preservation Grant Policy
Attachment B: Downtown Overlay District Map
Attachment C: Downtown Core District Map