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Staff reports on recruitment, process changes and conference takeaways; board discusses awards
Summary
Staff reported on board recruitment, recent process changes that shift many LAC reviews to staff, early monthly metrics showing fewer demo applications, and conference takeaways; the board discussed awards and next steps.
Staff presented program updates Feb. 5 that covered board recruitment, recent code and process changes, conference takeaways and early metrics showing how the changes are being implemented.
Recruitment: Marcy Gerwing told the board the application period produced four applicants for a vacant design-professional seat created by Ronnie Palusio’s departure in March. Staff are vetting applicants and noted that seats on the Landmarks Board are appointed to specific categories (two design professional seats, three at-large seats); one current member would need to resign and reapply to change seat assignments.
Process changes and metrics: Staff reviewed code and procedural changes implemented this year: the initial submittal review window increased from 14 to 21 days (staff still aims to meet 14-day review where possible), expiration periods for LACs and demolition approvals changed from 180 days to up to one year for new 2025 approvals, and a majority of LACs can now be reviewed at staff level rather than by committee. Early January metrics show fewer demolition applications (3 in January 2025 vs. 9 in January 2024) and a larger share of applications reviewed at staff level, though tax-credit review timing requires further tuning.
Saving Places conference: Staff and board members who attended the Colorado Historic Preservation conference in Colorado Springs summarized sessions on intangible heritage, equity, and funding tools that connect preservation to housing and community benefits. Attendees suggested the board consider local presentations of the research and that staff explore connections between preservation and broader equity and housing priorities.
Awards and recognition: Staff proposed restarting the Landmarks Board awards after a pause; the board discussed possible nominees from recent rehabilitation, infill, and adaptive-reuse projects and asked staff to circulate a candidate list for narrowing at the next meeting.
Why it matters: The procedural changes are intended to speed reviews and reduce repeat applications while preserving committee and board oversight for complex cases. Early metrics show the approach may be reducing committee workload but staff identified tax-credit processing as an area needing additional structure.
